On to new heights!

On June 4, 2006, Praise Christian Fellowship-Tondo hopefully will give birth to her third daughter in Novaliches. We’re all excited as we make preparations towards that date. The 100-sqm structure loaned to us is already usable, though not yet complete. The roof is totally replaced, the wall dividers inside are all removed, and we have electric service already. We have a makeshift comfort room (just in case), no water service yet (but we will provide drums and ask water from a neighbor), the floor is not yet completely even (we’ll hide them with chairs), and the walls are not yet painted (curtains will surely improve the ambiance). This is my assurance – PCF-Tondo has a history of starting a church with a worse condition than this. Now they are going strong with more than 350 attendance in worship services. God is surely bigger than mere structure!

More important than the structure is how God uses His people. There was one Thursday that I was not able to make it in our outreach program. I was the expositor in a week-long youth camp in Cavite by Inter-School Christian Fellowship. (By the way, the picture is my son, Jon, rappeling down a water tank. He was a camper in that youth camp.) Without me, and inspite of the rains that night, the outreach continued. My core leaders facilitated the big meeting and the care groups. First time they did that, and they did it right! They made me proud to be their pastor, and more courageous also in starting the new church.

Investing in the Youth

This summer, we focused on the youth. They were available, energetic, and it was easy to attract them with good programs. And once they were there, we ministered to them well.

We sent 30+ youth to join a Zambales camp with 1000 others where they were introduced to the Lordship of Christ. We gathered 10+ in an overnight Encountering-God Retreat (see top picture) where they realized their many sins and what Christ has done for them. During Thursday nights, instead of addressing 20+ persons in one big group, we divided them into 4 care groups each one facilitated by my core leaders and me. Now we know them better, and we can teach them more effectively. They are excited on the upcoming worship center, even volunteering to clean it up. Some are giving up on their smoking vices. Some of them are still a bit wild. Please pray that when we start worship services, Jesus can use their youthfulness in helping to build His church. Next week, I hope to send them again to a leadership camp in Zambales.

Give Me Five! (for May 2006)

I hope it’s not a bother, but could you kindly spare at least 5 minutes right now in earnest prayer about the following:

[Picture shows care group of Vic (rightmost), one of my core leaders. Some of these youth may be a bit wild, but I trust that the Spirit will continue to transform them.]

1. Join me in thanking God for His provisions – a borrowed property, 200 new chairs (from a donor), a sound system, an electric guitar and a drum set (hand-me-downs from PCF-Tondo).
2. Please pray for security also as our place has a history of petty theft (iron grills, copper wires, etc.) because it used to be abandoned. Next week, we will start to move in equipment.
3. Every Saturday starting this month, 6 youth are undergoing training with Ruth. They will be the rookie Bible teachers of kids 12 years old and below. Please pray for them for commitment to the job, wisdom in handling children, and perseverance when they encounter the difficulties. Our target is that they start teaching in June.
4. We need a worship team and this is quite tricky – we need to balance skills and godliness. For a church with young converts, this is difficult. Please pray for wisdom in choosing.
5. We’re used to hand-me-downs and we live simply. We’re committed to raise the funds needed through our tithes and offerings to improve the worship center (dignified comfort room, cover for windows to prevent rain from getting in, wall paint, etc.) and to buy more equipment (electric fans, organ, bass guitar, etc.). But if you could help us to do things quickly so we can do God’s job in reaching out faster in our target area, we won’t refuse your financial support :o).