Preaching activities from July 31 to August 22, 2019

July 31 (Midweek service)

This is our third month to have the singing class during the last Wednesday of the month. Brother Jay led us in our singing, and we tried to learn the song “Never grow old”. We tried singing it as a congregation for four times until we learned the right tune. We will keep trying to learn new spiritual songs every singing class.

August 4 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I am again very happy and thankful to God that I have the opportunity to share the words of God to the brethren. I taught in our bible study “Genesis 30” about the wives and children of Jacob. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Exhortation of Paul”. 

I am supposed to go to Palca but because the brethren at Alibago invited me to preach to them, I asked brother Jun Antonio to go to Palca for the meantime. Every time brother Rody is in Manila or out of town for preaching, they are inviting other preachers to go to them and thankfully, they trusted me to give them the truth of the gospel. I shared to the brethren the lessons “Learning from the downfall of Israel”.

 

Our attendance at Alibago Church

August 7 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I am again scheduled to share the words of God to the brethren at Tuguegarao. We continued with our study on the book of Genesis. I shared to the the 31^st chapter and we talk about the Jacob fleeing from Laban and going back to the land of promise.

August 9 (Bible study at Palca)

I went to visit the Uton family in Palca because I wanted to continue to study with the family of the late brother Leonardo Uton. His wife and daughter, Lorna is already a member of the Lord’s church while Mrs. Loida, the eldest of his children and living in Palca is not yet a Christian. I shared to them the lesson about “The true Church”. She is a Catholic and a businesswoman. I am praying that someday she will also follow the footsteps of her parents and obey the gospel. She is convinced from the lesson I preached but undecided yet for baptism.

August 11 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught again in our bible study and I shared to them the lesson “Happiness”.  It is all about how to be happy. We can find happiness by living righteously, by worshipping God and by being content with what we have. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Remember Lot’s wife”.

In the afternoon, I preached also the same lesson about “Happiness”. We have many visitors coming from Tallang, Baggao. They came to attend our worship because of the invitation of sister Carry for the thanksgiving of her baby daughter. From the guest, I met a pastor of the New Life Church (Mr. Ligsay). I have a conversation with him after the worship and talk about the difference of the church of Christ and denominations. He wanted to study more but because he is from Baggao, I gave the number of brother Sammy Paet and Randy Respicio who are from the area so that they will follow-up on him. Tuguegarao to Baggao is about an hour and a half drive.

After the worship, I taught in a thanksgiving. I preached about “Giving thanks to God”. Sister Carry and her husband who is not a Christian wanted to have the time to give thanks to God for blessing them with a baby girl named “Casey”, a month old baby.

 

Together with sister Carry Ligsay, her husband and baby.

August 14 (First day of preaching with brother Keith Greer and brother Steve Lee)

We pick-up brother Keith, brother Steve, brother Rody and sister Tessie in the airport August 13. They came from the preaching in Cebu and Palawan. And before our American brethren go back home, they are here in our region for the last stop of their preaching trip.

I joined them in the preaching to help with the work. Our first destination is in Villa Salud Church where brother Rolando Agpoon is preaching. It is not in the original schedule but the brethren at Muleg decided to cancel the meeting there because of a burial of one of the brother. Brother Steve was the first one to preach, and he shared “The Church in the world”. In our region, many of our brethren cannot understand straight English and that’s why it is our work to translate it for them. I summarized the lesson of brother Steve after his preaching in our native language. The same is when brother Keith preach, brother Jerome summarized the lesson. He preached about “Ship wrecks”. We extended the invitation and 2 precious souls confessed their faith and were baptized.

 

Brother Rolando Agpoon

brother Steve Lee

I am summarizing the lesson of brother Steve

brother Keith Greer

brother Jerome summarizing the lesson of brother Keith

Confession of the new converts

In the afternoon, we went to Bauan Church where brother Robert Pader is preaching. This is the hottest place in our preaching trip. We started the meeting in very pleasant weather but after about 15 minutes, there was a brownout. It was very hot that some of the brethren are going in and out of the meeting place. Even our American brethren cannot take the heat and so they tried to shorten the preaching. We are afraid that anyone might have a heat stroke. Most of the brethren in Palca are very old and are weak. I was asked to lead one song together with some other preachers in attendance. Brother Keith preached “Don’t Yield” and brother Jerome summarized the lesson. Brother Steve preached also about “The universal need of the gospel” and because it is very hot, to shorten the time, instead of summarizing the lesson, brother Rody translated what brother Keith is saying sentence by sentence into our own language. We again extended the invitation and there are also 2 precious souls who confess their faith and was baptized into Christ.

 

I am leading a song

brother Robert Pader

brother Keith

Jerome summarizing the lesson of brother Keith

Brother Steve preaching and brother Rody translating

two new converts

In the evening, we had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. We are very thankful that we already have electricity. Brother Keith shared to us the lesson “A brief glimpse of the end”.

August 15 (Second day)

I didn’t join the second day of preaching because I brought my son to the dentist. They removed two of his teeth.

August 16 (Third day of preaching trip)

We started with our trip at around 7:30 in the morning to travel going to Illuru Church. It is an hour travel from Tuguegarao. The weather is again hot but good thing there is no brownout. The preacher of this congregation is Jayson Tanguilan. Brother Keith was the first speaker and he also shared to them “A brief glimpse of the end”. Brother Jerome translated the preaching, meaning, they both stand in front. Brother Keith is speaking in English and brother Jerome is translating him in Tagalog. Brother Steve preached “Universal need of the gospel” and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and 3 precious souls came in front to confess their faith and was baptized in the near river.

 

Jayson Tanguilan

Keith preaching and Jerome translating

Steve preaching and Rody translating

three new converts

the baptism

after the baptism

In the afternoon, we went to San Luis Church where brother Rogelio Esperanza is preaching. The meeting place was full and some of them are even sitting outside. There are brethren who came from Sto. Tomas and also from Palca where I am preaching. Brother Keith preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Universal Need of the gospel” and was translated by brother Rody. We extended the invitation and 2 precious souls obeyed the gospel. I was asked to lead the closing prayer.

 

Rogelio Esperanza

Keith preaching and Jerome translating

Steve preaching and Rody translating

two new converts

August 17 (Fourth day of preaching)

Our first destination is in Centro Rizal Church where brother Geronimo Ganela is preaching. This is the first area outside of Tuguegarao that we experience the coldness of an aircon. The congregation is big and so is the meeting place. There are about 90-100 in attendance. Brother Keith preached “A brief glimpse of the end” and was translated by brother Gerald Ganela. Brother Steve preached “Walking circumspectly” and brother Jerome translated it. Invitation was extended and two precious souls obeyed the gospel. We baptized them in the near river.

 

Keith preaching and Gerald translating

Steve preaching and Rody translating

two new converts

the baptism

In the afternoon, we went to Bagbag church where brother Luis Nalog is preaching. He is my classmate in the Preachers training here in Tuguegarao in 2006. I am happy to see him again together with brother Sagrado Addamag who is also our classmate. The audience is composed of two groups, the brethren at Muleg Church and Bagbag Church. Brother Luis is also the preacher at Muleg and because their schedule is cancelled from the start of the trip, they just attended the meeting in Bagbag. And again, the atmosphere in very hot. Good things (Aircon) always have an ending. Brother Luis asked me to lead our opening song. Brother Keith preached “Don’t yield” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “A changeless gospel in a changing world” and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and 12 very precious young souls obeyed the gospel. Most of them are 11 years old and so brother Rody needed to ask them important questions to know whether they understand what they are doing. We baptized them in the same river we baptized the new converts at Centro Rizal.

 

Keith preaching and Jerome translating

Steve preaching and Rody translating

Luis Nalog

I am leading a song

14 new converts

the baptism

after baptism picture

August 18 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our service here in Tuguegarao, our American brethren shared to us again wonderful lessons. Brother Steve taught in our bible study about “Caring for our soul”. And brother Keith preached “Importance of fellowship”. We again have a good attendance of about 110.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “Getting our soul ready for the judgment”. Mrs. Loida is not in attendance because she was out of town. Hope and pray that the next time she attends the worship, she will already obey the gospel. We also have a good attendance of 42 including the children.

 

Young and adult attendance (children not included in the picture)

August 19 (Fifth day of preaching)

Our first destination is in Aquib Church where brother Dennis Yuson is preaching. According to him, most of the brethren are students and they are all in school. There are also those teachers and office workers who are out, but still, we have a good attendance. Brother Keith preached “How to study the context of the bible” and was summarized by brother Willey Pastor. Brother Steve preached “Caring for our soul and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended but got no response from the audience. There is a visitor who asked questions. I always see him every Gospel Meeting in this congregation and always asking many questions. But he is never satisfied with the answers. It seems like he only wants to test the knowledge of the speakers. But just like what brother Steve told me personally that the seed that is planted in him will eventually grow at one time is he will try to water it with obedience. We are praying for him and wanted him also to be save.

In the afternoon, we went to Sampaguita Church where brother Mario Garma and Jerry Soliva is preaching. The meeting place is again full. It is a small church building because that is the only the available lot they bought. They are praying that they can get a bigger lot because they are growing in number. Brother Keith preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Universal need of the gospel” and was translated by brother Willey. No conversion in this place but I am sure everyone is edified by all the lessons we have heard.

***Sorry I forgot to get the pictures for this day..To be followed...

August 20 (Sixth day of preaching)

Our first destination is in Cadaanan Church where brother Flor and Efren Respicio is preaching. Brother Flor just got out of the hospital last week and still very weak but did his best to come and join in the meeting. Even his wife is also weak. Brother Keith preached about “Salvation by the blood” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Accept Responsibility under the gospel of Christ” and I was the one who translated. This is my first time doing it. I’ve been summarizing lessons by the American brothers before but never translated. I am nervous but happy that the brethren choose me to do it. For a first timer, I know I have many flows. I even asked brother Jerome some of the translations of what brother Steve is saying. I understand what he means but do not know the right Tagalog word for it. We extended the invitation but no response.

Flor Respicio

Efren Respicio

Keith preaching and Jerome translating

Steve preaching and I am translating

In the afternoon, we went to Lanna Church where brother Jimmy Domingo is preaching. I was asked to lead in our opening prayer. Brother Keith preached “God’s plan for unity” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Caring for our soul” and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and 8 precious souls obeyed the gospel. We baptized them in the baptistery here in Tuguegarao. After the meeting, when we are going to the car, I noticed many scratches in my car. The kids made my car a blackboard and written many drawings. Instead of getting mad, I took a deep breath and just smiled. I heard that brother Jimmy scolded (in a good way) the kids when we went home. I am used to this kind of problems and will never hurt me anymore.  

  

Keith preaching and Jerome translating

Steve preaching and Rody translating

Eight new converts

August 21 (Seventh day of preaching)

This is the farthest place that we went in this preaching trip so far. It is about 2 and a half hours of travel. But the long trip is easily forgotten when we arrived because the big church building is full of people. If I am not mistaken, it composed of three congregations, brethren from Remus, Nangalinan and Mabini. This congregation is the Mabini Church where brother Randy Respicio is preaching. Brother Keith preached “A brief glimpse of the end” and was translated by brother Rody. Brother Steve preached “Universal need of the gospel” and I again have the chance to translate if for the brethren. Invitation was extended and 3 precious souls obeyed the gospel.

Steve preaching and I am translating

three new converts

Keith preaching and Rody translating

In the afternoon, we went to Masisit Church where brother Celso Jacobo is preaching. I was asked to lead one song before we started with the lessons. Brother Keith preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Rody. Brother Steve preached “The changeless gospel in a changing world” and I translated it. Invitation was again extended and there were 2 precious souls who obeyed the gospel.

  

Keith preaching and Rody translating

I am leading a song

Steve preaching and I am translating

In the evening, we had our midweek service here in Tuguegarao. Brother Steve shared to us the lesson “Ambassadors for Christ”.

Keith Greer, Steve Lee and my family 

August 22 (Eight and final day of preaching)

Our first destination is in Casabang Church where brother Kernel Vistro is preaching. And again, brownout. Our speakers cannot use the projector and so they preached a lesson on a chart. They just started to erect their church building and so we all gathered in an open area with a tent. Brother Steve and brother Keith preached the lesson “You cannot hide sin” and brother Rody translated it for them. Invitation was again extended and 4 precious souls came in front to confess their faith but after the preaching, another one approached us and also decided to obey the gospel. And so, there are 5 new converts in this area.

Four new converts confessing their faith

One added to the new converts for a total of five

In the afternoon, our last destination of the trip together with our American brothers, is in Gobgob Church where brother Ben Vistro is preaching. The meeting place is again full and some of the brethren are sitting outside. Brother Keith preached “Don’t Yield” and brother Rody translated it. Brother Steve preached “Caring for our soul” and I again translated it for him. Invitation was extended and 8 precious souls obeyed the gospel.

 

Ben Vistro

Keith preaching and Rody translating

Steve preaching and I am translating

Eight new converts

In this trip of brother Steve and brother Keith here in the Philippines, there were a total of 133 converts in all the places they visited. In our region, there are already 46 and I am happy to be part of it.