Preaching activities from April 1-28, 2024

April 1-5 (Bible Lectureship)

We had brother Harry Osborne with us for a whole week to study the book of Hebrews including bible hermeneutics here at Tuguegarao. There are brethren who came from Ilocos Region, Isabela and Kalinga. We had an average attendance of 110 every day. Not only that we had a study with brother Harry, we also have nightly discussions about several doctrines that we are encountering. We try to help each other answer this false doctrines of man so that the next time we encounter their pastors and members, we will already know the bible verses we can use. 

April 3 (Midweek Service)

Even if we have the bible lectures, we still had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. Since we have guest preachers, we asked brother Denver Domingo to share for our bible study. He shared to us the lesson "Judgment begins at the house of God".

April 6 (Tracts distribution and bible study)

Even with the kind of weather we had, we still pushed through with our tracts distribution at Cadaanan,Solana. This is where brother Efren Respicio is preaching. It was very hot again during that time. Not a day since the last week of March that the temperature is below 38 degrees Celsius. Under the heat of the sun, we managed to go from house to house. 

After the tracts distribution, we had a bible study in one of the houses of our brethren. We held the study outside of their house to be exact because their house is small. I helped in leading a song together with other preachers. Brother July Aguinaldo was the first one to share the words of God with the lesson "Salvation cannot be found..." and brother Edgar Lingbawan" also preached on the lesson about "Zaccheus".

April 7 (Sunday Worships)

For our bible study here at Metro Tuguegarao, we had brother Andy Aquino shared to us "Luke 6". Then in the sermon, brother Rody preached "Mark 14:51-72".

In Palca, we invited brother Jay Gumpad to preached to us. He shared the lesson about "Why are the Denominations always wrong?". 

In Dagupan, I am the one who preached and I shared the lesson "How to overcome situations as Christians?". I am happy to see that those brethren who were sick the previous weeks are already with us. Even those who had severe illnesses already joined us. 

April 9 (Gospel Meeting)

We had a Gospel Meeting in Dagupan where me and brother Robert Rances are preaching. We tried to invite the people around the village but only few came even though there are those who contacted me through Facebook because they saw the invitations we distributed. I hope someday they will have the time to join us in worship. They continue to contact me and are asking a lot of questions regarding religion, church and Christianity. 

We had brother Jet Mark Ramirez as our first speaker. He is one of those I help guide during the preachers training program here in Tuguegarao last 2010. He is very young back then and very shy, but now, he is very energetic with a very loud voice when preaching. He preached a lesson about guarding ourselves. Then followed by brother Manny Pader who preached about Five truths that many do not want to think about. 

It was very hot again but it didn't bother any of us because of the good lessons we heard. 

April 10 (Midweek service)

 It was my schedule to teach in our bible study here at Tuguegarao. But before that, the last Sunday, it was announced by the elders that we will have guests who will teach us and so I was told to give them the time. But Wednesday afternoon, about 3 hours before our midweek service, they told me that they haven't arrived yet and so they asked me to prepare a lesson. With that, I needed to look at my prepared outlines and decided to teach about "Simon the sorcerer".

April 13 (Gospel Meeting)

We were invited to the Gospel Meeting at San Mateo Church in Tumauini where brother Jet Mark is preaching. I haven't been there since the early 2010's. Their chapel is made of wood before but now it is already concrete. Those are the short memory I have from this congregation. Their father was the preacher before but because of adultery, they are forced to removed him. They do not want him to be part of the congregation anymore because until now, he is with this other woman. Thankfully, Jet Mark and his siblings, including their mother are faithful members of the Lord's church.

Brother Efren Respicio was the first speaker and he spoke about "The true Church". I am happy to be sharing to them also about "The true worshippers and how to become one?". 

 After the lessons preached, we had a good time talking to our brethren. They want us to come again. I just found out that some of them are members in the congregation at Antagan. They also want us to have a Gospel Meeting there and want me to be one of the speakers. If God will give me another chance to be with them, I will be more than happy to preach the truth to them. I hope and pray that I can help them in any possible way for their journey towards heaven.

April 14 (Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, we should have brother Jun Guimiran to teach in our bible study. But he was not present during that time and so brother Flor took over. He discussed to us the first two topics we can learn in Luke 7. In the sermon, brother Rody Gumpad had an urgent schedule going to the Philippine Embassy for their VISA interview and so they took a flight Saturday morning. For that reason, I was the one who preached in our sermon. I should be going to Minagbag but they asked me to move it the next Sunday. I also preached to them the lesson about "The True Worshippers".

In the afternoon, brother James Attaban invited me to preached at Alibago Church. It was that time were most of the brethren are out. Some of the brethren there already attended our worship at Tuguegarao in the morning because they have things to do. I am still happy to be with the brethren who were there. I showed brother James several outlines I have and he also choose the same lesson I preached in Tuguegarao. His reason is that, some of them need to understand that they should not just go to church to be present but to worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. This is also the problems in other congregations as I am talking to other preachers. Some think that the church is an aid for their needs, for their healing, and others. They do not understand what true worship is. I hope I had explained to them well what the word of God says.

April 17 (Midweek Service)

Early morning, I had already prepared everything I need to go to Minagbag and Alibago for home visitation. But in the last minute, brother Jay contacted me saying that it was cancelled and he already talked to the brethren there. And so, I just prepared my outline for the Gospel Meeting in Namnama Church.

In the evening, we had American brethren as our guest. They are from Alabama. Brother Alan Yeater, their preacher and brother Jerry Sandli as one of their elders. Brother Alan was the one who taught and he shared a good lesson about "The mistakes of Jesus". It seems as the title shows Jesus made mistakes in his decisions like choosing Judas as one of his apostles, but on the course of the study, he explained the reasons behind this decisions.

April 18 (Bible Studies)

In the morning, we went to Minagbag Church to have a bible study and our American brethren are the speakers. The building was full and mostly brethren. Brother Alan was the first one to speak and he preached on "Acts 3-5". Brother Rody translated his sermon sentence by sentence for the brethren to understand. Some of them have difficulty understanding the english language and so by this, it will help us know what Alan is saying. Followed by brother Jerry who preached about "The Choices we make" and brother Denis Yuson translated it. 

In the afternoon, we went to Alibago Church for another bible study. This time, it was only brother Alan who preach. He shared a good lesson on the examples of "Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego". The crowd is also good as those who were not present the last Sunday already attended. But those students were not present as they are in school. 

April 19 (Bible studies)

For this day, we will be visiting three congregations together with our American brethren. There will be bible studies where they will be preaching. 

First stop, we went to Bantay Church where brother David Malupeng is preaching. They have a chapel but it was open. Materially, they are poor but spiritually, they are rich because of their faithfulness. Brother Alan was the first one to preach and he shared to us about  "Acts 14". Brother Rody was the one who translated it in our language. Followed by brother Jerry who shared a short edifying words that he uses most of the songs in the Sacred Selections book.  In the invitation, one young man went in front to confess his faith. I only got the pictures from my fellow preachers because I don't usually take pictures, I only asked a copy from them. 

Next congregation was in Sampaguita Church. They have three preachers in this congregation, Mario Garma, Jerry Soliva and Emer Yuson. They are doing a great job in this congregation. They continue to grow both spiritually and in number. Brother Alan shared a lesson on Psalm 37 and as usual brother Rody was the translator. Invitation was extended and 5 precious souls obeyed the gospel. 

Finally, our last destination for the day is in Cadaanan Church where brother Efren Respicio is preaching. We've been here about two weeks ago where we had our bible tracts distribution and bible studies. This day, we had those who received tracts attended the event. Brother Alan was again the speaker and he preached about "The story of Ruth". Invitation was extended but no response. But during our conversation with them, two decided to obey the gospel. 

April 20 (Gospel Meeting)

We didn't join the American brethren in their preaching at Baggao area because me and brother Jay Gumpad are speakers in the gospel meeting at Namnama/Pagasa Church. It is where brother Edgar Licodini is preaching. I am the first speaker. I should be preaching about "The healing in the pool at Bethesda". Unfortunately, Friday evening, I was checking my powerpoint outline but cannot find it. I think I forgot to save it and so I decided to preach the lesson "Do not neglect your salvation".  Then, brother Jay preached a lesson about "Who told that?". Invitation was extended but no response from the audience. There are visitors but they are still undecided. Hoping that in their next studies, they will already obey the gospel because we don't know when will Jesus return.

April 21 (Sunday Worships)

I was invited by brother Jay Gumpad to preach in Minagbag Church in the morning. He asked me to preached the same lesson "Do not neglect your salvation" because their are those who are lukewarm brethren in the congregation. It was only last Thursday that I was with them together with our guest American brethren and now I am the one trying to edify them with God's word. I am happy that there are those who want me to go and preach to their congregations. I thank God for guiding and giving me that knowledge of the truth. All of the glory belongs to God because without Him, I cannot do anything. 

In the afternoon, for the last time, our American brethren will be preaching here in the Philippines because the next day, they will already fly back to the US. Before this schedule, I already asked and requested our brethren at Dagupan if they could just join us in Palca for just this Sunday so that there will only be one place that our guests will go. In Palca, we have air-condition while in Dagupan, it is very hot. They happily agreed for the reason that they can also see our brethren there. So, we all had our worship at Palca Church. 

Brother Alan was the one who preach with the topic on "Acts 21-28" the journey and sacrifices of Paul in preaching the gospel. Brother Rody did a good job translating it in our language and he also extended the invitation. One precious soul obeyed the gospel and she was sister Loida. I  am both happy and emotional with her decision because I know how hard she is living right now because of all her illnesses (Diabetic, poor eyesight, high blood pressure and her leg was cut for the infection on her feet not to spread). She is also emotional while having her confession. We needed to assist her in all her movements. I immersed her in water with all the precaution needed because she removed her prosthesis and is limping only. She also needed to protect her eyes because the doctors told her not to wet her eyes. Thankfully, the baptism was successful and the joy in her face is showing. Please include our sister in your prayers. 

April 24 (Midweek Service)

I should be going in the Gospel Meeting at San Vicente Church at Gattaran but upon checking my car's registration, it was already expired and so I needed to renew it for me to be able to use my car in all my preaching schedules. By that, the elders are Tuguegarao asked me to teach in our midweek bible study. I was able to share to them the lesson on "The healing at the pool of Bethesda".

April 26 (Gospel Meeting)

I was able to go to the Gospel Meeting at Remus Church at Baggao where brother Sammy and Virgilio Paet are preaching. It is about one and a half travel from here. There were only two speakers and the event is only set in the morning. Brother Denis Yuson was the first speaker and he preached about "The City of Refuge" then followed by brother Rody who preached about "The needs of the Church". Invitation was extended and there were 5 precious souls who came in front to confess their faith. We then went to the river for baptism, but before going, another one decided to obey the gospel. So there was a total of six new converts for this Gospel Meeting.

After the baptism, we went to Ballesteros. With me is brother Jay Gumpad, Efren Respicio, Jet Mark Ramirez and Reymund Welba. We went there earlier so have a quality time with the brethren. The next day was the Gospel Meeting in their congregation at Cabaritan Church. 

April 27 (Gospel Meeting)

The Gospel Meeting was held early in the morning at 8a.m. The construction of the chapel was done just a couple of days ago and this was the first time the activity is done there. The chapel is very beautiful. It was done by brother Sherwin Miranda who is one of the local preachers in the congregation. He is also good in carpentry that's why he used his talents to make the building very presentable to everyone who will come. I am praying that we can also do the same in the chapel at Dagupan Church. 

In this congregation, they have five preachers (Fidelfin Miranda, Sherwin Miranda, Walter Agustin, Wilfredo Agustin and Jade Domingo). They are all doing a good job in this area of the region. They are helping in each other in four different congregations.

The first speaker for the Gospel Meeting is brother Joeben Jacobo and he preached about "The Christian's race", followed by brother Efren Respicio who preached "Transformation". Third speaker was brother Jerome Forelo who preached "Roles of the church" and finally brother Rody Gumpad who preached "The temple of God". Invitation was extended and two young man came in front to confess their faith. One of them is the Cian who is the son of brother Fidelfin, their preacher. The night before the Gospel Meeting, I was able to talk to him. I found out that he is active in all school activities, but not only that, he is also active in helping in all church activities even with just his young age of 10. He is trained to lead songs and prayers on outside preaching works. I have asked him about baptism and for my surprise, he is very eager to get baptized. Early morning, before going to the meeting, I saw him very excited. Literally, jumping in joy. I am happy to see this young kid eager to help in the work for the Lord. I can see him as one of the preachers in the coming years. They were then baptized in the near sea. 

We thank God for guiding us in our travel. We left Ballesteros at aroung 3p.m. and with the guidance of God, we arrived 6p.m.

April 28 (Sunday Worship)

For our bible study here in Tugueagarao, we had brother Jun Guimaran teach us. He shared on Luke 7:31-50. In the sermon, brother Rody preached on "Mark 15:33-47". Invitation was extended and there were four precious souls who confess and obeyed the gospel. We immediately baptized them because I still need to go early for my next work.

In Palca, I was able to preach them also the lesson "Do not neglect your salvation". I have already preached this lesson in several congregations, but not yet to them. They were edified much with the lesson that I saw a lot of posts in facebook of my powerpoint outline with a good caption. 

I Dagupan, we had brother Robert Rances preached about "God is thinking about us". It was a good lesson and very much encouraging because of what God does in our lives.