Update from WCG Philippines

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

January 25, 2008

WCG Participates in Fil-Am Medical-Surgical Mission of Texas in San Jose, Nueva Ecija

Seventy (70) doctors and nurses from Texas with team leader, Dra. Gloria Zappia converged on January 21-24, 2008, at San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and conducted a medical-surgical mission for the needy residents of the whole province. The much-awaited event that benefited thousands was dubbed “Serbisyong Kalusugan mula sa USA”, and is a joint effort of Congressman Joseph Violago, Governor Aurelio Umali and Mayor Marivic Belena. In addition, the event was supported by various individuals and local institutions, including hotels and nursing schools who volunteered their students to assist the doctors.

The surgical team made use of the brand-new surgical department annex of the renovated San Jose City General Hospital to do their work. Dr. Raul Agliam, hospital chief and concurrently San Jose City health officer worked closely with the medical-surgical mission team from Texas to pave the way for the event. Bishop Mylo Vergara of the province’s Diocese was also instrumental. Scores of patients were operated on various ailments including goiter, gallstones, harelip, myoma, etc.

On the other hand, the medical team made use of the spacious Pag-asa Gym where 1,760 patients were served  just on the first day. On the second day, more than 2,000 were expected to be served judging from the crowd that filled the gym to more than capacity. Certain local doctors and dentists also volunteered to serve in the event.

On January 20, National Director Eugene Guzon welcomed Dra. Zappia, the team leader of the Fil-Am Medical Surgical Mission of Texas, as they started their trip in 3 shuttle buses from Makati to San Jose City, a 5-hour drive up north. It will be recalled that Dra. Zappia has been involved with WCG in last year’s Fil-Am Medical Mission of Texas undertaken in Bicol which the church sponsored. Accompaying ND Guzon was George Escara, and Orly Osillos. Also joining the event were Ms. Aileen Orogo, the Church’s Resource Development Officer, and Katherine Pascual of Brisbane East Church, Australia, who conducted interviews with some of the Fil-Am Doctors.   

Video and photo documentation of the core events of the activity were made, including that of the surgeons and nurses doing their work in the operating rooms, as well as the medical doctors consulting with their patients.  Interviews were conducted with the Doctors and Nurses and key people who organized the event, as well as with the patients as we prayed over them. Information pertaining to how the event was organized was gathered, to serve as a model and/or basis for the preparation of a similar event that the church may undertake in the future. --George Escara, Area Superintendent for Central & Eastern Visayas 

New Church Declared in Cebu, New Deacon/Deaconesses Ordained

Cebu, Philippines - The Mactan cluster ends the year 2007 with a big "BANG." December 30, was a red letter day for the Mactan and the Mandaue-Consolacion clusters. That day the Mactan and the Mandaue-Consolacion clusters were CHARTERED as a church. The Pastoral team composed of Mr. Jessup Bahinting and Mrs. Margarita Bahinting; Mr. Bienvinido Dihayco and Mrs. Rosita Dihayco; Mr. Federico Alazas and Mrs. Felicidad Alazas; Mr. Presco Erat and Mrs. Vicenta Erat; Mr. Rolan Laniba and Mrs. Llena Laniba; and Ms. Vee Dequito.

Ptr. Jessup Bahinting is the Senior Pastor of the team. Mr. Presco Erat and his wife Vicenta Erat and Vee Dequito were ordained as deacon and deaconesses respectively. It was really a time of celebration for the brethren. Ptr. Eugene Guzon conducted the commissioning, the ordaination and the chartering. Guests include Ptr. George Escara (the Area Superindentent of Central and Eastern Visayas), the Pastoral Team of Cebu and some friends and the members of other clusters witnessed the said event. The WCG Mactan and Mandaue-Consolacion clusters is now named 'THE DIVINE GRACE FELLOWSHIP". To God be the glory. --Vee Dequito

First JoshGen Seminar Held in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines-The young people together with the youth workers had their first Joshua Generation Seminar last December 27-29, 2007. The twenty nine participants who all are from Cebu province except one who is a Malaysian student from an aviation school in Dumaguete. Ptr. Rex dela Peña facilitated the sessions. He addressed the needs of the young people as far as their need for leadership training and to each their roles as the generation chosen by the Lord.

The participants always had their 'TAKE AWAYS' after every session. During breaks Ptr. Rex talked to some participants about their concerns and answered their questions. A testimony from a participant... Joshgen taught me lots of things I really need to know and made me realize some thoughts I've been quite confused before." It was a three-day seminar about living a Christian as a teenager. The three days worth the stay and I really didn't get bored with the lessons, Kuya Rex is a great speaker and I've learned a lot.

I've realized even at a young age God would use us, or even anyone for His plan. His plan for us and for His Glory. Just like as God called Joshua at a young age to something beyond of what is expected to a young boy. In conclusion, I really had a lot TAKE AWAYS from the different modules in Joshgen and I'm hoping for the next Joshgen to come..." --Vee Dequito

Bulacan Church Hosts PEOS

The Bulacan congregation of the Worldwide Church of God hosted a Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) for 15 of its members last January 20 in Baliuag, Bulacan. Two members of the congregation, Emilio Cabigao and Ronald Hernandez, have attended a Trainors Training for PEOS facilitators in Tagaytay City conducted in November 2007 by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). In hosting PEOS, the Bulacan church wanted to form a team of facilitators that can replicate the seminars among community members and students of colleges and universities in the province. Already the team of PEOS facilitators from the church has lined up Bulacan State University and the TESDA training center in Guiguinto, Bulacan as possible venues for conducting PEOS. The team of facilitators of the church will be headed by church elder Emilio Cabigao. --Dr. Rey Taniajura

Quezon, Bukidnon Church Celebrates 3rd Church Anniversary

More than 100 brethren from various congregations in Bukidnon gathered and joined the Quezon, Bukidnon Church as they celebrated their third church anniversary last January 19, Saturday. For its main message, the Mindanao Area Superintendent presented to the brethren (despite the brownout) the "GO•4•8" powerpoint message of ND Guzon which he delivered last January 13 in Metro Manila. After an enjoyable lunch, the Bukidnon leaders gathered to discuss various matters including the 4 Ends and 8 Strategies.

The following day in Cagayan de Oro City, Sunday, the same message on the "State of the Church Address" was delivered and after which, leaders in the northern Mindanao area gathered for a leaders meeting where various matters again were discussed pertaining to SEP and other local church concerns.

2008 SEP Camp Sites Nationwide, Staff Applicants Wanted

The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) for this year is getting the youths excited once again. Inquiries are being received as to the dates and venues. To date, here are the summer camp sites:

May I encourage all those who wish to volunteer as SEP staff members for the two (2) sites in Mindanao to please inform us immediately of your desire to volunteer as we plan to have a staff training immediately this February in Cagayan de Oro City to be conducted by the National Youth Coordinator, Pastor Rex Dela Pena. --Len Joson, Mindanao Area Superintendent

Comments from Our Readers and Web Surfers

"Found your address in the WCG directory. I´m curious about your evangelization team´s  activities in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. There are some people I´d like to bring to Christ. A lady in her 70´s and her family that need fellowship. She cared for me when I was a toddler. I´m out of the country at the moment." --From outside the Philippines

 

Note of Thanks to Donors: Thank you for your support for God's work through the WCG Philippines. It is much appreciated. Donations may be sent to the WCG Philippines national office. Please specify (if you wish to do so) where you want your donation to be used. For more information, please click this link.

"helo..i am... from Iloilo, Philippines.. i had visited your site a while ago.. i just wana ask how can i be able to participate in some youthful activities you have..because i am interested about it.." --From a youth in Iloilo

 

I wonder if you will have SEP camp this year. Please tell me about its details and how much would I prepare if I will join. Thank you very much! God Bless!" --From a former youth camper in Palawan

 

"Thank you for including us... would like to donate $500 to SEP Mindanao. I'll copy Pastor Eugene to let him know... will wire $1500 to cover SEPs in Luzon ($500), Visayas ($500), and Mindanao ($500). Our only request is if you could you send us an update after SEP to let us know how the money was used..." --From USA

 

"Send me info. on how we can help with SEP funding. We'll probably be helping (SEP in Ipil) anyway but we may be able to help other efforts as well. --From USA

 

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)