Emmanuel Charismatic Catholic Community

The Emmanuel Catholic Charismatic Community (ECCC) is the homegrown charismatic group of the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel (GBC) in Makati City, Philippines since 1993.

The impetus came from the Church to create Catholic charismatic groups. Under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Manila, a group of Lay Ministers—Bro. Ed de Leon, Bro. Albert Morales, Bro. Chito Manhit, Bro. Boy Ampil, Bro. Nick Ugarte, Bro. Pat Vera, Bro. Chito Zabarte, Bro. Eddie Go, and Bro. Ric Castillo—formed ECCC together with the GBC Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual in 1993. The name “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us,” is inspired from Matthew 1:23.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, ECCC hoped to gather the professionals in the Central Business District. The mission of ECCC is to lead in the conversion of souls and to live a Christian life baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Its vision is for ECCC to be a sanctuary for renewed Christians experiencing the Life in the Spirit as the way to salvation and eternal life.

The leadership structure of the community includes the Members of the Board of Trustees, and the Members of the Council of Servant Leaders (Counsels). The Counsels is led by the Presiding Servant Leader, serving together with the Ministry Heads of Finance, Healing and Intercessory, Information, Pastoral Care, Praise and Worship, and Spiritual Formation.
ECCC started conducting Praise and Worship and Life in the Spirit Seminars in 1993. In 1994, it began hosting Annual Lenten Retreats, and started organizing Marriage Encounter Weekends. The community also launched numerous outreach programs since its inception.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit manifested in several ECCC members who answered the call to religious life. ECCC is proud to have ordained priests such as Rev. Fr. Rico Hilario, Rev. Fr. Rolando Perfecto, Rev. Fr. Bong Puzon, and Rev. Fr. Gilbert Romulo, and full-pledged nuns such as Sr. Lucy Vasquez, Sr. Nelia Lim, Sr. Fina Tanjuan, and Sr. Lyn Mabayad.

In 2020, during the pandemic, ECCC launched its online activities. Through the “Emmanuel Catholic Charismatic Community Facebook Page,” the community continued serving, evangelizing, and reaching out to its members, and even opened its doors to non-members here and abroad.
In 2022, by the grace of the Lord, ECCC resumed all in-person gatherings at the GBC and ECCC Center.