Origins of MCC
In 1968, a year before New York’s Stonewall Riots, a series of most unlikely events in Southern California resulted in the birth of the world’s first church group with a primary, positive ministry to gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender persons.Those events, a failed relationship, an attempted suicide, a reconnection with God, an unexpected prophecy, and the birth of a dream led to MCC’s first worship service: a gathering of 12 people in Rev. Troy Perry’s living room in Huntington Park, California on October 6, 1968.That first worship service in a Los Angeles suburb in 1968 launched the international movement of Metropolitan Community Churches, which has grown to 43,000+ members and adherents in almost 242 authorized ministries, in 40 nations, including 56 Authorized New Church Starts, 16 Authorized Non-Church Ministries, and 170 Affiliated Churches.. During the past 49 years, MCC’s prophetic witness has forever changed the face of Christianity and helped to fuel the international struggle for LGBT rights and equality.*
The first MCC was brought in the Philippines by Rev. Fr. Richard Mickley way back 1991. It was known as MCC Manila. After him, the Rev. Edgar Mendoza became the first Filipino Clergy. It then became MCC Makati. After him, Pastor Art Ventayen, Pastor Regen Luna, Pastor Edgar Constantino & now Bro. Elmer "Vince" Madolid by succession.
On September 2006, MCC Quezon City was established by JP Andaquig, Oliver Andaya, Marlon Felipe led by the currrent Pastor at that time, Crescenscio "Ceejay" Agabayani.
MCCQC expanded its spirit through out the country giving birth to the 1st Parish Extension in Baguio in February 2009 with the leadership of Myke Sotero. The 2nd Parish Extension was born in the Eastern Area of Metro Manila particularly in Marikina City on the 22nd of May, 2010, approved by Gavini Lua, Oryhel Briguella, Michael Mia, Michael Jason Masaganda and by the Pastor Ceejay Agbayani.
On July 2012, Lay Leader or Mission Group leader Michael Jason Masaganda became the official Pastoral Leader of Metropolitan Community Church of Marikina, approved by Rev Stedney Philips, the Director of Asia-Pacific Initiative back then and had the authority to install Pastoral Leaders in Asia. PL Michael Jason Masaganda was ordained by the virtue of the principle of "priesthood of all believers" together with other clergy and lay Pastors in Hong Kong by Rev. Elder. Ken Martin (MCC), Bishop Yvette Flunder (MCC & The Fellowship), & Bishop Gene Robinson (Episcopal Church of America) who laid hands on them. MCC Marikina started to report directly to the Asia-Pacific Initiative from then on.
MCC Marikina continues to spread the inclusive and liberating good news of Jesus Christ not just to the LGBT, but to their families, relatives and friends in the eastern part of the Metro Manila, and be among the support groups for those who are looking for the love of God.
In September 2015, it was given the status of emerging Church and Pastoral Leader Michael Jason Masaganda was finally given certification and license as an Authorized Ministry Leader, conferred by Rev. Darlene Garner (Director of Office of Emerging Ministries) at Baguio City.
Now, MCC Marikina has its own Worship Space & LGBTQ+ Center at Urban Bliss Barangka (UBB), Marikina City, Philippines