Rev. Delfin Cardinal Jr. dies; was founder of Filipino American Christian Church in Long Beach, Calif.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (3/2/22)—The Rev. Delfin Cardinal Jr., 91, founder of the Filipino American Christian Church, Long Beach, Calif., was called home to be with the Lord on Jan. 17, 2022.

He married Justa Serate on June 3, 1957. She predeceased him.

Cardinal graduated from Central Philippine University and ministered in the Philippines until he immigrated to America in 1975. A life-long servant-leader of God, Cardinal was ordained in 1978 by what is now known as American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, Southwest and Hawaii.

In 1979, he planted and became senior pastor of Filipino American Christian Church. He retired in 2017 at the age of 87. During his 38 years of ministry at the church, he faithfully served God and ministered to hundreds of people—loving, caring and evangelizing all for the glory of God.

“Rev. Cardinal was a mover and a shaker. He was a game-changer in the realm of God,” says the Rev. Florence Li, American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ national coordinator of Asian Ministries. “He was persistent, humble and gentle, and his words were full of power. We were blessed by his ministry and, hereby, follow in his footsteps and lean on his legacy.”

Survivors: Children, Judsen, Faith, Hope, Charity and Samuel, pastor of Filipino American Christian Church; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: Services were held on Feb. 26 at Fullerton (Calif.) Free Church.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

 American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.