Preaching activities from May 14 to May 28

May 14 (Sunday Worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I will start on this blog in the middle of the month because I already posted in my previous report the first two weeks of May.

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome preached about “Perspective for the sower” teaching us moral lessons on where we are right now as a Christian and in the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Famous mothers in the bible” as to commemorate mother’s day.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about God is not…” He is not man, not the God of the dead, not the author of confusion and He is not mocked. After the worship, my wife and kids went to the house of sister Valentina to visit her because she have been sick for the last two weeks with pneumonia. She is already 87 years old but still have the capability to walk going to the church, but she had been very weak because of his illness. We prayed together with her grandkids in their house.

May 17 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

In our continuation in studying the book of Philippians, brother Rody discussed to us Philippians 3.

May 19 (Wedding in Alibago)

We went to the wedding of our sister Espie and Rodel. Brother Jay led spiritual songs while I led the prayer. Brother Rody shared a lesson from the bible about marriage and then he solemnized them.

May 20 (Gospel Meeting at San Vicente, Tuao)

I was invited to speak in this said Gospel Meeting about two weeks before the date. When we arrived, the first thing I noticed is the location of the chapel. The last time I was there, it is located at the back of the house of brother Alex Genilba but because of the previous typhoon “LAWIN”, it was destroyed. Thanks be to God that they have built a new chapel but it is now near the highway and can easily be seen when you past the location. They also have a new preacher in the name of brother Edgar Corpuz. He is helping brother Alex in the work there.

Brother Joeben Jacobo was the first speaker and he preached about “Christian and Giving”. I am the second speaker and I preached about “Barriers on the road to hell” giving them the things that will hinder us in going to hell, and one of them is Jesus, if we follow His commandments. The final speaker was brother Rody who preached about “Remain Faithful”. The invitation was sung and two precious souls went in front to confess their faith.

After the meeting, we went on our way looking for any cellphone signal so that we can call the radio station to hook us up and speak on the radio. Brother Rody asked me and brother Jay to help him in the radio program. Brother Rody answered some questions while I and Jay help in reading the bible and giving some thoughts on the questions.

May 21 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I preached in our bible study about “Why few enter the narrow gate?” The answer to that question are: because we do not share the gospel, because some trust false teachers, other prefer worldliness, some are afraid of ridicule, some don’t think they needed to be save or even repented of their sins and some would rather wait. It is a challenge to everyone, both the Christian and non-Christian to do their duty to God. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Who then can be saved?”

In the afternoon, I preached also in Palca about the same lesson “Why few enter the narrow gate?” This time, we visited brother Jun Canilao who always feel dizzy because of his diabetes. One of the fingers in his toes was already cut because of this illness. Every Sunday, I do not fail to look at his seat whether he is there or not and if he is not there, I already know the reason. We prayed together with his mother in their house for God’s help with his sickness.

I am doing the visitation after worship to the brethren because I am trying to save my money for many preaching activities. I still failed to locate additional support at this time but I am trying to find extra income so that I can help my family and my work for the Lord.

May 24 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay discussed to us the last chapter of the book of Philippians. Brother Jerome led our singing and I led our prayer. Only a few brethren came at around 35 only because of the rain.

May 27 (Gospel Meeting at Sta. Felicitas)

Before reaching the destination, we needed to travel by land and by water and again by land because there is no bridge the joints our way going to their chapel. I got some pictures taken by brother Jay during our travel going there and also the work that has been done.

Brother Manny Pader is their local preacher and his wife and child is helping in the work. All of the titles of the lessons that the speakers preached are in Ilocano but I will translate it here in my report. The first speaker was brother Robert Rances who preached about “Preparation” followed by brother Jay who preached “Questions on salvation” then finally brother Denis who preached “The will of God”. I led the invitation song but got no response from the audience. All of those who came are members except one who is the treasurer of the village. Many of those who were invited to come never came because they prefer going to the field to plant their crops. It is again time of planting in their area.

May 28 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I preached in our bible study about “Do I have to?” I got this lesson from brother Joe Price and while reaching it, I decided to share it to the brethren. The questions that this lesson answers do I have to study the bible?  Do I have to associate with Christians? Do I have to think so much about spiritual things? And Do I have to teach others? In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “Steadfast”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the same lesson on “Do I have to?” This time, we visited the house of Mrs. Ramos. She have been coming to our worship for almost two months already but still undecided whether to obey the gospel or wait a little more time. Her husband left her to be with other women and that’s one reason why she thinks a lot. And she said that, by being in the church with us, the pain is slowly moving away and with the Lord’s help, she will be fine and be converted also into Christ. We didn’t force her to be baptized because the bible teaches us that the one who wanted to be baptized should be the one to decide when he/she wanted to obey. But we just gave her verses to think because we never know our time.

Preaching activities from April 1 to May 11

April 1 (Gospel Meeting at San Luis, Tuao)

We were invited to attend the Gospel Meeting at San Luis where brother Rogelio Esperanza is preaching. When we arrived, brother Denis Yuson already started his lesson on “Matthew 6:33”, then followed by brother Rody who preached “The way of God to save”. When we sung the invitation song, one young lady came in front to confess her faith and was later baptized in the near river. I was asked to lead our closing prayer. And after the meeting, we had the time to talk to the brethren and encourage them more.

April 2 (Lord’s day services at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study on “1 John 2:29-29: Having confidence at Christ’s coming” and brother Rody preached in the sermon about “Those that we must seek”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. I differentiate the meaning of life from the worldly perspective and spiritual perspective.

April 5 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

We studied the “4^th chapter of the book of Ephesians” where brother Rody discussed it to us.

April 8 (Gospel Meeting at Toran, Aparri)

We traveled very early to attend and be of good help in the faith of the brethren at Toran. When we last visited the congregation, they were looking for a new preacher because brother Ramirez is already very old and sometimes cannot hear and talk well. But now, we are happy to hear that brother Fernando Duque is working with them. It is just about 2 months maybe since he started to go there.

Brother Jerome first stand to preach and he discussed “5 facts of life” then followed by brother Rody who preached “7 last words of Christ”. I was asked again to lead the prayer. When we sung the invitation song, there were 3 precious young souls who obeyed the gospel. And because we are near the ocean, we traveled for about 5 kilometers to baptized them there.

April 9 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study about “Hostile witnesses of Christ” about those who are against the work of Jesus Christ but cannot deny the truth about what He is really doing and that things He is teaching. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Sufferings of Christ: part 1”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson on “Hostile Witnesses of Christ” but no longer in a bible study form but in the sermon way.

April 12 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

We continued we our study on the book of Ephesians and this time brother Rody discussed to us chapter 5.

April 13 (Gospel Meeting at Sampaguita, Solana)

This meeting was in a short notice because I was just informed 2 days before the activity. But with that, I am still happy to be part of this work for the Lord. Brother Jerome was the first speaker and he preached “According to the scriptures” then followed by brother Rody who preached “7 last words of Christ” as requested by brother Jerry Soliva, their local preacher. I was asked to lead the opening prayer and also a song before brother Rody started to preached. When we sung the invitation song, there were 6 precious souls who confess their faith and were baptized into Christ on that day.

April 16 (Lord’s day services at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught “1 Jn. 3:1-3: Children of God) and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Sufferings of Christ:Part 2”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “For what reason Peter was sent?” I use the story of Cornelius and his conversion to answer the question of Peter, why he was still needed to be sent if the denominations are correct that if we pray, we are save, that if we are just righteous, we are saved. This story gives the truth on how a man can be save.

April 17 (Wedding)

We attended a wedding here in Tuguegarao of brother Sammy Paet’s sister. Brother Rody solemnized the wedding, while brother Ron arrived coming from Manila and also gave a message to the newly wed. I cannot forget the family names of the couple because it is almost the same. The last name of the bride is PAET and the last name of the groom is PAAT.

April 18 (Wedding)

It is the wedding of my wife’s brother, Teddy Boy with our sister Rovina Catubag. Brother Ron Halbrook gave an inspiring message from the bible before they were solemnized. And with the help of brother Jonathan Carino and Lordy Salunga, they were solemnized.

April 19 (Gospel Meeting at Tuguegarao)

The meeting we have been praying for a long time here in Tuguegarao has finally come. Even though we have problem with our electricity that us fluctuating, that didn’t stop us to go on with our studies. We have two big aircons in the chapel but it won’t work and another problem was our sound system that give a buzzing sound when brother Jonathan preaches. He was the first speaker and him and brother Lordy both preached about Marriage and answered the question, when will a couple be joined together? Then brother Ron Halbrook preached about “Mistaken Views vs False Doctrine".

After the preaching, we sung the invitation song, and we are happy that there were two precious souls who confess their faith and was baptized immediately in the baptistery here in Tuguegarao.

In the afternoon, the final speaker was again brother Ron and now he preached about “Modest dress throughout the ages.”

In the evening, we still had our midweek service and we studied Ephesians 6 with the help of brother Rody.

April 20 (Thanksgiving service)

Sister Joy and her husband brought their son here in our chapel and asked for a thanksgiving service because their son just turned one year old and wanted to thank God for giving them their first child. Brother Jerome shared a lesson about why we should thank God and we all prayed together for the child and his family.

April 21 (Funeral Service at the wake of sister Celia Casibang)

We went to the wake of brother Jun Antonio’s sister. Last April 19, brother Jun came in our Gospel Meeting at Tuguegarao, but upon entering the chapel, there was a call from his wife saying that his sister has passed away. Sister Celia had an enlarge heart that they can no longer cure and are only waiting for her time. She is with the Lord now because she lived a faithful life as a Christian. Brother Jay led the singing, while I led the prayer and brother Jerome preached about “Facts of life”. We prayed for the family of sister Celia. He left her husband and three very young children.

April 23 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study about “For what reason was Peter sent?” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “How well do you listen?”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Jesus’ dying words”. The last seven words of Jesus before he died and I gave an explanation and encouragement from this words giving the scriptures to go with it.

April 26 (Wedding at Maguirig)

We attended a wedding at Maguirig where our sister April got married to a non-Christian. It is a good thing that the groom agreed that they will be married in the chapel of Church of Christ because many Christians nowadays, even though they have been Christian for so long, they still get marry on their husband denominational churches. Sister April may have started to preach her husband about the truth and with God’s help, he will become a true Christian too. Brother Teddy and Jay led the singing, while I opened the program with a prayer. Brother Jerome preached about Marriage and brother Rody solemnized them.

In the evening, we had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao and brother Rody discussed to us “Philippians 1”

April 27 (Gospel Meeting at Adra dy Ilog)

We again went to another invitation for Gospel Meeting and now in the mountainous area of the sierra madre. You can search about this mountains and see how long they were. We crossed a river using brother Jerome’s car because the bridge got destroyed. They made a wooden bridge but cannot take more load then just a small motorcycle.

In the meeting, brother Teddy led our singing, then brother Jay first preached. He preached “Questions on salvation” then I followed with a lesson about “For what reason was Peter sent?” The third speaker was brother Jerome who preached “5 Facts of life” and finally, brother Rody preached “Needs of the glorious church”. We sung the invitation song, and there were 5 precious young souls who confessed their faith and was baptized in the river that we crossed.

In the evening, we again went to the wake of sister Celia. I should be the one to preached but I asked brother Jay to do it because I got very weak from our last trip. He then preached about Death and I led a few songs to start with it.

April 29 (Funeral service at the wake of brother Layus)

We heard of the death of our dear brother two days from this day (29) and so we tried contacting brother Ranjet, his son so that we can have a service in their house. The family agreed and so we went there in the afternoon. Together with brother Teddy, we both led the singing, and brother Jerome preached about “facts of life”. Brother July and Jay ended the service by leading a song and prayer.

April 30 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study here in Tuguegarao the topic “Unless”. Giving some examples in the bible that uses the word unless and explaining to them the meaning of it. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Acts of Church worship”. After the preaching, we sung the invitation song, and we are very happy that three precious souls confessed their faith and was baptized. One of them is our niece, KC, the daughter of brother Jun. The two others were students of my wife in the children class, but now they are 13 years old, and personally decided to obey the gospel. I immersed them in water and we all joined together in prayer after the baptism.

In the afternoon, I also preached to them about the topic “Unless” It was very hot during our worship, but that doesn't stop us in worshiping God.

May 1-6 (Preaching trip)

May 1 – we traveled very early at around 6 in the morning to reach our first destination. We arrived at Pagudpud at 10 a.m. to visit our brethren. The congregation which stand there was the first congregation that brother Rody started when he was converted to the Church of Christ and for almost 30 years, the congregation is still there. We met the brethren especially the first converts of that congregation and have time to encourage them and prayed with them. After our conversation with them, we traveled to Vigan and stayed for the night there.

May 2 – Early morning, we traveled going to Caba, La Union to visit the family of brother Carlos Domingo. We arrived late in the afternoon, and so we just have bonding for a moment with them in the hotel where we stayed.

May 3 – we went to the house of brother Carlos and have bible study with his family. It was not the house where they stayed before but now a better one. We all prayed together before we left them. But before that, we visited the chapel where he is preaching. In the Philippines, it is the biggest chapel of Church of Christ so far and they are still working on it. We said our goodbyes for now and traveled to Baguio City.

May 4 – we were at Baguio with brother Rosendo and his family. We have time to give them also encouragement and unity in prayer with them. He gave us a tour in Baguio where the places we visit are all free and you can just see the beauty of God’s creation. Baguio City is situated on top of mountains that’s why it is always cold.

May 5 – from Baguio, we traveled to Labayog, Sison, Pangasinan for the Gospel Meeting. Again, we needed to cross a river using our car. There is really no other way to go to the other side. No bridge or any concrete road ahead, but we arrived safely in our destination. There is no congregation in the area and this is just the start for them to hear the truth. Most of them are relatives of brother Rody that’s why we are very happy and eager to teach them the truth.

Here is what the preaching went:

First speaker: brother Jerome preached about “What is the church of Christ?”

Second Speaker: brother Jay preached “Names of the Church”

Third speaker: brother Jun preached “Organization of the church”

Fourth Speaker: brother Teddy preached “Worship of the Church”

Fifth speaker: I preached to them about “How to become a member of the Lord’s church?” I prepared a presentation which I can use but for some reason, the projector they brought won’t work, but when brother Rody started to preached, the projector turned on.

Last speaker: brother Rody preached “Differences between the Church of Christ and other denominations”.

After all the lessons discussed, we sung the invitation song and one came in front to confess his faith. Most of the audience are wesleyans and Pentecostals that’s why they have many questions and are still willing to study more, but the one who confess his faith really said that, he wanted to be with Christ and not with denominations. He was baptized in the near river that we cross.

May 6 – we traveled back to Tuguegarao where it took us 12 hours on our trip.

May 7 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study about “What’s on your mind?” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “The Church of Christ”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Moses and the rock”. I discussed to them what are the lessons we can learn from the story of Moses and the reason why he didn’t enter the Promised Land. After the service, I went to visit sister Valentina Mabborang, who is 84 years old and is sick with pneumonia. We prayed in their house and also give her encouragements through the scripture.

May 10 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

We continued on our study on Philippians, now on the 2^nd chapter with the help of brother Rody.

May 11 (Gospel preaching at Casabang, Tabuk)

Again, on a short notice, we went to the invitation of brother Warren Cadater to preach with our brethren at Casabang. There is a congregation before in this place but when the preacher left them, the members also stop. But now, with the help of brother Warren and also brother Ben Vistro, they are reviving the church. Brother Ben and brother Virgilio led our singing and brother Jerome led the prayer. Brother Jay was the first speaker and he preached about “Savation”, I preached second, with my topic “The things we need to remember” then lastly, brother Rody preached about “Holy Bible”. We sung the invitation song where two came in front to confess their faith, but when asked, the older lady said, she was already baptized before and so we just advice her that when she became unfaithful before, she just needed to repent of her sins. But the younger lady was baptized in the near river.