Departure

Belmonte Balagso of Tu-i, Daguioman, Abra departed this world in the afternoon of November 4. This news was sent to us via text message by sister Naty Layugan-Corpuz, a relative of the deceased.

Baptisms in Ramon, Isabela

First Sunday of November three were baptized into Christ in Barangay Aguinaldo, Ramon, Isabela. They are Justin Baroro who works in a bank and resides in Santiago City, Isabela; Roy Lingolinggo, a business man; and Jun Gamas, a self-employed friend. We are happy for these brothers who have submitted themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ed Tangunan)

Is there an identity crisis in Churches of Christ today?

The Christian Chronicle, an international newspaper for the members of the Church of Christ published an article which sought to answer -

Is there an “identity crisis” in Churches of Christ today? In other words, do we know who we are and what we stand for like we once did?

Can we learn from their insights?

Read more…

2008 Panagkakadua to be held in Tarlac

Ten congregations together with Tarlac City Church of Christ will host the Panagkakaddua 2008 during the “holy week” next year with the “Fear of God” as its theme. The venue of the gathering will be in Sapang, Moncada, Tarlac.  Read More…

Leadership training held in Davao City

Seventy church leaders from congregations in the Davao and Cotabato provinces attended the Nov. 12-16 seminar on “Building Spiritual Strength” that was held at the Bible Study Center along Uyangaren Street in downtown Davao City  The discussion and study followed the booklet written by brother Brian Garnett, minister of the Nueces Canyon Church of Christ in Texas.

Featured speakers were Joel Carpio, Josefino Costales, Roberto Ortega, Ken Wilkey, Richard Emperado, Gabriel Valdez, Sammy Facun and Bob Buchanan.

Our editor was in several sessions held on the first and second days of the seminar.  — (E.Tanicala)

Southern Mindanao Bible College holds talk on Islam and Christianity

Twenty seven are currently enrolled at the Southern Mindanao Bible College in Kisante, Makilala, Cotabato.  The downtown congregation in Kabacan directs the school. Families and local congregations in the area provide for the food of the students.

Brother Eusebio Tanicala visited the school on Nov. 7-8 and shared with the students a bird’s eye view of Islam. He especially noted that the person, nature and work of Jesus Christ show the big contrast between Christianity on one hand and Islam on the other hand. Christianity believes in the deity of Christ, that He is the Son of God, that he is a mediator and savior, that He died at the cross  as a propitiation for the sins of the world, that He was buried in a tomb, that He resurrected on the third day.  These are denied by Islam. Islam says that Jesus the Christ is one among the 25 notable prophets in its list.

Cotabato province has a Muslim population of no less than a third of the whole. Thus, these current students will likely interact with some Muslim friends, hence the need to have some ideas to talk about. — (E.Tanicala)

New congregation started in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

On the second Sunday of September of this year, the new congregation in this town started its worship service in the family house of the Peraltas at Poblacion Sur.

This month of November, the average attendance is fifteen. The people who were contacted during the September campaign are being followed up by brethren Roger Nonog, Rolando Toquero and Roland Lazo.# — (R.T.Nonog)

Progress in New Rizal church noted

A concrete, enlarged chapel, but unfinished, is now being used as an assembly hall in barangay New Rizal, Mlang. The attendance is no less than one hundred this first Sunday of November, says brother William Galiste when our editor visited him in his house on Novmber 8.

This barangay is found along the highway that connects Mlang  to the poblacion of Makilala.

In the last Saturday of October, preachers and church leaders in Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat knocked on doors, talked to people and taught gospel lessons in New Rizal. As a result of this joint efforts of brethren, two precious souls obeyed Jesus Christ and were immersed into His body, the church. This monthly teaching project is called “Evangelistic Ministry.”  Preachers and church leaders bring their own food and they work together in one locality one Saturday of each month.

Among the active leaders serving the New Rizal congregation are brethren William Galiste and Nereo Ardaniel. — (Eusebio Tanicala)

National Evangelism Workshop-Seminar ‘07

The annual National Evangelism Workshop/Seminar that is conducted in the National Capital Region will be held on Dec. 6-8. Address of the venue is 74 Asuncion Street, Morning Breeze Subdivision, Kalookan City. This is located near the Manila Central University.

Those assigned topics to discuss that are centered on the theme “Evangelism — a sowrd that pierces the soul(Luke 2:35)”  are Bonifacio Patricio, Jr., Eusebio Tanicala, Fred Angangan, Edwin Valencia, Sid Banez, Ken Wilkey and Bob Buchanan.    

Registration fee is Php350. Those who opt to selct their own ulam may be served meals in nearby cafeterias.# — Randy Macapagal

PBC alumni reunion held in Southern Mindanao

Philippine Bible College graduates and former students and their friends who are living in southern Mindanao held a reunion at Kisante on Nov. 9-10. Officers of this chapter of the PBC Alumni Association are Gabriel Valdez, Bayani Neyra, Helen Gesulga-Colango,  Leah Visitacion-Sabute, Laureta Suyamin-Silva, Lolina Dagaang-Neyra, Abner Sabute, Ferdinand Guillermo, and brother Arboly.

Several friends were adopted and are honorary members notable of them are Anatalio “Boy” Valdez, Elrie Valdez, Dominador Cabrera and Rosa Dacusin

Brother Eusebio Tanicala, president of the national PBC Alumni Association, joined this reunion in Kisante, Makilala. In three serious study sessions the topic on Congregational Autonomy was discussed by brother Tanicala.

This year’s reunion is the second one held in Cotabato. Next year’s reunion will be held in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat to be coordinated by brothers Bayani Neyra and Dante Neyra.

Bayani and Dante serve the congregation at downtown Tacurong City. The brethren in Tacurong are renovating and beautifying their chapel with a budget of more than one million pesos. — (E.Tanicala)

Church planting planned for Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

 Preparations are being made for a church planting campaign for Vigan City, Ilocos Sur in January next year. This city is the political, educational and commercial center of the province.Brethren Reuben Lacuata of California and Eusebio Tanicala are coordinating the preparations for this gospel campaign. — (E.Tanicala)

Rabon Bible College to graduate 11 students

Teaching staff at the Rabon Bible College that operates in San Fabian, Pangasinan projects the graduation of the current eleven students in March next year. This preacher training school is administered by the local Rabon church. Among the teachers are brothers Solomon Devera, Melchor Ducusin, Robert Casipit, Trifon Lachica, Adolfo Braga II, Becky Braga, and Edmund Bacani.

Practical Christianity in Action Seminar

Seventeen local congregations in the Metro Manila area were represented in the Nov. 1-2 seminar held at the Manila School of Evangelism located along Instruccion Street in Sampaloc. The lessons were edifying and well enjoyed by those who attended.#

Assistance needed

Brother Daniel Juralbal of Barangay Pinmalupud of this city had surgery to remove a kidney stone. As he rested to recover from the surgery, it was observed that  his liver became inflamed so he was brought to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City for treatment. As of this writing date, he is in a critical condition. He needs our prayers and also financial assistance to foot the hospital bills.
Brother Dany is an alumnus of PBC and is a school teacher. # (E.Tanicala)

Baptism in Ramon, Isabela

First Sunday of November three were baptized into Christ in Barangay Aguinaldo, Ramon, Isabela. They are Justin Baroro who works in a bank and resides in Santiago City, Isabela; Roy Lingolinggo, a business man; and Jun Gamas, a self-employed friend. We are happy for these brothers who have submitted themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. — (Ed Tangunan)

Departure

Belmonte Balagso of Tu-i, Daguioman, Abra departed this world in the afternoon of November 4. This news was sent to us via text message by sister Naty Layugan-Corpuz, a relative of the deceased

Baptism in San Mateo, Isabela

On November 13th, three youngsters dedicated themselves to the Lord and submitted to the rite of baptism in San Mateo, Isabela: Edralin, Junjun , and Jeff. They were immersed by brother Hector Lumandaz.  — (Ed Tangunan)

Baptism in Cotabato

The Lord’s work in New Rizal, Mlang, Cotabato continues to grow in number. Another soul was added to the church on November 13th. His name is Jay Hapinan. May the Lord help him grow up spiritually.  (Nereo Ardaniel)

Big attendance in forum noted

According to the registry book, a total of 101 attended the PBC Alumni sponsored forum on “Understanding Islam ” which was held at the Bible college Library in Baguio.

Many more just walked in to the forum sessions on October 24-25. PBC alumni and church leaders were in attendance.

The lecturers were Antonio Balagot who gave his observations and impressions culled from his first hand experiences living in communities with Muslim populations, and working with Muslim friends. He also showed some lines from the Qur’an which he owns that was given to him by a Muslim friend.

Santiago Sameon II gave a summary of Muhammad’s life and how Islam started in Saudi Arabia in the 7th century of the Christian Era.

Eusebio Tanicala, our co-editor, gave a lesson on a comparison and contrast of Christianity and Islam. Items submitted are substantiated with Surah passages.

The lessons given by brethren Sameon and Tanicala is featured in this blog.