UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

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

In Christ We Stand. SEP 2008 Proved God’s Faithfulness

102 campers (from all over Luzon including 4 from Malaysia) and 42 staff (1 came from Malaysia) experienced one of the best SEP camps in recent years! Despite the daily rains caused by the typhoon Cosme, the campers and all the staff were in their best and unparalleled enthusiasm.

Classes on Archery, Basketball, Dance, Modern Dance, Christian Living, Swimming, Community Service and Interpretative Dance were held despite the initial challenges regarding space for the activities. Clubs were held one afternoon and the basics of band instruments, cooking, drawing and sketching, origami, first aid, and tambourine were taught.

Christian Living classes were held camp-wide in the afternoon with various pastors from Metro Manila coming in to give the devotional in the morning and teach CL in the afternoon. They were Ptr. Roman Saynes (Trinity), Ptr. Audie Santibanez (THE WORD) , Ptr. Gil Llaneza (WHO IS JESUS) and Ptr. Andrew Teng (UNVEILING GOD’S GLORY – CALL TO MISSIONS). The materials for the Christian Living classes were taken from the new Discipleship Series recently finished and authored by Dr. Rey Taniajura for WCG Philippines. A special lecture on Adolescent Sexuality was given by Dr Jovanni Templonuevo of the United Nations Population Fund (Dr. Templonuevo was my high school classmate). A special movie screening of “The END OF THE SPEAR” really brought home the sacrifices and the devotion of the missionaries to reach out to the un-reached people’s group.

One of the highlights of the camp were the very inspiring numbers presented by the dorms during the Presentation Evening. Dorms 1B & 1G performed dramatizations and mime interpretations of who Christ is in our lives.

There were 25 young people who were counseled and were baptized at camp, including a staff who served in the Food and Beverage Services.

The Dance Night was one of the best SEP dances with all the campers really enjoying the evening. The closing devotional focused on Ephesians 3: 20 -21 and ended with an inspiring video “The Greatest Dad” of Dick and Rick Hoyt (father carries his son as they go through grueling triathlons…) made more poignant by the Christian music “I Can Only Imagine” by Bart Millard.

We would like to thank the dedication of all the counselors and staff who served the campers with all of their might. This year, we acknowledge the wonderful services of our Food and Beverage staff who delivered the most wonderful presentation of the meals at SEP camp in recent years. One of our previous counselors, Jun Castro served as our SEP chef and allowed the campers to experience his culinary skills. Chef Jun is a personal chef of one of the elite families in Manila.

Our special thanks to the friends and donors of SEP like Jon Whitney Foundation and other individuals overseas who contributed to help make this camp possible. We also acknowledge the donations of our members who faithfully share their hard earned money to help subsidize the cost for the staff as well. Thank you very much. May God bless even more the work of your hands.

There will be a reunion for campers and staff on June 29 at the WCG National office 2:30 PM. See you all there and let us reminisce our SEP experiences.

Most definitely, IN CHRIST WE STAND. --Rex Dela Pena (Photos by Paul Rainier Sabbaluca)

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

PEOS Conducted at TESDA Bulacan

POEA accredited PEOS trainor from WCG Bulacan conducted Pre Employment Orientation Seminar to 160 students of the TESDA in Guiguinto, Bulacan on April 17, 2008. The two batches were separately presented with experiences of former OFWs some of whom were successful while others had sad stories to tell. There were briefings on how to prevent being victimized by illegal recruiters and human traffickers. They were directed where to go if and when they will experience difficulties relating with foreign employers and co-workers whose backgrounds are to be expected diverse from what they grew to be familiar with. The Philippine Embassies and Consular Offices with DOLE representatives are more than willing to assist OFWs who go abroad passing the legal processes and routes.

The participants were advised to transact only with POEA licensed and accredited agencies/recruiters. The list could be obtained at POEA or by surfing on its website.

Mr. Joel de Jesus, TESDA Training Director thanked the trainors and expressed appreciation for the effort which according to him will be of great help to the students whose dream is to work abroad to apply what they learn from TESDA. He commented that the seminar will serve as a guide for those who would decide to pursue a career outside the country. They are now equipped with the understanding of what to expect living and working under different working conditions and cultural practices.
Mr. de Jesus wished PEOS could be included in the short courses program. --Emil Cabigao

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)