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.    

July 25, 2003

Twenty-Four Baptized at Brgy. Minuyan OBS

24 of the 38 attendees of Brgy. Minuyan OBS in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan professed their allegiance to Jesus Christ as their personal savior and Lord. Their new- found faith culminated in baptism on July 20 in Gasas River, Norzagaray, Bulacan. The meaningful ceremony served as the new believers' public testimony of their faith in Christ. The happy yet solemn occasion was witnessed by family members and friends of these new converts. The Minuyan OBS is another joint effort by AC Ministry (headed by Engr. Alfredo Cacanando) and WCG Outreach workers with the participation of the local Christian workers in Area 6, Brgy. Minuyan. Ed Tabudlong and Ephraim Santibanez of WCG, Edgar Del Pozo, a local Christian leader, and Juliet Cruz, an AC Ministry worker, officiated the ceremony. --RG Cruz

Children Attending Saturday Bible School Elect Officers

Children jointly ministered to by All For Christ Ministry (ACM) and the Sta. Maria Outreach (OBS) in Bulacan, held an election of officers on July 19. Elected were: Naptali Doctama, Jr,. President; John Carlo Villanueva, Vice President; Annaliza P. Doctama, Secretary; Kimberly Mateo, Treasurer; Raquel Mateo and Rostum Delgado, PROs; Ronnie Delgado, Rannie Doctama, Roselyn Ramos and Ma. Anne Rodriguez, Sgt.-at-arms.

The 52 children, aged ranging from 4 to 13, regularly attend the Saturday Bible School, which is conducted by the Sta. Maria Outreach in coordination with AC Ministry, headed by Engr. Alfredo Cacanando. The outreach is composed of Rox and Emmy Sedonio, Carol Sison, Fernando Baltazar, and AC Ministry Coordinator, Juliet Cruz. 

The goal of the Saturday Bible School is to continue nurturing the children in biblically-based values and to instill early in them the responsibility of disciplining and organizing themselves into becoming gentle-mannered young believers for Christ. Snack and study materials were provided by AC Ministry through Juliet Cruz. --RG Cruz

Spirituality Retreat in Motiong

Twenty six (26) church leaders and members of WCG Catbalogan attended a retreat on Spirituality, July 19-20, 2003, in the municipality of Motiong, Samar. A pastor and his wife from the Assemblies of God, stationed in Paranas (an adjacent town of Motiong) were delighted to have attended. The retreat was facilitated by Dr. Rey Taniajura, Director of the Institute of Family and Biblical Studies of the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines. The brethren were illuminated on the substance of the subject on Spirituality and by God's grace hopes to apply the principles taught. The activity was culminated with a worship service on the last day plus fellowshipping and rendering of Christian and love songs to the Lord. The Catbalogan brethren were very grateful for the labor of love offered by Dr. Rey Taniajura. --Dan de Guia

18 Mindanao Pastors and Leaders Get Equipped Through FCL-1, Six FCL Graduates

Maramag, Bukidnon -- As part of an effort to equip more and more of the Mindanao church leadership, eighteen Mindanao pastors and leaders completed the Foundations for Christian Leadership, Conference 1 (FCL-1) last July 16-20.  This is now the second round of FCL conferences that has been conducted here in Mindanao. We hope to have FCL-2 this September 10-14, 2003 and FCL-3 this December 26-30, 2003. Of the 18 participants, six successfully graduated FCL by completing the 3 FCL conferences namely: Eleazar Flores, Rolando Sistoso, Rosauro de Guia, German Horil, Franklin Grancina, and Lustriano Garcia Jr.

FCL-1 at the WCG Maramag worship hall started off with Dr. Rey Taniajura giving the first lecture on Understanding the Church July 16-17. Then Pastor Jerome Manriquez gave the second lecture on Mobilizing Small Groups July 17-18. I gave the third, fourth and fifth lectures on Transforming Bible Study, Preaching Biblically and Building a Spiritual Movement July 18-20 completing the whole FCL-1 classes.

FCL is an extension program of the International School of Theology - Asia (ISOT-Asia) which was designed to equip pastors and leaders outside of the seminary setting. We have been blessed to be able to use this program to equip our leaders. --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)