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 Second National Men’s Conference in Tagaytay on June 19 to 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 and Christian husband.

In less than a month, we will be gathered for our men's conference at the Christian Development Center. We are very pleased to inform you that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Reynato Puno has agreed to come and address the conference by giving the keynote speech on June 19.

Please plan to arrive in the morning of June 19 for the registration. The conference will formally start at 3:00 p.m. The chief Justice will give the keynote speech at 4:00 p.m.

Our main speaker, Dan Rogers, WCG Superintendent of US Ministers will be arriving from the US on June 17.

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.

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

ASC’s Parent Orientation Program

Ambassador School for Children (ASC) welcomes SY 2008-2009 with its first activity for the year, the Parent’s Orientation Program. Around 30 parents and guests attended the program on the evening of June 11 held at the ASC main hall. As an annual tradition to encourage parent-teacher fellowship, the parents are also briefed and introduced to the School’s philosophy, policies, grading system and curriculum. The teaching/aid staff are also introduced headed by Principal Adora Barnachea, Teacher Franisa Soriano (Nursery/ Prep), Teacher Rachel Sarmiento (Kinder), Teacher Janice Catague (Grade 1) and Teacher A.N. Malabanan (Grade 2), the newest addition to Ambassador’s growing teaching pool. Currently, the official number of enrollees are 43 students. Regular classes start June 16. To God be the glory! –Rachel Sarmiento

Palawan Church Updates: 24th Anniversary, Baptisms, Outreach

Puerto Princesa City -- Some 150 brethren gathered at the worship Hall of the Touch of Grace Christian Fellowship (WCG Palawan) last April 15 to celebrate their 24th church anniversary. It was a festive celebration. The theme for the celebration was, "The FAITHFULNESS of ONE: Touching Heavens, Changing Lives."The celebration was graced by the presence of our Area Superintendent Ptr. Rex Dela Pena, who delivered God’s message on that day on the power of God’s love.

Five days later, the Share a Life Center for Special Children ( a ministry of the church catering to the needs of special children), was visited by six (6) missionaries form the US, and one (1) from Malaysia visited the center and enjoyed games and dances with the special children. These missionaries are all working with the Wycliffe USA. It was highlighted by a gift giving of books to the center and some used clothing to the children.

Sunday, April 20, 123 worshippers came as another International guest came to the church. Rev. John O. Roomes, Chief Executive Officer of Wycliffe Caribbean Area, was our guest speaker, together with Jo-Ann Richards an ethnomusicologist who rendered a song during the call to worship part.

June 1, 2008 marks God’s goodness to 17 souls as they decided to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord and undergo a ceremony through water baptism. Four (4) months ago we felt God wanted us to split our discipleship classes for the adult. One group is for the Baptized member and the other group the non-baptized members. True enough that after 4 months God gave us the result, and so on June 1, right after the morning worship the team proceed to a hot spring (kilometer way from the church area) and water baptism ceremony was done. Some of the baptized were families. We give God all the glory as He continue to use us for the expansion of His kingdom.

June 2, 2008. A group of US Navy personnel visited the church and the Share A Life Center for Special Children as part of the Community Relations activity of the US Navy in the province of Palawan. It started when Chaplain Scott Ingram, who is based in Singapore visited the center last February 2008. The purpose of his visit is to make a list of possible NGO’s who will be recipient of the their Community Relations activity. During the visit of Chaplain Ingram, asked us of any help we need. One of the things listed as our need is wheelchair. And during the visit of the team last June 2, the center was awarded with 50 wheelchairs and of first aid kit and lotion. We are now coordinating with the Municipal Social Welfare Office for the distribution of the wheelchairs to children and adult who needs one. The distribution will be done during one of the worship services here at the church’s hall. Please pray that the said activity will be a success that who ever the Lord will bring on that occasion will be prepared to listen and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom all of our hard work is dedicated. --Ptr. Solomon C. Rosario

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)