Update from WCG Philippines

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

May 5, 2006

Dr. Rey Taniajura Receives Second Doctorate Degree

In a graduation ceremony held at the Rizal Recreation Center in Laguna last April 22, Dr. Rey Taniajura was conferred a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral ministry by the Trinity Theological Seminary. Dr. Donald Ackerman, Philippine representative, conferred the degree on behalf of Trinity U.S.A.

Dr. Taniajura was a recipient of the Donald C. Ackerman doctor of ministry scholarship program for having completed the Master of Sacred Literature degree of Trinity Seminary in 2000. It was a second doctorate degree for Dr. Taniajura who also obtained a doctor of philosophy in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines in 2002. --From NPMP newsletter

Children's Bible Study Completed at Forestry Church

Twelve kids from Forestry Children’s Bible Study received certificates for successfully completing a study called “Jesus Proverbs and Miracles” at Forestry Day Care Center after church worship services on April 22, 2006. Ptr. Nicandro Santiago, “Teacher Nic” to the kids, taught the course from January to March of this year. Some of his outstanding students were given recognition: Matalino Award – Troy Nadado, Matiyaga Award – Edralyn Buenafe, Matulungin Award – Darlene Terrado, Aktibo Award – Darlene Terrado and Dominique Odencia, and Best in Coloring Award – Troy Nadado. Games and prizes followed the simple ceremony. --Marinelle Saynes

Vacation Bible School Conducted in Ipil

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay -- Barandilla Community Fellowship (WCG Ipil) conducted a five day Vacation Bible School (VBS) in our church plant target area in Purok Greenfields, Sanito,Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay from April 24-28, 2006 and a two nights film showing. We have been able to enroll 56 students and 52 graduated in three grade levels. 

The teachers and staff were composed of Margie Bael, Alma Vigilia, Sarah Balatero, Erlinda Garcia and Tehane Colona as teachers, the support staff were Fe Colona, Gloria Serbol, Hannah, Hanisse,Handel,Hansilmark Bael,Manasseh Colona, Rhoam Eguia and Pompey Eguia our church planter. The hauling of equipments and accomodation were done by the BCF Men's ministry. Our graduation's speaker was the purok president Mr.Henry Albrecht. God was good to us for it had not rained for the duration of the VBS and subsequent film showing although there were times that we were threatened with showers.

On the night of the 28th we conducted a film showing in the purok's basketball court in coordination with pastor Cyril Ababao of the Bible League. The first night's showing was entitled " Hinugot sa Dilim" and for the second night it was " Sa Kandungan ng Langit" which drew hundreds of people from the purok and its adjacent puroks at the end of the film the evangelist, Ptr. Cyril, made an altar call and a good number came forward or raised their hands as acknowledgement of receiving Christ as Savior and Lord. We then distributed gospel tracts " Ang Tubag" and promised that we will distribute free Bibles to those who will answer it and submit it the following night's film showing. All in all we were able to distribute about a eighty Bibles.

As a follow up we will hold a Sunday school every Sunday afternoon for children ages 6-12 and about 50 turned up last Sunday's registration day. We also inform the public that we will be holding a Sunday school also for adults. We already visited some people who have submitted their answered tracts and received our free Bibles for possible holding of a Sunday school for them ( we do not call it Bible study but Sunday school!). The following weeks will be a very busy week for our church planter who will do the follow ups and setting up of schedules for small groups in order that we could assigned small group leaders from the church.

We were blessed for we have achieved our two goals in holding the VBS and film showing which are: to create an awareness of our presence in the area and to reach more contacts and possible setting up of small study groups. We need your prayers. Praise the Lord! --Bert Colona, Senior Pastor, BCF

Vacation Bible School Being Conducted in Davao City

The Davao City Church is conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS) since Tuesday, May 2 where more than 45 children curiously and eagerly joined on the first day. The VBS is being conducted at the Day Care Center of Barangay 40-D where Pastor Oscar Baslao resides a few steps away. It was interesting to see the enthusiasm of the children to learn how to pray and to learn how to read the Bible. Some children who were not allowed by their parents to join due to religious reasons, were watching nearby and were eagerly listening just the same all throughout these past three days.

Several Davao City Church women recently attended a VBS teacher's training and they are now applying what they have learned here for the first time. The VBS team is composed of the following: Radi Evangelista, Sharon Macatiog, Erlina Moncal, Aida Baslao, Bingbing Baslao, Jojie Joson and Veejay Joson. 

Please pray with us that many parents will attend during the graduation day scheduled this Saturday morning and that the sharing of the gospel -- to the parents at that time -- will be blessed and fruitful as it has been these past three days to the children. 

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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)