National Director in US for Mission Developer's Conference

PEOS, Kairos and Facilitators’ Courses Held in Cebu City

A Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) was held for some 22 members of the Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City churches of the Worldwide Church of God last February 3. The seminar was conducted at the Baseline restaurant in Cebu City. Pastors James Boone, Reynaldo Busalla and Dr. Rey Taniajura facilitated the seminar.

            While visiting Cebu City, Dr. Taniajura also conducted the Kairos course (formerly Condensed World Missions Course) and the facilitators training course hosted by the Philippine Friends Missionary Fellowship, a missions organization.  Dr. Danny Y. Yu, a medical doctor of the Chung Hua hospital in Cebu and Pastor Lian Manlun, an Indian national, are the chairman of the board and executive director of the missions organization respectively.  Four participants completed the Kairos course while six others completed the facilitators’ training course. Pastors James Boone and Reynaldo Busalla assisted Dr. Taniajura in facilitating the two courses. 

WCG Fellowship Saves the Day for Chemo Boy

February 5, 2007 -- John Brix de Guzman (7) stopped going to school this year. He no longer has the usual stamina and vibrancy that characterizes the life of most kids of his age. The joy and pleasures of a young life are slowly being stolen away from him by a disease called leukemia.

His parents Johnny and Brenda accompanied John Brix to the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit-Cordillera Administrative Region Employees Association (DA-RFU-CAR EA) last February 4, 2008. In response to their appeal for support, I asked them to come over on that day. “I told Brenda, a week earlier that “those who ask will receive.” The comforting words and confidence to speak this way was made possible by a contribution from the Worldwide Church of God fellowship here in Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet.

Johnny and Brenda were in tears when they spoke of their travails. Every parent I guess, suffer the same when they see their beautiful child being wasted by disease. Johnny works as a waiter in a small restaurant here in Baguio and Brenda who just gave birth to their third child helps him in any way she can and in a very limited way. They cried with gratitude when the Board and I gave them the four thousand that they needed for John Brix’s  chemotherapy expenses scheduled for the day.

I had to proclaim to the Board, Johnny and Brenda that the amount came from the PhP 4,685.00 that the members of my church contributed to the project this month. Given the opportunity to inform Johnny and Brenda and my fellow officers, that our fellowship supported their previous expenses and our fundraising activities last year for the other beneficiaries of our Share a Life Project (who are victims of calamities, cancer and diseases in the region) gave me this great feeling and an experience of what it is to impact the needy in our midst because of God and what He does to us, a giving and caring people of God. May God Bless you always! –Robert L. Domoguen, President, DA-RFU-CAR-EA 

Area Superintendent Visits Disciples of Christ Fellowship

Pastor George Escara, Area Superintendent for the Visayas area, conducted a two-day visit to the Disciples of Christ Fellowship (otherwise known as the Toledo City Church) pastored by a Pastoral Team chaired by Mr. Flaviano Calope.

On February 2nd Ptr. George gave the local leadership in attendance an update on various topics (such as work ethics for elders, denominational structures) to keep them abreast of the new developments in the church.

On the second day the fellowship had its worship service with 26 people in attendance. Ptr. George gave a very inspiring message on the four changes that a person has to undergo before he can be truly called a disciple of Christ.

The highlight of the day however was the re-commissioning of the Pastoral Team which is presently composed of Mr. and Mrs. Flaviano Calope, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Andres, and Mr. and Mrs. Leoncio Tan. During the ceremony the Pastoral Team members were asked to express verbally their re-affirmation of their commitment as members of the Pastoral Team, and in the same manner the entire membership their commitment to support the Team. After the worship service, a potluck lunch was served which was shared and enjoyed by everyone in attendance.—Leo Tan

SEP Camp Sites

Inquiries are beginning to be received regarding the dates and venues of our Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). To date, here are the youth summer camp sites:

• For Luzon - Date: May 14-21, 2008. Venue: Communities of Bible Christian Fellowship Camp, Lemery, Batangas

• For Cebu - Date: May 22-26, 2008. Venue: La Playa de Asuncion Resort, Badian, Cebu.

• For Bohol - Date: April 18-20, 2008. Venue: Ubay Church Center, Francisco.  

• For Mindanao: Date: May 1-4, 2008. Venue: Midway White Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental (To be confirmed).

• Another (new) SEP site in Mindanao: Date: Still to be confirmed. Venue: Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

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