UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

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

Last November 9 to 11 was definitely a full weekend for National Director Eugene Guzon. Friday, November 9, the different Area Superintendents (AS) from Luzon to Mindanao came together to hold their regular AS Meeting. This was held at ISSI Bldg., UP Diliman. The Area Superintendents present that day were Ptr. Rex dela Peña (Metro Manila); Ptr. Arlan Aquino (Northern Luzon); Dr. Rey Taniajura (Southern Luzon); Ptrs. George Escara, Jerry Ortiguero and ND Eugene Guzon (Eastern, Central and Western Visayas); and Ptr. Len Joson (Mindanao). Updates were exchanged to give each other an idea of the scope and state of the work that’s being done in our denomination per area. After which, other church matters were discussed. Events for 2008 such as SEPs, Festivals and other discipleship programs were among those covered in the whole-day meeting.

The following day, November 10, it was the National Board’s time to meet. National Board Chairman Ezra Raduban took the lead in facilitating the discussions. During the said meeting, ND Eugene gave a comprehensive report as to how our denomination is able to meet the 4 Ends that have been set by the board. These 4 Ends will be shared with everyone by our National Director in his up and coming "State of the Church Address" (SOCA) around early next year.

--Abi Natividad, WCG Philippines National Office (Photos and design by Orly Osillos and Abi Natividad respectively)

WCG Boboin Church, Boboin, Infanta, Quezon – "Dedicated to the Honor and Glory of God - His Last Command our First Concern", was the theme of the Evangelism Explosion (EE) graduation of Boboin Church held at the Santa Monica Beach Resort last November 11. The graduation was graced by the presence of our National Director, Ptr. Eugene Guzon, EE clinician and lecturer and chaplain of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary in Laguna Ptr. Arnel Dizon and Church planter Ptr. Remigio Cruz, and the newly elected Barangay Captain Ato Gucilatar and Kagawads.

Seventeen graduated from the 16-week evangelism training held in the Barangay’s Bahay Nayon. The EE training had been conducted every Sunday afternoon for the past four months. The graduates included the Brgy. Captain and also the pastoral team Chairman Diony Susa, along with the secretary of the barangay, two teachers, three business women, three youths and seven housewives.

The training was headed by the local church EE Coordinator and Lecturer Ptr. Med and Sis. Neng Maninang, together with their trainors Yasmin Maninang, Heidi Ordiales, Rocel Ordiales, Tess Mondia, Diana Dollente, Juliet Sia and Marcelo Eugenio. This is their 10th year of equipping local church leaders and members about friendship, evangelism and discipleship.

One hundred seventy one people accepted Jesus Christ during the training. --Yasmin Ann D. Maninang

Tigaon District Jail has been recognized as an outstanding district jail. This facility contains 70 inmates and around 30 of whom have accepted Jesus and His forgiveness. The Jesus Victorious Christian Ministry(JVCM) worship group led in giving honor to God. JVCM is a partner of the WCG in this ministry.

Later, a communion service was held where 45 souls partook of the Lord's supper. Afterwards, snacks were served. Some pieces of personal items like soap and toothpaste were given to the inmates. Ptr. Doming Trilles coordinated this event.

Last November 17, 2007 was the graduation of the Basic Computer Training Workshop (BCTW) 8th Batch held at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel. There were 64 Out-of-School Youths who finished the Basic PC Operation Course. Board Member Bella Chiong-Javier was our guest speaker and also Engr. Lorenzo G. Macapili TESDA OIC Provincial was also present.

The Highlight of the program was the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between TESDA, PC Builders Club, and Sibugay Technical Institute , Inc. (STII) wherein STII offered the free use of their computer laboratories for our BCTW students. Indeed, God is blessing this ministry. We started it in a small way and now we can cater more OSY for the next batches.

Please continue to pray for this ministry. --Geoffrey Balatero, Asst. Pastor for Barandilla Community Fellowship

True to its commitment of being an instrument of the church in reaching out to the community, the Ambassador School for Children (ASC) held the second phase of its tree-planting program last Friday, November 16, 2007 at 9AM. Together with Barangay Captain Federico Jong Jr. and about 5 kagawads, ASC Principal Mrs. Adora Barnachea and teacher Janice Catague marched all the way to Matiyaga Street in Teacher’s Village, Quezon City with the entire Grade One class in tow. All in all, 25 seedlings have been planted in this phase.

A total of 200 trees will be planted in the community through this program. The fifty Fire Trees and fifty Golden Showers have been donated by an NGO, while one hundred Banaba Trees were entrusted to ASC for planting courtesy of a parent who works for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The first phase of this tree-planting program was held before the festival celebrations last September, while the third phase is set to happen this December. --Abi Natividad

Camarines Sur Celebration Inspite of Heavy Rains and Flood

Torrential rains and flood did not hinder the brethren in Camarines Sur to proceed to the Oyango settlement, an Aeta hill tribe in Sta. Teresita, Iriga City for the annual celebration of God's love.

After a morning worship service and meeting with Dr. Rey Taniajura on October 28, 2007 at the residence of Ptr. Reuel Pamor in Pili, Camarines Sur, brethren from Naga congregation packed up and proceeded to Sta. Teresita, Iriga City, the original venue of the celebration, had it not for the flooding in the town proper of Baao, Camarines Sur and Iriga City which blocked vehicles both ways.

That noon, the rain had stopped and the flood somehow subsided so that vehicles were able to pass the flooded area. Brethren as well as residents of the Oyango Aeta settlement were eagerly waiting for the brethren from the lowlands of Camarines Sur to join them. There were about a hundred of them including the children.

The celebration highlighted with a worship service started at around 3:00 p.m. During the service, Pastors Rene Bermundo, Doming Trilles and Vir Repaso gave inspiring messages on giving and on the theme, "You are Loved, You are Included, You are Accepted." The entire members of the Aeta settlement which is composed of around forty households together with some people from the neighboring community were present. While the service was going on, four souls submitted for baptism, namely, sisters Nimfa and Nelia Osillos, Abigail Abundabar and Melanie Sotto. After the service, three children were dedicated to the Lord.

After the service, a short program was held and participated by the different local congregations. Songs and dances were rendered. School children from the tribe presented a native dance number to the tune of an improvised drum.. Afterwards, brethren enjoyed a snacks of young coconuts, grated cassava, cookies, breads and pancit.
The program lasted until 8:00 in the evening. --Gina Pamor

Effective immediately this November, Len Joson has been assigned by the National Director as the new senior pastor for the local church of Pampanga. During this transition period, his family will continue to stay in Davao City until his daughter will finish first year high school. The whole family hopes to finally move to San Fernando, Pampanga by March-April of 2008.

Pastor Len, who has been assigned as the Area Superintendent for Mindanao since July 2001 will continue to serve in this capacity but will now be based in San Fernando, Pampanga to also at the same time, serve as the new senior pastor for the Pampanga Church.

He will also be visiting the national office once a week to do some work for the national director. Currently, Pastor Len maintains the WCG Philippines website and regularly sends the weekly updates as a personal ministry in behalf of the national office.

Last November 11, Sunday, Pastor Len visited Pampanga Church after a long while. This local church was also his very first assignment (6 months as a ministerial trainee) in October 1985 when he was hired into the fulltime ministry.

New Senior Pastor for Cagayan de Oro Church, Mindanao Area Supt. Visits Local Churches

Pastor Rollen Olango, an ordained elder, was prayed over and commissioned as the new senior pastor of the local church of Cagayan de Oro City last Sunday, November 18 by Mindanao Area Supt. Len Joson and Pastor Jerome Manriquez. Pastor Rollen has been serving this local church since the late 1980s. He works at the Del Monte Philippines as an electrical engineer where he received awards as a model employee of that company which employs several thousands.

Due to health reasons, Pastor Jerome has requested to rest for a while as the senior pastor. He will continue to serve the local church as he is able. We also thank Pastor Jerome and his wife, Gemma for their continued labor of love and service even up to now. The couple is well-loved by the congregation.

After the morning's worship service, Mindanao Area Supt. Len Joson met with the pastoral leadership of the local churches of Butuan City, Jasaan, Cagayan de Oro City, Initao and Iligan City to: 1) discuss next year's goals (the 4 Ends), 2) inform the leadership of Pastor Len's move to Pampanga, 3) discuss and answer questions regarding Trinitarian theology and to encourage the leadership to thoroughly study our doctrines especially the 35 beliefs. It was a fruitful meeting.

The day before (Saturday), Pastor Len also visited the Kiara Church where he also met with the Bukidnon leadership (Kiara, Quezon, and Maramag local churches and Mauswagon Outreach Bible Study) where he also discussed the same things.

This coming weekend, Pastor Len is scheduled to visit Iligan City Church, Lanipao Church and Pagadian City Church to discuss the same topics after which, he hopes to attend the Luzon Pastors Conference in Tagaytay as the new senior pastor of Pampanga this November 28-30.

Your prayers are highly appreciated for the Mindanao leadership during this time of transition.

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 Christian Development Center (CDC), Tagaytay City.

Register now! For more details, 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.

Oct. 26, 2007, QC – It’s a time for rejoicing as Ambassador School for Children Principal Mrs. Adora Angel-Barnachea passed the annual Licensure Exams for Teachers (L.E.T) with flying colors last August 26 2007. About 16,000 teachers out of 50,000 examinees passed in this year’s exam. Another Board passer who likewise attends Glory to the Lord Fellowship (GLF), WCG QC Congregation is Mrs. Yoli Abastillas. Tita Yoli, as she is fondly called, is the current Administrator of Daluyan Learning Haus, GLF’s outreach ministry.

The Ambassador School for Children, now on its 4th year, continues to reach out to families from neighboring communities not only through quality pre-school education, but also through intentional Bible-integrated learning experiences shared with its students. Indeed, this recent achievement of Principal Adora highlights Ambassador School for Children’s firm commitment to becoming an excellent Christian educational institution. Congratulations to all the 2007 LET Board Passers! --Rachel Sarmiento

Editor's Note: The following also passed the LET exams recently: Charisse Abao and Jason Abao of Cagayan de Oro City Church and Mariel Pedeglorio of Dumaguete City Church. Congratulations to all!

"A pleasant day to you all and may God almighty bless your days. By reading your articles we were inspired, enjoying reading what were your activities going on, on your place. I started a small group bible study in our place. Elementary level, High School level and some were old. We are all 10 in this small group and using one bible the King James Version. Can you help us in having bible for each of us? If not bothered you so much. We are very thankful for sending articles that inspire us. Once again God bless you all." --From Pampanga

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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)