General Info:
On July 23, 2006, Rev. Fernando Apolinario was commissioned by Dr. James Leary, Regional Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association ( MACBA ) and Dr. Gilbert Vitaliz of the North East Conservative Baptist Association to start a new ministry in New Jersey. Along with Pastor Fernan were some members of The Risen Lord Fellowship who have committed themselves to support this new ministry. God, in His mighty power used people to help Pastor Fernan be connected with the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, one of which was their deacon, Don Auer. They graciously allowed us to use their auditorium every Sunday afternoon. Hence on July 30, a week after the commissioning, The Good Shepherd Church had its first worship service. Every Sunday thereafter God encouraged us by bringing old friends and even new faces from as far as Hong Kong, Philippines, Chicago, Connecticut, Massachusetts and other far places to worship with us. During the last quarter of 2006, Pastor Fernan and Pastor James Fox of Evangel Baptist Church met in one of the Evangelical Pastor's Fellowships held in northern NJ. This started the camaraderie among the two pastors and the congregations. This friendship flourished and had a few joint prayer meetings together, exchange pulpits, joint Christmas and New Year's Eve services, and a picnic fellowship. Later on, negotiations on the use of EBC facilities began. On May 2, 2007, The Good Shepherd Church was formally recognized as a church and introduced to the Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association during their Annual Conference held at Sandy Cove, Northeast Maryland. In September 2007, Evangel Baptist Church through the leadership of Pastor Jim Fox approved our request for the use of their facilities in the afternoon. Although we had been praying for this partnership, the thought of leaving the First Presbyterian Church auditorium saddened our hearts as the relationship with this church was also growing. A month after, our congregation unanimously agreed to move to EBC, considering the fact that we belong to the same association with the same vision. TGSC and EBC agreed to launch the use of their facility in a joint worship service on January 13, 2008 with Dr. James Leary, MACBA Regional Director, as the guest speaker. We firmly believe that God in His own right time makes all things beautiful for The Good Shepherd Church. As we celebrate this 2nd year Anniversary of God's faithfulness, we will continue to glorify God and seek His plan and purpose for His church.