The organization began in 2004, 11th of December, as a ministry outreach program of Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, directly under the Missions Department headed by Luis Ledesma. Its humble beginnings started with a Blood Letting Program in collaboration with The Philippine National Red Cross – Bacolod Chapter (PNRC-BC).
The maiden event was headed by Manuel Songco, who was likewise, responsible for the conception of the ministry and was designated with a position of Project Director. It was later given a name and “Operation Care Ministry” was born. Arbee Rose Arceo was appointed to organize the event. There were about 23 donors that fetched approximately 23 bags of blood. Recipients of the blood donations were mainly BCCB church members and attendees.
In November 15, 2005, the first comprehensive medical missions was held that encompassed various services offered for free to 600 recipients: Consultations for Adult, Pedia and OBGyne (totaled 306), ECG tests (87), BSD (69), Dental Check up and tooth extraction (140), Eye Check up and distribution of free reading glasses (118), and the usual Blood Letting activities with 24 donors. Again, OCM collaborated with PNRC-BC as partner organization. That same year, Evangelism was introduced of which 600 recipients were evangelized with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dra. Ercelle Celis was appointed head of the medical department operations while Drs. Arnel and Lisa Calakasan oversaw the dental department operations. It was participated by 95 medical staff and practitioners and committed volunteers. BCCB funded the operation, as well as private individuals and pharmaceutical agencies who gave out free medicines.
The year 2006, 2nd of April, marked two additional medical services: Circumcision for young males categorized under the Minor Surgery services and free Cataract Screening facilitated by the Lions Club of Bacolod. Both medical services were able to serve 22 and 25 recipients respectively. All other disciplines, such as medical consultations, dental services, and other tests were also conducted. A total of about 620 were evangelized. In the succeeding years, Operation Care Ministry continued on conducting medical missions at least twice a year, averaging to about 2500 recipients in both operations yearly.
By September 2006, during Third World Mission’s (TWM from Bangor, Maine, USA) first combined mission trip to the island of Negros, TWM was blessed by the partnership of OCM who was responsible for providing a large team of medical consultants and dentists. This mission trip included a medical mission, children’s ministry and a crusade with live music. Hundreds of people received the Gospel through the crusade and children’s ministry, and almost 12,000 people were served by the medical ministry in the course of the 5-day mission. Jenny Locsin worked with the TWM mission coordinator, Scott Stewart, for months prior to the start to insure that things would work smoothly for all three components of the mission, and continued to work tirelessly throughout the execution of the entire mission. The couple, Joshua and Rowena Garrido were instrumental in hosting the visiting TWM team and provided a wonderful experience for them.
That same year, Jenny Locsin was appointed as the Assistant Project Director of OCM.
Todate, OCM continues to live by its vision and mission, and that is to combine the ministries of healing and evangelism to serve the community without discrimination by sharing the saving grace of Jesus Christ to more than 3,000 recipients and their families every year through quality medical missions. By the grace of God, OCM’s staff and volunteers commit to the work until the time of our Lord’s return.
