January 21,  2005

Randal Dick Visits RP for Teaching and Mentoring Sessions

Superintendent of Missions Randal Dick visited the Philippines last December 31, 2004 to January 7, 2005. While in the country, Mr. Dick taught as a visiting professor at the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS), one of the leading evangelical seminary in the country and in Asia.

Along with other professors like Dr. Manfred Kohl and Dr. Jumawan, Mr. Dick taught a module on governance which is part of the ATS-MBA program and the Christian Stewardship Program. This course was coordinated by Dr. Rey Taniajura and Zeneth Mara-mara.

Mr. Dick also had mentoring sessions with the National Director Eugene Guzon and Board Chairman Max Fabricante as part of his commitment to help in making the WCG Philippines' national governing Board as effective as possible in its work. --ND Eugene Guzon

ND Sets WCG Mindanao on Fire, Delivers SOCA 2005

Despite having a slight fever, ND Eugene Guzon arrived last Friday morning, January 14 in Davao City. In the afternoon, he met with the pastors and leaders in the areas south and east of Mindanao namely: Davao City, Digos City, Tagum City, Kidapawan and Purok Elisan. The following Saturday morning, he delivered his State of the Church Address (SOCA) during a combined worship service in Davao City. On this same occasion, he also gave a certificate of recognition to Area Superintendent (AS) Len Joson for his 20 years as an employee of the Worldwide Church of God. 

On Saturday afternoon, ND Guzon drove about 2.5 hours to Quezon, Bukidnon where he again gave his SOCA 2005 during a combined worship service of the Bukidnon brethren. After the service, he met with the Bukidnon leaders in central Mindanao (Kiara Church, Maramag Church, Valencia Church and Quezon, Bukidnon Church) all the way up to about 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, ND Guzon drove around 3 hours to be with the northern Mindanao brethren gathered in Cagayan de Oro City. In the afternoon, he met with the northern Mindanao leaders (Butuan City Church, Solana OBS, Cagayan de Oro City Church, Initao OBS, Iligan City Church, Lanipao Church, Pagadian City Church). On this same day, The Cagayan de Oro brethren also celebrated its 31st church anniversary. 

Previous to this, ND Guzon was able to visit the Zamboanga City Church and the Ipil Church (western Mindanao) last December 2004 where he was able to give the essence of his SOCA 2005 thus completing his visits in Mindanao and setting the course for the coming year.

In his SOCA 2005, ND Guzon gave several statistics for the past year 2004 which showed an encouraging trend for God's work in the Philippines. For example, last year we had 721 baptisms nationwide -- a great increase! After giving the past year's report, he encouraged the Mindanao brethren to carry on and continue to be churches on fire for the Lord and to have a faithful walk with Christ throughout the year 2005. He also encouraged the brethren to continue last year's lighting of a candle and this year's planting of a fire tree which are all symbolic of our commitment to be a church on fire for the Lord always.

Mindanao AS Len Joson accompanied ND Guzon in all of his visits in the various areas of Mindanao. The following Monday morning, January 17, ND Guzon left Cagayan de Oro and flew back to Manila tired and sick but much elated.

WCG Maramag Church Missionary Needs Help

Due to financial difficulties, the Maramag Church leadership has decided to recall back their missionary who is right now in a 10/40 window country. They have not been able to send support for their missionary for two months now. After 10 months, our missionary has currently one thriving small group with 2 individuals scheduled to be baptized next month.

He is scheduled to come home this May 2005 but due to financial difficulties, he may have to come home earlier. We need a little help from our friends so that his stay there could be extended up to May 2005. For more details and if you're interested to help, please contact Pastor Levi Yuson at his cell phone number +639167294593, his e-mail address Leviyuson2004@yahoo.com or please contact the webmaster.

WCG, NPMP, and DSWD Joins To Help Calamity Victims

National Director Eugene Guzon  and Pastor Carlos Castro, Executive Director of National Prison Ministries, Philippines (NPMP) met with Undersecretary Celia Yangco and Director Vilma Cabrera of  the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the distribution of medicines to the typhoon victims in Real and Infanta Quezon, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija; the inmates of the Pampanga Provincial Jail and Angeles City District Jail; and urban poor in Payatas, Quezon City, through medical missions.

The Humedica International, a network organization of Prison Fellowship International, through the request of Pastor Carlos M. Castro, sent 540 kilograms of medicines, worth  21,550 Euro last December 10, 2004 for the typhoon victims.  However, problems were encountered in the release of said medicines from the Bureau of Customs. We are required to pay duty and value added taxes worth more than P350,000.00 including storage fees. Through God’s intervention and through the assistance of National Director Eugene Guzon’s brother-in-law, we were introduced to the DSWD officials, who committed to assist in the release of the medicines from the Bureau of Customs free of all taxes and expenses and work together with us in the distribution of the medicines to the typhoon victims. WCG shall organize the Medical Teams with the cooperation of the Rotary Club and our brethren in those areas. Efforts are now underway for the registration, licensing and accreditation for  both the NPMP and Develop Asia Foundation with the DSWD. This is a breakthrough for us in doing our Outreach Ministries for the poor and the needy. --Carlos M. Castro

ND Guzon Visits Payatas High School

National Director Eugene Guzon and Missionary Joel Alisbo visited the Payatas High School and met with the school staff, Edna Dismaya and Shiela San Jose, for a goodwill visit this 2nd week of January  for a possible start of Youth-in-School Ministry. Some outreaches have been done in this school in the past which has created a friendly and receptive environment. Our youths need to be taught  about values formation, personal and leadership development, career orientation etc... to prepare them in the big challenges that is ahead of them. We hope to bring them to a relationship with Christ to make them better and productive citizens in the years to come. There are 4,200 students and 99 teachers in this school. --Joel Alisbo, Assistant Pastor, Quezon City Church

Commissioning and Ordination in Bohol

Two milestone events happened for the ABC Ministry (WCG-Tagbilaran) January 16, when Area Superintendent George Escara commissioned 5 Pastoral Team members and ordained 2. After delivering his thought-provoking sermon entitled "The Marks of a Mature Person," with 50 brethren gathered for morning worship, Pastor George called Terencio Naranjo, Julian Curambao, Virgie Galope, Eugenia Pelino and Romeo Pusta and commissioned them as the first Pastoral Team members of the Tagbilaran Church. 

Pastor Romy was appointed Chairman and at the same time, continue to serve as Senior Pastor. Before everyone was through with their clapping and congratulations, 2 of those commissioned were again called and ordained as Deacon and Deaconess, namely, Julian Curambao and Virgie Galope. It was a very memorable and joyous moment for the local church. Truly, Tagbilaran Church has matured and with the new set-up of shared leadership and responsibility, we feel ready now for the challenges ahead. 

A Leadership Meeting was held in the afternoon where the AS updated the local leadership of forthcoming events, specially the visit of National Director Eugene Guzon to deliver his State of the Church Address in Cebu, come January 29. Pastor George also shared some leadership principles culled from his attendance of the John Maxwell Seminars better known as "Million Leaders Mandate." --Romy Pusta

All for Christ Fellowship - WCG San Nicolas Updates

Improved worship/meeting hall at Sitio Bagong Silang, Brgy. San Nicolas, a blessing from the Lord made possible through the cooperation of families of San Nicolas member and Pastoral Team; donation from WCG Westlock and Edmonton churches in Canada given to Ptr. TOM Sotalbo during his visit there last week of Oct. 2004; and contribution of members to the local fund. This meeting hall was dedicated to the Great Provider last January 2,2005 during worship services, the congregation's first meeting in this improved hall.

Baptism of ACF-WCG San Nicolas six (6) Kids EE graduates of Dec. 19,2004: Rina Mae Sotalbo,daughter of Ptr.& Mrs. Tom Sotalbo; Julius Arellano;Bryan Sapalaran; Cherry Ann Castillo; Yanesa Becilos;and Ma. Cristina Azares. The baptism was officiated by Ptr. Tom Sotalbo assisted by Ptr. Pol Makahiya and Pastor Arlan Aquino prayed over the six baptized.

This event was held after worship services last Jan. 9,2005 where Ptr. Arlan gave the main message and his last visit before he & his family left for Bsguio City for his new assignment. --Rinia Sotalbo

Bong & Loma Blessed with Child after 10 Years

After ten years of marriage, Bong and Loma Ortiguero-Mortola were blessed with the arrival of their first-born son, Ethan Isaac Gerard. Ethan was born on December 17, 2004 at the Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.  

Due to hormonal imbalance, Loma had difficulty conceiving and experienced irregular monthly periods. She only became aware of her pregnancy on November 2nd, a few days before her 37th birthday, when she went to a gastroenterologist to complain of recurring “gastritis”. Little did she know that she was 31 weeks pregnant then! Thanks to the prayers of family and friends, despite a high risk pregnancy, she safely gave birth thru normal delivery.

Bong and Loma are in Dubai as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and attend the WCG Dubai Church.  Ethan is the first grandson and fourth grandchild of Area Superintendent for Northern Luzon Jerry and Gloria Ortiguero.

Bong and Loma may be reached thru e-mail at bongmortola@yahoo.com and loma_mortola@yahoo.com.

This Week's Comments from our Readers and Web Visitors

"Thank you for the updates. I have been out of the WCG for 8 years. I think my last attendance was the Feast of Tabernacles in 1996. I have not attended any church regularly since then. I've occasionally heard some news from some members I occasionally meet, but that was all. I happen to be surfing today, and was somehow led to this site. I miss the fellowship already and I hope to get in touch again, someday. Thank you again… May God bless you always." --From a web surfer (first letter)

"I hope that someday I could attend church again with my family. Thank you again, sir, for the Updates. It is good to be in contact again with the church even through the web." --From a web surfer (second letter)

"Wow!!! many are coming back to our Lord's work thru this modern technology we have. I pray that many more will be enlightened." --Virginia, USA

To read more comments, please visit our Guest Book web page and the Youthoughts, a youth forum in our national website. 

The Update from WCG Philippines is an official weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines. For comments, suggestions, to submit and share an article,  to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. These updates can also be accessed and viewed at www.wcg.org/ph. 

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)