UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

ND Eugene Guzon Visits Cebu City

National Director Eugene Guzon visited Cebu City Church last Sunday, July 8, 2007, the first congregation he visited after his fruitful trip to Dubai and Thailand during the past few weeks. The Cebu brethren welcomed him during the worship service held at the Mango Garden Hotel from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.

He arrived here last July 6 and he was able to attend the party hosted by Jemar (Assistant AS Jessup Bahinting and wife Margie’s daughter) and her husband Ken who came for a one-week visit. Ken and Jemar are officers of a US foundation helping us our nationwide SEP.

In the morning of July 8 he met the pastoral team and talked about his trip to Australia, Dubai, and Thailand. He talked to former Philippine ND William Sydney and current Australian ND Rodney Matthews about the possibilities of synergistic collaborations in the work of missions. ND Guzon is now currently the Missions Developer vice Mr. Sydney whose work is now in Australia. He talked with the 52 WCG members and guests who attended a special meeting in Dubai.

From the Middle East Mr. Guzon proceeded to visit WCG missionaries in Thailand who are currently employed as English teacher.

Mr. Guzon repeated the highlights of his foreign trips during the afternoon service attended by 92 brethren who were very happy to meet again after quite a while. The Cebu City Church has been divided into Cebu City, Talisay City, Consolacion, and Mactan clusters since August, 2006.

ND Guzon said that we all should thank God for his numerous blessing including the Word of God or the Bible. In his message about the previous gift of the Bible he told us that we should be careful, calm and compliant in our approach and attitude to study. He exhorted us to read regularly, reflect and respond. Whether it is a sin to be repented of or avoided, a promise to claim, an attitude to change, a command to obey, an example to follow, a prayer to pray, an error to avoid, a truth to believe or something to thank for (SPACE PETS) the God of the bible would like us not only to understand the Word with our minds but more importantly to act in humble response and compliance. His message was an exegetical sermon on James 1:16-27.

It was a very inspiring and happy visit. He also exhorted not to forget to pray for the needs of Dubai – more proclaimers (evangelists) of the gospel of Thailand and more impact and influence of our workers upon the Thais.

We need more evangelists, more leader and worker so that the Great Commission would be finished. --Ranulfo Suan

September Youth Retreat Camp

Another opportunity to share the gospel and disciple our young people has been opened to us! In partnership with the Missions Outreach Ministry of South Bay WCG Congregation, we are going to have a Youth Evangelistic Retreat Camp on September 14 - 16 in Monte Del Rosario Springs Resort in Benteng, La Union.

This camp is open for our young people who have not had the privilege of participating in any of our SEP camps due to financial restraints. Campers would need to be recommended by their pastors and pastoral team to be given scholarship to the retreat weekend. We can accommodate up to 100 applications.

Please wait for further details. We would need about 30 staff to serve in this retreat. Previous SEP staff who can take some time-off and serve starting Sept 13 - 16 are most welcome to apply for staff and counselor position. --Rex Dela Pena

Last July 4, 2007 another medical dental mission took place in our ministry area in the Payatas dumpsite. We also brought along several people from our outreach communities in Barangay Silanganan in Quezon city and in Erap, Montalban, Rizal as beneficiaries of this health program.

Around 600 adults and children were the recipients of God's kindness. Eighty percent who received the medical and dental care were adults and twenty percent were children. Most of them are scavengers from the Payatas dumpsite.

Pastor Fred Millamena coordinated the events which is sponsored by our new found ministry friend and partner "First Filipino Baptist Church" of New jersey, USA through its senior pastor Rev. Ulysses Marino who told us that the money they used in funding this event came from their fund-rasing concert "Joseph the Dreamers" in New York city in which around 1,000 poeple attended.

Aside from our area they also sponsored another medical mission nearby our area in Payatas and another urban poor area in Navotas, Rizal. As a result of that labor of love 289 received and accepted the Lord Jesus. Other activities also included feeding and distribution of around 150 free reading eye glasses.

Pastor's Retreat: Last Monday and Tuesday (July 9-10) our pastoral team in Payatas as well as three of our leaders were also invited by Pastor Marino in their church-sponsored short retreat in the Word of Life camp in Calauan, Laguna. It was a day of relaxation and fellowship for us and another opportunity for us to meet our other co-workers in Christ. Activities includes basketball, swimming, worship service and of course "eat all you can event". PRAISE GOD! --Avelino Matriano

In a simple ceremony held last Saturday afternoon, July 7, Edann Baulete and Raquel Cubillas exchanged vows in marriage before God at a beach resort in Carmen, Agusan del Sur. Mindanao area superintendent Len Joson officiated the marriage ceremony in a simple but romantic setting by the beach. Friends, brethren and close relatives attended the wonderful event.

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)