CABC Timeline

1982 

  • October 25 - Ptr. Godfrey Catanus was officially commissioned as a missionary/church planter by the (FEBC Canada) to start a Filipino Baptist Church in Scarborough.

  • November 28 - Scarborough Filipino Baptist Church (SFBC) was formed.

1983

  • March 26 - SFBC was recognized by the FEBC Canada as an official affiliate.

1984

  • June 13 - SFBC and KPBC merged and adopted the name Commonwealth Avenue Baptist (CABC). The Dr. Starr led the merger meeting, and Ptr. Catanus was called as pastor.

1987

  • June - Ptr. Catanus resigned from his position plant another church - Northwest Filipino Baptist Church in Chicago, USA. He and his wife are now missionaries in the Philippines. Before Ptr. Canatus’ departure, he recommended for Ptr. Elbern Latorilla to take over as CABC’s pastor. Bro. Orlando Holloway and Bro. Bruce Lee helped a lot during this transition.

  • June - Ptr. Catanus planted CABC’s very first daughter church in Brampton, now known as Peel International Baptist Church.

1989

  • May 11 - Ptr. Latorilla and his family arrived at CABC. Attendance was approximately 60-80 at that time.

  • May - Ptr. Jose Faia was called as a youth pastor in CABC. Three members from this youth group are now pastors themselves: Ian Arienda-Jose, Loel Latorilla, Daniel Laserna.

1994

  • Ptr. Faia resigned from his position to pastor a church in Montreal.

1996

  • June - Ptr. Emmanuel Palisoc was called as a youth pastor in CABC.

  • October 27 - CABC started having two separate worship services (9AM and 11AM) due to overcrowding.

1998

  • Summer - The first Vacation Bible School (VBS) was organized and led by Sis. Susan Manalastas.

2000

  • New fellowship groups and home Bible studies were established, and various ministries were strengthened.

  • Sis. Pinky Ferranco was hired as an administrative assistant in CABC, due to the growing demands of ministries.

2001

  • Ptr. Palisoc resigned from his position to serve as an associate pastor in Willowdale Baptist Church.

2002

  • November - Ptr. Jim Wright was called as a youth pastor in CABC.

2006

  • September - J-Crew (pre-teens aged 9-12 )was launched under the leadership of Hannah San Diego-Bulanan.

2007

  • June 3 - The ground breaking ceremony for the church building extension was held.

2008

  • March - The very first edition of CABC’s official newsletter CONNECT (then called “Connection”) was released. 

2009

  • January 25 - CABC’s second daughter church was initially planted in the West End but for certain reasons and by God’s direction, it had to be withdrawn.

  • June - CABC celebrated its 25th anniversary.

2010

  • July 1-4 - The first youth camp was organized and led by Ptr. Wright and a team of volunteers.Youth camps became a biennial event thereafter.

  • July 26-30 - VBS resumed after a four-year hiatus due to the construction.

2012

  • June 11 - The new building/extension occupancy permit was released. CABC could now officially use the new building extension for ministries.

  • October 21 - Bro. John Isip was hired as a music ministry director in CABC.

2013

  • July 1-7 - The first “Scarborough Challenge” was spearheaded by Bro. Ferdie Umali. It is a ministry facilitated by Operation Mobilization that equips Christians in the areas of multicultural evangelism and discipleship.

  • September - Ptr. Alex Lee was called to serve as a youth pastor in CABC, as Ptr. Wright became the associate pastor.

2014

  • February - Ptr. Wright resigned from his position to pursue another pastoral opportunity where he has been led by the Lord.

  • June 24 - CABC celebrated its 30th anniversary.

  • August 11-14, 2014 - The first youth Scarborough mission trip was organized and led by Ptr. Lee. Ten of the young people took up the challenge of being local missionaries for a week by sharing the Gospel at malls and serving the homeless through The Scott Mission.

2015

  • January 10, 2015 - Men’s Fellowship was launched.

  • March 16-20, 2015 - The first MB4Kids was organized and led by Sis. Rizza Facun. It is a week-long day camp during March break, where children aged 6-12 do fun activities and learn about Jesus.

  • June 27, 2015 - Careers group was launched under the leadership of Bro. Bernel and Sis Faye Latorilla.

2016

  • January - Discipleship ministry was launched under the leadership of Bro. Mike Borja.

  • Fall - CABC started having three worship services (9AM, 11AM and 5PM) to cater to members/adherents who are unable to attend on Sunday mornings.

  • October 30 - Daughters of the King Fellowship (Women’s’ Fellowship) was launched.

2017

  • September - CABC became mortgage free.

2018

  • January 1 - CABC was incorporated and thus became Christ Almighty Baptist Church.

  • September 2 - Ptr. Solomon Reyes was called to serve as an associate pastor in CABC. Thus, CABC has three serving pastors to date.

  • September 29 - Young Adults Ministry, formerly known as Careers group, was relaunched under the leadership of Ptr. Reyes.

2019

  • January - A new full-time local missionary was sent.

2020

  • January 26, 2020 - CABC bid farewell to Ptr. Alex as he was called to serve as the lead Pastor at Long Branch Baptist Church.

  • April 15, 2020 - Ptr. Elbern, Ptr. Solo, and their families began uploading pre-recorded Wednesday Prayer Meetings and Sunday Services online to continue ministering to people at home during the COVID-19 lockdown. Bible study groups and other ministries continued to meet via Zoom.

  • August 16, 2020 - The tech team began live streaming services from the CABC building.

  • September 27, 2020 - CABC’s daughter church, Life Church, was launched under the leadership of Ptr. Lendl Salangsang.

  • November 2, 2021 - Ptr. Loel Latorilla was called to serve as the Youth and Young Adults Pastor of CABC.

2021

  • March 31, 2021 - First In-person Prayer Meeting!

  • April 4, 2021 - First reopening of Sunday Worship Services after the pandemic. 

  • September 27, 2021 - CABC’s daughter church, Life Church celebrates its first anniversary.

2022

  • June 15, 2022 - Ptr. Ezra Alderete was called to serve as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator of CABC.

  • September 24, 2022 - AWANA was launched under the leadership of Ptr. Ezra.

2023

  • March 18, 2023 - The International Student Ministry was launched.

  • June 24, 2023 - Special Needs Ministry was launched.

  • September 9, 2023 - Multimedia Ministry was launched.

2024

  • May 26, 2024 - First Aid Ministry was launched.

  • June 30, 2024 - CABC celebrates its 40th anniversary. To God be the glory!