Posted on Sun, Mar 23, 2008
Pastor Michael's Mission Trip to the Philippines
It was my pleasure to attend the TIME graduation ceremony in Cebu City, Philippines on Jan. 25, 2008. TIME stands for Training In Ministry by Extension. This was the third batch of students that has graduated from this two year program that trains Seventh Day Baptists for leadership positions in local churches in the Philippines. This batch included 17 graduates from various locations in the Visayas and Mindanao. I was excited that afternoon as each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. It was a special time for the graduates and their teachers. The love of Christ and his Spirit were flowing on us all.
Each graduate had their own wonderful story to tell. Let me tell you about one of them, Pastor Elson Gacayan. My connection to him began five years ago when I suggested to Pastor Al Paypa that we look for a candidate to start a new church in Camarines Norte, a section of the country where there is no SDB church. The plan was to send the candidate through a two year auto mechanic school first, then through the TIME program. Elson Gacayan was chosen by the Lord for this new endeavor. He graduated from the auto mechanic school and his level of commitment to the Lord remained intact. I was excited as this young man then entered the TIME program. He moved to Daet, where we were able to give him employment as a mechanic in a local auto repair shop.
Each month he traveled back to Cebu City for the TIME training. The training would begin on a Wednesday and continue trough the Sabbath when the students would assist in local churches. I was encouraged to learn that Elson would fill in for Pastor Al as a Sabbath School teacher and even in the pulpit as opportunity arose.
The fellowship was sweet that weekend in Cebu City with the TIME graduates. The music was wonderful. I found an old guitar with rusty strings and took it to the reception after the graduation ceremony. At the right time I started strumming and singing some of my favorites and suddenly I was surrounded by about forty other enthusiastic singers singing 'Peace Like a River'. We spent the next hour in worship and praise singing glory to God. They particularly enjoyed the song "I Exalt Thee.' We sang that one two more times and the local pastors copied the sheet music to take back to their home churches.
On Sabbath morning we (Marilyn and I) worshipped at the E. Lopez SDB Church. It was good to see Pastor Ferreran. His health is failing, but his ministry continues as new leaders are stepping in. In the afternoon, we attended Pastor Bernard Agudera's church. His church is on the third floor above his house. It is open-air and it provides a great view of the area and the local hills. His congregation is predominantly young adult and youth. They have a band and they love singing for the Lord. Paster Bernard put me on the spot and told the kids (about fifty or sixty) that I would provide special music. (Pastor Bernard was at the sing-along the night before.) I chose the song 'Create In Me a Clean Heart' and then I connected with the kids. It was wonderful to encourage them through music and the preaching of God's Word.
Sunday morning we headed over to Bankal to Pastor Al's place. I wanted to do some planning with Pastor Elson. Wouldn't you know it? Most of the TIME graduates were there and the fellowship continued unabated through the day with singing and praise. Somehow Elson and I managed to find some time to plan his move to Daet. The next day, Marilyn and I traveled to Daet. Elson followed a few days later. Then I gave Elson the news that my home church in Bradenton, Fl. has adopted his ministry and new church as our sister church. The Bradenton SDB Church has decided to partner with the Daet SDB Church with prayers and encouragement and to provide some financial support. Elson and I started dream building. We went out to a piece of land that I have my eye on that can be a great place to start a new church. Pastor Elson and I felt the Spirit that day. I am confident that God will use him to bring souls to the Lord and establish another thriving SDB church.
Please keep Pastor Elson in your prayers and also the Seventh Day Baptist Churches in the Philippines. It is a ministry that God is working through. There are many committed Christians in the Philippine Conference and with this new group of TIME graduates, the growth of the churches will continue in a strong way.
I will keep you posted with news about our sister church and our sister conference.
Hallelujah!!
Pastor Michael
Lord Jesus Christ please add vigorous pain in my job so that help me to further my job contract as I now use something to cut into my body in order to keep on praying, pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, a-men.
is there an SDB church in Quezon City/Manila, Philippines?
Is there an SDB church in Quezon City/Manila, Philippines? Im currently attending an SDA church...but Im totally confused with their doctrines, and I dont like the fact that they rely too much on E. G. White's writings. Please contact me, and kindly give me further information. Thanks. this is my number: +639993558322, kindly tell me your name and where youre from when you text me,thanks.
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