UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

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

Ortigueros Celebrate 42nd Anniversary in Dubai

A surprise dinner party was hosted by the children of Pastor Jerry and Gloria Ortiguero on their 42nd wedding anniversary, 25 December 2007, in Dubai, U.A.E. It was a grand family reunion as the couple’s four children – Loma, Johanna, May and Jerome – are based in Dubai with their families. The youngest, Jane, and her family flew in from Manila to join in the celebration. Attended by around 50 relatives and friends, the affair was highlighted by the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, short speeches by the children, and serenades from their grandchildren. While enjoying the sumptuous buffet, the guests were entertained by impromptu song numbers, parlor games, and a bingo game. To cap off the evening, Mrs. Ortiguero serenaded Pastor Jerry with a medley of songs, after which he shared nuggets of wisdom on married life, and thanked everyone for being a part of the special occasion.

The Ortigueros are in Dubai until mid-March 2008 not just to visit with family but also to assist in training the WCG Dubai church leadership. --Loma O. Mortola

Leadership Training Held for WCG Dubai leaders

The new year heralds new beginnings for the WCG Dubai with Pastor Jerry Ortiguero conducting the first session of a training series to equip the church leaders, 5 Jan 2008.

The training is part of the initiatives undertaken by the National Director Eugene Guzon, who also is the Missions Developer for Northeast Asia and the Middle East. After 15 years, the administration of the WCG in Dubai was transferred from the United Kingdom to the Philippine work in mid-2007 since most of the members are Filipinos.

As an introduction to the session on Spiritual Gifts, Pastor Jerry shared to the group the WCG Philippines’ Thrust for 2008, themed as “Building on our Strong Foundation”, (I Cor 3:10-11), and the 4 end goals and 8 strategies, or “Go 4 8”, which can all be achieved by the exercise of spiritual gifts thru Christian ministry.

The sessions will cover topics on the call to ministry and to “small-togetherness” or small groups, after which the WCG Dubai will reorganize its Pastoral Team and establish its operating and support ministries, and craft a Mission and Vision Statement unique to the Dubai congregation.

Pastor Jerry and the brethren enjoin everyone to help pray for the success of the training to strengthen the local church and eventually prepare it for helping spread the gospel to the ends of the earth! --Loma O. Mortola

A modified and shortened version of the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) was held for ten members and two guests of the Pillars of Grace Fellowship in Batangas City last January 6. The PEOS was the first ever to be held in a local church by the Worldwide Church of God after it signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in 2007. The MOA enables volunteers from the WCG to conduct the PEOS to help in the information drive of POEA to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the risks and challenges of working abroad. The holding of PEOS also provides the WCG to minister to communities, school and colleges by sharing the values of work, family life and spirituality to potential OFWs. The twelve PEOS participants in Batangas city were Ptr. Jack Maderazo and his wife, Luz, Onie Galit, Aaron Galit, Manuel Luis Quizon, Derek Lecaroz, Ernesto Santiago, Susan Lanto, Riza Galit, Aileen Maderazo, Lemuel Acebron and Ernesto Magundayao. --Dr. Rey Taniajura

Christmas Party at Lanipao Church

The WCG in Lanipao (Lanao del Norte) celebrated its Christmas Party with the rousing participation of more than 200 children and non-member parents. The party was opened with a worship service where Pastor Rally Estrera gave a stirring message of how GOD in His love for mankind made the Impossible possible.

After a sumptuous lunch the party began with the children from the outlying Bible Study under the tutorship of Mirasol Suminggit rendered a beautiful songs complete with action. This was followed by different songs and dances by the main Childrens Ministry under the tutorship of Myrna Baclaan.

The festive mood was highlighted by the giving of gifts to all the children who joyously received their gifts from the church treasurer Mrs. Joy Estrera. The affair was a fitting conclusion to the Advent of Christmas. --Celeste Estrera and Augusto Cernol

Comments from Our Readers

"We pray for the continued success of your personal ministry of sending the Weekly Updates to the brethren scattered all over the world. God bless you and your family." --From Dubai

"Happy New Year... Thanks for sending our updates and God bless you all." --From Lanao del Norte

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)