FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apostolic Independent Missions Acquires National Philippines Headquarters
WASHINGTON (March 21, 2017) — Leadership of the Apostolic Independent Missions Inc. (AIM) traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this month to complete the acquisition of real estate for a new national headquarters located in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines.
AIM General Director Michael R. Couch, Assistant Director J.D. Ogle and Communications Director John Slage met at the Philippines consulate in Washington D.C. on March 5, 2017 to officially sign registration papers and transfer ownership from the former owners, Missionaries to Asia.
The purchase includes 5 buildings on 2,333 square meters of land (a little over a ½ U.S. acre) located on Timpolok Rd. (B. Benedicto Street), Babag 1, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu, Philippines.
The buildings include a two-story tabernacle with classrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities, a missionary residence, dormitory apartments, and administrative offices with kitchen and additional classrooms.
The first floor area of the tabernacle is 1,100 square meters (or 11,840 sq. ft.), currently able to seat 300, plus room for an additional 75-80 in the balcony. Future plans are to reconfigure non-weight bearing walls on the first floor with the goal to increase indoor seating to 600-700.
Commenting on the acquisition, Bishop Couch said, “In the spring of 2011, I accepted the oversight of AIM as general director and very early on God burdened my heart about the need for a national headquarters. The initial plan was to acquire some property, pay for it and then build an open air tabernacle and progress toward other buildings as God provided.”
Bishop Couch continued, “About a year ago our Filipino brethren found this tremendous property in Lapu-Lapu, just 4 miles from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It had everything we needed, including a lovely two-story sanctuary, dormitories, administrative areas, classrooms, cafeteria, and even a missionary residence. Everything was well-maintained and could be utilized almost immediately. The only problem was the asking price: $800,000.”
Pastor Ogle added, “As soon as we toured the compound, Bro. Couch and I began asking brethren both in the Philippines and in the United States to help us pray about this property. Not only has God answered our prayers to give us this real estate for a national headquarters, but He has gone above and beyond our expectations!”
Bishop Couch continued, “Because the Lord Jesus has moved greatly, we have now signed the papers to acquire this property for AIM’s National Headquarters at $275,000 (plus closing costs and taxes of approximately $25,000), which is approximately one-third of the original asking price. In the meanwhile, God has touched the hearts of generous brethren here in America to help meet this immediate need, along with ongoing commitments to help supply future funding for the remodeling and maintenance of this facility. Because the much needed finances have literally been pouring in, our faith expectation is that this property will be totally paid off before the end of 2017.”
Bishop Couch concluded, “Our future plans for this property include not only utilizing it for the AIM national convention, but also business offices, housing for visiting missionaries from America, a training school for our Christian workers and preachers, and another Christian school–all as our vision continues to materialize.”
Apostolic Independent Missions (AIM) was founded in 1981 by Elder Donald K. Lance, General Director from 1981-1991. In 1978, Bro. Lance took a mission trip to the Philippines and was overwhelmed by the experience. He immediately began supporting the work and testifying everywhere of what God was doing in the Philippines. Three years later, the resident missionary called to tell Bro. Lance that he was giving up the work. Immediately falling prostrate on a linoleum floor, Bro. Lance began to pray for those missionary works and later with the assistance of Pastor Steve Hancock, Apostolic Independent Missions (AIM) was born. Over the next 10 years, with the help of other seasoned ministers, AIM grew to 210 churches in the Philippines.
In April of 2011, Bro. Lance requested Elder Michael R. Couch (Pastor of Apostolic Tabernacle, Winnsboro, LA) and several ministers to tour the AIM works in the Philippines. It was then that Bishop Couch accepted the oversight of AIM as General Director. Since that time, Bishop Couch has appointed Pastor J.D. Ogle (Pastor of Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, Bentonia, MS) as Assistant Director and the two elders continue to make bi-annual trips to the Philippines, in the spring and fall.
At the national convention held annually in April, Bishop Couch and AIM leadership meet daily with scores of ministers to teach about the call, qualifications, example and responsibilities of the ministry. Additionally each October, AIM leadership visits and preaches at remote churches across the outlying provinces and islands.
Under the direction of Bishop Couch, AIM is currently reestablishing its Bible training program where diligence is given to teaching the principles of Christ and the born again Apostolic doctrines of Acts 2:38 salvation, holiness and separation. In addition, AIM leadership is focused on restructuring the organization of the Filipino ministry and outreach, along with channeling available funds into existing church upkeep, new church construction and purchases of land and vehicles for qualified assemblies.
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For more information about Apostolic Independent Missions, visit the AIM website at https://aimph.org/
For information about how to become a missionary sponsor for AIM, contact Bishop Michael Couch at bishop@valiant4truth.com or Pastor David Ogle at jdo.acjc@yahoo.com.
For media inquiries, contact Pastor John Slage, AIM Communications Director at jslage@yahoo.com.
