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History
Raymundo and Nenette Abogatal were mere attendees of the former Christian Life Fellowship International, Inc. (CLFI) in 1985. Despite their busy work schedule, they committed themselves to the work of the Lord by setting up a Bible study at their apartment in Quezon City. Bro. Dick Alcaraz (as Bp. Dick Alcaraz was known then) decided to sponsor Bro. Junjun (as Bp. Raymundo was known then) for training at the Christian Training Center (CTC) of CLF. Bro. Junjun finished his training on December 19, 1985. Sis. Nenette later enrolled and finished her training on

May 3, 1986.

Bro. Junjun and Sis. Nenette were committed attendees of the 9 o’clock morning service. In one of the homilies of Pastor Tom Hines (as Archibishop Hines was known then), he encouraged the congregation of the need to reach out to others. These words struck the heart of Bro. Junjun, leading him to make the decision to go home and share God’s Word to the people of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. But the realization of this decision came only after two years.

So in 1987, after almost 12 years of stay in Manila, Bro. Junjun and Sis. Nenette packed their bags and went home to Anakan, Gingoog City.

In answer to their prayers, God opened a way for them to begin bringing God’s Word to the people through a woman who was then already seeking for the Truth. So, the first Bible study by Bro. Junjun and Sis. Nenette begun in the living room of this lady during Saturdays at 1:30 in the afternoon. Through their faithfulness, the Lord increased their number. Soon, the small Bible study group became a Saturday Fellowship of 30 attendees. By then, the living room was too small for their need. So, they transferred to the garage. And the Lord continued to bring the increase.

For the next two years (1987-1989), the fellowship remained a home church with no affiliation to a mother church. However, within this period, Bro. Junjun, having recognized the need for covering and submission, begun corresponding with CLFI leadership for possible affiliation. In the last quarter of 1989, this fellowship at Gingoog was recognized as an official sub-chapter of CLFI. By this time, the followship had also found a new residence at R.R. Building in Delima Street with services held on Saturdays at 1:30 in the afternoon.

The year 1990 saw the establishment of services on Sundays at 9:30 in the morning. The year also saw the launching of the various ministries:  Music Ministry, Dance/Drama Ministry, Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry and the Ushering Ministry that would serve as extensions of Pastor to the people. For the next two years, outreaches were founded in Libertad and Bagubad, outlaying barangays of Gingoog City. The members of the fellowship continue to grow in numbers.

In 1992, as an answer to the congregation’s prayer, God gave CLFI-Gingoog another building that has been abandoned for five years. This two-storey building with a big backyard by the seafront was a perfect place. The first floor was converted into the worship area. The second floor was turned into the offices and residence of the staff. Today, this building in the corner of Rizal-Lugod Streets now houses the present Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer.

In 1993, the Saturday service was moved to Sunday at 6’oclock in the evening. The following years saw the growth of the fellowship and the maturing of its members. The highlights of these years were: the Youth Movers For Jesus yearly evangelism project called

“Walk for Jesus”, Summer Youth Camp (as joint project with the Youth Ministry of the Society of the Holy Family of the Cathedral of the King, Manila), the mid-week seminars on Liturgy, and the Visayas-Mindanao Pastoral Conference held from August 7 to 11, 1995.

In 1996, with the realization of the need to give God first priority in the lives of the people, the 9:30 morning service was moved to 7:30 in the morning. And the 6 o’clock Sunday Service was moved to 5 o’clock.

As part of CLFI-Gingoog’s journey back to the ancient paths, Pastor Junjun was trained and later ordained to the Office of the Diaconate in January of 1996. By August 9, 1996, Deacon Raymundo was ordained to the Office of the Priesthood in the International Communion of Charismatic Episcopal Churches (ICCEC) of the Province of Southeast Asia. And a year after, he was consecrated to the Office of the Bishop on August 22, 1997. It was also this time that the couple was gifted by God with a son named John Joshua.

Aside from this local parish he handles, Bp. Raymundo oversees the Diocese of Northern Mindanao. Bigger and greater responsibilities have been laid upon his shoulders, since the work now expands to a broader scope and wider community.

It is really Bishop Raymundo’s heart’s desire to make the kingdom of God visible in the city of Gingoog and this came to realization when he was able to have the Feeding Program and the Livelihood Program in operation in 2000, wherein the less fortunate brethren were not only being helped spiritually but physically as well.

Bp. Raymundo was enthroned into the Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, Diocese of Northern Mindanao on April 17, 2001.

In the year 2007, God opened doors for the vision to be fulfilled for the church to have a parochial school. Christ the Redeemer Parochial School was opened with 21 students enrolled in Preschool. And in the year 2008-2009, the Parochial School became Christ the Redeemer Life Formation Mission School, formally registered at Security Exchange Commission on August 13, 2008 and accredited to the Department of Education. As God’s Word says, “Don’t despise small beginnings…”, the school started having a Preschool and now, the school is serving the community with Preschool and complete Elementary course.

The historical turning points for CLFI-Gingoog were the visit of Patriarch Randolp Austin Adler last November 1996, the reception of the fellowship by Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines to the

ICCEC on April 17, 1997, the consecration of Fr. Raymundo in the Office of the Bishop on August 22, 1997, the visit of Patriarch Craig Bates on November 2013 and November 2014.

Today, CLFI-Gingoog is known by its name: The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer.

Like any work of God, the church has been through much tribulation and persecution; yet through it all God continues to redeem. As the word of God says, “the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church. “  To God be the glory!