Southeast Asia Ministerial Conference
Ministers from the Southeast Asia Region gathered together at Malaybalay, Bukidnon to attend the Annual Ministerial Conference. Participants started arriving in the afternoon of March 24, 2024. With “Unity” as the theme of this conference, Mr Gerald Weston urged us to support one another and love one another (via video message). Ministers are shepherds who will account for their flocks when the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, comes again.
During the course of the conference, we heard lectures from Regional Director, Mr Robert Tyler, Philippines Regional Pastor Mr Joseph Gonzales, Asia Regional Pastor, Mr Rajan Moses, visiting Pastor Mr Martin Montgomery and Davao Pastor, Mr Felipe Casing.
In his opening message, Mr Gonzales told us to strengthen the unity and continue to maintain the truth, while Mr Tyler reminded us all to speak the same thing, have the same mind and yield ourselves to God. In order to have unity, we should remember that we need each other and have a shared vision. There were two ordinations. One was Mr Firman Bramantyo from Indonesia, ordained as Elder, and the other was Mr Gonzales from the Philippines, ordained to the rank of Pastor.
Mr Tyler gave the closing remarks and exhorted the ministers to hold fast to the truth. He reminded us to be ready in season and out of season and to search the Scriptures daily, as well as pouring out our hearts to God through prayers and fasting. In the evening, we
wrapped up the conference with a sing-a-long and fellowship. – Myrna Cuares
Ministerial Visit
On March 25, 2024, Davao City brethren were pleased to be visited by two ministers from Australia; Mr Robert Tyler, Asia-Pacific Regional Director and Mr Martin Montgomery, Head of the Australasian Media Department. The brethren enthusiastically welcomed them. During the fellowshipping before services, some brethren successfully taught Mr Montgomery some Cebuano dialect which he was grateful for and used in his greetings. The Sabbath service ended with afternoon tea and fellowship followed by a ministerial dinner. – Myrna Cuares
Visit To Davao De Oro
On the morning of January 13, 2024, Mr Amancio Cuares Jr, myself, and Mr and Mrs Robert Mallen Jr drove to Monkayo, Davao De Oro to conduct a morning Sabbath Service. Some were not able to attend due to heavy rains and mud on the road. We held the service at 9am, with the songleading and sermonette by Mr Mallen titled, “Christian Growth” and the sermon by Mr Amancio P. Cuares Jr titled “The Judgment of the Lord”. After the service, we had a hearty lunch and fellowship. We then went to Spardos Cateel Davao De Oro for the afternoon service. We were not able to pick up Nancy Ligasan and her family in Compostela as their area was flooded.
The service in Spardos began at 2pm. Attendance was down due to heavy rains and we were quite distracted when the wind with rain entered the hall as the building has no walls, windows and doors yet. After the service, we had fellowship and snacks. Then we hurriedly travelled back to Davao City. – Myrna Cuares
Living Youth Camp 2023
Last year in December 2023, five teens and one staff member from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia congregation had the opportunity to attend the Living Youth Programme (LYP) in the Philippines. The camp was held at Mt. Moriah, Bukidnon, Philippines. We travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Manila and then took a domestic flight to Cagayan, before completing a three hour journey to the camp site surrounded by beautiful cool mountains. We were unable to join the orientation due to flight delays. However, we joined the ‘Bonfire Night’.
The theme of the camp was ’Choose Life’. Camp director Mr Joseph Gonzales along with a few other ministers started each morning with Christian Living classes that included ‘Choose your Hard’, ‘Choose to be a Young Christian’, ‘Choose Your Goal for a Successful Life’, ‘Choose Friends Wisely’, ‘Choose to Be Diligent’, ‘Choose to Learn Wisely’ and ‘Choosing to be a Light and Example’.
Camp activities included basketball, volleyball, frisbee, music, dance, a nature trip, kickball and hymn singing. Arts and crafts included flower arrangement and first-aid basics. The Evening Reflection encouraged each camper to focus on what have we learned each day. The highlight of the camp was the dance and talent night. Five of us as a group sang a few Tamil and English songs which everyone seemed to enjoy.
Learning the Philippines culture was also a great experience, especially for me personally. Although we are Asian, there is so much difference in culture, foods and many other things. The best thing which happened to me was making and getting to know new friends. The campers were so friendly in welcoming us even though we were from another congregation. Being a camper for the first time, I was able to gain experience and help to become a better Christian woman.
I certainly thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend the camp and thank the campers, staff, counsellors and ministers who made this a wonderful camp. Also, on behalf of our Malaysian campers, I would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all members who contributed to the Morgan Montgomery Memorial Fund (MMF), LYP President, Mr Robert Tyler, Mr Martin Montgomery, Mr Rajan Moses as well as our parents who encouraged and assisted us in many ways to attend the camp. – Priscilla Jason
Baptisms
On the chilly Friday morning of December 1, 2023, Mr Christopher Pinili was baptized. Mr Pinili is a second generation in the Church of God. He was born during the Worldwide Church of God and had many years of memories growing up attending Church programs such as the SEP. After years of attending and observing, he has fully committed to what he had come to understand many years ago. He was baptised by Mr Joseph Gonzales and Mr Daniel Osillos.
In the afternoon of January 15, 2024, Mr and Mrs Arniel and Zenaida Gasparen were baptised at Kingford Resort by Messrs Jun Cuares and Felipe Casing. The couple are both happy that they are now baptised and enjoy serving in the Philippines.
On the morning of March 6, 2024, Mrs Marita Arendain-Dagatan from the Monkayo, Philippines congregation was baptised in the Agusan River. The baptism was conducted by Mr Felipe Casing and Mr Amancio Cuares Jr.
Miss Airice Francisco Ledesma from Kiara Congregation, Philippines was baptised on March 17, 2024. Prior to this, two other brethren from Don Carlos Congregation – Miss Sharyl Jane Arendain Ermac and Miss Excel Emmerybelle Arendain Sumalo were both baptised on January 7, 2024 at Edlemar Spring Resort, Maramag. The laying on of hands and baptisms were done by Mr Jose Arendain, one of the ministers in Mindanao, Philippines. This big step in their Christian lives of following the will and instructions of our living God shows their commitment to keeping the faith and without doubt brings joy to the rest of us.
