UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

Web site: http://www.wcgmindanao.org           July 6, 2002

WCG Philippines National Director Visits PCEC National Director

Quezon City -- Newly-appointed WCG-Philippines national director Ptr. Eugene Guzon paid a courtesy call on Bishop Efraim Tendero, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) last Wednesday, July 3. In meeting Bishop Tendero, Ptr. Eugene wanted to express the WCG's continuing support of PCEC's programs and activities. He also sought Bishop Tendero's suggestions on the plan of the WCG-Philippines to organize a national tentmaking conference tentatively scheduled in mid-November this year.  The conference will be participated in by WCG graduates of the Condensed World Missions Course which now number more than 500 all over the country.

Ptr. Eugene also invited Bishop Tendero to be one of the principal speakers at the conference. He also requested the Bishop to address the Luzon WCG pastoral leaders who will be attending the Iron-Sharpens-Iron (ISIM) meeting to be held in August 16 to 18 at the Jabez Campsite in Cavite. At the PCEC office, Ptr. Eugene also met a member of the executive committee of TOPIC (Trainor of Pastors International Consultation), Mike Harrison. Ptr. Mike is an Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) member based in the Philippines.  Dr. Rey Taniajura who is also a member of TOPIC's national coordinating committee accompanied Ptr. Eugene in meeting the head of PCEC.

More Baptisms To Be Conducted This Weekend

Quezon City -- Church planter/missionary Remigio Cruz announced in a meeting, held last July 4 at the national office, with national director Eugene Guzon, missions board chairman Rey Taniajura, Tess Asuit (missions board member), Rene Marquez (prisons ministry) and Henson Fen Santos (Jail Ministries Philippines) that about 70 more baptisms will be conducted on Saturday, July 6. The baptisms will be held at Brets and Barry resort in Antipolo City. The new members come from two missions outreaches in Sitio Forestry, Barangay Central and in Barangay old capitol site in Quezon City.

The two outreaches were started sometime in November and December last year when WCG volunteer workers were invited by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) to conduct livelihood training in the areas. Along with the livelihood lectures, church workers led by R.G. Cruz also conducted Bible studies. These led to those who regularly attended the sessions to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord last month.

At the meeting the networking that should guide those involved in the prisons ministry work in the National Capital area, Jail Ministries Philippines and the missionaries accountable to the missions board of the WCG were also identified. With the network of relationships clearly defined it is expected that more outreaches and ministry work will be organized in the next coming months.

FCL-1 Started in Mindoro

Calapan City -- About 15 servant-leaders from the Naujan and Bansud outreaches in Mindoro Oriental participated in the first of two Foundations for Christian Leadership classes held Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, June 28 to 30, in Calapan. Naujan and Bansud outreaches make up the WCG local church in Mindoro. The first two classes held were on Transforming Bible Study and Preaching Biblically. Pastor Arlan Aquino and Dr. Rey Taniajura conducted the classes. A short worship service followed by the Lord's Supper service concluded the first sessions of the FCL in the area. It is hoped that within a year all the three FCL conferences would have been completed for the leaders of the Mindoro Oriental church.

FCL-3 Held in Bukidnon, 13 More FCL Graduates

Some 32 WCG Mindanao  church leaders are attending FCL-3 in Kiara, Don Carlos, Bukidnon beginning last July 3, 2002. It is still on-going as of this writing. Aside from Bukidnon, the participants come from various parts of Mindanao. Thirteen participants will have graduate FCL at the end of this third conference of FCL this Sunday. The facilitators are Joel Alisbo, Arlan Aquino and myself. FCL-1 is scheduled next in Davao City within this year for our Mindanao leaders. As of this writing, all WCG Mindanao pastors and about 70% of all our local church leaders in Mindanao have gone through and have graduated from FCL. It is hoped that this training and equipping will help in mobilizing our local congregations in doing God's work in Mindanao. --Len Joson

WCG Zamboanga City Helps Out-of-school Youths, Unemployed Indigent Adults

WCG Zamboanga City financially helped in the enrolment of 31 out-of-school youths and indigent unemployed adults in various skills training such as automotive, dressmaking, food-processing, and the like, in coordination with the Western Mindanao State University, and the local barangay. We helped in acquiring their IDs, and other paraphernalia needed in the 6-month training. The program is held whole day only every Monday for 6-months, a special program for this particular group, at the barangay hall. --Nilo Belarmino

Youth Sports Activity in Lumangob 

Lumangob, Bago City -- Seventy five (75) youths in the Bacolod Pastorate gathered here for a combined Sports activity June 29, 2002. Nineteen (19) non-church youths from the local area were also invited and attended for the first time. The youths played basketball and volleyball games. A video tape of "Joseph, King of Dreams" was shown during lunch. The youths enjoyed the fun, fellowship, food and friends. A follow-up activity is being organized including small group sessions especially for our new youth contacts in the local area. --Cornelio Capindit

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)