Update from WCG Philippines

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

July 14, 2006

Mission Developer Bill Sidney Visits Taiwan

Mission Developer for Northeast Asia, Bill Sidney, visited Taiwan June 30 to July 5 on a missions exploratory trip. He was accompanied by WCG Philippines missions board chairman Dr. Rey Taniajura. During the trip, Pastor Bill and Dr. Rey met with the senior pastor of the Nantze Higher Ground Community Church of Kaohsiung, Pastor Cris Marzo, and Filipino-American missionary to Taiwan, Dr. David Clemente. They also visited the Stella Maris International Center and met with its head, Fr. Bruno, of the Catholic Scalavrini order. At the worship service in the Higher Ground Community Church on July 2, Pastor Bill Sidney gave the main message on the story of Zacchaeus in Luke’s gospel.

From Kaohsiung, Pastor Bill and Dr. Rey went to Guang-fu to visit the Faith, Hope and Love Academy operated by Prison Fellowship Taiwan where they observed a program which ministers to abused children and youths under detention. The final leg of the missions trip was Taipei where Pastor Bill and Dr. Rey met with Ming Huang, executive director of Prison Fellowship Taiwan. The trip, according to Dr. Rey, opened up a number of possibilities of partnering and networking with Christians in Taiwan to reach thousands of Filipino migrant workers, particularly in the counties of Kaohsiung and Taipei. --Dr. Rey Taniajura

Internet Evangelism Leads to Other Opportunities 

After about 35 years, I had the rare privilege of attending a first-ever international reunion with my fellow town mates in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur last June 26-28, 2006. This all started sometime in the middle of last year when the Bayugan Forum, a yahoogroup (an internet forum composed of my fellow town mates) which I helped get organized, began to discuss about having an international reunion. Fellow town mates whom I haven't seen since my elementary or high school days got together and enjoyed a wonderful reunion time together for several days and reminisced the good old days. Participants came from all over the world like, US, Canada, Switzerland, other countries and from various parts of the country especially in Metro Manila.

As part of the reunion program, a children's park (complete with slides, swings, see-saws, monkey bars, etc.) worth about two hundred thousand pesos was constructed and was turned over last June 26 to the Bayugan Central Elementary School where most of us got our elementary education. School supplies were also donated to the Bayugan West Central Elementary School on June 27. On the same day, three brand new computers were also donated to the Southwestern Agusan College, one of the high schools in town. 

Previous to this, I also had the privilege of representing this same group last March 1, 2006 to turnover 2 computers to the Fili Elementary School, 3 computers to the Fr. Urios High School and 3 computers to the Agusan del Sur College. These are all schools in our hometown . After a few weeks, I was back in Bayugan last March 22 as a graduation guest speaker for the elementary and high school graduates of the Agusan del Sur College.  

During the reunion, I also had the privilege of being assigned as editor-in-chief to come up with the maiden issue of our newsletter, the Bayugan Journey. This was my first time to come up with an 8-page glossy newsletter with full color at the front and back pages.  

Surely, God must be behind all these. I am amazed at what has happened thus far and feel blessed that God has seen fit to get me involved in this way. It was and is something that I did not plan. It just sort of happened after about 35 years of completely having no involvement at all with my hometown and its people.

Now that the reunion is over, please pray that this yahoogroup (an internet ministry that I intend to continue doing) will continue to touch the lives (and it is touching lives!) of its members (my fellow town mates) around the world and continue to extend a helping hand to the people of our very own hometown of Bayugan.

It is amazing how God has blessed this very low-budget web ministry along with the weekly update newsletter and has continued to touch the lives of so many continually. Please continue to pray for this web ministry. Thanks be to God for blessing this work.

My whole family was down with flu last week. Sorry for not sending weekly updates for two weeks now. I'm now back in action. As long as our brethren will continue to send me articles and updates from their local churches, I will strive to continue sending our weekly updates for the edification of everyone. Our weekly updates have been going on for about 5 years now. Thanks and praise be to God for his wonderful works! --Len Joson, Weekly Update Editor & WCG Philippines Webmaster  

Baguio-La Trinidad Brethren Celebrate 32 Years

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The church here in the area, composed of brethren residing in Baguio City and La Trinidad, celebrated its 32nd anniversary last June. As part of the celebration, the church had an outing at Teachers Camp on June 12, where all members of the family had fun in the parlor games. Area superintendent Jerry and Gloria Ortiguero joined in the celebration. Organizers of the event was headed by Aurora Parcasio. The theme was Celebrating God’s Faithfulness: 32 Years and Beyond. --Arlan Aquino

Northern Luzon Holds Pastoral Team Orientation

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Dr. Rey Taniajura and wife June were in Baguio City June 17 for the pastoral team orientation for leaders in the Northern Luzon area. All the local churches in the area, except Bucay, sent representatives. After sharing some updates, Dr. Taniajura discussed, among other things, the pastoral team concept, the church’s in-house training objectives, and local church chartering. He spoke in the church’s worship service the next day. --Arlan Aquino

WCG Ladies Serve in Chinese Church

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Several ladies attending the Baguio-La Trinidad church prepared the flower decoration for a wedding in another church June 11. The church is Chinese Baptist Church. Carlyn Tong, a WCG member, is related to the new couple. Our ladies decorated the church and the hotel where reception was held. --Arlan Aquino

New Singles Coordinator for Mindanao

In behalf of the Area Superintendent for Mindanao, Ptr. Len Joson, the Pastoral Team of Cagayan de Oro City Church prayed over and commissioned Jenny Ann Almera as the new singles coordinator for Mindanao last July 1, 2006 during worship services. Jenny Ann who used to served as Assistant Youth Coordinator for Mindanao will  replace his brother Noel Almera who has transferred to Nueva Ecija  due to  his new job assignment. Jenny Ann will now  coordinate the singles activities in Mindanao. --Jerome Manriquez, Asst. Area Supt. for Mindanao

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 in  text format only and photos as attached files in jpg format.

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)