UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

From left: National Director Eugene Guzon, Sheila Graham, Tammy Tkach and Lulu Guzon during the National Women's Convention held in Baguio City last May 2-5, 2007.

Two hundred thirty-two (232) women attended the 2007 National Women's Convention on May 2-5 held at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Baguio City with the theme, Woman on a Mission. Participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including 13 women from Malaysia were welcomed on opening night by Lulu Guzon. She urged each one to craft her "I Am" statement of who she is and what she has in Christ; and what is important to her, as a woman on a mission with God. Eugene and Lulu were honored that night with a bouquet of flowers as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Highlight of the convention were the inspiring messages delivered by three guest speakers who are pillars of women's ministry in the Worldwide Church of God. Tammy Tkach gave stirring messages on "Getting to Know Jesus" and "Following Jesus". She asked the women to bring home a one-liner that will help them remember the meat of all the messages that were delivered, that is, to: Know Jesus, Love Jesus, and Follow Jesus. Inspiring life lessons were shared by Sheila Graham when she spoke on "Being a Holy Woman" and "Being a Confident Woman". Daphne Sidney encouraged the women with her talk on "Telling our Story", and imparted much-needed tips on "Self Care".

The Filipino women presented native dances during Ladies' Night showcasing Filipino culture, where guests from overseas gamely participated in. The convention concluded with a communion service conducted by Pastor Arlan Aquino of Baguio City Church. Overall, the convention was one great experience the women will long remember and be inspired with. We thank our guest speakers, benefactors and friends for praying for us and for supporting us in many different ways. We appreciate you all very much. By God's grace, this year's convention is - mission accomplished! --Lulu Guzon

25 young people decided to be baptized during the SEP in Western Visayas on April 23-25, 2007.

SEP Western Visayas was held at the Banaue terrace-like school site of Fornier, Sibalom, Antique on April 23-25, 2007 . Organized by Ms. Lorna Huera, Dep-Ed District Supervisor, assisted by Emma Solis and other leaders in the area. Rex Dela Pena (WCG National Youth Ministry Coordinator and Raul Enerio Sr., pastor of Iloilo assisted in the Christian Living Classes.

During the camp opening, the outgoing mayor of Sibalom addressed the campers and teacher-staff. Even the congressional candidate retired general Roberto Delfin dropped by and encouraged the campers to be disciplined so they may reach their goals in the future.

71 camper participants came from Kalibo, Bacolod City, Iloilo, and Antique. Recent participants of Joshua Generation Conference in Bacolod Alfredo Macabane, Leo Espenie and Cindy Jane Cobra served as counselors. Rebecca Iguis from Iloilo served as counselor as well.

The 3-day filled event included talks on love, courtship and marriage; “Why am I here?” by Ptr. Rex dela Pena. Talks on masculinity and career were given by Raul Enerio and Mrs Emma Solis talked about Femininity among the female campers. Other activities included basketball and volleyball in the town plaza. Excited shrieks were heard all over the place when an inter-gender dodge ball was played right in the middle of the court.

When the movie “The Passion of the Christ” was shown, the campers and staff did not mind the power interruptions at crucial times during the movie. At the end of the movie, Mrs. Emma Solis gathered their thoughts about the movie and shared her testimony with the campers. Ptr. Rex spoke about the need to respond to the gospel when presented to the people. He led the whole camp in prayer and asked those who are sincerely wanting to accept Christ to stand and say the sinner’s prayer. The whole camp got up and repeated the sinner’s prayer.

The following morning before the river trekking, the campers asked about baptisms and its significance to them. The whole camp explored the nearby river and settled near the dam where 25 young people were baptized.

Ms. Huera admonished the campers to stay close to God and Rex Dela Pena ended the camp benediction with 3 prayers from Ephesians.

We would like to thank the many teachers who helped serve our young people throughout the 3-day camp. Thank you for the prayers of many and for the support of our friends from here and abroad. –Mrs. Emma Solis and Rex Dela Pena

Campers at SEP Northern Luzon wash the dishes. 18 campers were baptized during this camp on April 23-25, 2007.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The summer youth camp for the Northern Luzon area started this year with 58 campers from Benguet, Cabanatuan, La Union and Pangasinan. With the theme, On Fire for Jesus, the camp was held at the BSU Ecopark, La Trinidad, April 23-25. Dario Ngoap and Willy Victor Tinoyan served as camp director and assistant camp director, respectively.

Registration started in the morning of April 23. There were two boy dorms (1B and 2B) and two girl dorms (1G and 2G). After lunch was orientation. Willy Tinoyan discussed the camp rules and introduced the staff. Counselors for Dorm 1 were Robert Liwag, Vincent Yap, Marion Domoguen and Mika Gamurot. Counselors for Dorm 2 were Mark Reyes, Mark Tayamen, Joshua Rigonan, Klarchen Yap and Mayrose Bugnay.

After orientation, sports events followed. Virgilio Yap handled the basketball for boys while Dario Ngoap and Amadeo Faminialagao guided the badminton for girls. Next came the first Christian living class. The two classes were conducted by Adelberto Areola and Danilo Laguerta. In the evening, campers watched a video and enjoyed their dorm chats.

The next day after morning worship, Dorm 1 went hiking, seeing some portions of the ecopark, especially the plant and tree projects. Meanwhile, Dorm 2 played outdoor games and did some painting under the guidance of Myla and Kate Faminialagao. Christian Living Class 2 followed, with Virgilio Yap and Dr. John Tinoyan continuing the Generations series began in the first devotional.

After lunch, Dorm 1 went to the dance floor, learning swing and some social graces with Syria and Arlan Aquino. Dorm 2 learned First Aid from Dr. Tinoyan and his medical assistants. The two dorms switched activities after that. In the evening, the campers showed their talents, dancing and singing, presenting skits and other stuff that brought joy and laughter to everyone.

Wednesday was last day of the camp. After Willy Tinoyan’s morning devotional, Dorm 2 went hiking while Dorm 1 had their game time with the Faminilagao sisters. Eight campers then received baptism. After the baptism, Arlan Aquino and Amadeo Faminialagao handled Christian Living Class 3. Ten more campers were baptized after lunch.

In the closing program, Dario Ngoap thanked everyone who participated and all those who made the camp a reality. He expressed hope that the next youth camp will be bigger, better and longer.

Olsen Talsan and Rogel Ngoap helped in the transportation throughout the camp. Chit and Danilo Lee took care of the kitchen and dining, assisted by Julie Alcosero, Monia Ngoap, Zoraida Laguerta, Marlyn Camat, and Rose and Analyn Ngoap. --Arlan Aquino

The Asian School of Development and Cross Cultural Studies (ASDECS) and the Worldwide Church of God – Philippines are inviting you to enroll in their MASTERS IN INTERCULTURAL STUDIES AND MINISTRY (MISM). This is a 39 unit seminary level graduate degree program which prepares pastors, missionaries and church workers for intercultural ministries and equips them for advance ministry work in churches and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

We offer considerable tuition fee discounts for ASDECS courses while WCG sponsored courses are highly subsidized. For further information and to enroll please email the MISM Academic Dean at ephesiansway@yahoo.com or call (02) 426-2294.

Classes are modular and can be offered at anytime and anywhere in the country, whenever there are at least 8 students who sign up for a particular course.

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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)