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 31, 2003

San Fernando City, Pampanga - More than 100 brethren, including children, gathered together at the Villa Azucena Resort in Guagua, Pampanga last July 13, Sunday to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Pampanga Church. The Resort was reserved exclusively for the brethren for the whole day.

A Worship Service was held at 10 o'clock in the morning and a potluck lunch followed after service. Pastor Carlos Castro gave a brief history of the Pampanga Church, while pastor Pio Umlas gave the main message. The Youth Council used the occasion for their fund raising campaign by selling novelty items and snacks. Those who were musically inclined spent most of the time with the Karaoke, while the rest enjoyed swimming.

The event was highlighted by the baptism of 2 new converts namely, Ed Estrella and Alona Faderon, both from San Fernando. While the baptism was going on, the brethren gathered around the swimming pool and sang hymns. Members of the Pastoral Team prayed over the newly baptized. --Carlos Castro

Balanga Church Inauguration

Tortugas OBS has officially been declared a church yesterday, July 26, 2003 in a simple but joyous ceremony. In attendance were 64 adults and 22 children. As agreed upon by the Pastoral Team chaired by Mr. Ernesto Gabriel, it will now be called WCG-All for Christ Ministries Balanga. Leading the inauguration ceremony was National Director Eugene Guzon. RG Cruz presented the Pastoral Team before the congregation and prayed over and commissioned by the National Director.

Balanga Church started as an outreach ministry by ACM headed by Mr. Alfredo Cacanando which God has been using to reach out our Filipino brothers and sisters and bring them to the knowledge of Jesus and the salvation that He gives. --Richard C. Rosario

May we request for your prayers for our National Director Eugene Guzon and Dr. Rey Taniajura as they go to attend an international convention of the Prison Fellowship International in Canada this August 6-9, 2003. While in Canada, Mr. Guzon hopes to meet the brethren in Toronto and WCG Canada's National Director, Mr. Gary Moore. Dr. Taniajura leaves for Canada on July 31. Mr. Guzon will leave on August 3 and hopes to be back in Manila by August 14.

May I also request for your prayers for me as I attend a Haggai Institute seminar in Singapore from July 31 to August 23. I will hopefully get more "equipping" and more training myself as we continue to equip and train more and more of our leaders in Mindanao. --Len Joson

WCG Ipil Leader Elected as Board Chairman of PSALM in Ipil

Geoffrey Balatero, one of our leaders in WCG Ipil was recently elected as chairman of the board of the Philippine Student Alliance Lay Movement (PSALM) , a parachurch working in campuses. The board is composed of nine members coming from the different evangelical denominations in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. --Bert Colona

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)