ND Eugene Teaches Evangelism for Military Nurses

ND Eugene facilitates  discussions with military nurses during a 3-day Haggai Leadership for Evangelism Seminar at V. Luna Medical Center.

ND Eugene Guzon was among the faculty members who taught at the 3-day Haggai Leadership for Evangelism Seminar at the V. Luna Medical Center last Tuesday and Wednesday, July 29-30, 2008. The seminar was organized by the Haggai Alumni Association, and was hosted by Colonel Wilma Castillo, the chief Army Nurse at the said hospital.

ND Eugene facilitated discussions on Biblical Contemporary Models for Evangelism. These  included the three sub topics on Motivating, Mobilizing and Training Leaders for Evangelism using the leadership principles of Jesus. Among his materials he also gave an overview of the “Small Groups” as a means of reaching new people with the gospel in a relational and non threatening environment.

Thirty eight (38) military nurses, from 2nd Lieutenants to a few colonels attended the seminar. These nurses work at the V. Luna Medical Center and some will be deployed in August to different military hospitals in Luzon shortly.

ND Eugene poses with some of the military nurses during the Haggai training at the V. Luna Medical Center.

He cited that perhaps the main objective of nurses is to extend professional care and compassion to wounded soldiers, with the desire for them to get well.  He encouraged them to help the soldiers to live well too. That would come if these nurses and  soldiers live purpose driven lives. He urged, the nurses to become contemporary nightingales and instruments of God in communicating the good news of salvation through Jesus. With that good news, soldiers or anyone who has embraced and believed this truth need not fear even death, but would live life with such optimism and courage.

Colonel Marivic Juan and Col Wilma Castillo gave ND Eugene a certificate of appreciation at the end of his talks.  On his part, he also gave the graduates brand new Good News bibles. ND Eugene was requested to become a resource speaker for upcoming leadership training modules of the V. Luna Medical Center for Nurse Officers.

Please pray that this will be a continuing partnership between the church and the hospital, not only for medical missions in the future, but for promoting spiritual maturity and biblical community among the nurses and soldiers in the different hospitals in the country.

After the dedication of the building, ND Eugene also ordained pastoral team chairman, Pastor Solomon Rosario as elder. He called Pastor Solomon’s wife Ofel and children Solevan and Sean Oneil to the front and he prayed for them.

The festive mood at the worship service and depth of fellowship was evident. The  worship team included children who performed special interpretative worship dances.  The potluck lunch was more than enough for everyone. Several guests from other towns were also able to attend.

Right after the lunch,  ND Eugene along with about 10 more brethren traveled for about one and a half hours to Bahile. The trip seemed short considering that one can only enjoy the fantastic landscape of sea and beautiful mountains along the way.

About 40  brethren and friends at Bahile gathered for the afternoon service. Mr. Jose Ustares Jr. was the worship leader. Several pastors from nearby Christian churches also attended the worship service and met ND Eugene afterwards.

This trip has shown once again, God’s mighty hand at work and the love and faithfulness of God’s people, led by the Holy Spirit as they minister to the needs of the brethren and the community in Palawan. This is a place where even handicapped children feel they are not alone because they are loved, accepted and included.   

Kalibo Brethren Renovate Homes Bayanihan Style

One of the things that show when adversity comes is the love of the brethren expressed in many ways. It has shown when brethren gathered food, packed delivered food and other supplies for those who lost their homes and belongings during the latest Typhoon Frank.

The challenge of rebuilding was great. Carpenters were in short supply, prices of materials were not only scarce but costly. But it is amazing what the Holy Spirit can do when people commit themselves to God and to one another. It is always a  beautiful sight when brethren can stop for a while from their routine chores and pool their strength and love for the sake of making a difference for someone else.

Adora is just one of our brethren who lost the roofing of their house and much of their household furniture, but she is also among those who have experienced the love of God during this time of adversity and loss. With the help of brethren overseas through the WCG Disaster Fund and supplies and skills from the brethren, she discovered that being part of a bigger family means something more than just fellowshipping at services. It was enjoying their warmth, energy, encouragement during this time of crisis.

Mrs. Fe Martinez, the pastoral team leader organized a work party to renovate the house. It was like watching an extreme makeover movie, where brethren, from all walks of life and different social status stood side by side, worked hand in hand, as they helped clean, wash soiled furniture, mixed concrete, put together coconut lumber beams and installed native shingles. The sight of the new roof and the renovated house was so pleasant, but nothing compares to the exciting feeling of cheer and gladness as brethren enjoyed working together to see that house livable again.

Visayas-Mindanao Leaders Conference on August 9-11

We are pleased to announce our Visayas-Mindanao Leaders Conference this coming August 9-11 at the Victo Retreat Center, Beverly Hills, Lahug, Cebu City. All pastors and all our men and women leaders in the Visayas and Mindanao are highly encouraged to attend this wonderful time of equipping, fellowshipping, sharing, renewing acquaintances and meeting old friends. For Mindanao, we have cancelled our Mindanao Leaders Conference this July so that we can all join our Visayas fellow leaders for this August conference in Cebu.

Guest speakers for this conference are Mr. Charles Fleming, WCG Mission Developer for the Caribbean region and our National Director Eugene Guzon. Conference starts at noon time of August 9, Saturday and ends at noon time on August 11, Monday. Lunch is included on August 9 and 11. Cost for food and lodging for the whole event is P1,300 per person.

Contact person and event coordinator in Cebu is Pastor Jimmy Boone, cell phone number +63927-433-8491. Please begin planning and preparing now! Register as soon as you can!