UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

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

Second WCG Men's Conference: You are Invited!

Join the 2nd National Men’s Conference in Tagaytay on June 19 - 21. We are inviting all fathers, all grown up sons, brothers, friends and neighbors. Let us come together and seek what the Lord wants us to do as men, as Christian fathers, Christian sons, Christian brothers, Christian husband…

The Conference will start with a Devotional Service at 7:00PM after dinner on Thursday, June 19 (Christian Development Center). Conference ends on June 21 after lunch. On-site registration will begin at 3PM. Our Guest Speaker is Mr. Dan Rogers – WCG – USA Church Administration.

Registration Fee is P1,200.00. A Pre-registration fee of P500.00 is necessary to help us with the immediate planning and booking of hall and other related expenses. Please submit or deposit your P500- on or before June 1, 2008 (Acct. Name: Worldwide Church of God BPI CA#0361-0011-33) and send a copy of your validated deposit slip along with this application form to the National Office. The balance of P 700.00 needs to be paid upon arrival. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT CASH PAYMENTS at CDC, Tagaytay. TRANSPORTATION: We encourage participants to travel together in groups for their safety. The participants will shoulder travel costs. Please plan to arrive on June 19 (before 3:00 p.m.).

Note to all pastors: Please print the application forms (click this hyperlink) and share this with all your men in the local congregation. --Rex Dela Pena

83 Campers Attend SEP Mindanao 2008

Initao, Misamis Oriental, May 2 -- As of this writing, 83 youth campers from all over Mindanao are enjoying this year's youth summer camp (or Summer Enhancement Program) at Midway White Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental. The camp started yesterday, May 1, with an introduction and overview of the "Timothy Chronicles," a youth camp curriculum from the WCG website produced by the Generation Ministries. One of the youth counselors accepted the role of becoming the "Timothy" and acted out his role beginning last night. The camp leadership decided to adapt the "Timothy Chronicles" so that 1) the youth campers may be introduced and get to know the Triune God, 2) get to know themselves and their fellow campers, 3) and hopefully respond to the greatness of God's love for each one of them.

A comedy-drama was also acted out last night on the parable of the prodigal son to show the campers the greatness of God's love for all of humanity and all of his creation and that we have always been loved, accepted and included in God's family as his children.

Since last night, the campers have been having fun and enjoying the camp even as they get to know God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Please pray for the success of all the youth camps. SEP Dumaguete is also ongoing at this time from May 1-5. We thank our donors for their continued support for this important yearly activity for the youths. --Len Joson, Mindanao Area Superintendent

Lighthouse Ministries Holds Open House & Rummage Give-away

Iloilo City -- The Lighthouse Ministries held a Church Open House and Rummage Give-away last March 30, 2008. The members welcomed the visitors before the worship service. After the service, Mr. Geofrey Tinamisan led in prayer requesting God grant the visitors' prayer requests. After lunch the visitors (about 30) enjoyed choosing different kinds of items from bags, shoes, books to clothing. Each family were also given a "Bundle of Joy" -- a bag composed of rice, sardines, detergent bars and noddles. These visitors come from the less-privileged families of Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City. This activities was the second community involvement the church had since transferring here last January 2008, in the new worship service hall at Quintin Salas Elementary School. --Rosievic Melendres

Dumaguete Pastoral Team Training and Recommissioning

Dumaguete City - Pastor George Escara visited the Dumaguete congregation last April 19-20, 2008; PPTC Sibulan, Negros Oriental. April 19 was a pastoral orientation for the 7 members of the pastoral team. Several topics were discussed, among these are the WCG Code of Ethics, Pastoral Ministry, Finances set up, etc.

On Sunday, April 20, 62 members assembled at the BSP Conference Hall to worship the Lord. Pastor George Escara spoke about trusting the Lord in difficult times. After which he called to the front the 7 members of the Pastoral Team headed by Pastor Angelo Ouano for the recommissioning. The PT is composed of Marina Andrade, Myrna Deposoy, Frank Pedeglorio, Arsenio Tenador, Delta Ouano and Joseph Ouano. He then handed the Church Charter of the Dumaguete City whose name is now the Spring of Grace Fellowship (WCG Dumaguete). After a sumptuous lunch, AS Escara gave a message on Christlike transformation before the whole day affair ended. It was a fruitful visit for us and our AS. To God be the Glory. --Ptr. Angel Ouano

DVBS Held at WCG Ipil

The Barandilla Community Fellowship (WCG Ipil) conducted a 5-day Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) in Manil, LB Postigo, Zamboanga del norte,April 21-26, 2008. The participants were ages 7-15 in three grade levels. Enrollment started on April 21 and graduation was on April 26. Out of the 63 enrollees, 54 students were able to finish the 5-day class and were able to receive their certificates of graduation. The 10 teaching staff members were composed of young people from the Ipil church and Manil OBS.

On the eve of the graduation Pastor Bert Colona led the staff members in going house to house to met the parents of the students and to hand over to them personally our invitation for the graduation the following day. Our teaching staff were very excited because for most of them this is their first time to meet and talk personally with the parents and to truly minister to these people. In our invitation we have covered the two adjacent barangays of Delusom and Manil -- about two kilometers radius from where our local church is located.

On graduation day, April 26, our church was fully packed with more than 50 people who came to witness the event in response to our invitation. They were parents, relatives and friends of our students and some members. We are praying that this event will be used by God for us to reach more people in this place with the Gospel. --Pastor Bert Colona, Senior Pastor

Jasaan Church Opens New OBS Areas

Summer Enrichment Program 2008

YOUTH SUMMER CAMP

Cavite: May 13-20 at Villa Julia Resort, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang. Contact Rex Dela Pena, rex.delapena@wcg.org.

Last Sunday, April 27, more than 60 adults and children participated in the church picnic in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental where Mabel Ubagan was baptized. She is the 22nd baptized member of Nangka Outreach Bible Study (OBS) of the Jasaan Chruch. Nangka is a village (sitio) of Villanueva.

This past Wednesday and Thursday evening, two new home Bible Study areas were opened in Nangka in addition to the existing one that regularly meets every Friday for almost 2 years now at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Beboy and Bebeng Tagam.

In Camiguin, the home bible study is conducted at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry & Monica Labe every 1st & 3rd Saturday evening of the month. --Ptr. Percy Macabasa, Senior Pastor for Jasaan Church and Camiguin

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)