April 30, 2004

65 Senior Citizens Accepted Jesus Christ as Their Personal Lord & Savior

City of San Fernando, Pampanga -- Another successful evangelistic campaign was conducted at the barangay chapel of Sta. Catalina, Minalin, Pampanga last April 3, 2004 where more than 85 senior citizens heard the gospel. The municipal mayor and some of his staff attended. He expressed his appreciation for the work that the WCG Pampanga is doing for the seniors. He promised that if he would be re-elected, he will work with us and provide a municipal budget to support the evangelization work that will cover the whole municipality.

The meeting was coordinated by Ptr. Relly Mandap, a former Sangguniang Bayan member of Minalin, Pampanga. Lay leaders, July Panlaqui and Rudy Sultan were there to assist. Ms. Connie Mandap-Capili, who came back from the US, also assisted in the work. Snacks were served and financial gifts were given to the participants.

Ptr. Relly Mandap gave the welcome address, while Ptr. Pio Umlas made the altar call and prayed for those who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Ptr. Rey Calma led in the singing of "Ang Diyos Ay Pag-ibig." One of the seniors stood up and gave positive comments about the gospel. Four of them rendered vocal solos and one gave a poem. All of them expressed their gratitude for the work we were doing. --Carlos M. Castro

32 Inmates Baptized at the Angeles City District Jail

City of San Fernando, Pampanga - The pastoral team members of WCG Pampanga led by Ptr. Pio Umlas, conducted a worship service at the Angeles City District Jail last Saturday, April 24, 2004 under the heat of the sun. In spite of the intense heat and their desperate condition, more than 60 inmates attended the service and joyfully sang and dance with the very lively hymns. Four of the inmates, including their "Mayora," gave very inspiring testimonies. The main message was given by Ptr. Carlos M. Castro, who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Prison Fellowship International (PFI, Phils.) Having coincided with the Week of Prayer launched by the PFI starting April 25 to May 2, 2004, Ptr. Carlos distributed posters, bookmarks, Prayer Leaders' Guide for this event to the inmates. He talked about the work of PFI and discussed thoroughly about the meaning and benefits of baptism. The service started at 10 AM and was suspended at 12 noon. Together with the inmates, we ate our lunch under the heat of sun. Ptr. Carlos resumed his message when the service resumed at 1:00 PM. He cited Matthew 25:31-40 about the judgment and John 8:32, 36 about true freedom.

After the long worship service accompanied by joyful singing, an altar call was made by Ptr. Pio. All those who attended accepted our Lord as their Savior and King, and 32 inmates submitted themselves to baptism in an improvised tub made of galvanized iron, which was filled with water and placed at the center where the service was conducted.

There are 837 inmates in this very congested jail. The jail guards had been very friendly to the church as we conducted a series of Bible studies attended by some inmates led by a young and energetic inmate, Mr. Cedric Punzalan, who was the first to be baptized. Pastoral team members Anacleto Flores, Jr., Reynaldo Calma, July Panlaqui, Rudy Sultan, and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Butiu and member Mr. Sampang, assisted in the baptism. Truly, God is blessing the prison ministry work being conducted by the Pampanga brethren, both at the Provincial Jail and the Angeles City District Jail. --Carlos M. Castro

SEP Bikol 2004 Ends with Lots of Good Stories to Tell

Legaspi City -- Praise and Thanksgiving to our Good God!  A very successful SEP Bikol has just ended. Only good stories are left to be told.  "Sobrang saya ng SEP," "Kulang na kulang ang 6 days, dapat 1 month."

By God's mighty hand, SEP Bikol 2004 went on wonderfully, successfully attaining the spirit of its theme, "find, feel, fan the fire." Sixty-one (61) campers registered coming from 10 local congregations. 

In the afternoon of April 21, twenty-two (22) submitted for baptism, two (2) staff members and twenty (20) campers. Those baptised at the SEP were: Rigel Padre, Joanna Manuel, Penelope Sue Nagrampa, Michelle Mae Majarocon, Roy Padre, Reymundo Azores (Legaspi); Graciel Longga, Ariana Geneva Rodriguez (Tabaco); Errol Oscar Jimenez, Jennifer San Diego, Aberoy Gubot (Donsol); Hannah Lois Pamor (Naga); Jason Rex Gonzales (Iriga); Precious Jewel Bobier, Adriel Dan Bobier (Magallanes); Ian Belo, Myren Gatos, Annabel Blanca, Carlos Barbolino (Aroroy); Geralden Dormetorio, Aldrin Estur, Michael Dichoso (San Rafael).  Baptism ceremonies were conducted by Ptrs. Rex de la Peña, Vir Repaso, Joe Manzano and Roy Valenzuela. --Myra Leslie Narido

SEP Staff Meeting and Youth Ministry Seminar in Baguio

 “SEP is also spelled F-U-N.” This is what  Pastor Rex dela Peña told the would-be Summer Educational Program (SEP) staff during a meeting held at Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City, April 27. Speaking to over 20 SEP staff and counselors, Pastor Rex reminded everyone on the importance of their respective roles in helping the SEP be a FUN experience for campers and staff alike. He also spoke on the role of the church in helping the youth find an alternative solution to the problems and temptations that they are facing each day. About 180-200 campers are expected to participate in this year’s SEP which will be held at the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City on May 7-16, 2004.

From 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. of the same day, Pastor Rex held the Youth Ministry seminar which was attended by over 20 youth leaders from the Northern Luzon church areas. He spoke about what “Youth Ministry” is really all about – that is, about “developing a relationship with the young people and earning their trust and keeping that trust”. He encouraged the participants to start developing “Youth Workers” in their respective church areas and for their church to be “Youth-Friendly”. He also spoke on how the church can encourage their young people to be more active in joining church activities and to take on more significant responsibilities in the church. --Bong Mortola 

More About SEP Visayas 2004

The SEP in Binghay Marine Park, Balamban, Cebu , with its theme “RICH IN CHRIST” was attended by 129 campers from different Visayan provinces, 20 counselors and assistants, 34 staffs, and 10 kids (pastors’ children). Out of the 129 campers, 86 were first timers, and out of these first timers, WCG members invited 45. 

The teens truly enjoyed all the activities prepared for them by the tireless, and committed staff. --Vienna Macasero, WCG Cebu City

Baptism List at SEP Mindanao 2004

The following 25 campers were baptized during SEP Mindanao 2004. From Butuan City: Arthur Castro Jr., Eddie C. Calo, Jethro Azote and Joshua A. Castillo. From Cagayan de Oro City: Alvin Jinn P. Dela Peña, Belcy Mae Garduce, Geoffrey Hipulan and Mark Geno Dela Peña. From Iligan City: Fair De Gracia, Isaiah Quindo and Ritchelle Quindo. From Initao, Misamis Oriental: April De Guzman, Michael Almeda and Vince James De Guzman. From Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay: Hansel Mark Bael. From Lanipao, Lala, Lanao del Norte: Inyl Allanic and Joseph Lameca. From Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental: Jurwholdi Inclan. From Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte: Joan Arquisal, Ornel Legaspi and Othniel Legaspi. From Talisayan, Misamis Oriental: Edison Cabana and Paula Jayne Cabana. From Valencia City, Bukidnon: Dale Roy Rodrigo and Ian Vic Arceo.

The following 4 campers were rebaptized during SEP Mindanao 2004: Monette Abao of Cagayan de Oro City, Lindy Gwen Yuson and Marmie Poran of Maramag, Bukidnon and Glee Robert Mercado of Initao, Misamis Oriental. Although rebaptism was not discussed in camp, these campers asked about it and requested to be rebaptized. 

Last but not the least, Christine Adelle Rico of Iligan City who is not a camper nor a staff member this year was also rebaptized during SEP. She said that she has been thinking about it since last year's SEP but was hesitant to ask during the camp. Upon hearing about rebaptism at SEP this year, she joined the campers and was rebaptized by Pastor Len Joson and her father, Pastor Toting Rico. It was a moving experience for both father and daughter. Christine Adelle was last year's Best Camper awardee at SEP Mindanao 2003.

211 Attend Combined Resurrection Sunday Services in Baguio City

Two hundred eleven brethren from Baguio, La Union and Pangasinan held a combined Resurrection Sunday worship service at the Benitez Hall, Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, April 11.

The day’s celebration was special and festive, as AS for Northern Luzon Jerry Ortiguero puts it,”a foretaste of Festival 2004.” The worship services opened with a call to worship, with Zoraida Laguerta singing “Majesty”, followed by inspiring and celebratory congregational praise and worship singing led by Adel Arreola with the accompaniment of the Baguio band. Loma Mortola prepared a slideshow of the songs which were flashed from a multimedia projector. 

The main message was delivered by Adonis Caguoia, pastoral team member of the Dagupan City church, where he expounded on the implication of the  resurrection of Jesus Christ as a cornerstone of the Christian faith. He asked the brethren how will the knowledge of the resurrection affect their seriousness in evangelism, church attendance and in giving.  Following the message was the presentation of the mini-drama, “My Lord and My God.”  The actors were the youth from Baguio’s Clayground Ministry and selected students of the Pines City National High School, where the Baguio brethren teaches Religion classes. The last scene where Thomas prayed to ask forgiveness for not believing without seeing the Risen Christ brought many to tears. The group’s rigorous rehearsals for three weeks paid off as the congregation gave them a standing ovation after the performance. Bong Mortola and Myles Faminialagao served as directors.

After the morning services, the brethren extended their fellowshipping during the pot-luck lunch, and many stayed on to watch on VCD the highly-acclaimed Mel Gibson movie, “The Passion of the Christ”. The Northern Luzon churches also plan to hold a combined Pentecost worship service on May 30. --Loma O. Mortola

 Six Baguio brethren attend Youth EE Training

Brethren from Baguio church attended the Youth Evangelism Explosion (EE) Training at the Agoo Christian Fellowship in Agoo, La Union, April 19-23. The trainees were  Sharon Domoguen, Myla Faminialagao, Danilo and Zoraida Laguerta, Dario Ngoap and Joan Tinoyan. A total of 51 participants from various Christian churches across Luzon attended the Youth EE training which aims to train youth pastors and leaders who will in turn equip the young people of their churches for the work of personal evangelism. --Loma O. Mortola

SFCLU Church Conducts DVBS

Central West, Bauang, La Union, April 28 -- In pursuit of the church's focus for this year which is a church on fire, the San Fernando City, La Union (SFCLU) Church conducted its second Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo L. Bacani, pastoral team chairman here in the first class municipality of Bauang, from April 21-23, 2004. Instead of the regular five-day class, it was condensed to three.

For ages 4-9, there were 14 children who attended and the teachers were Racquel Funesto and Ruth Bacani. For ages 10-12, there were 20 children who attended and the teachers were Noemi Rosario and Esther Tamor. For ages 13-19, there were seven in attendance and the teacher was Precy Osillos. A total of 41 children attended the DVBS.

The curriculum included: a lecture, games, singing, crafts, dramatization and other self-activities. It was inspiring to note that four of the youth participants are interested in attending our worship services. They have already attended last April 25 as we celebrated our church's Family Day on the beach at the residence of Mrs. Josefina Camacho in Poro, San Fernando City, La Union.

God is indeed working in us through the Holy Spirit as we continue to move on in our commission to preach the gospel. Please continue to pray for us as we will be conducting another DVBS in our church in Cadumanyan, Rosario, La Union on May 4-6, 2004. SFCLU is gifted in the area of teaching as majority of its church members are professional teachers in all levels. --Danny Funesto

WCG Legaspi Honors its Graduates

Legaspi City -- Legaspi Church set aside April 3 as Recognition Day for its fourteen (14) graduates. After a very special celebration worship service, graduates were presented one by one and lined up in front of the joyful congregation. A special prayer of dedication was led by Efren Narido, after which each honoree received a token from the church handed by Ptr. Dave and Ma'am Elena Oloya. 

Honorees were: Myra Leslie Narido (Master of Ministry - Trinity Theological Seminary), Ptr. Roy Valenzuela (Bachelor of Laws-Bicol Colleges), Randy Padre (BS in Agricultural Engineering-Bicol University), Emilio Glova (BS in Fisheries-Bicol University), Joana Manuel (Computer Technician-Computer Arts & Technology School), Sarah Vim Dawal (HS graduate-Daraga High School), William Dawal, Wilbur Dawal, Penelope Sue Nagrampa (HS graduate-Bicol University), Sarah Ruth Reyes (Elem graduate-Daraga North Central), Hezron Dawal (Elem graduate-Gogon Central), Adrian Valenzuela (Honor Pupil-Albay Central), Karen Martillana (Honor Pupil) and Kevin Manzano (Kinder graduate).

The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly newsletter with a purpose to encourage, build up and edify the membership of the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines and everyone else who is interested through the sharing of news and updates from the local churches. The brethren are encouraged to submit a short article if their local church has some news or update worth sharing to everyone. Become part of this information ministry, send in your news and updates, encourage the brethren and edify the church. To send articles and photos,  to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. Our weekly e-mail updates can also be accessed and viewed at our WCG Mindanao website at http://www.wcgmindanao.org.

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)