UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

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

PDL Facilitators Training at WCG National Office on May 28-29

Do you want to be trained as a Purpose Driven Life (PDL) facilitator? Do you like to reach out to the military personnel including the Philippine National Police (PNP)? There is a wonderful opening to conduct PDL among PNP camps all over the country. With the help of CCF-ISOT, our members may be trained to become facilitators to PNP personnel and other military camps all over the country.

Are there members in your area who would like to be trained? Please grab this opportunity on May 28 - 29 at the WCG National Office. This will start at 8:30 AM - 5PM. Jim Whelchel has agreed to train facilitators for WCG on May 28 - 29.

Please let the National Office (Doris Manubay) know who will be coming from your area. It would be great if there will be at least 2 from the church areas who could undergo this training being offered to our denomination. We understand that this would mean taking some time-off from work, but this is the only available time that our PDL trainor could give us in between his many assignments as well. Let us grab this opportunity and benefit from this training and eventually be used in reaching out to the military personnel. Let us know how many are coming. We will prepare your lunch and your snacks! --Rex Dela Pena

SEP Dumaguete A Big Success

Dumaguete City- The first SEP in Dumaguete City was a big success. Seventy-nine people from different parts of the Visayas came to be part of this year's summer camp with the theme "Founded in Christ".

The opening night started with worship songs and ended with the symbolic planting of the cross by the camp director Ptr. Angelo Ouano together with the staff. The young people enjoyed the many activities in the camp. The first two days were Christian Living Classes handled by Ptr Angelo Ouano, Ptr Ranie Suan, Ptr Rex dela Pena and Morex Almeda. There were dance lessons, crafts, baking and other clubs. The Amazing Race was their favorite, they enjoyed the challenges and games prepared for them by Sarah Bahinting.

Evangelism night was the camp's highlight, Pastor Rex talked about reconciliation with God. The night ended with a candle lighting activity, where campers and staff alike were asked to light their own candles to show that indeed Jesus should shine in their lives. The young people were moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

After Sunday's worship service where Joseph Ouano (Assistant Camp Director) spoke about God's love, 17 young people decided to be baptized. Indeed many young people said "that they got to know the lord more in the camp".

God's name was lifted and glorified in SEP Dumaguete 2008. Thanks to all the volunteer staff from Dumaguete, Cebu and to our guest who also served in the Kitchen, Mr. Ron Chappel. We also would like to thank our local and international donors. --A. Ouano

DAF Graduates Its 5th Batch of TESOL Students

Twelve students who made up the fifth batch of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program completed their training in La Trinidad, in Benguet province, last May 9 with a closing ceremony. They were given tokens of appreciation for having survived the rigid sessions conducted by facilitator Ms. Hilda Babol. Four other TESOL classes were already conducted by Ms. Babol on behalf of Develop Asia Foundation (DAF). Dr. Rey Taniajura who handled sessions on lesson planning and the Vella Approach to Teaching gave the inspirational talk.

The latest TESOL graduates are Belmar Guilanda, Michele Carino, Marjorie Atumpa, Marion Dom-oguen, Juliet Saldo, Pepe Paplonot, Mary Ann Tibayan, Maryrose Bugnay, Amadeo Faminialagao, Elizabeth Dom-ogen, and Lory Jane Bentrez. Of the twelve students who completed TESOL in La Trinidad, five are members of the Worldwide Church of God. The rest are members of other evangelical churches in the area.

Since it was started in 2004, the TESOL program has already been held in Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Maramag (in Bukidnon), Baao (in Camarines Sur) and in La Trinidad, Benguet. Amadeo Faminialago, a member of the pastoral team of the Baguio City congregation of the Worldwide Church of God organized the 5th batch of the TESOL program.

WCG-Forestry Retreat 2008

“Patatagin ang ating relasyon… sa taas, sa loob at sa labas”. This was the theme of Forestry Church’s Annual Retreat held on May 10-11, 2008 at Gethsemane Prayer Mountain, Montalban, Rizal, attended by 29 adults and 1 infant. With the theme’s main scripture verse on Matthew 28:18-20, the retreat was organized by Jing Saynes who also gave the introductory message and orientation. Speakers were Ptr. Romy Velasco (Upward relationship, “sa Taas”, Matt. 28:18), Mrs. Luz Pangilinan (Inward relationship, “sa Loob”, Matt. 28:20) and Ptr. Roman Saynes (Outward relationship, “sa Labas”, Matt. 28:19). Highlights of the retreat were the communion service, counseling sessions, group presentations and evangelism workshop.

DVBS Held in Tabaco City

A training for the Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) was conducted on May 3, 2008 at the WCG Potter's Hand Christian Fellowship Church, Bangkilingan, Tabaco City whose aim was to bring the children closer to Christ by knowing Him through His words, dancing and singing to worship Him.
Mrs. Glenda Galo of the WCG Antipolo Church, a native of Bacon, Sorsogon and Principal/Directress of Firm Foundation Pre School conducted the training with 17 trainees representing Sorsogon, Legazpi City and Tabaco City churches plus one (1) representative from Catanduanes. With the theme "American Indian" the trainees were equipped with the duties and responsibilities, steps and strategies for teaching the craft.

The activity was highlighted by the demo-teaching with 13 children with ages ranging from 7-10 from the aforementioned barangay as students. The children enjoyed the lessons, verse memorization, singing and dancing which are part of the Bible Class.

On a separate occasion, Adela B. Bolilan and Roy M. Osal of the Potter's Field Christian Community, May Ann Briz and Jonnalyn Balaguer, of the Potter's Field Christian Community and Potter's Hand Christian Fellowship accepted Jesus Christ on March 20 and May 1 respectively aftter having been counseled by Ptr. Jose V. Manzano who officiated the baptismal rites.

Youth Retreat Held in Donsol, Sorsogon

A two and a half day youth retreat was held last May 9-11, 2008 at the residence of Sr. Ptr. Oscar Jimenez of the Pleasure of the Lord Fellowship, Barangay Tupas, Donsol, Sorsogon.

It was participated in by 36 youths, 24 of whom were unbaptized and 12 were baptized who hails from the adjacent barangay of the same town and seven youths from Tabaco City.

The activity aimed to bring the youths closer to Christ and enhance their social, physical and leadership potential was spearheaded by Dr. Jose V. Manzano, Retreat Director, Sr. Ptr. Oscar Jeminez and family, Coordinator, Mr. William Lita Assistant Coordinator, Mr. and Mrs. Ireneo Tapan and Mr. Domingo Trilles, kitchen staff, Romy Bernadas, Ariana Rodrriguez, Jonnalyn Balaguer, Irone Garay, Dandan Bobier and Sharmaine Lita as Counsellors.

The activity ranges from Christian Living Classes, games, devotional, dorm chat, bonfires and culminated in the baptism of twenty one (21) youths and one adult at Dancalan Beach, Donsol, Sorsogon, the place for whale shark (Butanding) encounter. --Nor Bongat

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

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)