April 9, 2004
ND Guzon Visits SEP Visayas Camp
Balamban,
Cebu, April 8 -- National Director Eugene Guzon, on the second day of his
visit in the Visayas SEP camp, conducted a meeting with the Visayas
Pastors and Pastoral Team members attending at the Summer Camp. The agenda
revolved around the need to maintain sustainability of our Youth Ministry
thrusts on a year-round basis even after the end of SEP.
ND
Guzon expressed his endorsement of the crafting of an annual Calendar of
Youth Ministry Activities for Visayas that would serve as the basis for
the continuing discipling and nurturing of our Church teens. This is
especially so, in regards to the need for follow-ups of those who
committed their lives to the Lord Jesus during the SEP Summer camp. In
view of this, it was agreed during the meeting to begin drafting the said
calendar as soon as possible, with inputs requested from youth ministry
workers, and the youths themselves. It is agreed that before the camp
ends, some kind of an action plan could already be drawn up. Along this
line, it is envisioned that the Calendar of Activities would include those
which involve Visayas-wide youth participation, as well as localized youth
activities.
Incidentally,
Visayas SEP 2004 at Binghay Marine Park is ongoing, with 130 campers and
50 staff members. The site is blessed with air-conditioned
dorms and cottages in addition to the ambience of a beach resort
environment. The camp shall have a Lord’s Supper and Footwashing service
on Maundy Thursday, and a worship service on Resurrection Sunday. Camp
activities end April 13. Your continuing prayers for the campers,
especially for them to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, is highly
appreciated. --George Escara, Visayas Area Superintendent
Christ the Rock Fellowship (WCG San Pablo City) started training in Evangelism Explosion last January 31, 2004. Sixteen members signed up as trainees. One could feel the enthusiasm of every member who joined EE.
This Evangelism Explosion (EE) Training headed by Pastor Med Maninang and his wife Neng Maninang, including eight trainers started training here in CRF for a duration of 13 weeks.
The local church is very much enthusiastic about t his Evangelism Explosion Seminar and all the trainees including the prayer partners and the trainers are praying very hard that God will continue to bless this training. --Viel Constantino
WCG Olongapo: Special Night for Married Couples
The WCG Olongapo City congregation held a special night for 12 church couples last March 27, 2004. The idea for the affair was to remember the romance, to have a time off, and have a good fellowship with fellow couples and just have a good laugh. We did group discussions on identifying and emphasizing positive behavior which will build the marital relationship. There were sharing of testimonies, and giving of positive, specific things that husbands and wives want from each other in the home. “This is the first time I have had an experience that has opened my eyes to the need of my wife” said George Daipan. Mr. Blanca, a member for 18 years and a deacon gave the comment, “I have long been waiting to have a church activity such as we did tonight, I hope we can do this regularly.” “This will be an excellent opportunity to invite unchurched couples to a relationship with Jesus”, said Roger Dela Cruz. --Ptr. Richard Rosario, Pastor for WCG Olongapo City
WCG Olongapo: Brethren Offers Math Tutorials
The WCG Olongapo City church has offered a free elementary Math tutorials at the Nellie E. Brown Elementary School (NEBES) and at the Mabayuan Elementary School. The sessions will start on April 5 for Mabayuan Elementary School and April 12 for NEBES. The program has four-fold purposes: 1) to find a way for the gospel to be relevant in the students young life, 2. to help student have a better appreciation of the science of mathematics, 3. to raise the level of excellence and competitiveness of our schools during annual Math Challenges and other similar competitions, 4. to prepare math enthusiasts for higher mathematics discipline and its relevance in nation building.
The school official of these schools were very much pleased about our proposed programs and pledged to give their support for the activity. “This is a first here in my school that a group has offered free math tutorial classes”, said the principal of Mabayuan Elementary school. A barangay offical said, “This is the kind of help our country need right now from the churches and Christians!”
By the resources that God has provided us, we will, if He is willing, continue to do this all-year-round. The ministry is big that initial responses from parents were overwhelming. We want to ask help to all who may have a heart to reach out to young children, so that they can reach their potential and become better and productive citizens and Christians. --Richard Rosario, Pastor for WCG Olongapo City
WCG CDO: 14 New CWMC Graduates, SEP Staff Training
14
Cagayan de Oro (CDO) brethren graduated the Condensed World Mission Course
(CWMC) last April 4 in Cagayan de Oro City. The first half of
the course was facilitated by Dr. Rey Taniajura and the last half by
Ptr. Rey Busalia and Rannie Suan of Cebu City Church. The following were
confirmed by the Area Superintendent of Mindanao Len Joson as the new
graduates of the CWMC : Edmundo Rebollido, Tadeo Almera, Rollen Olango,
Mylene Olango, Juanito Gapul, Jr. of Quezon City Church, Antonio Pilar,
Jr., Wayne Gulfan, Raul Awayan, Noel Almera, Alexander Aquino, Ellen
Aquino, Jene Ann Almera, Romulada Martin and Faithhomer Rodrigo. The
participants appreciated the course very much. They said they have
now a better perspective about the love of God.
Also conducted simultaneously was the SEP Staff training facilitated by by Ptr. Len Joson and this writer. The training was conducted in preparation for the upcoming Summer Educational Program on April 11- 18, 2004 at Emeralda CIC Resort, Pagahan, Initao, Miosamis Oriental. --Jerome Manriquez, Pastor for WCG Cagayan de Oro City
WCG Zamboanga: Graduation at LFLC
It's
the first graduation at our new building, the Little Friends Learning
Center. It's a very fitting occasion whose theme was "Recapturing
True Values". Because there were many Muslim women around, I gave a
graduation message that focused on unity through prayers. I mentioned that
every morning as I hear the chanting of the prayers at a nearby mosque I
am reminded to pray for my neighbors, loved ones, families, friends, and
even to those people who have different beliefs, religion, or creed. I
hope that our little contribution to the community will really usher in a
new recapturing of values and may it start with prayers - always. --Nilo
Belarmino, Senior pastor for WCG Zamboanga City
WCG Iligan City: Graduates, Honor Students, Awardees
Congratulations
to the following new graduates, honor students and awardees: Jezreel
Samaco, B. S. Sociology at the Mindanao State University - Iligan
Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Fair de Gracia, high school at
the National City High School (Science Curriculum), Frederick Irving L.
Rico, Valedictorian, Kindergarten II at the Soroptimist Little School
House, Farah Joy L. Rico, with honors, third year at the National
City High School (Science Curriculum), Christine Adelle Rico,
awardee (dean's list, 1.175 GPA) at the MSU-IIT.
The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly newsletter with a purpose to encourage, build up and edify the membership of the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines and everyone else who is interested through the sharing of news and updates from the local churches. The brethren are encouraged to submit a short article if their local church has some news or update worth sharing to everyone. Become part of this information ministry, send in your news and updates, encourage the brethren and edify the church. To send articles and photos, to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. Our weekly e-mail updates can also be accessed and viewed at our WCG Mindanao website at http://www.wcgmindanao.org.
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)