|
|
|
| Pastor
Joe Porter and his wife Emy were chemical engineers, and
they both held enviable positions in one of the top corporations
in the Philippines. At the height of their careers, a
traumatic near-death experience made them realize that
having religion was not enough. It also caused them to
evaluate and rearrange their priorities in life. Their
search for spiritual enlightenment led into the wave of
the Charismatic revival that swept over the city of Cebu.
In 1983, they found the meaning and purpose of life in
having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| They
joined Maranatha Christian Fellowship and became part
of its original leadership. They developed and conducted
New Life Seminars which brought many people to the Lord
and became instrumental in the phenomenal growth of the
church. Their uncompromising love for God and unrelenting
desire to serve Him drove them to give up their jobs in
1987. Emy became the Church Administrator and Chief Counselor
and Coordinator for 700 Club. Joe went to Bible School
and became Associate Pastor. His responsibility was discipleship.
He formed a Core Group in 1987 and by 1992 he was overseeing
fifty-six Care Groups. |
| In
August of 1992, their family was sent by the church as
missionaries to the Washington D.C. area. They began by
conducting Bible Studies in homes. Two churches have now
been established, one that meets in Bethesda and another
that meets in Baltimore. |
| The
strength of their ministry is the shepherd heart and servant
heart of Pastor Joe, the involvement of his wife in worship,
teaching, and administration. Their four children, Gretchen,
Jolene, Michael and Jordan, love the Lord and are actively
involved in the ministry. |
