Update from WCG Philippines

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

February 2, 2007

Manila South Pastoral Team Anniversary Celebration with 8 Baptisms

Manila South celebrated its 4th pastoral team anniversary at Rowena resort, Bukal, Calamba, Laguna, 28-Jan-2007.  The pastoral team was commissioned last Jan. 18, 2003, with Pastor Andy Ducay as chairman.  Presently the chairman is Pastor Nomer Venus.  Recently added to the pastoral team are Charlie Beruega and his wife Tess who were commissioned 20-Jan-2007.

The occasion was also used to baptize 8 youths from the Calamba outreach pastored by Ardel and Vergie Magararu.  The outreach grew out of a Vacation Bible School started a couple of years ago.  Those baptized were:  Franklin Juarez, Marvin Klied Amparo, Lady Arvie Magararo, Jinjin Collantes, Hannah Abella, Pamela Gonzales, Jenny Ruth Collantes, and Ruan Collantes.  Please pray for these youngsters that they will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and show the love of God to their neighbors through their words and actions. --Eric H. Absalon

We are set for SEP 2007 in Luzon!

Venue:  Communities of Bible Christian Fellowship Camp in Lemery, Batangas

Camp Dates:  May 13 - 20. Plan to arrive by 2PM for the campwide Orientation at 4PM. 

Departure is on May 17 at 11am.

Camp Tuition: P3,000 (no price increase!)

Number of Campers:  170

Number of Counselors: 20

Number of Activity staff: 15

Number of Service staff: 15

Activities include the following: Archery, Basketball, Badminton, Beach bonfire, Camp Devotionals, Christian Living Classes, Cheer Dance, Campus Service, Dance, Different interest clubs, Fellowship, Swimming, Volleyball and Mountaineering (still being considered)

Campsite is very accessible through the Tagaytay Highway (turn left toward Lemery after the big San Miguel Property) and by Jam Transit (stationed corner Kamias and Edsa. From the Lemery Station, the campsite is just 5 minutes away by tricycle).

Plan now to have an exciting camp with new and old friends from all over Luzon. God has indeed blessed us with a picturesque camp by the beach for our exclusive use. Camper and staff application forms will be available next week. 

Please encourage your young people to apply early! More details will follow. Thank you and God bless. --Rex Dela Pena

SEP Mindanao 2007

For Mindanao, SEP will be on April 5-9, 2007. Venue will be at Midway Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental. Watch out for more details. --Jerome Manriquez, Camp Director 

2007 National Women’s Convention

We are pleased to announce that we will hold our National Women's Convention on May 2-5, 2007 at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) located just outside Baguio City.  The campus is situated high on the Cordillera mountain range offering scenic beauty.  Flowers and lush foliage abound,  making the APTS campus well known for its botanical beauty.  You may check out their website: www.apts.edu.  

Our convention theme will be, "Woman on a Mission".  We are blessed that this year, our speakers are women whose examples and wisdom have inspired us in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) over the years.  They are: Mrs. Tammy Tkach, wife of Pastor General Joseph Tkach, and editor of Connections, a journal for pastors' wives and families of the WCG. Mrs. Sheila Graham, a coordinator of Women's Ministry Support for the WCG, and Mrs. Daphne Sidney, who serves with her husband Bill in the Eagleby, South Brisbane Church. All 3 women are gifted writers and seasoned speakers.  

Convention fee is P2,000.00 for 3 nights (dorm) accommodation, meals and convention materials.  First meal will be dinner on May 2 (Wednesday). Last meal will be breakfast on May 5 (Saturday).  

Because of limited dorm-type housing facility, we will be able to accommodate only the first 180 registered participants on a first come, first served basis.  For more information, please contact Lulu Guzon at  lulu_guzon@yahoo.com or Baby Natividad at the church office, baby_natividad@ph.wcg.org Tel. No. 426-2294. --Lulu Guzon

World Missions Congress 2007 in Tagaytay

Join the World Missions Congress 2007 in Tagaytay on March 15 - 17. Know the Missions Perspectives, Peoples and Possibilities as we move together to reach the nations! We are inviting all pastoral and ministry leaders to attend and be part of the Congress. All Condensed World Missions Course graduates are encouraged to fan the flame of missions in their hearts. The Congress is also open to anyone interested in getting to know more about Missions.

A discounted fee of P800 for the 1st 200 participants is available. Sign up now through your local church pastor or through Baby Natividad - WCG office 4262294 / 09204606963. The Congress will begin at 7:30PM on March 15 (Christian Development Center). Congress ends on March 17, 3PM. On-site registration will begin at 3PM. Speakers include our Missions Superintendent Randal Dick, Bob Lopez, Bishop Tendero, Robert Clark and other missionaries.

Come be part of the World Missions Congress! --Rex Dela Pena

Retreat Held for Crossway Music Ministry Team

The Crossway Music Ministry team had their retreat at Pansol, Calamba Laguna last January 19-21, 2007. With the theme, “Starting over, starting right, starting now!” Pastor Audie Santibañez facilitated the retreat. Pastor Audie was with his wife and his two kids. Mr. Mario and Mrs. Belinda Natividad acted as the teams parents. Mr. Manny Castro and Mrs. Diday Castro showed their support as they helped facilitate the retreat.

The retreat ended successfully. They had their devotionals, times of refreshing, praise and worship singing, and bible reading. Pastor Audie facilitated the group discussion, groupings and visioning. They also had games, swimming and bonding time.

The team believes that God is their Master and that they are His servant. As they continue to serve and give their best to their One and Only Audience, that is “GOD”. The team also is looking forward to have a good relationship with the Crossway church that they will lead them to worship and set as examples of a true worshipper. They also were looking forward to have a good relationship with their co-team, to continue to grow in Worship, Ministry, Evangelism, Discipleship and Fellowship, as they grow together with a heart of a servant.

The team is composed of (music min. leader) Abigail Natividad, (worship leaders) Aron Tolentino, Joyce Guzon, Mario Natividad, Jun Castro and Hans Manapat, (Musician) Christopher Santos, Mark Dawal, Vanessa Garcia, Joseph Paul Castro, Leo Sia and Jomel Dimarucot, (back-up singers) Rachelle Anne Sarmiento, Sarah Vim Dawal, Patricia Ruth Natividad, Julie Manubay and John Leo Abante. Praise God! --Sarah Dawal

WCG-Baguio Moving Together in Unity and Love

Baguio City - As January is taking its final strong stand with its chilly winds before succumbing to the new and warm summer months of February-April, a “WELL” intentioned Church-life plan is moving in place of the old for the WCG fellowship here.

It is not as if the old has no relevance the members’ church-life though. This “WELL” plan seems natural to the fellowship and should be viewed as part of a growth process that was meant well for their Church community. As Pastor Arlan Aquino presented it last Sunday during church services, “WELL” is an acronym for Worship, Evangelism, Life together in Love, and Learning Together to Obey.

The details of the plan envisions a congregation going deeper in worship, learning old and new songs along with the Psalms and Scriptures that brings man’s worship and relationship to God intimate. Worship also becomes for the congregation more meaningful as it goes deeper and wider in prayer.

The fellowship’s evangelism activities will be more intentional in missions, be more relational and will pursue follow-up and discipling activities. Together, the fellowship shall enhance their relationships together even as they make the administration of their affairs more effective. Necessarily the plan calls for strong families in the fellowship and the setting up of relevant ministries. To be well together, the plan also encourages back to basics classes, leadership classes and deployment to strengthen the body of Christ. 

The future looks “WELL” for the Baguio City WCG fellowship! That simply means that a bright plan is already in place for the fellowship. The plan brings with it and to the members, clarity, more focus and vibrancy in their Christian lives. Such a claim comes true to a Church-plan if members move along with a slogan that coaches its execution, Move Together in Unity and Love said Pastor Arlan.–Robert L. Domoguen

Baguio member is PRO of Shalom Club-Philippines

Robert L. Domoguen was installed as Public Relations Officer of the Shalom Club-Philippines (SCP) Jan. 14 in Quezon City. SCP is a “non-government organization of Filipinos who were recipients of Israel’s MASHAV Scholarship Program to Israel,” according to Mabuhay Shalom, SCP’s official publication. Some 620 Filipinos were already granted the MASHAV scholarship.

Mr. Domoguen and the other newly-inducted SCP officers completed their work plan the same day they were installed. Among other things, they plan to continue supporting the Ambassador’s Peace Project and provide Filipino indigents with medical resource.

Mr. Domoguen is the editor-in-chief of Mabuhay Shalom. He and his family attend Baguio-Trinidad church. --Arlan Aquino             

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)