Update from WCG Philippines

A weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines

August 19, 2005

41 Inmates Baptized at Angeles City District Jail

City of San Fernando, Pampanga - The Pastoral Team members of the WCG-Pampanga, led by PT Chairman Pio Umlas, conducted a Worship Service at the Angeles City District Jail last Saturday, August 13 inside the prison courtyard. In spite of the terrible heat and their desperate situation, more than 96 inmates attended the service and joyfully sang and danced with the very lively hymns. The main message was given by Pastor Carlos M. Castro, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Prison Ministries, Philippines. He talked about the reasons for baptism, its meaning and benefits.

Together with the inmates, we ate lunch inside the courtyard. Our coordinator in the jail, Mr. Cedric Punzalan, commented that our mixing and eating with the prisoners is one of the reasons why they prefer to join the WCG. "Unlike other churches," he said, "who are aloof and afraid to mix with them, the WCG members treat us as brothers and sisters."

The service resumed at 1:00 p.m. After the long worship service accompanied by joyful singing, 41 men and women inmates submitted themselves to baptism in a plastic tub, which was filled with water.

The baptism came after a 3-day series of preaching and bible studies done by the Pastoral Team members inside the prison cells. PT members Anacleto Flores, Jr., Reynaldo Calma, July Panlaqui, Rudy Sultan, Ric Basa, and servant leaders Ed Estrella and Ms. Connie Mandap, assisted in the baptism. After the baptism, Pastor Carlos read to them the whole chapter of Colossians 3 and asked the newly baptized inmates to apply the Apostle Paul's message to their lives so that they will enjoy the fruit of their salvation.

Truly God is blessing the prison ministry work He is doing through the Pampanga brethren, at the Pampanga Provincial Jail and the Angeles City District Jail. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! --Carlos Castro

Infanta Outreach Continues

Infanta, Quezon -- Church Planter RG Cruz together with the WCG Manila Outreach Group, composed of Orly Osillos, Edgar Tabudlong, Sisters Celly Alvarez, Calrita Cahanap, Elena Rodica and Juliet Cruz, left the national office at 8:45 a.m. on August 13 for the continuing outreach in this province. Mr. Andy Ducay of the Manila South church joined us in this trip as an outreach observer.

The outreach activities started at 2:00 p.m. sharp with a praise & worship for the Lord. After the service, Sis. Celly Alvarez escorted the 28 children present to a different area and taught them more worship songs and facilitated the children's Bible Study. In another area, Sisters Juliet Cruz and Clarita Cahanap demonstrated to the 32 adults present the proper packaging and sealing of the buko juice as part of the buko juice livelihood training.

After the training, the adult Bible Study followed facilitated by Kuya RG Cruz. The Bible Study topic was a continuation of the previous subject on repentance, baptism and what it means to be "born again." As this was being discussed, the Lord impressed upon Kuya RG the need for man to know "the way back to God" by introducing another lesson on "The State of Man in Relation to the Presence of God." After the Bible Study, a number of the adults were asking the team when the mass baptism would be held. They suggested a place where to hold the baptism, a seashore just near the community.

As the Bible Study for the adults was taking place, Ed Tabudlong and Orly Osillos took the opportunity to sit down with the 24 youths who came. They were curious to know more about what is taking place during the adult Bible Study and manifested their interest to have a youth Bible Study. Orly Osillos promised to bring some English Bibles for these youths in their next trip. These Bibles are among those donated by Jim Watters, a member in Wisconsin, USA, who regularly sends in donated books -- Bibles and other reference books -- from members in the United States.

The group left at 5:50 p.m. in high spirits, arriving in Manila at 11:00 p.m. We praise God for He once again provided us the strength and encouragement to do this worthwhile work -- all for His glory! --RG Cruz

Note: This area suffered a great calamity a few months back due to flash floods.

Sta. Rosa Church Forms Pastoral Team

The Sta Rosa Pastoral Team is now waiting for the arrival of our National Director for their commissioning this coming September 7th in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. In a series of meetings initially facilitated by the National Director, the leaders of Sta. Rosa were gathered and the idea of forming a pastoral team was formally presented to them. The church prayed for 2 weeks before deciding on the 7 names that will form its first pastoral team. The 7 chosen people met and prayed again before deciding on their pastoral team chairman. 

Here are the names of the Pastoral team: Henson Fen Santos ( Chairman), Ezra Raduban, Jesse Boone, Samson Balboa, Atty. Casiano Arcillas, Reuel Avila, Tony Santillan.

They will be meeting regularly for prayer, team formation, ministry equipping and local church strategizing. The pastoral team set-up will now help Rex Dela Pena concentrate on serving as the Area Superintendent for Metro Manila and as Executive Assistant to the National Director. Please join us in praying for the Pastoral team of Sta Rosa and for the vision that God is going to give them as we anticipate tremendous growth in the area. --Rex Dela Peña

PCNHS Campus Ministry Resumes in Baguio City

The Baguio-Trinidad pastorate resumes this week its ministry to the students and campus of the Pines City National High School. In particular, we will be handling some classes in the first and fourth year levels. For the first year students, we have been given the liberty to teach Bible subjects. For the fourth year, we team up with several of their teachers to teach values class. --Arlan Aquino   

Pangasinan: San Carlos Overnight Prayer-Worship

The San Carlos Redeemed Leaders of Evangelical Thrusts (SCARLET) hosted a joint overnight prayer -worship at the City Gym of San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Ptr. Adonis C. Caguioa of WCG San Carlos City, gave the sermon to about 80 leaders and members of Evangelical churches in the area.

Vice Mayor Jullier Resuello arrived during the prayer session. He requested prayers from the different churches, especially for wisdom, guidance and direction for him and his father Mayor Jolly Resuello. At the end of the worship. All pastors present laid their hands on vice mayor and prayed over him. He was gratefully in tears after such prayers. --Adonis Caguioa

Negros Occidental: San Carlos Church Joins Vigil Services

Pastor Laurencio B. Sabanal and some of the San Carlos brethren were invited to assist the bereaved family in the night vigil services held at the Garden of Saints Funeral Parlor, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental in connection with the death of Salvacion Valde Cajigas, sister of Mr. Dudley Valde, who is a member of the San Carlos Church pastoral team. Mrs. Cajigas died of complicated kidney trouble with diabetes after months of confinement at the hospital. She is survived by her husband, Rolando Cajigas and son, Tata.

Pastor Sabanal preached four nights to a mostly Catholic audience about "When Death Occurs," The Order of Resurrection," The Reality of Heaven and Hell" and "The True Disciple of Jesus Christ." Some of the San Carlos brethren helped make possible the nightly vigil services to be truly an eye-opening experience to the attendees and to be consoling with the bereaved family and relatives in their sorrow and distress. --Laurencio B. Sabanal

Visayas Festival Sites 2005

For this year, FESTIVAL 2005 in the Visayas shall be celebrated in 6 Festival sites. With this plan, it is hoped that overall attendance during Festival celebrations shall increase because of the sites' proximity and lower travel costs. --George Escara

Cebu City Church Gearing to Become Cluster Churches

With the spreading out of the Cebu city church membership towards Lapulapu-Mactan and Talisay areas, the Cebu city church leadership and its members are gearing up towards clusters of churches in the province of Cebu.

The leadership in Cebu has seen the hand of God in this considering that the vision of the Cebu city church is to reach the province of Cebu and to the ends of the earth with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The clusters of churches would mean that there will be 4 cluster areas in Cebu province which includes the cities of Cebu, Lapulapu (Mactan) and Talisay as well as the Mandaue city-Consolacion area. Each cluster area will be overseen by a Pastoral team member.

Starting October, the cluster areas will begin holding a once-a-month worship service while the weekly worship service at the Cebu city church house will still continue. By January 2006, weekly worship services will be held simultaneously at the 4 cluster areas. There will be a once-a-month joint celebration worship service for all cluster areas.

In preparation for this move, the leadership and membership of the Cebu city church has been praying for God’s wisdom in this move since May. By June, the pastoral team has started to meet the membership per cluster area for prayer and discussion of concerns. These preparatory meetings will be completed by September.          

The Cebu city church will appreciate your prayers as we continue to prepare for this transition. --Delora Sales

Cebu City Children’s Church Resumes Sunday Worship

The children’s church of Cebu city has resumed having its own worship service for this year. The worship service held last August 7 had a total of 75 in attendance inclusive of adults (14) and youth and singles (20) who came with the children and those who helped facilitate the gathering. There were 41 children in attendance. The worship service held in the morning had for its theme: Lost and Found with Pastor Rannie “Boy” Suan giving the sermon.

The children’s church holds its own Sunday worship service every 1st Sunday of the month. Every Sunday for the rest of the month, the children have Sunday school. The youth also have their weekly Sunday school. --Delora Sales

Tagbilaran City Church Turns Twenty-Three, 1 Baptism

Tagbilaran City Church (ABC Ministry) turned 23 last Sunday, August 14. Sixty-five brethren, including children, celebrated the Church Anniversary at Punta Cruz, a historical beachside landmark in the nearby town of Maribojoc. An outdoor Worship Service was conducted under a huge acacia tree which provided a cool cover for the happy celebrants. Assistant Pastor Terence Naranjo traced the colorful history of the local church in his sermon which inspired the brethren to celebrate with thanksgiving this memorable occasion. Using Psalm 100, he encouraged everyone to “worship the LORD with gladness and give thanks to him for the LORD is good” to the Tagbilaran Church through the years despite the challenges it has faced.

The event was made more meaningful by the baptism of Marife Bugas, wife of member, Elgie, immediately after the service. Everyone relished the abundance of food brought by members and enjoyed the anniversary program with parlor games and quizzes to the delight of young and old alike, who received prizes. The children were particularly thrilled to take a dip at the cool waters of Maribojoc Bay. To all of these, we say, “To God be the glory!” --Romy Pusta

1 Baptism at Zamboanga City Church

We are happy to announce the baptism of Mrs. Roselle Obias last Tuesday, August 16 at the Zamboanga Gulf Beach Resort. Congratulations and welcome to the Body of Christ! --Pastor Joven Jaralve

Biblical Expository Preaching Seminar on September 3-4

A seminar on Biblical Expository Preaching has been scheduled  for all Mindanao pastors and leaders this coming September 3-4 in Cagayan de Oro City. All those who are interested are welcome to attend. The short seminar will be from Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to Sunday, 12:00 noon. Please coordinate with Pastor Jerome Manriquez at jvmanriquez@philcom.ph for details.

During this seminar, the Mindanao pastors and leaders will also coordinate and finalize their plans for the upcoming festivals in four (4) strategic sites in Mindanao namely: Davao City, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Please remember this very important "equipping seminar" and "Iron Sharpens Iron Meeting" (ISIM) for our pastors and leaders in Mindanao. I will be conducting this seminar based on Dr. Derek Newton's material which he gave to our Metro Manila leaders in 1999 and also  based on my seminary notes. Please pray for me also that I may be prepared and equipped myself to conduct this training seminar. --Len Joson

Comments from Our Readers/Web Surfers

-"It's always great to hear your update. Thanks for including us in your subscription. Thanks again for the lovely newsletter." --From Florida

-"Thank you for the update. Eugene and the family made it safely to the conference in Palm Springs. We just finished our first day and it's the beginning of a wonderful family reunion. Blessings. -From WCG HQ, Pasadena

Editor's Note

Thanks for the wonderful and immediate response of our correspondents nationwide. There is truly a lot of wonderful ministries for the Lord going on in our local churches nationwide as we can read in this update. This is something worth sharing and praying about. Let's continue to encourage one another through these updates (Heb. 10:24-25).

I am also pleased to announce that subscription to our Weekly Update is increasing slowly but surely through our website.

For this weekend, I'll be off again to Cagayan de Oro to conduct a two-day seminar with our brethren to discuss our doctrines (Statement of Beliefs) and especially in relation to the changes and our shift from the old to the new covenant. I believe that correct doctrines will lead to correct practices and keep us away from a weird faith and strange practices. For our local churches to "grow in grace and in knowledge" and due to our past experience as a denomination, I believe this seminar is very important.

After 10 years since the big change was announce by Mr. Tkach Sr. sometime in December 1994, many in our local churches in Mindanao are learning these new truths in the local churches for the first time (especially the youth). This gives me the inspiration to carry on with the Lord's work cut out for me.

Please remember us in your prayers as we travel around even unavoidably, in some dangerous areas of Mindanao. --Len Joson

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)