PHILIPPINE UPDATE FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Greetings to all our friends and supporters. Happy New Year. We thank you all for your continued interest and support. My last report was concerning cyclone “Sendong” or “Washi”. Unfortunately the effects of this disaster are still being felt.

PASTOR BENJIE RAGAS, MACANHAN, CDO

writes

“Here are some pictures of our joint youth fellowship last January 29. We do it every last Sunday. Thank God that He helped us recovered the church. It was not easy but we slowly got up and continue the things God calls us to do.

Pray for the renovation of our Church Building. The roof almost collapsed due to “Sendong”. We pray that we will have the amount needed to materialize the second floor we are planning to build.” Last Friday (Feb 10) Pastor Benjie concluded his secular job and so is now full time as Pastor. Pray that he will be able to have sufficient funds to meet his needs.

PASTOR ROY ROCHA, NOVALICHES, MANILA

writes

“I always thank God for all your support and prayers! The year 2011 was fruitful for us because of your partnership in the work of the Lord. 2012 may bring new challenges ahead, but my family, and the NLCM family trust that God will always be on our side, as He was with us in 2011, it will be in 2012.

Please pray for my ministry among the Youth, as it will officially start on March. I will be ministering to new batch of students Alternative Learning System.

Last February 4, “KAMALAYAN” (Non-Government-Organization) hosted seminar to some of the children in our community. This NGO educates children regarding their rights so that abuses in all forms will be prevented. This type of organization is important in our community. The KAMALAYAN, the Barangay Council, and my church NLCM will be working her on this project to organize the kids. It is another great opportunity for me to make Christ known in every child. As always, keep me in your prayers.” ( The photos are taken during the seminar. 20 kids came.)

In Christ, Roy

Mm Dr NELY GAMAYON

reports from OBC,CDO

“We are two weeks after midterms. Grades have been submitted. On Saturday, February 18, 2012 is the OBC Youth Rally. For this year, the faculty and staff decided to invite young people, particularly college students and fourth year high school students of the churches where our enrolled students come from. Aside from the Advent Christian churches in Tambobo-an, Patrocenio, Mindagat, Tagoloan and Cagayan de Oro, we are expecting participants from the Following non-AC churches: Blessed Global Ministry, Mount Olive Church, ElJor Church, Talakag Presbyterian Church, Calvary Chapel, Alliance Church Zone 1 – Balulang, Portal Christian Fellowship

We are expecting 200 participants for the rally. Students are busy practicing and preparing for the program as well as attending to their classes.

The fourth year students are also busy preparing for their defenses which will begin on Friday, February 17. After their defense, they will be busy preparing for their comprehensive and oral exams; and the final exams in March. Of the seven (7) graduating students, (Xxxxxxx), might not graduate because he failed in Research for the Midterms and he has not done anything yet towards the finals. Our weekend ministries continue, the church planting team has now established contacts for Bible study.”

Our prayer requests:

1. The youth rally- more young people will respond to God’s call to come to OBC
2. Healing for Romeo Bobby Valera – a fourth year student, again had Vertigo attack
3. Fourth Year students for their defense, finals, comprehensive and oral exams
4. The victims of the flood, recovery from the trauma, as one of the students who is now housed at the dormitory cried so hard during the earthquake last week
5. The Uriarte Family that they will find a house to move into as their house was destroyed -flood
6. Bible study contacts established
7. Church planting ministry in Alubijid-candidate for baptism
8. Need for bibles for the church planting ministry in Cagayan de Oro and Alubijid
9. Students needs for finals
10. Summer class with Tom Lobb, Visit of Jeff Walsh in April as World Outreach Director with Justin Nash

Dr Nely Gamayon.

PASTOR JONATHAN NAVACILLA, BANILAD, CEBU

reports

“By the grace of God Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship is starting to reach out in the community. We are still doing the basketball ministry and we are currently attending an inter-church league. The products of the evangelistic league are the people involved in this inter-church league. We did this to continue our follow-up with them. We will not allow them to play unless they have attended the bible studies and our Sunday service. We are planning to do another Evangelistic league this coming March, and targeting about 60 new people for Bible studies.

Since Valentine’s Day is coming, last February 12, 2012, we did an evangelistic night and entitled it the “Hearts’ Night”. We invited young people and adults to come in this said activity. We have presentations, songs and skits that are about God’s love and shared to them the gospel. There were more than 60 visitors who came that we ran out of chairs. We have recorded their names and their details for follow-up. There were 46 people who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and out of them, 38 people are willing and open for cell-group and Bible study. We just need your prayers in dealing with these people, and pray for more leaders who will be committed to follow them up.”

Please pray for the continuing ministry of the Basketball League.

Pray for new people for the Bible studies.

Pray for those contacted during the Hearts Night and for those who accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour. Pray for new leaders for these groups.

Pray for Pastor Jonathan’s health. He suffers a lot from headaches –mainly from stress.

Again, may I thank you all for your continued support for the various ministries and people which we represent in the Philippine Advent Christian Conference.

May the Lord bless you all.

Grant Aldridge