As the president of the Worldwide Church of God, I am writing to tell you a story of God’s grace and the transformation that took place in our church. It is a transformation that can be characterized as moving from darkness to the light of God’s truth. We branded other Christians as false.

But by God’s grace, we have changed. We are seeking God’s will and wisdom for everything we teach and examining all that we do and say in the light of Scripture. We have grown and changed a lot in the last 15 years.

Our story is a story of the power of prayer. It is a story of Christians reaching out to us as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also a story of mistrust and suspicion. And, sadly, it is also a story of rejection and separation. See Transformed by Truth, a book by Joseph Tkach.

Festival 2008 in Baguio City

We would like to inform everyone that the Festival in Baguio City this year is scheduled on Sept. 24-28. We will begin with an evening gathering on Sept 24. Worship services will be held mornings of Sept. 25 to 28 (Thursday to Friday). Various activities are slated in the afternoons and evenings. --Arlan Aquino, Area Supt., North Luzon

Baptisms and Commissioning in Laguna

A couple, Melecio and Shiela Isles, attending the outlying Bible study group in Rizal and Santiago (Boy) Salonga of the Christ the Rock Fellowship in Sta. Lucia, both in Laguna were baptized last February 14. Conducting the baptism ceremony was Pastor Claro Ting, senior pastor of the Christ the Rock Fellowship – Sta. Lucia and an assistant area superintendent for Southern Luzon. Ptr. Claro was assisted by his wife Grace, Edwin Jovellano and Rinia Sotalbo. The ceremony, witnessed by the members of the Rizal Bible study group, was held at the residence of Tom Sotalbo.

In a related development, the pastoral team members of the Christ the Rock Fellowship in Sta. Lucia were commissioned by Dr. Rey Taniajura, area superintendent for Southern Luzon, during the worship service held on February 24. The newly commissioned pastoral team members are Claro Ting, Grace Ting, Edwin Jovellano, Aurea Jovellano, Danilo Alcazarin, Tess Alcazarin and Tess Legson. --Rinia Sotalbo

Youth Forum on Dating and other Issues in Cebu

The Divine Grace Fellowship sponsored an activity for the young people and singles during the Valentine's Day season. Last February 16, seventeen young people gathered at Golden Meadows Club House in Cordova, Cebu for a forum on dating and other issues confronting teenagers in their relationship with their peers and with families. The members of the pastoral team were the panelists. The activity also included games and dinner. The highlight of the activity was for each participant to write a message to other participant citing the positive traits of the young person that has blessed others. --Vee S. Dequito

Comments from our Subscribers

"Greetings from Yaoundé in Cameroon! I am very pleased to read news from philippines. We are praying for you. Please pray for our church. Most of the members are young (70 per cent). There is a spiritual revival. Pray for peace in our country. There has been a lot of violence since three days and many people were killed during riots. Thanks to God, no member is involved. Best regards, --Jean Mvondô, Pastor, WCG Yaoundé-Cameroon"