By Robert Ferrer Jr.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Philippine members celebrated this year's Feast with a clearer focus on the kingdom of God.
Rejoicing, with praise and worship, testimonies and calls to receive Christ highlighted the occasion.
Festival attendance at the 15 Philippine Festival sites was 1,957 during the first seven days, and 2,271 during the Last Great Day.
In Davao City more than 80 people made commitments to Jesus Christ. Forty of those are now attending discipleship classes.
This year also saw WCG participation in projects of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, notably in the First National Men's Convention (similar to Promise Keepers in the United States).
In Davao City, a planned three-day evangelistic campaign became a four-day crusade. More than 400 came to listen to God's word, despite continuous downpours.
Coordinator Ric Deligero said about 20 people each day received the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives. Some who ceased attending our services returned to our fellowship.
In Cagayan de Oro, 11 people were baptized after the film Jesus was shown.
In Zamboanga City testimonies from brethren who conducted evangelism campaigns added to the spiritual mood prevailing in the celebration.
In Tacloban City, several outreaches were done such as a hospital visit by women's ministry, a prison visit by men's ministry and an orphanage visit.
In Bacolod City, the Feast was conducted at a mountain resort. Singles visited the Home for the Blind, while the women's ministry visited the Home for the Aged and Orphans.
In Santiago City, Isabela, brethren were thankful when a typhoon with 200 kilometer per hour winds changed course and did not hit the site.
Members gave more than twice the amount in Holy Day offerings than they gave on the Feast of Trumpets.
In Metro Manila, Tommy Nelson, pastor of the Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, was guest speaker. He was in the country to give the keynote speech at the First National Men's Convention.
More than 800 attended a praise and worship evangelistic show. Members glorified the Lord Jesus Christ in tambourine dances, songs and interpretative dances.
On Oct. 18, several Worldwide Church of God men participated in the First National Men's Convention in Manila. Several WCG women served as ushers.
The fellowship in Metro Manila was wonderful, and the conviction was strong among members for rededication.
Baguio City, once the traditional Feast site for the whole country, also exhibited signs of revival. Members gave an outstanding offering for the whole Festival, out of proportion to the numbers attending.
Thirty prospective members from two outlying Bible studies in Bukod, Benguet attended. They performed a dance and song number during Filipiniana Night, the Festival show there.
Coordinator Rene Marquez said: "When I announced that the last day offering was almost three times the first day offering, the congregation gave a tremendous applause. I was moved. I asked them to sing two songs that we had sung earlier.
"All stood up singing the songs, raising their hands, and, moved to tears, embraced each other. This has never happened before. The Feast was indeed different! Honor and praises are to God!"
Nov. 18, 1997, WN, page 10
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