February 4,  2005

ND Guzon Took Visayas "SOCA" Route by Private Plane

BACOLOD CITY. As the Lord provided, National Director Eugene Guzon utilized  private planes (a 4-seater Cessna 182 and a 6-seater Beechcraft Baron) to fly between stops in his latest Visayas 4-day trip (January 28-31, 2005) to deliver his “State of the Church Address” to the brethren in an area composed of seven islands. In view of this, travel time between stopovers was reduced from a total of 14 hours (if bus and boat is used) to just a little more than one hour. Also, it enabled ND Guzon to meet, within a limited time frame, members from 26 Churches and OBS’s coming from the different islands and converging on 4 strategic locations.

Accompanying ND Guzon were WCG Philippines national board members Pastors George Escara and Jessup Bahinting, both of whom concurrently serves as Visayas Area Superintendent and Assistant Area Superintendent (for Eastern Visayas), respectively. The presence of the Board members also provided them an opportunity to monitor how the churches are doing in relation to the WCG Philippine Board Ends Policies that has been set for the National Church.

Overall, the trip consisted of four (4) stopovers. The first one is at Tacloban City (Jan. 28, Friday), where 3 Churches converged for worship services.   Second is at Cebu City (Jan. 29, Saturday) where 4 Churches and 5 OBS gathered. Third is at Bacolod City (Jan.30, Sunday) where 5 churches and 7 OBS welcomed the National Director. The fourth is at  Iloilo City (Jan. 31,Monday) where Iloilo Church and 2 OBS  celebrated.

In all the stopovers, the brethren watched the very inspiring Newsreel Video of what God has done in our denomination in the past year. After the video showing, ND Guzon delivered his message titled “Our Faithful Walk with Christ” expounding on the four expressions of what walking faithfully with Christ meant, using the acronym W-A-L-K:  Willful Desire for Christ, Abiding Faith in Christ, Loving Obedience to Christ, Keen Participation with Christ. After the services, fire tree seedlings were presented to the area pastors to plant in their respective localities symbolizing being a Church on Fire.

ND Guzon also conducted Leaders meetings in all the areas. He communicated his desire for our local pastors to initiate consistent follow-up and monitoring strategies in the implementation of our denomination’s direction and thrusts, which includes stewardship issues, preaching skills, sermon content and preparation, as well as youth, singles and women’s activities. This is especially in light of  this year’s focus – “Our Faithful Walk with Christ” – undergirded by what our Lord Jesus Christ said in Mat. 16: 24-25, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it”.

Parents of two infants at Tacloban City took the opportunity of the National Director’s visit to have their children dedicated to the Lord – Keziah Tabitha Paula Labid (2 mos.old) and Jesusa de los Santos (1 mo.old).

The private planes that were used were among the fleet that Pastor Bahinting operates in his Chartered Flight business based at Cebu City. Pastor  Bahinting who flew the planes himself, generously made available the flights.

On the way to Bacolod City for the 3rd stopover, Pastor  Bahinting swooped over for a closer look at a possible 25-hectares SEP Campsite that the Church can develop and use, located on top of the mountains of Cebu along Camp 7 of the “Manipis” mountain road.

On Monday, Jan. 31, ND Guzon took his 4:55 pm commercial flight back home to Manila, ending another very profitable and fruitful trip that God has graciously provided in the Visayas area. To sum it all – it was a great weekend! To God be the glory. --George R. Escara, Visayas Area Superintendent

"Called to be Free" Now Available!

We have good news for you! At last, we have been given permission by Pastor Scott Johnson of Living Hope Ministries to reproduce the video entitled, “Called to be Free.” This documentary is a powerful and moving 74-minute production, which tells the story of the spiritual journey of the Worldwide Church of God. Their only condition, in return for this permission, is “to get the story out” - to reach out and share the contents of this documentary. But we have to stress that the permission given us is limited to “CHURCH USE ONLY” and not for any commercial purpose and/or use.

To make it easier for everyone, you may place your order/s by local church. Cost of VCD or VHS is Php 150.00 only (to cover labor, materials and re-production costs).

Interested local churches may e-mail or send text orders to Ms. Aileen Orogo (mailto:aileen_orogo@ph.wcg.org> or Cellphone#: (0920) 565-2258). Payments may be deposited directly to the WCG account or, if checks, payable to WCG. Do not forget to specify on your deposit slip or on the back of your check the purpose of the payment (e.g., For: “Called to be Free” VCD or VHS). For Metro Manila pastors, you may give your payment on February 13, during our monthly Metro Pastors meeting. --Pastor Andrew Teng

Last January 23, the Davao City Church was able to view the video during worship services. Many were touched, inspired and shed some tears. Thanks to the pastor of the WCG San Francisco Community Fellowship for sending the DVDs. It is much appreciated. It will be shown next this Saturday (Feb. 5) in Digos City during the combined whole-day worship service of the Digos City and Kidapawan City local churches along with some of the Sultan Kudarat brethren.

117 Senior Citizens Accept Christ in Pampanga

Another very successful evangelistic mission was conducted by the Pastoral Team of the Pampanga Church led by Pastors Pio Umlas and Carlos Castro. One hundred seventeen (117) senior citizens from Bgy. San Francisco de Assisi, Minalin, Pampanga came to hear the Gospel.

Pastor Carlos Castro gave a strong message on the Death, Resurrection and Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He emphasized to them the need to know Jesus Christ by expounding on Philippians 3:10-11. Pastor Pio Umlas stressed on sin - its evil effect in their lives and how it separates them from God.When he made an altar call, everybody stood up and prayed with him as he prayed the Sinners Prayer.

Pastoral Team members Rey Calma and Lay Leader Ed Estrella assisted. Bible tracks and Gospel of John were distributed. The event was made possible by the family of Pastoral Team member Relly Mandap, who together with his two sons, Dave and Jason, who came from Canada with their wives and children gave financial assistance to the senior citizens. Snacks were served and awards were given to those who sang and rendered poems. Truly God blesses our ministry to the senior citizens. Another mission is scheduled on There were observers who came to witness the event and were looking forward to conducting similar events in their places in Bulacan.

The presence of the Holy Spirit was very much felt during the mission and many of the senior citizens expressed their gratitude for leading them to Jesus Christ. --Pastor Carlos Castro

Evangelistic Campaign in Camarines Sur

Camarines Sur -- More than 300 gathered in Tigaon Sports Plaza for the WCG Camarines Sur Congregations sponsored Evangelistic Campaign held last Saturday, January 29, 2005. The activity, which was first scheduled in December but was postponed due to the typhoons that wrought havoc through the region was dubbed "Voice Out for Truth and YCFC Band in Concert".  It aspired to proclaim Jesus Christ to the people of Tigaon, Camarines Sur, the hometown of Ptr. Abe Balisnomo. 

The program that started at around 8:00 in the evening was graced by the presence of Municipal Mayor Elmo Bombase who gave the welcome address. Messages were given (in order of appearance) by: Ptr. Greg Glova of WCG Sorsogon who summarized the gospel and gave the audience opportunity to receive Jesus Christ and led a prayer of acceptance; Ptr. Abe Balisnomo who tackled God's image in man and encouraged the audience to value the Word of God in order to grow and be conformed in God's image; and Ptr. Efren Narido who expounded on God's command to delight in Him always.  The messages revolved around the overall theme:  "The  Amazing Truth that Makes Life Worth Living is Jesus Christ."

In between the speakers, the YCFC Band (Legaspi Church Youth) superbly performed in four appearances. Several bibles were also raffled out to the audience. The night ended at around midnight with the WCG brethren from various Camarines Sur congregations and visiting brethren from Legaspi and Sorsogon congregations in a very beautiful moment of worship. As a follow-up activity, a 10-session free bible lessons of 1-hour each week was offered that shall be held every Wednesday afternoon at the residence of Ptr. Abe Balisnomo.

The Pastoral Team of Camarines Sur Congregations and the Evangelistic Campaign & Concert organizing committees would like to thank those who prayed for, contributed to, helped and supported the activity. --Ptr. Abe Balisnomo/Myra Leslie Narido

Christ The Rock Fellowship: Pastoral Team Commissioned

San Pablo City -- The WCG Christ the Rock Fellowship (CRF) Pastoral Team was officially commissioned January 22, 2005 by Dr. Rey Taniajura. The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by members of CRF. The newly-commissioned Pastoral Team of CRF are the following: Claro Ting - chairman,  Emmanuel Constantino - Secretary,  Val Espedido - Prayer Ministry, Dolores Gibe - Treasurer & Music Ministry, and Ma. Victoria Constantino as member.

This joyful and meaningful occasion increased zeal and commitment to serve leading towards the church's mission and vision. --Vicky Constantino 

Baguio City Pastoral Team Goes on Retreat

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The retreat, with the theme Hearing God’s Voice, started on the evening of January 28, 2005 at the Oring-ao Hall, Teachers’ Camp. Members of the pastoral team, together with Pastor Rey Taniajura, started the night with songs of praise to God. The first session was devoted to leveling participants’ expectations on what God might inspire the group to hear. The team also viewed Called to Be Free, a new DVD chronicling the transformation of the Worldwide Church of God, produced by Living Hope Ministries.

The next day, Saturday, other church members joined the pastoral team.  Together, they were witnesses to a joyous occasion when Pastor Romy Cruz of New Life Christian Center, a non-WCG denomination, visited Pastor Rey to inquire on a conference about holistic ministry.  During the visit, Pastor Romy shared his desire to reach out to Baguio communities. He wanted to coordinate with local officials on how to fulfill this calling, not knowing that Pastor John Tinoyan – Chairman of Baguio City Pastoral Team – was already actively involved in the same mission. It was truly a blessing to see how these two men were brought together to consider the possibility of them working together in the future. Pastor John led a prayer for unity and cooperation with Pastor Romy and the local officials of Baguio City regarding the work that lies ahead of us.

January 30 was a day filled with further insights on the indwelling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The discussion on the mountaintop experiences of Moses, Elijah and Jesus further emphasized the theme – dying to self. An overview of the Seven Principles to Hearing God was also provided. The retreat concluded with a prayer of blessing for Pastor Rey Taniajura. – Neldy Areola

Ubay, Bohol OBS Area 2nd Year Anniversary

Ubay, Bohol - More than a hundred people were gathered for the second year aniversary of the Ubay Outreach Bible Study  area in San Francisco, Ubay, Bohol held last December 30, 2004. The affair was attended by Ptr. Romeo Pusta of the Tagbilaran City Church and several church members. After the praise and worship, parlor games were participated by adults and children alike.  Everybody enjoyed the fun and foods were served afterwards.  Some relief goods and groceries donated by kindhearted individuals were distributed for their Christmas presents.

The Ubay, Bohol OBS used to have once a month Bible Study for the first two years since it started.  For this year, it plans to conduct a weekly Worship Service held every Saturday of the month, which formally started last January 15th.  Aside from the weekly worship service, there is also a scheduled prayer meeting every Friday evening led by Ms. Virgie M. Galope, the newly ordained deaconess of the Tagbilaran City Church. There is also an ongoing children's ministry and Youth Bible Study handled by Ms. Ruth Galope, alongside the worship service conducted every Saturday. --Mally Galope

The Update from WCG Philippines is an official weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines. For comments, suggestions, to submit and share an article,  to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. These updates can also be accessed and viewed at www.wcg.org/ph. 

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)