PHILIPPINES – Report from ORO BIBLE COLLEGE – November 2014

Director Nely Gamayon recently reported as follows…

“Dear Brethren in Christ,

We are so thankful to God for His faithfulness. We thank you also for your continued support to OBC, both in prayer and in finances. We had an enrolment of 24 in the AB Theology program and 27 in the preschool.

Three interns were sent out in the first semester: Lucio Dilag did his internship in In Christ Glory Church, Iligan City under the supervision and mentoring of Rev. Virgilio J. Pallo; Jeffrey Sy, in Advent Christian Fellowship, Riverside Calinan Davao City, under the supervision of Pastor Benjie M. Ragas; and Alma Cortez in Hinaplanan Advent Christian Church with Pastora Vanessa Dilag as supervisor and mentor. Their internship ended on the second week of October and the three interns came back to the college for debriefing before the first semester ended. The three came back testifying of the goodness of the Lord in teaching them and encouraging them as they experienced ministry first-hand in the field. They were able to lead Bible studies, preach, counsel, encourage and lead the youth, men and women, and even taught children in the church. We praise the Lord that all three of them exceeded the requirements for internship in bringing people to the Lord, preaching a sermon and leading Bible studies. All three of them expressed their desire to plant churches after graduation. The internship program is under the Field Education Department; now with Miss Minda C. Lipanta as Dean.

The college celebrated its 44^th Foundation Day with the highest attendance and participation from the Alumni. The celebration was a one-day activity of field demonstration from the preschool and AB Theology students and the parents of the Preschool. The morning program was culminated with the release of balloons to indicate joy and gratefulness for what the Lord has done through Oro Bible College. The afternoon program was a worship service with Rev. Jeffrey Walsh as speaker who spoke on the theme: “Commitment to the Call”. Lunch was served by the Alumni Association through its officers and members. A call for the Alumni to support OBC in the development challenges that it is facing was warmly accepted. After the activities, the Alumni met to organize and plan how they could support OBC.

Above : The Alumni in their presentation during the afternoon thanksgiving service for foundation celebration

The first semester concluded with a final exam and the students went back to their home churches and assisted in the various ministries.

We have just started with the second semester. Enrolment was on Nov. 3 and 4. Our enrolment for second semester is 24 for the AB Theology program. We started classes on Nov. 5 and 7. On the 8^th and 9^th we did orientation headed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Pastor Billy M. Comahig.

At OBC orientation is a very important part of the students training and equipping. Every semester, orientation about the Bible College, ministry and student life is given to students. Students are given the opportunity to study the policies and rules of the college as a higher education institution of theology, understand the Philippine laws and policies for higher education through the Manual and Regulations given to the college by the Commission on Higher Education.

Just like any Bible College, university or another higher education institution of learning that is recognized and monitored by the government through the CHED, OBC explains to the students the implementing rules and regulations, students’ rights and requirements to obtain the degree they applied for.

Nov. 13-14 was OBC spiritual retreat. This activity was headed by Pastor Reniel Comajeg, the Dean of Spiritual Life Programs of the college. The theme for this year’s retreat was “Commitment to the Call.” The speaker for the evening service was Pastor Jess P. Gawangon. Classes resume on Monday, November 17, 2014.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for OBC on the following items:

1. Application for Senior High School (SHS)

Applications must be filed before August 31, 2014. The Philippine education system has shifted to the k to 12 (kindergarten through Grade 12 for the basic education). This shift has affected higher education. The first graduates of the K to 12 will be on March 2018 or if the country also changes the beginning and ending of classes, will be May 2018. This means, the colleges and universities will not have first year students for the academic year 2016-2017; no first and second years for academic year 2017-2018. For these transition years, the CHED encouraged the private schools to be providers for the Grades 11 and 12 (Senior High School). For OBC, we can provide for the Humanities and Social Sciences academic track.

Our needs in this:

• Plastic chairs for the students
• The basketball court has to be covered to be used for physical health and recreation and conduct of activities for the whole school. (If we agree to offer two classes for Grade 11 and 12 that will be about 100 students the minimum)
• Books for the Senior High School subjects
• Faculty to teach the courses
• Laboratory and equipment
• Provision of rest room for more students
• Library area for the Senior High School
• Consolidation of OBC land to be in the name of OBC (the property is in the name of the BPACCI)
• The funds needed to complete this application

OBC board needs to decide on this whether we will really decide to offer SHS.

2. OBC Development Plan for its Physical plant

• Need to write the feasibility study
• Promotion strategy for the project
• More time to sit down with the engineers and architect for the space planning and sustainability of the development
• Plan for the funding
• Timetable for the project

3. Finalization and approval of other concentrations of the AB Theology program.

We are still completing the course line up for the curriculum integrating the new general education mandate from the CHED. At least this time, 36 units of general education courses only are mandated from CHED. OBC can put in more theology and ministry courses in the curriculum.

Needs along this line:

• Qualified faculty to teach the subjects
• Books
• Classrooms
• Recreation area
• Laboratory and tools/equipment
• Permits,etc
• Feasibility study
• Funds for application and review fees

4. More students in the preschool and college

5. Health of the faculty

• Reniel with his medical condition -He needs P8,000/month for his maintenance medicines
• Mrs. Fe Laturgo – Diabetes and High blood pressure
• Minda Lipanta – Arthritis
• Pastor Jess Gawangon – Sinusitis and allergies
• Amy Gawangon – thyroid problem
• Billy Comahig – frequent nose bleed, allergies
• Mrs. Gamayon –enlargement of the heart

To all our supporters, friends and brethren in the Lord, thank you very much for all your prayers and financial support to the college. Your support has really gone a long way in spreading the Gospel and strengthening the churches of Christ in the Philippines through our graduates and students. OBC is really making a significant impact in the ministry of the Lord. Thank you for being our partners.

Serving Christ with you,

Nely A. Gamayon”