Update from WCG Philippines

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

April 20, 2007

Medical Mission in Masbate

Masbate City – To the more than 2,346 residents of the municipality of  Aroroy in Masbate Province, coming from the poorest of the poor in the barangays of Paniqui, Puro, Bariis, San Isidro, Lanang, Panangdangan, Basyao, San Agustin, Luya, and other adjacent barangays, April 13 & 14 2007 shall long be remembered. Through the joint initiative & efforts of the National Director Eugene Guzon & Ptr. Roman Saynes,  pastor of the Forestry Congregation in Quezon City, the A-Cross Ministry Physicians ( Chinese & Filipino medical teams) a medical team, conducted a medical mission at the Paniqui High School in Paniqui Aroroy, Masbate last Friday & Saturday. 

According to Ptr. Roman the medical mission team leader Dr. Simma Yang was his classmate at the Asian Theological Seminary. The high school principal Ms. Gemma Manlapas, commented that activity such as this was heaven-sent indeed because the residents of Aroroy are ninety percent poor & can’t afford to buy medicine.

The team was composed of five doctors, five dentist, three nurses, one pharmacist, one optometrist, One physical therapist, seven volunteer assistants. There were also seven prayer counselors coming from the Worldwide Church of God namely: Ptr. Rico Mercader, Ptr.Oscar Jimenez, Ptr. Roman & Jing Saynes, Ptr.Lando Alivio, Dr.Jose Manzano and Mr.Allan Revil.  From the Aroroy community, there were also three nurses and sixty five volunteers ( food, registration, ushers, assistants, setup/cleanup. The activity was facilitated by Drs. Joe & Virgie Manzano, both professors of BUTC while Roman Saynes acted as the overall activity coordinator. 

Because of the many patients who came the medical teams extended their cut-off time until 7:00 p.m. during the second day. During the two day activity, Mayor Arturo Vicente Maristila provided us for free breakfast, lunch & dinner plus his beach resort facilities for us to sleep & rest during the night. The mayor commented that this was a unique activity because this was his first time he witnessed a medical mission with counseling sessions.

Marcial Vilasco, a municipal councilor commented that,  “The counseling session had in enlightened me a lot. I greatly benefited from it especially hearing the spiritual insight from Jing Saynes, one of the counselors. My fears have started to diminished and my faith in God was strengthened that He is the one alone who heals.” 

The pastoral team of  Aroroy WCG church in Masbate headed by pastoral chairman Rolando Alivio  accepted the challenge to minister those who wants to know more about Jesus Christ and accepted Him during counseling. --Orly Osillos

Announcement for the National Women's Convention

With less than a month to go, we are sending out some reminders to help ensure the success of our convention.  (1)  Register now for our convention which will take place on May 2-5, 2007 at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS).  Address is #444 Ambuklao Road, Baguio City.  Deadline for registration is on April 20. (2) Submit to church office  your native/folk dance number for our Filipiniana Night and a write-up of the dance, which we will compile in a powerpoint presentation.  Participants will be in a Philippine regional costume that befits the dance number to be presented.  We will not include impromptu numbers. (3) Inform church office how many women in your area will join the half-day Baguio City tour.  Fee is P115 per person.  This is not included in the registration fee.  Deadline for submission is also on April 20. Please continue to pray for the protection of our speakers and participants, as they travel from international areas and different provinces, as well as the overall blessing of the Lord upon our women's convention.  Thank you! --Lulu Guzon

ASC Faculty & Staff Planning Retreat in Laguna

The faculty and staff of Ambassador School for Children, along with its President, Eugene Guzon took a break from their daily routines in school as they held an overnight retreat in Pansol, Laguna last April 17-18, 2007. The children of ASC staff also joined the retreat.

Eugene Guzon opened the retreat by encouraging everyone that God will support those whom he calls to do his work like how he worked powerfully through Elisha and Gideon. The devotional for the second day was given by Mario Natividad, reminding everyone that ASC is entrusted with molding each child into the image of Jesus Christ.

The retreat was a success. Everyone agreed that the desire of the ASC’s “true and real owner,” God himself, were reflected in the Philosophy and Vision & Mission Statements that were developed. The first three years of operations were evaluated and action plans were made for the coming school year. 

The participants had bonding time and the children were the ones who enjoyed the most. But of course the event wouldn’t be as successful and enjoyable without the luscious and delectable food. We would like to thank all of you who supported ASC. Join us in prayer as we embark on another school year. Praise God! --Adora Barnachea

3 Calamba City Outreaches Hold First Worship Service 

Last Sunday, April 15, three outreaches in Calamba City held their first-ever worship service at the Riverview Resort, near Crossing, Calamba Laguna. Metro Manila AS Rex De La Pena expounded on Ephesians 4:11-16 to encourage the 29 gathered believers. 

Later, the leadership in Calamba was commissioned by AS De La Pena to continue and expand the work here; these are Reuel Avila of Sta Rosa church, Ardel Magararu of Manila South, and Pol Makahiya of San Nicolas/San Pablo churches. All three are residents of Calamba city and have their own outreaches in three different barangays where weekly bible studes are held. Worship services will be held 9:30 am every 2nd Sunday of the month at Riverview resort. --Reuel Avila

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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)