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.    

June 6, 2003

FROM LUZON

Gospel Preached to 82 Senior Citizens

San Fernando City, Pampanga -- Around 82 members of the Senior Citizens League of Barangay Dawe, Minalin, Pampanga heard the gospel preached to them at the barangay chapel last March 15, 2003.  Pastor Relly Mandap gave the welcome address. Pastor Pio Umlas gave the evangelistic message, while Pastor Carlos Castro made the altar call and prayed for those who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

One of the participants commented that it was the first time they have received such treatment -- "not only did they receive physical food for their body, they also received food for their souls, and money for their pockets." They were encouraged by the Gospel. --Carlos Castro

120 Senior Citizens Hear the Gospel

San Fernando City, Pampanga -- Another successful evangelistic outreach was conducted by the Pampanga congregation where 120 senior citizens from Sta. Monica, Sasmuan, Pampanga heard the good news. The meeting was held at the barangay chapel on March 22, 2003. It was coordinated by Pastor Pio Umlas who is the incumbent president of the Senior Citizens League of the barangay.

Pastor Relly Mandap, a former Sangguniang Bayan member, gave the opening remarks and introduced the Worldwide Church of God to the participants. Pastor Carlos Castro gave the message in the local dialect. Another president of the Senior Citizens League of a nearby barangay also came and after hearing the message requested that a similar evangelistic campaign be held in their community. Most of the participants expressed appreciation and gratitude for receiving and hearing the good news. --Carlos Castro

ACF and San Pablo City Church Conduct  First DVBS

The San Pablo City Church and All for Christ Fellowship ( San Nicolas Church ) conducted a five day Vacation Bible School (VBS) from May 26 – June 3, 2003 held at Sitio Bagong Silang, San Nicolas, San Pablo City. There were 84 boys and girls (“Treasure Seekers”) ages 3 – 12 who participated.  Parents and relatives of the participants were invited during the graduation ceremony last June 4.  Sumptuous meal was served and enjoyed by everybody courtesy of the San Pablo brethren and Bro. Paul Andal, who is  also the owner of the place where the VBS was held. --Viel B. Constantino

FROM THE VISAYAS

Spiritual Retreat in Antique

Antique, Philippines. On May 24-25, Area Superintendent (AS) George Escara conducted a spritual retreat at the Nathaniel Beach Resort in San Jose, Antique. Eleven WCG members, three observers and Mr. and Mrs. Raul Enerio together with their two children attended. The theme, "Power for Life through Jesus Christ" was anchored on the church vision (vibrancy, viability and visibility) and topics were centered on the church FOCUS. Messages on "remembering first love for Jesus," "family spirituality," "stewardship call," and "long term ministry," were delivered by AS George Escara and "discipleship," "relations to man," "living sacrifices," and "living and sharing the gospel" were shared by the local brethren.

The highlight of the occasion was the baptism of Mr. Roman Escare of Magcalon, San Jose, Antique, the husband of Mrs. Fely Escare, a long time member of the church. The success of the activity depended upon the sincerity, cooperation, commitment and prayer of everyone involved. --Lorna E. Huera

Thanksgiving Celebration Held in Motiong

A thanksgiving celebration was held in Motiong, Samar, last May 30, 2003, for the 18th birthday of Miss Stella Maris Tabuan, Wedding Anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Ygrubay (grandparents of Stella), and graduation of Robert Aaron Tabuan (brother of Stella). What is interesting is that about 32 non-member youths, the Municipal Mayor and some employees of Motiong, with several non-member adults attended the celebration, where I shared the Word of God based on Psalm 16:11, entitled "The Path of Life". The youths enjoyed the celebration until 3:00 a.m. This activity opens up the way for the gospel to be shared in this part of the country, and is also geared toward enhancing a culture of celebration. --Danny de Guia

FROM MINDANAO

Baptism at Lumbo OBS, New Malabalay City OBS

May 4, Sunday -- we had a church picnic held at Edlimar Resort with an attendance of 45 people including visitors. We had a praise and worship service where I gave a message on water baptism. After the service, Mr. Aurelio C. Laguitao and his wife, Evangeline B Laguitao of Litig, Valencia were baptized as a public declaration of their faith in Christ.

May 10 -- we opened a new outreach Bible Study in Malaybalay City. Our first meeting took place at Miss Jenny Rico's residence at  Azura subdivision in Malaybalay City. The attendance was 10, and our first topic was about "Born Again." --Garner A. Gulfan

Davao City Church Youths & Singles Retreat

Some 24 youths and singles of the Davao City Church had a retreat last May 31-June 1, 2003 at Villa Clarita in Toril, Davao City. Mylene Cawad, Jojie Joson and a lady from the Campus Crusade for Christ facilitated and gave the lectures on various topics related to the youths and singles. The theme for this retreat was "Youth and Singles Reloading..."

First Mindanao Festival Core Group Meeting

Several Mindanao pastors and leaders met last May 31, 2003 for its first festival meeting to begin preparations for the festival scheduled this October 23-26, 2003 at the Grand Caprice, Cagayan de Oro City. In line with the National Director's objective to create a "culture of celebration," five major festival sites nationwide have been chosen namely: Baguio City (Oct. 19-26), Legaspi City (Oct. 17-20), Cebu City (Oct. 23-26), Bacolod City (Oct. 23-26) and Cagayan de Oro City (Oct. 23-26). The festival dates have been chosen to coincide with the school's semestral break and is close to the traditional dates of the feast of tabernacles. The theme for all festival sites is "Celebrate God's Blessings!" A grand festival celebration is expected in all 5 festival sites. For the Cagayan de Oro festival site, Pastor Jerome Manriquez is the Festival Coordinator.     

Little Friends Learning Center Lot Dedication Ceremony

Our servant leaders namely : Messrs. Joven Jaralve, Macky Natividad, Jun Calingacion, Victorino Magallanes, and Guillermo Brillantes, ably supported by our brethren from Labuan, dedicated the lot and all there is to our Lord, during the cornerstone-laying of “Little Friends’ Learning Center (Labuan Day Care Center) last May 31, 2003. Again, the Lord has greatly blessed us and allowed us to become able vessels and stewards for the first-ever WCG Day Care Center building that will soon rise at the place. Soon the Labuan residents will see our landmark building that will cater to poor and indigent children of the community. This will only be an open structure type building (no divisions yet), just enough to shelter our day care center students from the elements, especially as the monsoon rains have already set in. Like a mustard seed, it has already gradually grown since 1998. The only difference is that this will now be housed in the WCG lot we have acquired in 2001 which was truly a great stride in our dream to establish a most visible foothold in reaching out to the community and glorify God in the process.

Bro. Ven Jaralve officiated in the dedication ceremony, preceded by hymn singing and an apt message based on 1Co 3:11 “ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Brothers Macky Natividad, and Guillermo Brillantes also took turns giving similar messages, noting in particular how God has greatly blessed the community with far-reaching outreaches. --Pastor Nilo Belarmino

FCL Graduates in Ipil

The Foundations for Christian Leadership (FCL) classes conducted by the faculty of the International School of Theology - Asia (ISOT-Asia) in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay had its first graduation program last May 22, 2003 with 7 graduates and 9 others receiving certificates of attendance. Out of the seven who were able to finish the three conferences which started last June 2002, two of them came from our congregation namely, Hernan Serbol and Sarah Balatero. This FCL for the evangelical community and ministerial fellowship in Ipil which started last June 2002 was made possible through the efforts and coordination work of the Worldwide Church of God. --Pastor Bert Colona

ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS

Class Valedictorian in Pampanga

Jonas Oliver K. Panlaqui, the youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. Julio Panlaqui of the San Fernando City, Pampanga congregation graduated as class valedictorian at the Sto. Tomas Elementary School in Sasmuan, Pampanga. He garnered three gold medal awards in various District Quests: First placer in Science Essay Writing; First placer in Industrial Arts; and First placer in Mathematics.

"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)