Pastoral Team Orientation Course in Bacolod

Announcement from

the National Director

What: Evangelism and Church

Planting Conference

Who: Everyone who is interested

When: For Visayas & Mindanao,

Sept. 9-10, 2006;

For Luzon, Sept. 16-17, 2006

Where: For Luzon, in Manila. For

Visayas, in Bacolod. For

Mindanao, in Cagayan de

Oro City.

--By: Dr. Rey Taniajura

Pastoral team members from eight Western Visayas Churches and Outlying Bible Study groups gathered for the Pastoral Team Orientation Course led Mr. Eugene Guzon, the National Director and Area Superintendent for the area. Bacolod church pastored by Vic Co hosted the event on July 21-23, 2006, with 35 leaders in attendance.

The activity kicked off with reports on the highlights, challenges and prayer points of individual churches and OBS groups. Bacolod church reported the fruitful hosting of this year’s SEP and their livelihood program where they teach organic farming and the use of vegetable and herbal supplements as income generating projects for the low income families they are reaching out to. Purpose Driven Life classes with other denominational groups are ongoing in Binalbagan, Humangob and San Carlos Churches . Kalibo Church experiences steady growth in membership. Fe Martinez leads this church in establishing linkages with a Rotary Club to support their scholarship program. Antique conducts Bible studies to members and non-members alike.

Challenges in the ministry like misunderstandings among leaders, health problems, spiritual lethargy, financial and spiritual bankruptcy were addressed, prayed about and traded for renewed passion for Christ and His work.

Aileen Orogo from Financial Services of the National Office discussed financial administration in the local churches and explained the move towards financial decentralization. Debbie Sison-Orogo, also from Financial Services, was present during the discussion on finances. Ptr. George Escara discussed denominational and local church structure.

Finally, Mr. Guzon encouraged everyone to build on the foundation of love as the key element of leadership. --Mrs. Emma B. Solis, Pastoral Team Member, Antique OBS

National Director Visits Bacolod, Iloilo, Kalibo

Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines - Fresh from an uplifting, enriching and learning experience from the Pastoral Team Orientation Course in Bacolod City last July 21-23, 2006 - attended by three Kalibo brethren - the much - awaited initial visit of the National Director, Mr. Eugene Guzon to Kalibo, finally pushed through in God's perfect timing.

Direct from Bacolod City, he visited some Iloilo brethren on July 24, 2006 and proceeded to Kalibo on July 25, 2006, traveling alone by bus for a good 3.5 hours. Notwithstanding that he stayed in Kalibo for barely 24 hours, he remarkably accomplished the following, viz:

1. Visited and made initial arrangement at the Devora Resort, Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan, which will be the feast site on October 27-29, 2006 (Friday - Sunday) wherein the Kalibo brethren will be hosting. He likewise dropped by at the Tourism Office for some brochures/info for a possible tie up with the local government as an added attraction during the feast as well as to boost tourism in the locality.

2. Baptized two persons, a seaman and a teacher, totaling the baptized members to 35.

3. Dined at the house church with twenty-eight (28) brethren consisting of adults and children on a getting-to-know-each other better, in a relaxing atmosphere, with the kids excitedly posing for picture taking!

4. Shared inspiring updates as well as encouraged the brethren to be more prayerful and to remember that whatever difficulties they are encountering in their Christian journey, Jesus Christ remains faithful and will never leave nor forsake us.

5. Discussed pointers on how to prepare for the forthcoming feast, motivating the brethren to pray, plan and introduce innovative activities, so that this year's feast must be better than last year's, and that there must be something for everybody. --Fe Martinez

VBS Graduation at Forestry Church

Six Vacation Bible School (VBS) teachers received their Certificates of Recognition and seven kids were given Certificates of Attendance during the Forestry Church’s Family Day, July 22, 2006 at Forestry Day Care Center.

The six VBS teachers were: Estelita Balingit, Estella Balingit, Margielyn Cosmiano, Ester Nadado, Concepcion Terrado and Marivic Terrado. They completed the requirements for a Vacation Bible School teacher conducted by Forestry Small Group Leader Mrs. Luz Pangilinan. Mrs. Pangilinan took the VBS course at the National Office on April 1, 2006, and she was able to echo the same to the new teachers. These six new VBS teachers will now be alternately scheduled to teach Children’s Bible Study, together with the kids’ present teachers, Ptr. Nic Santiago and Mrs. Luz Pangilinan.

The seven kids who graduated were: Edralyn Buenafe, BeeJay Dionaldo, John Vincent Espino, Ana Carolyn Miranda, Teejay Nadado, Dominique Odencia and Darlene Terrado. These kids attended Vacation Bible School on July 1, 2006 under Teacher Luz, which made them VBS’ Batch 1 graduates in Forestry Church.

This graduation also coincided with Forestry Church’s Family Day; hence, a variety show and games for the whole family followed the ceremonies and simple lunch. --Jing Saynes

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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)