SAN JOSE, Calif.—Grace Community Baptist Church has called Philip Flores Jr. as pastor. He “comes highly qualified to pastor,” says Ron Schrock, state representative of the California Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
Philip studied at the Bukidnon Fundamental Baptist Seminary, Malaybalay City, Philippines; Doane Baptist Seminary, Iloilo City, Philippines; Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in Michigan; and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif., where he received his MDiv this year. While studying for the ministry in the Philippines, he served as youth pastor and pastor.
Philip made a commitment to serve in Thailand when he was 10 years old. The decision was prompted by the visit of a Filipino missionary to his church, who gave a wonderful testimony of God’s grace.
Two months after Philip married his wife, Belinda, in 1995, they arrived in Thailand as traditional church planters under the Philippines Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Supported by their home church and other churches in the Philippines, they planted two churches in 14 years, one Thai and one Filipino.
The Floreses and their two daughters, Blessedda Jireh and Bethany Jadestiny, began serving in evangelism and music at Grace Community Baptist Church while Philip completed his degree at Golden Gate Seminary. A call to pastor the church came not long after his graduation. He will begin full-time ministry in January.
