Pioneer Member Dies at Age 77

Henson Fen Santos

The family of Henson Fen Santos would like to thank all those who prayed, comforted, extended help and expressed their love toward the family during their time of bereavement. Thank you very much.

"Dad Fen," as he is fondly called by many in the church, died of cancer in the bladder last November 1, 2008. He was ordained as a deacon in the Manila Church and then later on as an elder in the Quezon City Church in 1985. He and his wife along with their 6 children were among the pioneer members of the Manila Church (the "mother church" of all Metro Manila congregations) which began sometime in 1965. After his retirement from government service, he devoted his time to serving in the church. He served for sometime as a bivocational pastor for the Manila South (San Pedro, Laguna) Church and the Sta. Rosa, Laguna Church.

He was laid to rest last November 8 at the Eternal Gardens, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. He died in the faith actively serving the Lord.

He is survived by his wife Cerma who is now 80 years old, and children: Jojie (Len Joson's wife), Boyet, Ethel, Totie, Jojo and Nenette.

Cards and letters may be sent through the WCG national office address at #60 Matahimik St., Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines or at e-mail address: len.joson@wcg.org. 

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Bicol Churches Celebrate Festival 2008

The inclement weather characterized by massive lightning, thunder and heavy downpour of rain, cutting off the electricity and the intermittent water supply during the duration of the festival did not hinder the participation of 272 brethren from the churches of Naga City, Baao, Iriga City, Balatan, Cotmon, Legazpi City, Tabaco City and Donsol in the 2008 Family Festival of the Bicol Churches of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) held at Viento de Mar, Sogod, Bacacay, Akbay, October 24-26, 2008.

The highlight of the festival is the message on the theme “the fruit that remains” which was literally and figuratively discussed by the very able guest WCG Ministers – Dr. Carlos Pizarro and Ptr. Roman Saynes.

Everybody was in a festive mood. There was fun, food, youth jamming and of course worship and communion service with the New Life in Jesus Fellowship of Legazpi City and the Pagkamoot nin Diyos Assembly of Naga City  as worship leaders.

The fest culminated with the baptism of five brethren. Three of whom were from Tabaco City – Nestor B. Almonte, Madona B. Barola and Evelyn B. Ces; one (1) from Minalabac, Cam. Sur – Alanna Gail P. Abundabar; and one (1) from Baao, Cam. Sur – Amelia B. Garcia. This was solemnized by Ptr. Joe Manzano, the Festival Director and Ptr. Greg Glova Sr. of Magallanes, Sorsogon Church. --Eleanor O. Bongat

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Bohol Brethren Celebrate Festival 2008

144 brethren from various parts of Bohol gathered to celebrate Festival 2008, Sunday, October 26, at the FAD Beach Resort in Baclayon, Bohol. ABC Ministry (Tagbilaran City Church) hosted the festival dubbed as "Festival of Thanksgiving (FOT)" for the LORD's goodness and love (Psalm 118:1). Festivities started with an Opening Night Service with Communion on Saturday, October 25, where 66 brethren were inspired by Area Superintendent George Escara in his sermon "Christ Is the Answer." Everyone enjoyed food and fine fellowship after the service.

Festival proper on Sunday started with Worship Service attended by brethren from Ubay and Buenavista OBS, as well as the Loon and Jagna In-Home BS, together with the host church. Asst. Pastor Terence Naranjo gave the Offertory Message which focused on Sacrificial Giving while Ptr. George again inspired all present in his message about the "Abundant and Full Life in Christ." 7 people were baptized after the service, namely, Armando Lofranco, Jocelyn Lofranco, Stacey Ann Lofranco, Susan Ybanez, Vergillio Doverte, Maria Delia Doverte and Carmen Laurente (Baptisms had been made part of the festival since last year to make the celebration more meaningful and memorable). At noontime, Festival Luncheon commenced to the delight of all, specially with 2 lechons that graced the banquet table, courtesy of our generous benefactors. The afternoon saw feastgoers hillariously enjoying th Talent Show and games participated in by young and old. We can only look back and say that Festival '08 in Bohol was a success as evidenced by the happy faces of all who came and did everything in thanksgiving to God's goodness and enduring love. --Ptr. Romy Pusta

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Northern Mindanao Churches Celebrate Festival 2008

About 250 brethren from various local churches in northern Mindanao (Butuan, Jasaan, Cagayan de Oro, Initao, Iligan & Lanipao) and Cebu City gathered together as one family in Cagayan de Oro City last October 31 to November 2 to celebrate God’s love and salvation. The 3-day activities centered on the theme “Fruitfully abiding in Christ”. 

Ptr. Rollen Olango, the Cagayan de Oro festival coordinator welcomed everyone at the De Luxe Hotel with a short message on John 15:1-5 on fruitfulness. Mindanao Area Superintendent Len Joson gave a very reassuring message about God’s great love for humanity. The second day mirrored blissful happenings as everyone joined the Family Day at The Way Compound, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City. Ptr. Percy Macabasa of Jasaan Church and Augusto Cernol of the Lanipao Church, gave the sermonette and main sermon respectively. After the worship service everyone enjoyed the lunch together and family day activities. There were church and individual presentations, games and lots of fun. One elderly lady and 3 youths were baptized in the afternoon.

During the last day, Ptr. Toting Rico of Iligan Church and Ptr. Jeng Manriquez challenged everyone to bear much fruit by abiding in Christ as a response to God’s great love. The festival ended with a communion ceremony reminding  us of God’s great love and the need to always abide in Him till He come. Festival 2008 was indeed a success igniting each heart and soul to be a blessing to each other and to be fruitful throughout the years. --Ayana Manriquez

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Davao Celebrates Festival 2008

Davao City -- More than 140 brethren from the local churches of Davao City, Digos City, Tagum City, Pantukan, Kidapawan City, and Island Garden City of Samal, celebrated Festival 2008 at the Mergrande Beach Resort, Toril, this city, November 1-2.

With this year's theme "One Love, One Family" as backdrop of the Festival, on the first day Pastor Boy Garcia, senior pastor of the Davao congregations, zeroed in on strengthening family relationship quoting Paul's letter to the Ephesians (5:21-32; 6:1-9) and Peter's first letter (3:1-7). On the second day Mindanao Area Superintendent Pastor Len Joson, fresh from the Kiara, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro festivals, delivered an inspiring sermon on God's love for humanity expounding on Trinitarian Theology and the parable of the prodigal son.

Sports activities were held in the afternoon of the first day and a variety show in the evening, in which both young children and teens from the three Davao congregations participated. The variety show began at 7:00 and ended at around 10:00 in the evening.

Pastor Len also held a meeting with all the pastors and leaders discussing with them small groups and the characteristics of a strong church.

Special offerings were collected on the first and second days of the festivities. --Pastor Boy Garcia

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PNP-PDL Seminar at Nagcarlan, Laguna Police Station

Sometime in June 2008, our Area Superintendent Dr. Rey Taniajura made a side trip to San Pablo City, to give me the materials for Philippine National Police- Purpose Driven Life Seminar. Since it is in PowerPoint presentation, I invited a pastor- friend who is knowledgeable in computer, Pastor Noly Balboa. We are both members of Alliance of Christian Churches in Nagcarlan (ACCIN), our town`s pastoral fellowship.

Actually this PNP-PDL Seminar was launched province-wide by Laguna for Jesus Movement (LJM) at Camp Vicente Lim but there were not enough materials for every body. So the materials provided by Dr. Rey were providential in starting the said seminar in our town. Also Pastor Noli Balboa is already known by giving Bible devotional weekly at the flag ceremony in the presence of all municipal employees, including firemen and the police.

So when the seminar was offered, it was readily accepted by their young and open-minded Chief of Police Jesson Bombasi. In addition, the local churches pitched in to give a personal copy of Purpose Driven Life book to all 27 police personnel. The seminar was conducted on seven Mondays after the flag ceremony and five pastors worked as a team in giving lectures and testimonies. They were Pastor Noli Balboa, Pastor Claro Ting, Pastor Rudy Morota, Pastor Jun Brosas and Pastor Ruel Abanilla.

The unified efforts by ACCIN pastors made a remarkable ministry in our local policemen and woman through this seminar. The municipal Mayor Nelson Osuna was also quite supportive by attending the recognition day wherein certificates were given to the police last September 29, 2008. Because of the good relationship with the police and the pastors generated by PDL seminar, there is ongoing weekly devotional at Nagcarlan Police Station every Monday. --Ptr. Claro Ting & Ptr. Noli Balboa

Speaking of Life 114: Suffering Meets its Match in Jesus

Most of us would agree that life is hard enough without a worldwide economic crisis, cataclysmic hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and wars that our sons and daughters are still shipping out to fight. Just when one crisis seems to be under control, another one arises.

Does the suffering ever end?

When Jesus was on trial for his life, the soldiers twisted thorns into a makeshift crown and jammed it on his head (John 19:2). They hung a purple robe on him and ridiculed him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews," while they punched and kicked him.

Jesus was the king, and yet his rule was preceded by rejection, ridicule and suffering. His painful crown of thorns was one more demonstration of his right to rule a world filled with pain and suffering. At the same time, it was a symbol of hope for us, reminding us that we are joined to Jesus in the crucible of suffering.

The crown of thorns is not just part of a movie scene in which we are overwhelmed with the suffering that Jesus went through to be our Savior. Jesus said that if we want to follow him, we must take up our cross each day. He could just as easily have said that we must put on our crown of thorns. We are joined to Jesus in the crucible of suffering. In Romans 8:17-18, the apostle Paul wrote:

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Jesus accepted the crown of thorns as part of his bitter cup of enduring what humans endure, as part of opening the door for us to escape with him from this world of tears. In this world, oppressors jam thorns on their victims. And in this world, Jesus suffered whatever they wanted to do with him to redeem us all from this world of ungodliness and thorns.

As a result, he says to every man, woman and child, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

We all experience our crowns of thorns. We all have our crosses to bear. We all live in this fallen world and take part in its pain and sorrow. But the crown of thorns and the cross of death have met their match in Jesus.

In him we have life, life that at present cannot be seen, but is nonetheless real. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:7:

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

We live in hope, knowing that this life is not all there is – that the day is coming when our faith will be sight, when all the promises will reach their ultimate fulfillment, when every tragedy of this life will be turned into the joy of the world to come. John wrote Revelation 21:3-5:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Whatever crises we face in this life, we can take comfort and courage in two things. Our suffering is a participation in Jesus’ suffering. And Jesus has for us a new life -- beyond this one -- in which there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.

Copyright 2008 Worldwide Church of God

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