Elder Ordinations, PEOS seminars conducted in Bicol

Three elder ordinations were conducted in two local churches in Bicol on March 2. The three new elders are Virginia Manzano, senior pastor of the Potter’s Hand Christian Fellowship in Albay, Reuel Pamor, senior pastor of the Naga City congregation, and Domingo Trilles, senior pastor of the Sowers for Christ Fellowship in Balatan, Camarines Sur. Dr. Rey Taniajura, area superintendent for Southern Luzon, presided over the ordination ceremonies held in a combined worship services of the local churches in Albay and Camarines Sur provinces respectively. All elders who were present in the worship services, together with assistant area superintendent Dr. Jose Manzano, assisted Dr. Taniajura in conducting the ordinations.

On the same weekend, on March 1, Pre-Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) were held in Tabaco City and Legaspi City respectively. More than 130 students from Bicol University attended the seminar in Tabaco City while about 20 Worldwide Church of God (WCG) members in Albay province attended the seminar in Legaspi City. Dr. Jose Manzano, a professor of Bicol University organized the PEOS for his students who were taking up the national service training program or NSTP. A number of those who participated in the Bicol University seminar were nursing and engineering students. A few of the students will also be graduating in March. The seminar in Bicol University was facilitated by Dr. Rey Taniajura, area superintendent for Southern Luzon of the WCG. Dr. Jose Manzano and Pastor Greg Glova, on the other hand, were the resource speakers for the seminar in Legaspi City.

Anniversary Celebration, Baptisms Held in Tabaco City Churches

Four new members of three local churches in Tabaco City were baptized on February 17, the first for 2008. They are siblings Albert and Rose Ann Rimbao of the Community of Christian Weavers, Elena Borlagdan of the Potters Field Christian Community and Romeo Tugbo of the Potters Hand Christian Fellowship.  Senior pastors of the churches, Dr. and Mrs. Jose Manzano conducted the baptisms.

In a separate occasion, the Community of Christian Weavers church celebrated its first anniversary on February 18 with a combined service for all three neighboring churches. The worship service was followed by fellowshipping where snacks were served. Despite continuous heavy rains in the area as Bicol was placed in a state of calamity due to flash floods, the fellowshipping of the members lasted up to six in the evening. --Eleanor O. Bongat

Church Elder Completes College Education in March

Failing health and advancing years did not hinder a church elder in Bicol from completing a college degree. On March 27, Melchor Babol, senior pastor of the Living Word Fellowship, a Worldwide Church of God congregation in Baao, Camarines Sur, will graduate from a local community college with a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with English as major. Pastor Melchor went back to school only four years ago. He had to pass a Philippine educational placement test to qualify him to enter college because he only finished grade 6. A year ago he had a mild stroke and at age 68 he still is active both in church and in the community. He was a “barangay” captain for several years. From first year to third year in college he was also a consistent awardee. The members of his congregation congratulate Pastor Melchor for a job well done, as he receives his college diploma this month! 

Comments from our Subscribers

Youth Summer Camp

"may i request an application form for my 13-year old son... for a chance to join the SEP youth camp this summer? i learned of the SEP from your website... i would like to involve my son in a christian youth camp that will help in his spiritual growth and character development, especially now that he starting his teen years. we are from... and we attend the bread of life church... we hope there is room for my son in the SEP.  please let us know what is possible. maraming salamat po." --From Metro Manila

(Editor's Note: Venue for SEP in Luzon is now at Villa Julia Resort, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Cavite. Camp dates are from May 13 to 20.)