Update from WCG Philippines

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

December 23, 2005

WCG and Operation Compassion Int’l Inc. Distribute Relief Goods in Oriental Mindoro

December 20. 2005. The Worldwide Church of God, in cooperation with Operation Compassion International, helped in the distribution of relief goods to people affected by the heavy flooding in Oriental Mindoro. Ptr. Manny Ornejas, chairman of the local WCG congregation in Mindoro, assisted the team of Operation Compassion headed by Mr. Dong Cucio in the distribution of rice and groceries to church members and some families in the affected areas of Calapan and municipalities of Baco, Naujan, and Victoria. Some pastors of Jesus is Lord Church and ABCOPP denomination also helped in the distribution of relief goods.  

Last December 8, the dikes that protected Calapan from possible flooding were heavily damaged because of the heavy and continuous rain in the province. Some areas in the municipalities of Naujan, Baco, and Victoria were flooded. But Calapan was the most heavily affected. Almost 95% of its area was affected. The city proper alone is about 92% flooded.

As of December 20, the affected areas are still submerged in waters. At this time Calapan City proper could not be accessed by light vehicles. Thankfully there is an alternate route leading to the port of Calapan, but this route is rough and very much farther away.

Latest report said that the dike damage is already 3 kilometers. At present, the local government is waiting for summer so the protection dike can be repaired.  But as long as it is rainy season there is the danger that the flooding will continue to occur.

Several of our members in Calapan City, including Ptr. Manny Ornejas and family, were affected by the flood. A house of a member was submerged in water. The people in Calapan and other barangays needed help in the form of food, medicines as well as used clothing. If you would want to help our members and other people affected by the flooding in Calapan City and in Mindoro province, please text or call Ptr. Manny Ornejas (0919-799-0755) or Dann Pasia (0917-504-0306). The Southern Luzon churches and leaders are also making efforts to provide help and relief to the affected people in the area. –Manny Ornejas 

CWMC Conducted for 43 Pastors and Church Workers in Naga City

Naga City – Some 43 church pastors and church workers representing evangelical and independent churches and missions organizations in the provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate and Camarines Sur attended the Condensed World Missions Course (CWMC), December 5 to 9 in Naga City. The sessions were held at the Church of the Open Door International. Dr. Rey Taniajura, missions board chairman of the Worldwide Church of God – Philippines facilitated the entire course. He was assisted by Dr. Jose Manzano and his wife, Dr. Virginia Manzano who are training under Dr. Taniajura to become head facilitators of the CWMC. --From the Missions Update

Update from Missionaries in Vienna, Austria

I received a report from one of our tentmaker missionaries who works at the Philippine Embassy in Vienna. Here are some excerpts of his report:

"I gave the welcoming remarks on behalf of Ambassador Garcia at Ray-An Fuentes’ concert in Vienna last October 8, which was sponsored by Vienna Christian Fellowship. On October 23 we spent time with WKG National Director Santiago Lange and his wife Elke during their visit to Vienna. On the 29th Bobby gave a message at the First Filipino Bible Fellowship on their first year anniversary.

"Last November 26, we held our third “Worship Together” praise and worship service at the Volkshochschule Hietzing (Hietzing High School), in Vienna’s 13th district. Attendance was about 160 people. As a first, we had as our guests the American pastors of the International Baptist Church and Grace Church International, Tom Sutter, and Al Nucciarone, respectively. They led the worshippers in prayers for spiritual healing within the Body of Christ in Vienna, and for the people affected by recent natural disasters worldwide. Other believers from the other churches (JIL, CIG, WKG and VCF) led in prayers for other concerns. Pastor Mars Tare (VCF) and Pastora Amalia Jovero (JIL) were the worship leaders. We were part of the worship team again. Members of the First Filipino Bible Fellowship were also in attendance.

"Finally, I conducted a seminar on “Chairing Meetings, Trouble-Shooting and Problem-Solving in Organizations” on 29 November at the Philippine Embassy conference room. About a dozen Filipino Community leaders of various organizations attended, led by Malou Morata, the President of the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria. Bobby shared with the group the training he received from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and used material from Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life. Praise God for the opportunity to minister!

My foreign service batch is being promoted to Second Secretary and Consul, including myself. Please pray that my confirmation papers before the Commission on Appointments of the Senate and House of Representatives will be in order and that, if it is God's will, I will continue serving our country in this capacity.Thank you and God bless --From Bobby & Jude Ferrer

Pampanga Brethren Give Christmas Gifts

The WCG Pampanga Church headed by Pastor Pio Umlas and Pastor Miles Umlas with the pastoral team leaders and members (Rudy Sultan, Ed Estrella and Family) conducted an outreach ministry program for our less fortunate or indigent brothers and sisters at Pulong Bulo, Angeles City. The event started with a short prayer before our brethren distributed some clothes and groceries such as noodles, sugar, milk, coffee, and other goods. Almost 50 families received these blessings from God. After the distribution, a picture of gladness and gratitude was seen in their faces, each one of them extended their heartfelt thanks as they carried with them the early Christmas bags they had taken home.

 The said place is also a venue for the ongoing “Bible Study” held every Wednesday. With these joint efforts and love shown for our less fortunate brethren, God was glorified. --Jennifer S. Estrella

Update from Palawan

The WCG Puerto Princesa Congregation (or Touch of Grace Christian Fellowship) has been working in partnership with the Philippine Student Alliance Lay Movement (PSALM)  in training and mobilizing our student leaders in some of the major universities within the city (Palawan State University and Western Philippines University).

We now have more than 30 youths in our local congregation (half in college, half high schoolers). Just last week, Gully and I finally committed to be more involved and we were named "official" youth workers. We are still observing the program of PSALM and what we can do for the younger group. --Gully & Rachel Santos

Davao Singles Pass RN Board Exams

Congratulations to Anelyn Adornado (left photo) and Athea Afrondoza (right photo) for passing the board exams for Registered Nurses! Both Anelyn and Athea are members of the Davao City local congregation. We wish you all the best!

December Weddings

Ronel Osillos and Liezl de la Pena were joined in marriage last Wednesday, December 21 by National Director Eugene Guzon at the Makati Palace Hotel in Metro Manila. The following day, Thursday, December 23, Roy Francis Laureano and Mary Helen Tubeo were joined in marriage by Area Superintendent Len Joson at the Mergrande Ocean Resort in Davao City. Congratulations to all our newly-weds! All the best!

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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)