Update from WCG Philippines
An official weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines
January 4, 2008
Two New Churches Declared in Bicol in December
Two more missions outreaches, one in Albay and the other in Camarines Sur, were declared as local churches last December 23. The two new churches are the Community of Christian Weavers located in barangay Pinagbobong, Tabaco City and the Sowers for Christ Fellowship in Balatan, Camarines Sur. Area superintendent Dr. Rey Taniajura presided over the declaration ceremonies as well as the commissioning of the pastoral leadership teams of the two new churches.
Heading the pastoral team for the Community of Christian Weavers as chairman and senior pastor is Dr. Jose Manzano. The other members of the pastoral team are Eleanor Bongat, Reynaldo Camu, Tomasa Camu and Elena Balaguer. Domingo Trilles, on the other hand, was commissioned as chairman and senior pastor of the Sowers for Christ Fellowship. He will be assisted by Bonifacio Gonzales, Ariel Roman, Ritchel Alemania and Rowena Alemania as members of the pastoral team. The declaration of the new church in Balatan was also highlighted by baptisms of four new members.
The CCW church started as a relief and rehabilitation outreach due to strong typhoons that hit Bicol in 2006. It now has more than 30 baptized members. The SCF church meanwhile has now 27 baptized members and was started as a Bible study group by Ms. Hilda Babol. The core members of the Bible study group are students of Ms. Babol who is principal of the Balatan high school. Most of the members of the Bible study group were baptized after a youth retreat facilitated by Dr. and Mrs. Jose Manzano earlier this year.
The declarations of CCW and SCF brought to four the number of churches declared this year in Southern Luzon. In 2006 four other new churches were also declared in the area. These are the churches Sta. Lucia in Laguna, Agdangan in Quezon, Sta. Elena in Sorsogon and Mariroc, Tabaco City in Albay.
Ipil Church and Manil OBS Annual Thanksgiving: 4 Baptisms, 1 Deacon Ordination
Barandilla Community Fellowship ( WCG Ipil) and Fishers of Men Christian Fellowship (Manil OBS) celebrated its annual thanksgiving last December 30, 2007 at Manil, LB Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte with 184 people attending from Ipil Church, Manil, Bogabongan and non-members (mostly relatives and friends) of Manil brethren who attends our Bible studies in the area.
On the same occasion, 14 children majority of whom are children of non-members, were dedicated to the Lord during the dedication service. The highlights of the event was the ordination of Pastoral team member Emmanuel P. Bael as a deacon. Mr. Bael is the first baptized members in 1997 when Ipil was declared a church under the then Ptr. Joe Luzuriaga. He served the church as coordinator of the men's fellowship, pastoral team member for two terms and at present he is the administrative coordinator of the church. His entire family is very much involved in the ministry. His wife Margie is the church's treasurer and his 5 children are all members of the BCF Worship Team.. He was ordained by our visiting pastor from USA, Ptr. Nilo Belarmino.
After the worship service the brethren and visitors joined in the partaking of the sumptuous meal which were prepared by the brethren themselves. After lunch, members and non-members from Bogabongan and Manil, adults, young people and children, were each given various gifts, ranging from clothing, beauty products, toys and candies, courtesy of the women's ministry of Ipil. No one went home empty-handed after the fellowship.
After lunch 4 people committed their lives to God through baptism they are: Silvestre Eguia, his wife Rosita Eguia, Handel Emmanuel Bael from Ipil Church and Richard Quadra from Manil OBS. The worship service was held in Manil's nearly-completed meeting hall built through the support of Ptr. Kevin Phillips and his local church, the Christ our Peace Community Church of WCG South Carolina, USA. May God be glorified! --Bert Colona, WCG Ipil/Manil OBS
WCG Manila South Church Gives Oranges to 30 Families
The WCG-Manila South Church together with some selected kids who are attending the Church outreach program, Sunday’s Kiddies’ Bible Study, in Calamba City expressed the kindness and love of God by giving a bag of oranges to at least 30 families living near the Prinza River Bank on December 30, 2007. It was realized by foregoing the usual year-end party with the kids; instead, they decided to share it with the less fortunate in their barangay.
Some of the recipients said that they will save it for the New Year. They also expressed appreciation for what they received and enquired who and where it came from. One purpose of this gift-giving is to show to the kids the value of giving. In this way, they will appreciate and put into practice what the church has been teaching them. The kids were very happy after they participated in the distribution of gifts. --Ardel Maragararu
WCG Cabanatuan City Church Celebrates Christmas
Cabanatuan City, Philippines - WCG Cabanatuan City Church celebrates the four-in-one event dubbed as the “22nd Cabanatuan City Church Anniversary, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Party and Year-end Celebration showcasing the December birthday celebrants’ birthday bash”, held on December 16, 2007 at the Lumang Bahay Catering Paradise, Valdefuente, Cabanatuan City. Honored guests of the celebration were Pastor Roman R. Saynes of Forestry Church, Quezon City and Brother Orly Osillos. Eighty nine (89) people attended the year-end celebration.
The event was welcomed by joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, after that was the “Retrospect”, (The History of Cabanatuan City Church), delivered by Cabanatuan congregation founding member and Pastoral Team Chairman, Pastor Tony Gaspar. As a prelude to the main message, Mrs. Aida Gaspar sang a heart-rending piece, entitled “Lalapit Ako Sa Iyo”. The main message was delivered by Pastor Roman Saynes, with the theme: “Paanyaya Ni Kristo”. The message was inspired by the book of Matthew (Matthew 11, verses 25-30). At the end of the sermon, Pastor Saynes challenged the crowd to come before the Lord for an altar call. The response of the crowd that day was astonishing, the visitors gladly came forward and accepted the Lord. Pastor Saynes led them in prayer together with the pastoral team members and pronounced blessings upon the people who attended the event.
Both the brethren and the guests shared lunch and warm fellowship. Everyone joined and enjoyed the fun and games during the afternoon party. The celebration was ended with a prayer of thanksgiving led by Mrs. Aida Gaspar.
On the following Sunday, December 23, 2007, the new WCG Bible Study Group in Curba, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija likewise held its own celebration. The Curba Bible Study Group was mainly pastored by Mr. and Mrs. Ely and Linda Toledo who are members of Cabanatuan Pastoral Team. Curba, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija is about “15 kilometers” away from Cabanatuan City, on transportation.
Five (5) people are already baptized members in said area. Despite the apparent economic depression prevalent in Curba, around one hundred ten (110) people attended the occasion. Pastor Tony Gaspar delivered the main message entitled “Love”. Gifts like clothing, rice, chocolates and candies were distributed for the people of Curba on that day. The people were delighted and moved by the act of love that the WCG members had shown them on that occasion. The feeling was overwhelming, to see many people especially the young ones, despite of financial difficulty, were very much eager to celebrate Christ’s birth and are hoping to have such get-together again in the future. In sum, the twin events were truly blessed by God. --Eyrie Samson
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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)