Update from WCG Philippines

I am excited about what is in store for us this coming year. One of these milestones is the Men's Conference scheduled on February 16-18, 2006. You may have heard about it in our previous updates but I am taking this opportunity to invite you to this event. This is going to be the first-ever men's conference organized by our fellowship. It will be held at the Christian Development Center in Tagaytay City. The cost of the registration, to include meals, accommodation and materials is P1,300.00 per person.

The theme for this conference is "Men United in Prayer." Dr. Joseph Tkach, Mr. Bill Sidney and Bishop Ephraim Tendero, national director of PCEC, are among the speakers for this event. There will also be a chance for small group sharing, discussions and times of personal reflection. This is going to be a refreshing event for deepening our relationship with God and bonding with our fellow brothers in the faith. A combined service in Metro Manila is also being planned on February 19, 2006 with Dr. Tkach as speaker. --Eugene Guzon, National Director

We are all excited that the Men's Conference is drawing near. We wish to see all of you there. We are now accepting registrations. Please contact Nomer Venus at: Phone No.: 049-411-6548; Telefax No.: 049-511-9225; Cellphone No.: 0917-544-8836. Address of Registrar: 783 P.H. Escueta St. San Antonio, Binan, Laguna 4024. E-mail address: nomer_venus@yahoo.com. Or contact your Senior Pastor, or Chairman of Pastoral Team to facilitate group registration. --Ting Bejo

WCG Philippines National Director Eugene Guzon gave the traditional State of the Church Address (SOCA) for the first time in Cebu City in a special worship service last Saturday, January 21, 2006 at the WCG Cebu City Church Hall. Pastors and leaders from Dumaguete City, Toledo City, Cebu City, Tagbilaran City and Samar attended. The occasion was also graced with the presence of Area Superintendent George Escara.

Mr. Guzon gave the happy news that the total number of baptized members has now grown to 5,416. The number of members baptized in 2005 was now more than 800. And the number of congregations grew from 79 to 83.

Speaking of income, some congregations increased by as much as 40%. The overall increase though of regular giving is 1.04%. And this is still something to rejoice over considering that our economy has not fully recovered. The brethren also gave above and beyond the regular to special activities like the annual SEP camps, the Women’s Conference and two Single Conferences.

After presenting the happy statistics in powerpoint, Mr. Guzon proceeded to give us the theme for 2006 which is: “Shining Together in Jesus Christ.” He then proceeded to give the sermon titled, Jesus the Light of the World. To become the lights to the world that we should be, he told us to first of all recognize Jesus for who he is and what he can do. Secondly, we have to remain in submission to his will and direction. His main text was John 18:12. --Ranulfo L. Suan

Troy Myers and Arlen Orogo were joined in marriage December 18, 2005 by Dr. Rey Taniajura at the Gazebo Royale in Quezon City.

Forty two participants from Central and Eastern Visayas attended the first Iron Sharpens Iron Meeting (ISIM) for 2006. The meeting was facilitated and led by AS George Escara. It started in the afternoon of January 21 and ended in the early evening of Sunday, January 22, 2006.

The pastors gave their reports on January 21 and the whole group proceeded to pray in the evening. The following morning Ptr. George gave a lecture on the world’s acute need for godly leaders. He quoted Dr. John Edmund Haggai of Haggai Institute and J. Oswald Sanders, author of the book, Spiritual Leadership. Dr. Haggai defined leadership as “the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it toward goals of beneficial permanence that fulfill the real needs of the group.”

According to Dr. Haggai, a Christian’s “position of leadership must lead to the pursuit of world evangelism. World evangelism is not to be a hobby with Christians, but an all-consuming priority. Thus, if the Christian is in a position of leadership over non-Christians, the foremost beneficial permanence that the leader would want for his followers is their salvation through Jesus Christ. If the Christian is in a position of leadership over other Christians, he should be motivating them to pursue world evangelism themselves.”

The participating pastors and church leaders were all listening intently to the interactive lectures. They eagerly participated in the goal setting exercises later on. The meeting ended with a wonderful communion service. --Ranulfo L. Suan

Mr. Tadeo "Boy" Almera was ordained a deacon during worship services of the Cagayan de Oro City Church, January 22, 2006 by Mindanao Area Supt. Len Joson. After having been inspired by attending a Condensed World Mission Course about a year ago, Mr. Almera along with Mr. Faithomer "Loloy" Rodrigo has now a thriving Outreach Bible Study in their home in Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City composed of their neighbors and friends. Average attendance is about 38 meeting regularly every week for about four months now. This church planting effort is supported by its mother church, the Cagayan de Oro City Church, under Pastor Jeng Manriquez. Please pray for the success of this urban mission.

Mindanao Area Supt. Len Joson visited Maramag Church last January 21, Saturday. He gave the sermon during the worship service. In the afternoon, he met with all of the Bukidnon pastors and leaders to conduct a leadership training session and to begin plans for this year's youth summer camps in 3 camp sites in Mindanao.

The following day in Cagayan de Oro City, he also did the same and gave the sermon to the Cagayan de Oro brethren in the morning and then gave a leadership training session to all the pastors and leaders of Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro, Jasaan and Iligan City) in the afternoon.

Youth summer camp for northern Mindanao was also discussed. The 3 youth summer camp sites in Mindanao will be in Davao City (south & eastern Mindanao), Bukidnon (central Mindanao) and Cagayan de Oro (northern Mindanao including southwestern Mindanao).

Last Tuesday, January 24, Mindanao Area Supt. Len Joson co-facilitated another Condensed World Mission Course (CWMC) in Davao City conducted by the Asian Center for Missions (ACM) - Davao for the staff and workers of the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) - Davao. It is wonderful to see the networking and partnerships among the mission agencies, para-churches and denominations in Davao City.

This is the third time that Len Joson has been invited to co-facilitate the CWMC in Davao. The first and second one was about two years ago when the Living Springs International conducted the CWMC for the board of directors and staff of ACM - Davao including some leaders of Philippine Challenge - Davao and some missionaries.

In a few weeks from now, the Maramag Church will also host another missions training program to be conducted by ACM - Cagayan de Oro (CDO) for some 25 missionary candidates. Twelve of these are our Bukidnon church members. A week or so ago, the interviews and selection of the 25 missionary candidates were done by ACM - CDO at the WCG Maramag worship hall.

IRENEO R. PAMOR, 82 years old, was laid to rest Sunday, January 21, 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Heart Memorial Park, Anayan, Pili, Camarines Sur. The memorial service was conducted by Pastor Abe Balisnomo and attended by the relatives of the deceased including all their children's families plus some members and former members of WCG Bicol. He was one of the oldest member in the Bicol area. --Ardel Magararu

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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)