OBC report March 2013

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ whom we both serve.

Praise God we were able to hold the youth rally on Monday, February 25, 2013. Registration started at 9:00 a.m. and we ended at 4:00 in the afternoon. There were more than 200 young people from participating churches in Naburos, Iligan, Claveria district, Macajalar Bay district, and non-AC churches in Cagayan de Oro. Nehemiah House also sent their girls and even did 2 presentations.

These are the participants to the youth Rally. Pastor Billy is seated beside a single professional from New Life Church, Iligan City.

Pastor Roderick John Sarmiento was the speaker. He pastors the Advent Christian Church in Naburos Island, Misamis Occidental. He is married with one child. He spoke on the chosen theme: “Commitment 24/7: Respond, Follow, Serve” He spoke from Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 8:1-10. He called for the participants to give their lives to the Lord and serve Him fully just like what Ezra did. During his altar call, several participants, mostly young men went forward. Some were longing for personal ministration, a few stood up and went forward when the call to come to OBC was made.

Some younger girls from Nehemiah House came forward also.

After the altar call, the students and faculty stood behind the participants to counsel them and to establish contact especially those who indicated they would like to enroll at OBC.

Five churches: New Life Iligan, Claveria District, Portal Christian Fellowship, Maranatha Bible Church Cagayan de Oro, Bible Study Fellowship, and the Nehemiah House presented songs and dances during the service.

the Nehemiah girls.

OBC students also did some presentations in skit, songs and dance.

The youth rally ended with a closing prayer and benediction led by Pastor Jess Gawangon. We are glad we were able to provide the youth with a program that refreshed them with the Word, a wonderful time of fellowship with their peers all over Northern Mindanao, and an opportunity to consider God’s call to them for fulltime ministry service. February 25 is a good date for the rally since the students don’t have classes because of the EDSA anniversary.

Some alumni also attended the rally not only to accompany their young people who joined but also to fellowship and reconnect with their classmates.

We thank the Lord for His goodness and for His provision for every need that we have. Please pray with us that those who have indicated to come to OBC will really be determined to come and enroll next school year. For those who have felt God’s call yet were undetermined to come to OBC, please pray that the Lord will continue to speak to them and guide them in the decision they will be making in the next few days.

We are encouraged by the news about our alumni who came an joined and shared with us how they are doing their respective ministries. We continue to pray for them too.

Thank you for your support in prayer and in other things.

Sincerely in Christ,

Nely