About Us
Welcome to El Shallom City Sanctuary Church!
We are a Christ-centered community dedicated to worship, fellowship, and service. Our mission is to spread the message of love, hope, and salvation through Jesus Christ, fostering spiritual growth and meaningful connections among our members and the broader community.
What We Believe
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God, serving as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—three distinct persons in one divine essence. We affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died an atoning death on the cross for the sins of humanity, and rose bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for us. We believe in His promised return to rule and reign on earth for a thousand years.
We believe in the rapture of the Church and His glorious second coming.
We affirm that the cleansing of sins comes through repentance and faith in the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and that individuals must be born again by the Holy Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as described in the book of Acts, which empowers believers to live a holy and victorious life. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit transforms and equips us to fulfill God’s purpose.
We believe in the unity of all believers as the body of Christ, transcending differences in background or denomination. We affirm the resurrection of the righteous to eternal life and the judgment of the lost to eternal separation from God.
We believe in the biblical principles of tithes and offerings as an act of worship and obedience, according to Malachi 3.
Finally, we embrace the Great Commission, believing that every believer is called to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the message of salvation and demonstrating God’s love to the world.
Mission
Our mission is centralized on 4 basic concepts:
- We want to help people find their way back to God
- We want to help people start up their new life in Christ
- We help people get their life back into order
- We help people engage in Jesus’ mission
Vision
Our vision is to win people to Christ and make them disciples after Jesus’ heart that the multitude will follow.
Our Founder
Reverend Nelson and Pastor Melba Liwanag
City Sanctuary is a church born out of El Shalom Full Gospel Ministries Inc., founded in 1984 by the visionary couple, Reverend Nelson and Pastor Melba Liwanag. With hearts full of faith, they embraced one of the greatest calls of their lives—to shepherd a community of believers and share the transformative power of God’s love.
Pastor Melba’s journey into ministry was particularly groundbreaking. At a time when women preachers were a rarity and a subject of debate, she stepped forward in obedience to God’s calling. Together with her husband, Reverend Nelson, who had been a successful president of a multinational corporation, they left behind their secular pursuits and entrepreneurial ventures to fully dedicate themselves to caring for souls and building God’s kingdom.
Before embarking on their spiritual mission, the Liwangs were an ordinary young couple with three children—Nemee, Janelie, and Junel. Like many, they struggled to find fulfillment and often sought solace in worldly habits such as gambling and vices. However, their lives were dramatically altered when Pastor Melba faced a life-threatening illness.
Diagnosed with viral encephalitis, she endured intense suffering and fell into a coma, eventually being declared clinically dead for several hours. But in what seemed like the end, God intervened. During this time, Pastor Melba experienced a divine encounter: her spirit journeyed to heaven, where she stood at its gates and heard an audible voice say, “Melba, go back to earth; you have a mission there.” In a miraculous turn, her lifeless body came back to life, forever changing her and her family’s destiny.
This miraculous healing became the catalyst for the Liwangs’ unwavering commitment to ministry. They turned their hearts and lives completely over to God, determined to fulfill the mission He had placed before them. Today, their legacy continues to inspire and guide City Sanctuary, reminding us all of the power of faith, obedience, and God’s transformative grace.
Our Pastors
Pastor Junel Liwanag
Senior Pastor, City Sanctuary
Pastor Junel Liwanag serves as the Senior Pastor of City Sanctuary in Pampanga, leading with a heart dedicated to discipleship and transformation. His journey into ministry began in 2005 when he returned to the Lord after a career in the modeling industry. Trading the spotlight of the world for the light of God’s Word, he embraced the G12 vision—a strategy to win souls and make disciples for Christ. With unwavering passion, he focused on spreading the Gospel to communities and campuses, laying the foundation for City Sanctuary’s growth.
Under Pastor Junel’s leadership, the church has flourished. What began as a congregation of 200 in a single location has expanded to over 2,000 disciples across three campuses. His dedication to God’s mission extends beyond the local church; as one of the National 12 of Pastor Cesar Castellanos, he actively implements the Vision of God for national transformation and global impact.
Known affectionately by the local church as SPJ, Pastor Junel is the youngest child of Pastors Nelson and Melba Liwanag, pioneers in establishing churches in Pampanga. He carries forward their legacy with faith and determination.
Pastor Junel is also a devoted husband to Pastor Malou Liwanag, standing as a steadfast partner in ministry and life. Together, they nurture their family with love and faith, raising their two children, Destiny Janelle and Joshua Junel, to walk in God’s purpose.
Through his inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to the vision of discipleship, Pastor Junel continues to impact lives, transforming hearts for the glory of God.
Pastora Malou Liwanag
Deputy Pastor, City Sanctuary and El Shalom
Pastora Malou Cruz-Liwanag is a devoted leader, compassionate mentor, and steadfast partner in ministry. As the loving wife of Pastor Junel Liwanag, she serves as the Deputy Pastor of City Sanctuary and El Shalom, empowering women to raise a godly generation that loves Jesus and leads others to Him. Alongside her dedicated team of 12 disciples, Pastora Malou inspires women to live out their faith with purpose and passion.
A registered nurse by profession, Pastora Malou practiced in McAllen, Texas, before fully embracing her ministry calling. Her journey of service began at a young age in the Philippines, where she participated in various ministry roles—from tambourine dancing and Bible studies to evangelism, missions, and leading singles’ groups. Even during her time in the U.S., she continued her ministry, balancing her nursing career with her unwavering dedication to serving the Lord.
Her calling deepened after marrying Pastor Junel. Together, they pioneered and nurtured cell groups, leading and discipling people with a shared vision for transforming lives. Pastora Malou’s leadership reflects her heart for community, her commitment to spiritual growth, and her passion for creating a culture of discipleship within the church.
Today, Pastora Malou continues to be a beacon of faith and encouragement, touching lives through her ministry and empowering others to walk boldly in their purpose for God’s glory.
