Update from WCG Philippines

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

February 9, 2007

9 Baptisms at Sta. Teresita, Iriga City, Camarines Sur

At dawn, Sunday 14 January 2007 was still rainy, as had been the previous days. But after the worship service conducted by Pastor Melchor Babol of the Living Word Fellowship, WCG, Baao, Camarines Sur in Sta. Teresita, Iriga City there was a let up in the weather. The worship service was held in a tiny meeting hall which was put together out of local materials salvaged from the remains of Typhoon Reming. Most of those in attendance were members of the Oyango Tribe, a native tribal group. 

And what a joyous occasion it was!  Nine members of the tribe had requested in late 2006 to be baptized and had been counseled for baptism. Salve Robosa, Mary Rose Oronan, Daisy Langcaon, Luz Casyao, Pedro Centillas, Marites Beralde, Francisco Langcaon Jr., Pedro Aguilar and Marites Decipeda were then baptized  amidst the rushing waters of the swollen creek that runs alongside the area where the tribe is resettled.  Pastor Melchor, assisted by Chieftain Cecilio Lumabe, conducted the baptisms. Pastor Bert Opiana and Goychi Mulleda helped with the laying on of hands and asked for God’s blessings over the new disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --Goychi Mulleda

FCL Classes Back Again in Metro Manila (Soon in Other Areas)

In line with our goals for continuing discipling of our leaders, we would like to invite your pastoral team members for our Foundations for Christian Leadership classes. We are also opening the FCL classes to our youth leaders and ministry workers.

I have furnished below the modules available covering the 3 Conferences.  Our leaders in Bulacan are halfway through Conference 1. 

We plan to start this on March 6th - Wednesday 6PM - 9PM at the WCG office.  Classes will be done on Wednesdays and after one module - we can have one week off depending on the availability of FCL instructors from WCG and ISOT-Asia.

Would you please let me know how many would you consider sending to this FCL classes so that we can prepare the hand-outs for the number of leaders attending these classes.

FCL curriculum has been developed by ISOT-Asia. "The mission of FCL is to encourage and equip pastors and lay leaders with little or no formal training in the essential knowledge, skills and spiritual character needed to function as effective and fruitful church leaders in the context of fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ."

Below is the listing of the classes under each Conference.

CONFERENCE 1 

Transforming Bible Study - Principles of Inductive Bible Study ( 20 Hours)

Preaching Biblically - Prepare and deliver a life-changing message (15hours)

Understanding the Church - Biblical Teaching about the Church  (15hours)

Mobilizing Small Groups - How To Shepherd in small groups ( 15hours)

Building a Spiritual Movement - Impacting your area for Christ ( 6hours)

TOTAL HOURS - 71

CONFERENCE 2

Leading the Church - Practical Steps for pastoring a church - (15hours)

Knowing the Old Testament  - Understand God's character and plan from the Old Testament ( 20hours)

Ministry of Management - How to Plan and manage effectively  (15 hours)

Building Foundations for Life - Survey of Key Bible Doctrines  (15hours)

Winning in Spiritual Warfare - Learn to defeat the enemy  (12hours)

TOTAL HOURS - 77

CONFERENCE 3

Growing as a Leader -  Grow spiritually while leading your church  (15hours)

Leading Leaders -  Build a team of leaders for your church  (15hours)

Knowing the New Testament - See the unfolding of God's plan through the New Testament  (20hours)

Facing Church Issues - Forum on special problems pastors face  ( 15hours)

Reaching Your Area - Plan to reach your area for Christ (7hours)

Graduation - (2hours)

TOTAL HOURS - 74

Thank you so much.  May God richly empower us to serve Him for His honor and glory. Please let me know by email or SMS... or through WCG ofc thru Ate Baby Natividad the names of the people who would like to avail of these pastoral classes. --Rex Dela Pena

New Senior Pastor for Batangas Church Commissioned

The new senior pastor of the Pillars of Grace Fellowship of Batangas City, Delfin “Jack” Maderazo, was commissioned last February 4. The commissioning service also coincided with the turning over of the pastoral responsibility of outgoing senior pastor Patrick Mella who, together with his family, will be immigrating to Canada in March. Six other members of the pastoral team of the church in Batangas City were commissioned together with Pastor Jack. They are Teofilo Luistro, Danilo Pasia, Susan Lanto, Lemuel Acebron, Jesus Acebron and Ernesto Magundayao.

New Assignments in Southern Luzon Area 

In a related development, Claro Ting, senior pastor of the Christ the Rock Fellowship of San Pablo City, was designated as assistant area superintendent for the southern Tagalog area. The new assignment of Pastor Claro was announced by area superintendent for Southern Luzon, Dr. Rey Taniajura, in a meeting of senior pastors and pastoral team members of the southern Tagalog churches in San Juan, Batangas last January 28. Dr. Taniajura, also assigned Pastor Ric Sayo, senior pastor of the church in Agdangan, Quezon as coordinator of training for the southern Tagalog churches. Dan Pasia will continue to serve as an assistant to Dr. Taniajura for the Southern Luzon area.

With the new assignment of Pastor Claro, two assistant area superintendents are now helping Dr. Taniajura oversee the southern Luzon area. Dr. Jose Manzano serves as the other assistant area superintendent for Bicol.

Death Notice

SELMER CANETE VALDE, a member of WCG, JESUS LIVING WORD in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental died of Cardiac Arrest last January 25, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Evangeline Gervacio Valde and the five small children. Selmer Valde is the son of the WCG member-couple Mr. & Mrs. Dudley J. Valde.  Selmer died at the age of 36 and was buried at the San Carlos City Public Cemetery last February 3, 2007. --Laurencio Sabanal Jr.

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)