Preaching activities from August 4 to September 1, 2024

August 4 (Sunday Worship)

In the morning, I was invited by brother Rogelio Esperanza to preach in their congregations at San Luis Church. It is just near the congregations where I am preaching because they are in the same town. I preached in a funeral service in their area the previous week and the brethren told brother Rogelio to invite. I am happy to be with them and for many times that I am going to that area, preaching in their home bible studies and distributing tracts, it was my first time to preach in their worship and in their chapel. I preached the sermon on the story of Naaman where I got the lesson from brother Donnie Rader “7 People, 7 lessons”. My outline was in our native language so that people will easily understand.

In the afternoon at Palca, it was brother Robert Rances who preached the sermon. He shared to us “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder”. 

In Dagupan, I also preached the same sermon on “7 people 7 lessons”. 

August 7 (Midweek Service)

Brother Craig Teel and brother Keith Greer was picked-up early morning to be working here in our region for almost a month, Craig will only stay for 10 days. They are both from Valparaiso, Indiana. Craig is one of their elders and Keith is a member of that congregation.

Every year, brother Keith visits the Philippines and teach on lectures and Gospel Meetings in different places. He was a local preacher before at Harrodsburg Church but when they moved to Valparaiso, he worked on a Funeral Parlor. 

In our midweek service, Craig led us in singing while Keith preached on a lesson entitled “What is faith?”.

August 8-10 (Bible Lectures)

We had a 2 and a half day of bible lectures here at Tuguegarao. It was attended by many Christians and preachers who came from several congregations. Some of them came from Ilocos Region, Isabela and Kalinga. The first two days had a full house but on the last day, only half because many of them went back home Friday evening (7-10 hours travel). They needed to prepare for Sunday also. 

For the first day, I wasn’t able to attend because I brought my mother to the eye surgeon. We went there very early hoping that she will be the first, but we ended up being there until 4 in the afternoon. The next day, I needed to bring her again to the doctor in the morning for follow-up check up but in the afternoon, I made sure that I can already attend the lectures.

Brother Craig lead us in all the songs as he is a very good song leader. Brother Keith took over with all the preaching. He did a very good job with all the lessons even though he haven’t been preaching for a while in their congregation. They have their own local preacher there. 

August 11 (Sunday Worship)

In our worship here in Tuguegarao, it was brother Craig who taught in our bible study. He shared a good lesson about “Leadership”. And in the sermon, brother Keith preached “Keep your heart with all diligence”. After the sermon, invitation was extended and I am very happy that from the three who went in front, I am surprise that my son(Gelo) decided to obey the gospel already. He is 12 years old. He is always attending the children’s class that’s why he is also learning a lot from the bible. The other young lady is Keisha (my niece) and the last one is the grand daughter of sister Amy who is a very faithful member of the Lord’s church. I immersed them in water for their baptism.

For our worship in the afternoon, I announced to the brethren at Palca and Dagupan that brother Keith will be going in Dagupan two weeks before and so the brethren at Palca told me that they wanted to listen to brother Keith also. We all decided that we will all have our worship at Dagupan for this Sunday. 

Brother Keith preached the lesson on “Rules in reading the bible”. After the sermon, I summarized it in our language. Everyone is edified by the presence of brother Keith and most especially the sermon he presented. 

August 12 (Gospel Meeting)

It was about 7am in the morning when we traveled to San Vicente, Gattaran. We arrived in the destination at around 9am because of the heavy traffic. It was Monday and many workers go to work and students go to school. This is the congregation where brother Joeben Jacobo and Salcedo Jacobo preaches. They have a very beautiful building. In the whole Cagayan, they have the best one. 

Brother Craig led us again in the singing. Brother Keith preached a very good lesson about “The most dangerous sin”. Brother Jerome summarizes the lesson after that. I was asked to lead the invitation song. No response for this time but the audience are very edified.

August 13 (Gospel Meeting)

We needed to travel early again going to Remus, Baggao. We got up at 7am and arrived there at 9:30am. When we arrived, brother Keith had already started the lesson. He preached about “Nature or the scripture”. It was brother Sammy Paet (Their local preacher), who summarizes the lesson. Invitation was sung and 8 precious souls obeyed the gospel. We’ve talked with them after the meeting and found out they are from the Agta Tribe. Their leader was also baptized and he is the one guiding them to learn the truth. 

August 14 (Gospel Meeting)

This is just a short trip of about an hour going to Babalag, Kalinga. Brother Geronimo Ganela, Gerald Ganela and Jun Agsaoay are the preachers. They have a very high building that sounded like your in a Catholic chapel when someone speaks in the front. Their is an echo around the building when someone speaks on the mic. But unlike in Catholic chapel, you cannot understand what the priest is saying, here, the voice is very clear. I drove brother Craig Teel in the area. He preached the lesson “Securing the heart”. It was summarized by brother Rody after that. Invitation was extended and 4 precious souls went in front to confess their faith. But when we went to the baptism, another young lady decided to obey the gospel.

In the evening was our midweek service here in Tuguegarao. Brother Keith taught “What does God wants of me?”. It was the last night of brother Craig with us because he is flying back to the US early next day. He also led us in beautiful spiritual songs once again.

August 15 (Gospel Meeting)

At around 6 in the morning, we drop brother Craig Teel in the airport. He arrived at Manila safely but his flight back to the US was cancelled because there was a typhoon in Japan. He bought a new ticket with different route but it was a Saturday flight. He arrived safely to the US with God's help on Sunday evening.

This is the first day where I have attended all the preaching activities for the whole day and I am also the one driving brother Keith to several congregations starting this day. 

We first went to Lanna Church. It is just 30 minutes drive from Tuguegarao. We got there early and the brethren are already prepared. Brother Keith preached the lesson “Source of our faith”. After that, it was summarized again by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and their are two who confessed their faith.

The destination in the afternoon is at Cordova Church. We met under a tent that they temporary made. They are meeting under a tree every Sunday for worship. It was just 30 minutes from our last place. Brother Keith preached “Why is Lord’s blueprint different than man’s?”. Invitation was again extended and 5 precious souls confessed their faith. They were baptized in a pool near the meeting place. I didn’t go inside the resort because they want us to pay for the entrance and so there are only limited number who went inside.

August 16 (Gospel Meeting)

An hour travel again going to San Luis Church. It was a good sunny day but it was very hot once again. This time of the year here in the Philippines, it should be cold already, but this time, it was still like summer.

Brother Keith preached the lesson “Some who will not escape hell” and was summarized by brother Rody. There are five brethren who came from Palca attended. I told all of them of this Gospel Meeting but they have work and school.

In the afternoon, we went to Alibago Church. We arrived early in the area. The brethren rush to come because they thought we will start at 1:30. We were there at 12:45. Brother Keith preached “Some who will not escape hell continuation” and again summarized by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and one obeyed the gospel. It is the son of brother James Attaban, there local preacher. We brought him here in Tuguegarao to be baptized because the water in the river at Alibago is very high at that time. There was no rain in our area but the water came from Isabela Region passing through our river. 

August 17 (Gospel Meeting)

This preaching day is the the most difficult from all the places we went to. I am not sure if you know the term “Brownout”. This happen when the electric company shuts down all the connections. This day, it was scheduled to have a whole day without electricity in the entire region of Kalinga where we are scheduled to go, that means it is very hot.

We first went to Bagbag Church where brother Luis Nalog is preaching. The chapel was full that it is even more difficult to breathe. Brother Keith is not use to this kind of weather that’s why he is soaking in his sweat before even started to preach. He preached about “Eternal purpose”. The preaching was cut short because of the situation but brother Rody still summarizes the lesson. Invitation was extended and we are happy that two precious souls obeyed the gospel. 

Our next destination is in Liwan Church where brother Jun Agsaoay and Jonathan Tango are the preachers. It is also part of the region of Kalinga that’s why we still do not have electricity. It is good when it is cloudy but it was sunny during that time that makes the situation worst. Thankfully, we still managed to have the Gospel Meeting and the brethren are very much edified by it. Brother Keith preached about the The Holy Spirit and was summarized again by brother Rody.

August 18 (Sunday Worship)

For our worship at Tuguegarao, brother decided to teach both in the bible study and sermon as this will be his last Sunday with us. In our bible study he taught “War between God and Satan” and in the sermon, “Why do we sin?”. 

In this Sunday, our worship at Palca and Dagupan happened on the same hour. The brethren at Dagupan requested if we can have the worship at 1pm in the afternoon because the village is celebrating their feast and our worship will be distracted with all the sounds around. They are celebrating it for two weeks. There are programs around the village that distracts our worship with their loud speakers. Brother Robert and I decided to go on separate ways. I went to Palca and him in Dagupan. 

In Palca, Jhian asked me if he can take my place to preach. I obliged and so he shared a good lesson “Walk in Wisdom”. I added some extra points after his sermon. 

August 19 (Gospel Meeting)

At around 6:30 in the morning, me, James Attaban and brother Keith traveled to Payagan, Ballesteros. We arrived there at around 9:30. Brother Johnson Ramil was their local preacher. Several preachers also join us once again and help in the work. Brother Keith preached about “Drawing nearer to God”. This time, it was me who summarizes the lesson because brother Rody and brother Jerome are not around. No conversion in this area.

In the afternoon, we went to Cabaritan Church where the sibling, Jun and Sherwin Miranda are preaching. Brother Keith preached “What saves us? One thing or many things?”. Brother Jun asked me at the beginning if I can summarize again but I beg him to let brother Robinson to do it because I am having a migraine. Invitation was extended and one young soul came in front to confess his faith. We brought him to the church at Cabuluan for his baptism. I talked to his grandma during the baptism and she told me she is very happy for her grandson. She is in tears while telling me stories about them. 

After the activities, we stayed in a hotel in Sanchez Mira where brother Keith helped me in paying my room. Brother Rody and brother Dennis also arrived and will be joining us the next day.

August 20 (Gospel Meeting)

Our first destination is in Magacan Church. It was only 15 minutes away from the hotel we stayed in. The brethren here are from a native tribe led by brother Danny Bautista as their local preacher. Their meeting place is literally very small. I am 5’8 and I still needed to duck in order to go inside. Brother Keith preached about “The value of the valley”. Brother Rody already joined us once again and so he was the one who summarized the lesson. Invitation was extended and one young lady obeyed the gospel. We brought her under a bridge and she was baptized.

Our final destination for the day is in Barucboc Church. It was about an hour travel. Brother Johnson Ramil is also the preacher there. This congregation was established in the early 2000’s and was abolished and re-established several times. Brother Keith preached “God is…” (defining God) and was summarized by brother Rody. 

We traveled back to Tuguegarao after the gospel meeting. It took us three and a half hours to go back home.

August 21 (Wedding)

We were invited to the wedding of brother Willy Pastor’s daughter in Santiago, Isabela. Brother Willy (“Otey”) is one of the most trusted preacher here in the Philippines and I can say one who have the strongest faith. If you want to know why, email me😁. Brother Keith shared a sermon regarding marriage and brother solemnized their wedding. Brother Dennis Yuson is also with us.

We stayed in a hotel at Santiago so that we will be near the place for the Gospel Meeting the next day. 

August 22 (Gospel Meeting)

Our first destination is at Barucboc Church. They have one of the biggest chapel in the Philippines but it is still unfinished. Their local preacher is brother Edgar Lingbawan. He was helped by several American brethren to build it. 

Brother Keith preached the lesson “Did the Lord build more then than one church?”. Invitation was extended but no response.

Our final destination for this two weeks long preaching trip with brother Keith is in Minagbag Church where brother Jay Gumpad and James Attaban is preaching. Brother Keith preached about “Love the lord your God”. Invitation was extended and one young lady confessed her faith. She was then baptized immediately after the activity.

August 23

We drop brother Keith Greer, Rody Gumpad and Willy Pastor to the airport for their flight going to Palawan Region. They will be there for 7 days before brother Keith goes back to the US. I can no longer join in that trip because I do not have the capacity to pay for airfare and other expenses.

August 25 (Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, we continued on our study on the book of Luke. This time, it was brother Lino Darauay, one of our elders who shared the lesson. He discussed Luke 11:14-32. In the sermon, I was again asked to preached because brother Rody is in Palawan. The elders are planning on making me one of their regular preachers already because brother Rody is always away with other obligations. I preached to them about “Drawing near to God”.

In the afternoon, as requested by the brethren at Dagupan, brother Robert and I went on our separate worships. This time, he went to Palca while I went to Dagupan.

I also preached in Dagupan the lesson, Drawing near to God. Before we even sing our closing song, the surrounding place is very noisy already. Thankfully, we finished our worship joyfully. 

We also have a meeting that on every last Sunday of the month, we will have our worship in the morning. It will be divided for Palca and Dagupan. That means, we will be early.

August 28 (Midweek Service)

Our elders invited brother Robert Rances to teach in our bible study. He shared the lesson “Parable of the wedding feast”. Only a few brethren are in attendance because it was a holiday here in the Philippines. Many went to their own towns and some on vacations.

August 31 (Gospel Meeting)

We were invited in the Gospel Meeting at San Mateo Church in Tumauini. Their local preachers are Jet Mark Ramirez and Reymund Welba. They are both very young preachers. Sometimes, they message me even in the middle of the night to ask for my suggestions or advises on their plans for their congregation. I am happy to help them. They treat me like their older brother. I am also the first one whom they told that they will be working on a new congregation at Antagan Church and wanted me to help them with the rebuilding of the said congregation. 

The first speaker was brother Jun Miranda. They traveled for about 4 hours to be there. For us, it only took an hour and a half. He preached about “5 Things we needed for encouragement”. Then brother Victor Sinon, who is from that same area and preached about “Unity”. Invitation was extended and two precious souls obeyed the gospel.

In the evening, I received a message from sister Jonalyn Llones that our sister Loida Uton already passed away. She is the sister whom we always visit and prayed for because of her illnesses. She was brought to the hospital Saturday night for her dialysis, but according to them, she didn’t handle the procedure well and her body gave up. She just got baptized early this year and since then, she didn’t missed any services aside from when she is in the hospital. Her one leg is amputated, got blinded in both eyes, very weak, but still manage to attend worships. I very good example of what a Christian should be. 

September 1 (Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Lino continued with his lesson on Luke 11:33-54. In the sermon, I preached the lesson “Strengthening our faith”. The brethren who were out the last week are only in attendance and we are again in good number in our attendance. The chapel is almost full.

In Palca, I was the one scheduled to preached and I shared the same lesson “Strengthening our faith”. I decided to preach this lesson because the last time we visited sister Loida, when she is still alive, she mentioned to us a lot of things about keeping her faith strong in spite of all the hardships she is experiencing in life. 

In Dagupan, brother Robert preached a good sermon on Acts 20. We have some visitors who came and one of them is the husband of sister Carie. We’ve been inviting him for so long already. He is always driving sister Carie and their daughter to church but never attended. But now, we are happy to see him inside the church. Hopefully, one day, he will also decide to obey the gospel.

After our worship, we went to the wake of sister Loida. We had a short service. Brother Robert shared from the words of God and I led our prayer.