84 Inmates at the Angeles City District Jail Baptized

NOTE: Our 30th Pampanga Church Anniversary celebration will push through on Sunday, August 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Villa Del Sol Subdivision along the Olongapo-Gapan Road. Please pray for the success of this celebration and for good weather.

“Abridged” CWMC Conducted in South Bay Church in California

An “abridged” Condensed World Missions Course (CWMC) was held in the South Bay Church in San Jose, California on July 21 and 22. Thirteen participants took the course that was organized by Myrna Paulino, a ministry and missions team leader of the South Bay church. Except for the first session, all of the CWMC sessions were held at the church’s missions house. Dr. Rey Taniajura and Ptr. Andrew Teng of the Glory of the Lord Fellowship in Quezon City, Philippines took turns in facilitating the sessions that started at around 8:30 am and lasted up to about 9:00 p.m.

At the worship service of the South Bay church on July 21, Ptr. Andrew gave an update on the Filipino missionaries that have been sent by the Glory to the Lord Fellowship. Dr. Rey, on the other hand, shared two mission principles taught by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans.

The South Bay church has already sent a missions team in the Philippines two years ago and established missions projects in some WCG local churches in the country. The church is preparing to send another missions team to the Philippines in September to participate in other missions projects, one of which is the holding of a special Summer Enhancement Program (SEP) in La Union. Ptr. Rex de la Pena, area superintendent for Metro Manila and Central Luzon, will coordinate the SEP on behalf of the South Bay missions team.

Flash Floods: Bulacan Brethren and Others Receive Assistance, Need More

Sta. Maria WCG Church received assistance from Pastor Ronald Hernandez of the WCG Malolos/Baliwag Church in the form of relief clothing and a sack of rice. The much needed assistance was gratefully received by Pastor Rox Sedonio, the chairman of the Sta. Maria Church pastoral team, in behalf of the leaders and the brethren.

Earlier on Wednesday night, brethren living at the river bank of Sta. Maria together with some other families with small children came to us seeking a place to spend the night due to the sudden flash flooding in the area. We were informed that in less than fifteen minutes the water rose to head level making it impossible for most of them to save their belongings.

The concerned local and area leaders, including the National Director, who had just arrived from the States and the Area Superintendent, were informed of the situation. Initial measures were made to provide a temporary place to sleep for the flash flood victims (WCG members, as well as others).

We were only able to house about 45 people, mostly children, in the church hall. The rest of the more than 100 persons were given space along the sheltered portion of the walkways of the STI building just across the church building. This was after Mr. Halili, the building owner gave us the permission to use the walkways. Brother Bong Baltazar and Sister Carol Sison contacted the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Center for further assistance to the flood victims who sought our assistance.

By morning, after breakfast were served, our withdrawn cash from the ATM ran out.  Even the bread and noodles sent by Mayor Omeng Ramos, was barely enough for. The sack of rice Pastor Ronald brought was welcome relief. We inspected and surveyed the affected area as soon as the inundation subsided. We found out that there were 15 families of the brethren whose houses were totally washed away. Three of the brethren’s families had damaged houses. --Juliet Cruz, WCG Outreach Ministry Worker.