55 Accepts Jesus as Lord Through Baptism

Fifty five new believers were baptized last March 4, 2006, Saturday as their witness to their new found faith in Jesus Christ. There was a mild shower on that eventful afternoon but it did not in any way dampen the prevailing spirit of joy among those who accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The staff of the Danarra Hotel and Resort, where the mass baptism was conducted, were very cooperative and had given us a big discount for the use of the pool. It became obvious to us later when we found out that the owner and general manager of the Danarra located at Panay Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City, is a born-again Christian. Pastoral team members from Sta. Maria, Minuyan, Lawang Pare, Paradise 3 of Bulacan and from Pinyahan and South Triangle of Quezon City actually conducted the baptism of the 55 new believers in Christ. They were: Fernando Baltazar, Carol Sison, Celly Alvarez, Gloria Cardona, Socorro Mejares, Gilbert Imbornal, Elena Rodica and Rita de Guzman. National Director Eugene Guzon came to the place later on to congratulate the new believers and lent moral support to 122 brethren present in the event. --Orlando P. Osillos, WCG, National Office

National Director Visits Mindanao

ND Eugene Guzon arrived in Davao City last March 10 and had a meeting with the leaders of the local churches (Southern Mindanao) namely: Davao City, Tagum City, Digos City, Kidapawan City and Sultan Kudarat. The following day at 9:00 a.m., he delivered his State of the Church Address during the combined worship service of the Davao, Tagum, Digos and Sultan Kudarat brethren. About 100 attended. After a quick lunch, ND Eugene along with AS Len Joson drove for 3 hours to Maramag to again give his SOCA to the Kiara, Quezon, Maramag and Valencia (Central Mindanao) brethren during their combined worship service. About 300 hundred attended. In the evening, he met with the leaders in Bukidnon.

The following day, March 12, 2006, some members and leaders from various churches in Mindanao (northern and western) particularly Iligan, Jasaan, Butuan, Lanipao, Pagadian, Zamboanga & Cagayan de Oro gathered together for worship service in Cagayan de Oro City. National Director Eugene Guzon gave his SOCA to about 186 attendees. He was accompanied by Mindanao Area Superintendent Len Joson. The first part of the worship service was the video showing of the WCG-Philippines Newsreel 2005 and the 2005 Ministerial Highlights. ND Eugene Guzon gave an inspiring sermon entitled “Shining together in Jesus”. He conveyed the direction of the church for year 2006 by urging the brethren to reflect the light of Jesus in their lives. In the afternoon Mr. Guzon had a lively discussions with the young people in the church. It was followed by a meeting with pastors and leaders where various issues and concerns where discussed. --Jerome Manriquez

SEP Luzon on May 7-14

Campers: Please secure an application form right away! Submit it as soon as possible to be part of the 2006 Summer Enrichment Program in Luzon on May 7 - 14. Deadline for the application form is on April 30th but there is no need to wait until the deadline. Invite your friends as well because we can accommodate up to 200 campers in Bataan!

Your pre-registration fee of P500 must accompany your application form. This will also be credited as part of your tuition, the total of which is P2,500. Get ready by preparing your Bible, notebook, digital camera, swimming outfit, sportswear, and other apparel for dance classes and Christian Living classes.

Staff: For those of you who desire to leave a lasting impact in the lives of our campers, please secure your staff application form. The training dates for the SEP staff will be announced in the coming days. Please prioritize the training dates so that we can all be prepared to make a wonderful contribution toward the physical, emotional, social and spiritual growth of our campers!

SEP Visayas on April 8-16

I have attached a Camper and Staff Application forms for anyone who is interested. If you wish to apply just fill out the forms and email to me or give it to your area pastors.

Our SEP '06 for the Visayas will be on Apr 8 to 16 at Opada's Resort, La Libertad, Neg. Or. That's about 10 min from Guihulngan which has a port for ferry boats from Cebu. It's about 3 to 4 hrs from Bacolod City, 1hr 15min from San Carlos City and about 3 hrs from Dumaguete. We will send updates with what things to bring and other stuff soon...Thanks. Take care all and God bless! --Kuya Terrence

SEP Mindanao on April 19-23

For this year's SEP Mindanao 2006, the venue will be at FTC, Luan-luan Spring, Quezon, Bukidnon. Please send all camper application forms to me no later than April 3. Only the first 100 campers will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Only those accepted will be allowed to join the camp. A camper application form can be downloaded on this site. All those interested to join the staff may do so by informing me. Tuition fee is Php1,000.00. Our camp director for this year is Pastor Joel Alisbo. This will be another exciting youth summer camp! --Len Joson

More Baptisms at Forestry Church

Three mothers and one male youth were recently added to the growing number of God’s people at Forestry Church. In a simple ceremony, the Pastoral Team, led by Ptr. Roman Saynes, baptized Zenaida Tabo, Gina Kulan, Imelda Olayan and Anatalio Miranda Jr. on March 11, 2006 in the afternoon after the worship service at Forestry Day Care Center.

Update from Pangasinan

SAN CARLOS CITY, PANGASINAN - The WCG - San Carlos - Music ministry performed a praise and worship number in the first evangelical concert in the city entitled "The Breakthrough" which was held at the City Gym last March 12, 2006 at 8:00 - 1:00 am. The said concert was organized by the Great Commission Christian Center led by Engr. Pot Manuel ,in cooperation with the SCARLET ( San Carlos Association of Redeemed Leaders with Evangelical Thrust). We are among the six churches that were chosen to perform. Other bands belong to His Sanctuary Fellowship, Jesus is Lord, JOSIAH, Open Door Christian Fellowship and Every Nation Ministries (formerly Victory Christian Fellowship).

Bro. Jovic Bauzon and Sis Gladdy Bulatao led the band in duet,other members of the band were Jimmy Calaunan, Guily Bravo, Jan Edberg Delovieres and Roldan Palinar. WCG Brethren with Ptr. Jerry and Madam Gloria Ortiguero attended the concert. Members of 20 evengelical churches were also there for fellowship.

In a related development, WCG San Carlos will once again be the host in the monthly overnight prayer meeting to be held in the city gym this coming april. Meanwhile, last Feb 25 , the brethren here also hosted a forum called " LOVE NEVER FAILS " which was attended by young people coming from about 15 evangelical churches and also by some who are not attending any church. Attendance reached more than a hundered.Said forum was held at WCG hall Bonifacio St, SCCP. --Ptr. Don Caguioa

Revisiting Alma Mater After 35 Years

After graduating in high school at the Agusan del Sur College in 1970, I had the rare privilege of coming back after about 35 years in this very same school to be its baccalaureate speaker and guest speaker during its elementary and high school graduation ceremonies last March 22 in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, my hometown. There were about 100 graduates. Attendance including parents and visitors would be about 200.

In my baccalaureate message, I encouraged the young graduates to not only pursue a college degree (that is, to study how to earn a living) but to also learn how to live (that is, study God's Word and develop a relationship with Jesus). In my other message, I encouraged the young graduates not to limit themselves by thinking they have no talents. I encouraged them to rise up out of defeats and failures and turn them into successes.

That visit was also an opportunity for me to meet my former classmates whom I have not seen for many decades. It was a fruitful visit to my hometown. --Len Joson

Last Week's Comments from our Readers/Websurfers

"Good afternoon. I have been a member since 1972. Is there a church in Pattaya ?" --Name withheld

"We will get in touch with (name withheld) via email soon. By the way, (name withheld), whom you referred to us last week attended our worship service last Sunday and seemed to be keen on regularly attending the services with us. Thanks and God bless..." --Miles Umlas, Pampanga Church

"hi. gd am po kamusta na po sori ngaun lang me naka reply may work po kase bro hanapan u naman ako ng mga friends sa kakakalongkot kase dito sa taiwan god blless take care" --Name Withheld

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. WCG - Philippines: National Office Address: #60 Matahimik St., Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines. Telephone No. (632) 426-22-94. When sending articles, please send preferably text format only and photos as attached files.

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)