Our Pastors

Dick & Cely Marcial

         Are the pioneer and founder of ACF Church, established in April 2008. Ps. Dick was born and raised in the Philippines and has worked in the Middle East for over 10 years, and it was in Saudi Arabia that he came to know Jesus. Ever since Ps. Dick was introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus, his passion grew deeper for the Kingdom of God, as a result, reconciling people back into relationship with God the Father. Ps. Dick has completed numerous Ministry and Leadership courses, in return, he equips the people he leads. From committing to worship teams, bible study teaching, leadership roles and board member duties, Ps. Dick has always been faithful to the calling of God. Ps. Dick was ordained on his 50th birthday and history speaks for itself. His heart for God and people is evident in his actions and faith that is unshakable. Ps. Dick invests in training leaders in the aim to develop more leaders as the church grows. This is to create impact in the surrounding communities to bring more people to know Jesus Christ. Ps. Dick specialises in vision casting, pastoral care, counselling and governance.

Katherine Ann Saplala

         Is the Associate Pastor at ACF Church. She is the first-born daughter of our Senior Ps. Dick and Cely Marcial. Ps. Katherine was born in the Philippines but soon migrated to Melbourne Australia with her family at the age of four. Ps. Katherine grew up in a church setting and came to know and encounter Jesus. She grew up to develop gifts to serve, worship and lead youth ministries for over 14 years. She has pioneered the ACF Youth Ministry since 2008. Ps. Katherine experienced and shared in the pressures of being a pastor’s kid (PK), but has grown to encourage, equip and develop the young people around her. Overtime, her service and heart had been acknowledged, Ps. Katherine was recognised as the youngest female pastor in Melbourne’s South East suburbs during her ordination in 2019. Ps. Katherine is a Registered Nurse by profession but her call to ministry has been ever present during her teenage years. Ps. Katherine has completed her Diploma in Ministry and Theology with Harvest Bible College in 2016. She now continues her studies in the Bachelor of Theology at Alphacrucis College. Her heart to serve God and people is evident in her actions and seeks nothing more than to see God’s movement within the surrounding communities. Ps. Katherine has the heart for preaching, teaching, pastoral care, organisational management, innovator and visionary.

Jeffrey Saplala

         Is also an Associate Pastor at ACF Church, the husband of Ps. Katherine Saplala. Ps. Jeffrey was born and raised in the Philippines and has come to know Jesus in his late teens. He grew up in a family who did not share in his beliefs, but has been a pillar that led them to Christ. They all have personal relationships with Jesus and is serving within the Filipino community in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Ps. Jeffrey then migrated to Melbourne Australia with his wife Ps. Katherine in late 2012 and his calling was ever more evident to serve. He has completed his course of Diploma in Leadership under Planetshakers College in 2022. Ps. Jeffrey is the Music Director at ACF Church and enjoys leading the congregation and staff in true spiritual worship. He loves training and building up musicians for the glory of God. Ps. Jeffrey, along with Ps. Katherine has led the youth ministry for over 10 years. He has been involved with our music ministry ever since his arrival to Melbourne. Ps. Jeffrey has the heart for teaching, preaching, leadership skills, organisational skills, pastoral care, innovator and management.