Update from WCG Philippines
An official weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines
October 26, 2007
OFW Brethren Celebrate First-Ever WCG Festival in Dubai
With joyful spirits, forty three brethren and their families attended the first-ever WCG Festival in the United Arab Emirates, with the theme, “Celebrate Jesus in the Desert”, 12-13 October 2007, at the Novotel Hotel in Dubai.
After eighteen years of the WCG’s presence in the UAE, the milestone Festival became a long-awaited reality for brethren from the Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Mr. Eugene Guzon, National Director for the Philippines and Missions Developer for North East Asia, was the keynote speaker for the two-day celebration.
Highlights of the first day celebration were the video clips of the Philippine work and “Heart Wars”, the welcome message from Pastor General Joseph Tkach to the Philippine festival sites, and the main message of Mr. Guzon on how God meets the needs of the brethren in the desert of their life. Citing the brethren’s situation as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) or “expats” in the UAE, he expounded on how Jesus meets their needs for security, intimacy and significance. He encouraged them by confirming that the festival theme, “Celebrate Jesus in the Desert”, was not just a statement of conviction, but of victory. For Session 2, Mr. Guzon followed through with the topic, “The Journey of Joseph”, presenting film excerpts of the defining moments in Joseph’s life, to portray how God is in supreme control of our personal situations. He closed by illustrating the scriptures which showed a parallel of the lives of Joseph and of Jesus.
After a festive buffet lunch, the brethren returned for Session 3 to listen to the testimonies of brethren who were formerly non-Christians but who came to know Christ through the bible studies conducted by Pastor Nitz Malaga. After the testimonies, Mr. Guzon asked the brethren to form into small groups to discuss lessons from Joseph’s life and to share insights on their own defining moments, and finally to pray for each other’s concerns. To cap off the day, the brethren unwound in a session of family activities and entertainment, where the kids performed action songs, and members rendered special numbers and played parlor games.
On the last day of the festival, the brethren had more cause to celebrate with the ordination of Ptr. Cesar Dela Paz as an elder of the Dubai congregation. Ptr. Cesar and his wife Johanna have been serving the Dubai brethren since 2003. Mr. Guzon, together with Ptr. Nitz Malaga (senior pastor for WCG Dubai), Ptr. Oscar Baslao, an elder (formerly senior pastor of WCG Davao City) laid hands and prayed over Ptr. Cesar, with the congregation standing in witness to the commissioning.
After the ceremony, the brethren burst into joyous and vigorous applause. Other highlights of the day were Session 4 wherein Mr. Guzon expounded on how the brethren can have a “Pilgrimage of Joy”, that is, a Christian needs to walk in God’s presence, walk in the company of God’s people, and walk in the confidence of God’s purpose.
After a short break, the brethren had the closing worship services, with Pastor Nitz Malaga giving the main message on being Pilgrims and Strangers in Dubai. He discussed about the peculiar trials and temptations that could threaten Christians in Dubai and contrasted it with the advantages that Dubai offers in practicing and sharing their faith. He finally exhorted the brethren not to lose sight of their final destination: Jesus, our bridegroom, the Person we are meant to be and heaven, the place He has prepared for us. This was followed by a communion, after which worship leader Miss Ivy Cruz, led the congregation to sing the theme of the festival, “Celebrate Jesus”.
After enjoying another sumptuous buffet lunch, the brethren boarded a coaster bus and set off for the tour towards the sand dunes of Hatta. Donning their white Festival t-shirts, the brethren posed for many souvenir shots, visited a local community, walked barefoot on fine sand, and watched the setting of the Arabian sun. By nightfall, the brethren returned to Dubai, exhausted but nevertheless fired up and renewed inside, to continue celebrating Jesus in their lives from this day forward.
To God be the glory alone for the success of this first Festival! The Dubai Pastoral Team has initial plans for the second one, and this early, invites everyone to consider the UAE as their 2008 Festival destination. --by Loma O. Mortola
Mindanao Festivals: Initial Reports
Last Thursday morning, October 25, I had the privilege of joining the brethren of Bukidnon as they began their 4-day festival where about 320 attended. These brethren come from four local congregations and several outreaches all in the province of Bukidnon, the central part of Mindanao.
This morning, October 26, I also had the privilege of joining our brethren as they began their 3-day festival in Cagayan de Oro City where about 184 attended. These brethren come from six local congregations and several outreaches in the northern parts of Mindanao.
The festival site in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay also began their 3-day festival today. The brethren attending in this site come from three local congregations and several outreaches in the Zamboanga peninsula or the western part of Mindanao. I hope to join their celebration by Saturday afternoon.
Attendance is expected to rise this coming Saturday and Sunday on all festival sites. It was a joyful annual family reunion for brethren to see each other again after another year.
The Davao City festival site will begin their 2-day festival this Saturday. Brethren who will attend in this site will come from five local congregations and several outreaches from the southern and eastern parts of Mindanao. --Len Joson, Area Superintendent for Mindanao
Facilitator's Training for POEA's Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) along with the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) are inviting you to attend a training seminar for potential facilitators for POEA's Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) to be held on November 27-28, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the WCG National Office located at #60 Matahimik St., Teacher's Village, Quezon City.
Register now! Contact: Abi Natividad or Aileen Orogo. Tel. no. (02) 426-22-92. Note: Click photo at right to copy bigger poster size for church bulletin boards.
Comments from Our Readers
"Thank you for the updates. It's always a joy to hear about the growth of the work overseas in Christ. God bless!" --Canada
"Thanks... for continually sending our family updates on our wonderful church in the Philippines. God bless to all of our Brethrens there and may the glory of our Lord continually shine through you all." --Ron, Joy & Aidan Gonzales, Newlife Fellowship OC Members
To subscribe, unsubscribe or send comments, please write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. This Weekly Update can also be viewed at www.wcg.org/ph/updatelist.htm. The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly update from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines.
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)