Update from WCG Philippines

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

July 21, 2006

Financial Management Seminar, Pastoral Team Orientation Conducted in Mindanao

Mrs. Aileen Orogo from the Financial Services of the national office conducted last Saturday, July 15 a seminar on financial management explaining our goal to decentralize the processing of church income from the national office to the local churches. The visit of Mrs. Orogo helped clarify and answer many questions which the Mindanao pastors and leaders had regarding financial matters. Her visit was much appreciated.

The following day, Sunday, Area Supt. Len Joson conducted a Pastoral Team Orientation where he discussed various topics like the Code of Ethics (which many of our leaders are unaware of), the organizational structure of the denomination, the board-national director relationship and the pastoral team concept. He also reviewed the Values, Mission, Vision (VMV) of each local church based on the VMV Seminar conducted by the national director during the year 2003. He urged the leaders to abide by the Code of Ethics and maintain high standards as servant-leaders.  

The 65 or so pastors and leaders who attended went home inspired and in high spirits. The unity and camaraderie among the brethren were very evident. The Area Superintendent thanked everyone for their sacrifice especially those in the Zamboanga area who drove for 24 hours in a van (one-way) just to be able to attend the seminar. The seminar was held at the PCC Training Center, Musuan, Bukidnon.   

Baguio Church Hosts "Gospel Dinner" for Teachers

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Baguio-Trinidad church hosted a dinner Wednesday night, July 19, Paladin Hotel, for the third-year advisory class teachers of the Pines City National High School. The church has been ministering to the school for five years now, conducting evangelistic campaigns during festival times for example. Last year, several brethren volunteered to teach the moral values class for the third-year students. Starting this July, we will again teach the same subject to the present round of third-year students. The aim of the dinner is to strengthen our ties with the school, get to know the people we are working with, and proclaim the gospel.

“Let us all relax,” Pastor John Tinoyan told those who came. “Our purpose tonight is just to get to know one another.” The participants were divided into four tables, each table sitting members of the church and teachers from Pines.

After Dr. Tinoyan’s welcome remarks, his wife, Dra. Marcela Tinoyan introduced the brethren who were present. The principal of Pines, Dra. Rachel Bugtong, then introduced her colleagues; they were 12 in all.

Zoraida Laguerta and Paul Estong sang to the group. Pastor Adel Areola then made a presentation of the gospel. He started with the Department of Education’s initiatives to instill moral values among students, such as physical, intellectual and spiritual. From there, he zoomed in on spiritual formation and the centrality of a God-centered and God-directed life. He talked about the person and accomplishments of Jesus Christ, inviting everyone to trust him for eternal life.

After Pastor Vir Yap gave the closing remarks and prayer, one of the teachers requested for prayer. We prayed for him. He will go to the US this September to work; his wife be left to take care of three young children ages five and four. --Arlan Aquino

40th Wedding Anniversary

Mr. & Mrs. Edmundo and Betty Rebollido, a deacon and long-time members of the church, could only half-describe their joy and jubilation last Sunday, July 9, 2006, as fellow church members (both from Jasaan and Cagayan), friends and colleagues joined them and their family in celebrating their 40th year as a couple. In the morning during the service at Jasaan Church they were given a heartwarming tribute through flower offerings, prayers, and testimonies by the brethren led by Pastor Percy Macabasa.

In the evening, a renewal of vows was held at the Rebollido's residence in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro, officiated by Pastor Jerome Manriquez, which was followed by a sumptuous dinner and videoke showdown with guests. The night also highlighted the despedida of the couple’s second daughter, Jenny (the couple is blessed with five children, 2 sons, 3 daughters), who works as a nurse in Ireland . God bless the Rebollido’s. --Jessica Macabasa

New Board Exam Passers

Congratulations to Joy Quindo (left photo) of the Iligan City Church and Ruth Rebollido (right photo) of the Cagayan de Oro City Church for passing the board exams for nurses recently.  

Death Notice

Mrs. Aurora Cabahit died due to sickness last July 17, 2006. Mr. Eleno Cabahit with all his 10 children along with some of their family members and several of the Davao City and Digos City brethren attended the funeral and interment rites conducted by Pastor Len Joson. Mrs. Aurora Cabahit's body was laid to rest at the Digos City cemetery.

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)