The Reconciliation
One of the instruments of the reconciliation was Dr. Earnest Gordon Wray. He retired from ABWE in 1965 after serving as Director of Doane Baptist Seminary several terms from 1946. He remained an inspiration to Filipino pastors and missionaries who visited the USA and the students who studied in the USA. His attitude toward the problems he knew were happening in the Philippines as a result of the split in 1965 had been fair, balanced and restorative. He had always remained a friend to the people from the AFBCP and those from the ABCLVM. Unknown to other people he had been a silent agent of peace between the two groups.
When the news of the[reconciliation in Bukidnon was known to him, he sent a fax message which arrived an hour before the historic move to restore fellowship. It was read as part of the message of Pastor Ebenezer Nacita to the more than 5000 messengers from all over the country. Having been known all over the country as an educator and preacher, Dr. Gordon Wray's short and timely message impacted the whole proceedings so deeply that Dr. Antolin Zamar suggested that the resolution to restore fellowship be done just as Pastor Nacita concluded his very emotionally charged message on forgiveness and restoration. Dr. Mariano Leones, who was the spokesman in 1965 for the expulsion, came up the stage, and made the motion for reconciliation, which was seconded by Dr. Ernesto Rivera and Rev. Amador Gapilango(who incidentally were the ones who moved and seconded the expulsion in 1965). The audience of over 5000 delegates instantly stood up, sounded a reverberating "Amen" and clapped hands for several minutes. That was a once-in-a-lifetime associational reconciliation celebrated with sumptuous lunch at Bethel Baptist Church for all in attendance both from the ABCLVM and AFBCP churches.
Read more about this topic: First Baptist Church Of Manila