The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines. To subscribe, unsubscribe, give comments or suggestions, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org.    

January 24, 2003

Plain Truth Commentary in Northern Luzon This March

Go to Plain Truth Ministries Web siteLast January 17, I signed a radio broadcast contract with DWSK "K Lite FM", a Baguio City radio station owned and operated by the Beta Broadcasting System, Inc. For 44 Sundays starting March 3, Greg Albrecth's Plain Truth Commentary will be aired from 5:30 - 6:00 a.m. The radio station covers the provinces of Ilocos Sur (up to Candon), La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and some part of the Mountain Provinces. This is one of the priority programs which the Baguio City Church has planned and budgeted for this year 2003. Please pray with us that many of the professionals in these provinces will be able to hear the gospel message through this media. --Jerry Ortiguero, Northern Luzon Area Superintendent

Two baptized in Lucena City

LUCENA CITY, Philippines --  San Pablo City Church servant-leader Ric Sayo baptized Jan. 21 Gemma Cruz and Jane Anda in Lucena City. Mr. Sayo is handling the Lucena City OBS where Mrs. Cruz and Mrs. Jane Anda attend. The Lucena brethren hope to be organized as a local church this year. Mr. Sayo is a member of the pastoral team of San Pablo City Church. Along with the other members of the pastoral team, he is enrolled in Trinity College and Seminary. --Arlan Aquino

San Carlos City Church Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Christmas

WCG San Carlos City Church Celebrates 20th year, X-mas.The San Carlos City Church celebrated a combined Christmas Party and 20th Anniversary of the San Carlos Church last December 15,2002. The celebration focused on voluntary love-gift giving from the brethren to the surprise of many other brethren who never expected to receive gifts during the celebration.  Many appreciated and expressed deep profound gratitude the way the love-gifts were distributed freely and heartily without the need to receive a gift also in return. The brethren were happy to recall and give out their testimonies in the presence of some new invited guests. The number of attendance reached 53 and the brethren enjoyed the potluck, fellowship and hearing of spiritual messages. 

Since the establishment of the San Carlos City Church last December 18, 1982 by then National Director Guy Ames with Mr. Pedro Ortiguero as pastor, the brethren praised God for His faithfulness to sustain and led our local church for twenty years adding a new area in the ministry of radio evangelism. Since then, the local church continued to show sign of growth with the highest number of baptism for the year 2002 showing a total of 13. This year we hope to implement additional activities to reach out some areas for the first time and bring the Gospel to their families. Please help us to pray and remember that we have little strength of resources which God can mobilize in an unexpected way we can never foresee. --Laurencio Sabanal

WCG Catbalogan Celebrates 19th Church Anniversary

The Worldwide Church of God - Catbalogan, celebrated its 19th church anniversary last January 11, 2003. The event was held in the municipality of Motiong where the church meets since 1994. Worship services were held in the morning, pot luck at noon, while the rest of the afternoon was devoted to planning out the activities for 2003. Some of the activities planned out for 2003 are: showing of the Jesus film during the Lenten season; the holding of a church retreat in summer; sending of the youths to SEP; encouraging the women to attend the national women's conference; using festival time to reach out to the neighborhood; and Christmas caroling during December where widows and destitute families in Motiong will be given gifts after church members have sung to them. Prayer for these activities is solicited and will highly be appreciated. Recollections and prolonged fellowshipping were displayed during the celebration. --Dan de Guia

WCG Puerto Princesa City Youth Ministry

The youth ministry of WCG Puerto Princesa continues to conduct an outreach program which they started this year. This time, they gathered the youths having birthdays for the month of November and thanksgiving party was sponsored by the members and the pastoral team. This was attended by 73 youths, new comers are invited by friends of youth ministry members. Follow-up was done thru dance clinic, games and refreshments which is usually started by small group discussion. --Gilda Ustares

WCG Puerto Princesa Children's Ministry

The children's ministry of Palawan initiated a gift-giving activity on Dec. 22, 2002. The parents of WCG children brought and gave memorable gifts for the children and as they were given the gifts, it was seasoned with hugs and the magic words "I LOVE YOU" and "BUT JESUS LOVE YOU MORE". Extra gifts brought by parents were received by those invited non-WCG children with their parents. The first part of the program was a "worship service" led by Zel Mercado, then the children showed their talents to the audience afterwards. Various parlor games were enjoyed in the afternoon. There were 43 adults and 55 children who attended the party.  --Gilda Ustares

WCG CDO Joins Bible Quiz on TV

The WCG Cagayan de Oro selected members joined the Bible Quiz show aired on TV every Saturdays at 9:00 o’clock in the evening and on Sundays at 3:30 in the afternoon in our local TV channel 27, hosted by Mr. Bien Macaraeg, Jr. Pastor Jerome Manriquez, Levy Ladao, and yours truly got the second place for the Church Workers category and Jesna Toledo, Xenia Monette Abao, & Jordanette Faye Barangot got the first place for Teens category. Bible Quiz show is participated in by the different churches in Cagayan de Oro City. It continues to encourage the televiewers and members to study their Bible everyday and understand the depth of God’s word of truth and put it into action.  --Jenny Ann Almera

Wedding in Valencia, Bukidnon

WCG Maramag elder, Mr. & Mrs. Esteban Florig with their daughter, Liezel Florig.I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of the couple, Edison Villadores and Liezel Florig, daughter of one of our elders in Maramag Church, Mr. Esteban Florig last Saturday, January 18, 2003. It was again another opportunity to share the good news about Jesus to around 300 guests who were present during this occasion. Some of the sponsors and/or guests who attended were Mr. & Mrs. Jessup Bahinting, Mr. & Mrs. Ted Sernal and Mr. & Mrs.Cyrus Ellorin. It was also an occasion to renew acquaintances with the brethren.  

The following day, Sunday, Mr. & Mrs. Bahinting were able to speak to the Cagayan de Oro brethren during their worship service while I spoke to our brethren in Lumbo, Valencia, Bukidnon in their new meeting hall. Before the wedding which was done Saturday afternoon, I was also able to speak to the Maramag brethren during their Saturday morning worship service. It was again an opportunity to see for myself the progress of our brethren in these areas. --Len Joson 

WCG Davao Singles Ministry Buckles Up 

A full-packed year is coming as the Davao City Singles buckle up for the exciting year 2003. Presided by ministry head Roy Laureano, the group had an inspiring, fun and thrilling discussions as to what the group will be doing for the whole year. This is a breakthrough for us, the Davao City singles. Once joined with the youth ministry, we have not been working as one separate group the past years. Now that we have a home to call our own, we are getting excited with where God is leading us.

Among the ideas that were shared are: To host a Special Sunday service, quarterly; Weekly worship and fellowship every Thursday at 6:30 PM; church-wide sports activity during Summer and festival time; Outreach to the Home for the Aged; Host a National Singles' Conference on December and a few more. These activities are thought of not only to have fun, enjoy the physical blessings and to have a closer bond with each other but also to develop a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ.

The group seeks to grow both in quantity and quality. The planned activities will also open doors of opportunities to share the gospel. We intend to go out, live and share the gospel leading friends and loved ones to Christ. May you all be with us in prayer that the zeal in our hearts be kept steadfast by God's grace. --From an article in the WCG Davao City web site written by AnnG!

SEP Mindanao 2003 This April 19-25, 2003

Summer Camp is fun!Plans are underway for another summer camp once again! All youths who are interested to attend our SEP Mindanao 2003 camp site will please begin to get a camper application form from your pastors and submit it as soon as you can.  We expect a lot of applicants this year and therefore acceptance to the camp will be on a first-come-first-served basis. We will only accept up to 100 youth campers for this year.  All those interested to join as SEP staff members will please also send in their staff application forms. A copy of the forms can be downloaded from our WCG Mindanao web site.   

According to Pastor Rex de la Pena, the other SEP camp sites are the following: 2003 Luzon - April 21-28; Bacolod SEP - April 13-20; Palawan SEP - no dates yet. Please pray for the success of all SEP camp sites nationwide. Praying and supporting our youth activities are much appreciated. --Len Joson

Note of Thanks: I am making and sending this update from Zamboanga City. Thanks to our brethren here namely: Pastor Nilo Belarmino, Joven Jaralve and Max Natividad for helping me make this possible. --Len Joson

"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)