The year is ending, but God has been so good. He has allowed us a few more activities just before the close of 2009.
First came the preparations...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Jesus Cares for Inmates... this year and always!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Six More Reasons to Thank God
The brethren of Royal Valley SDA Church are excited for a lot of things. It's difficult not to be excited these past months. Each week seems to bring with it something new, something to look forward to, something to be really really excited about. These are just a few things:
(1) There'll be a youth camp held in the camp site in a few weeks' time. Bro. Brian Palangi of the Ilang Church have asked if they could use our camp site for a camp meeting designed especially for youth. According to Bro. Brian, around 70 young people are expected to attend. So it's just good that we've got Reason-to-be-Excited #2;
(2) A bulldozer's just been to the camp site to make a couple really good improvements. It's now easier to get there. Road's wider and flatter. If the warm weather keeps up, we could actually bring cars and motorcycles and trucks right in front of the church building. that means no more tired, worn, muddy feet during fellowships there. well, at least not on sunny days. and because we all want a look-see, we're all heading up there right after Reason-to-be-Excited #3;
(3) One of our sisters is getting married to a fine young man. Sis. Jenefa Atchicoso is tying the knot this Tuesday, December 8. We're all very happy for her and we all keep praying for health and happiness and blessing for her and the family she'll be building with Bro. Fred Toledanes;
(4) The church vehicle will be ready for use soon soon soon. After undergoing a lot of renovation, the church jeep will finally be good to go. It's blue, it's shiny, and it can carry around 30 people. We were hoping to use the jeep for the trip to Kidapawan last Sunday, but God has been saving it for a better plan. If He wills, we will be able to use the jeep this Sunday for the Prison Ministry. A blue jeep to carry the blue girls! Our thanks to the gracious people who have made this instrument of the gospel possible;
(5) Speaking of the Prison Ministry, we'll hold a year-end special gathering there come December 18, 20, and 21. The Welfare Ministry will be handing out soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste to the inmates along with good food that the brethren will prepare. And there'll be singing and preaching as well; and
(6) 2010 is here. We're all truly grateful for 2009, but who isn't glad and thankful that our Good Lord has been blessing and guiding us through all these passing years. And more importantly, the close of each year and the beginning of another brings us closer and closer to the advent of our Redeemer.
For the Christian, there's always something new to be thankful and happy about. The graces of the Lord are new every morning. In everything, let the name of the Lord be praised!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Nahisulat Na Radio Ministry: 6th Anniversary
November's over. And so is the month-long anniversary special we held for our radio program, Nahisulat Na. Six years since we started this ministry, it's safe to say we've come a long way. From a Davao-only radio show running for an hour each Sunday, we now have a Kidapawan City hook-up and we've extended to an hour and fifteen minutes. Church members are now also more active participants of the ministry as more and more members are encouraged to share their gifts of speech and music through the program.
While it is true that we hope for the soon close of the gospel, we are truly thankful that the Lord has been guiding and blessing us, bringing us through all six years and counting.
For this year's anniversary special, we held a musical show participated by more than half the church membership. We also gave away Bibles and pocket Spirit of Prophecy books.
We all went home tired, but truly truly happy and blessed.
Plans are being made regarding further expansion for the ministry. Our praises and prayers continue to go to God, for all the good things (which includes our green shirts and the truth of the words written there.) :)
While it is true that we hope for the soon close of the gospel, we are truly thankful that the Lord has been guiding and blessing us, bringing us through all six years and counting.
For this year's anniversary special, we held a musical show participated by more than half the church membership. We also gave away Bibles and pocket Spirit of Prophecy books.
On November 15, the church members gathered at the station of Radyo Ukay in Davao City- sharing in song and worship. A light dinner was also prepared and enjoyed.
November 29 was spent in Kidapawan City - a two-hour drive from Davao. Almost 50 members came along. We distributed flyers about Sabbath and Health in public areas.
We also conducted a medical mission at the Charm Radio FM station where we gave free massage, blood pressure check-up, health advice, herbal liniments and capsules, and more reading materials.
The people received us very warmly, and we sure were glad to be of help and to be going about the work of the Lord.
By 6:30, we held another praise and worship through music and song.
We all went home tired, but truly truly happy and blessed.
"Nahisulat Na" airs over DXUM Radyo Ukay 819 kHz in Davao City and DXCA Charm Radio FM 90.3 mHz in Kidapawan City, 6:30 - 7:45 pm every Sunday.
Plans are being made regarding further expansion for the ministry. Our praises and prayers continue to go to God, for all the good things (which includes our green shirts and the truth of the words written there.) :)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Onward, Ever Onward!: Campmeeting 2009
Young and old alike emerged truly blessed from the recent Camp Meeting at the Royal Valley Campsite in San Miguel, Arakan, North Cotabato.
Themed "Onward, Ever Onward!" the Camp Meeting was designed to encourage and inspire everyone who came to move steadily forward in our Christian journey, all the time looking to Christ for guidance, strength, and wisdom.
The five-day activity was attended by brothers and sisters from different churches in Mindanao. Aside from the brethren of Royal Valley SDA Church, the youth from Pangian Conference Church were also present, along with the youth from Badas Church. There were also representatives from Kipilas, Pantucan, and Ilang. Many who came were experiencing the blessedness of camp meeting for the first time.
The youth were especially blessed with messages of warning regarding the modern-day snares of Satan and how he makes the youth his special target.
God has truly been good in sending messengers in the person of Bro. Mirasol and Bro. Brian Palange who shared messages of health and inspiration.
Everyone, too, was given the chance to share their insights through the different activities held throughout the meeting.
Music made the activity even more wonderful.
Bro. Anthony Larita also led the youth in little explorations of the wonders of God's creation.
Moments spent in prayer completed this year's camp meeting.
Though getting there was quite a task, and the temperature was something to be endured, everyone thinks it was all worth it! Onward, ever onward everyone!
Themed "Onward, Ever Onward!" the Camp Meeting was designed to encourage and inspire everyone who came to move steadily forward in our Christian journey, all the time looking to Christ for guidance, strength, and wisdom.
The five-day activity was attended by brothers and sisters from different churches in Mindanao. Aside from the brethren of Royal Valley SDA Church, the youth from Pangian Conference Church were also present, along with the youth from Badas Church. There were also representatives from Kipilas, Pantucan, and Ilang. Many who came were experiencing the blessedness of camp meeting for the first time.
The youth were especially blessed with messages of warning regarding the modern-day snares of Satan and how he makes the youth his special target.
God has truly been good in sending messengers in the person of Bro. Mirasol and Bro. Brian Palange who shared messages of health and inspiration.
Everyone, too, was given the chance to share their insights through the different activities held throughout the meeting.
Music made the activity even more wonderful.
Bro. Anthony Larita also led the youth in little explorations of the wonders of God's creation.
Moments spent in prayer completed this year's camp meeting.
Though getting there was quite a task, and the temperature was something to be endured, everyone thinks it was all worth it! Onward, ever onward everyone!
Monday, November 2, 2009
back from camp meeting
we are back from camp meeting. and it was very successful. brothers and sisters and friends all came to share in the wonderful messages.
four days of worship and learning. four days of refreshing and inspiration. everyone present was truly blessed.
photos and more will be posted soon.
God bless, everyone!
four days of worship and learning. four days of refreshing and inspiration. everyone present was truly blessed.
photos and more will be posted soon.
God bless, everyone!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
NACOCO Week at Maa City Jail
October 19, 2009 marked the beginning of the 15th National Correctional Consciousness Week. It's a celebration held across correctional institutions across the country. For one week, the inmates host all sorts of different activities for families and friends.
For the first day, the warden in the Female Division of Ma-a City Jail wanted a religious activity. So we decided to dress up -women in blue and the men in white- and practice a couple of songs for the gathering.
Besides us, several other churches and ministries came to take part in the program. The theme was "Be a Light to Others... An Instrument of Healing and Reconciliation." So we sang "Let Your Light So Shine" and "Ipakita si Kristo sa Tanan," both telling about how we should witness for Jesus.
Here are a few photos from the activity.
with the jail warden and the correctional chaplain
with the representatives from other service providers
the Ma-a City Jail Female Division has its own choir
For the first day, the warden in the Female Division of Ma-a City Jail wanted a religious activity. So we decided to dress up -women in blue and the men in white- and practice a couple of songs for the gathering.
Besides us, several other churches and ministries came to take part in the program. The theme was "Be a Light to Others... An Instrument of Healing and Reconciliation." So we sang "Let Your Light So Shine" and "Ipakita si Kristo sa Tanan," both telling about how we should witness for Jesus.
Here are a few photos from the activity.
with the jail warden and the correctional chaplain
with the representatives from other service providers
the Ma-a City Jail Female Division has its own choir
Monday, October 19, 2009
Another Fellowship with Our SDARM Brethren
Sabbaths are always wonderful. It is a time we devote fully to the praise and worship of our mighty, loving God and to the study of His sanctifying truths.
However, the past Sabbath had been more wonderful than usual, thanks to the 50 or so brethren who came to worship God with us at the Royal Valley SDA Church.
The visitors were mostly brothers and sisters from the SDA Reform Movement, coming from Davao City, Digos City, and Tagum City. But there were also friends from Mati and from Laguna.
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
[It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore. -Psalms 133
This has been the second time that our SDARM brethren came to fellowship with us. The first time had also been wonderful. Lots of things to share and learn. Since then, we have been able to visit worship with them for a Sabbath afternoon in their church in Matina Pangi.
Last Sabbath, we were filled with health messages from Bro. Jeoffrey Laguit, Bro. Daniel Serrano, and Bro. Manasses Dumaguit.
Bro. Daniel Serrano
The worship was completed with beautiful song renditions from their youth and children.
We look forward to many happy returns.
However, the past Sabbath had been more wonderful than usual, thanks to the 50 or so brethren who came to worship God with us at the Royal Valley SDA Church.
The visitors were mostly brothers and sisters from the SDA Reform Movement, coming from Davao City, Digos City, and Tagum City. But there were also friends from Mati and from Laguna.
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
[It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore. -Psalms 133
This has been the second time that our SDARM brethren came to fellowship with us. The first time had also been wonderful. Lots of things to share and learn. Since then, we have been able to visit worship with them for a Sabbath afternoon in their church in Matina Pangi.
Last Sabbath, we were filled with health messages from Bro. Jeoffrey Laguit, Bro. Daniel Serrano, and Bro. Manasses Dumaguit.
Bro. Daniel Serrano
The worship was completed with beautiful song renditions from their youth and children.
We look forward to many happy returns.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Camp Meeting's Coming Up
The brethren of the Royal Valley SDA Church are now preparing for the annual camp meeting. This year, it will be held at the church's camp site in San Miguel, Arakan, North Cotabato from October 28 to November 1.
Themed Onward, Ever Onward! the camp meeting will be a venue for prayer, meditation, and study of God's Word.
Aside from the regular members of the church, brethren from other congregations are also expected. Everyone is invited to join us for this very special gathering.
Those interested are to contact us via email: royalvalleysda@gmail.com for more information.
We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. . . . The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God's appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain. FLB, 246.
Themed Onward, Ever Onward! the camp meeting will be a venue for prayer, meditation, and study of God's Word.
Aside from the regular members of the church, brethren from other congregations are also expected. Everyone is invited to join us for this very special gathering.
Those interested are to contact us via email: royalvalleysda@gmail.com for more information.
We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. . . . The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God's appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain. FLB, 246.
Monday, October 5, 2009
In Remembrance of Christ: The Communion Service
The Communion service points to Christ's second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples. Whenever they met together to commemorate His death, they recounted how "He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." In their tribulation they found comfort in the hope of their Lord's return. Unspeakably precious to them was the thought, "As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come." 1 Cor. 11:26. {DA 659.3}
On October 2, 2009, the Royal Valley SDA Church celebrated the Holy Communion, in remembrance of the ordinance instituted by Christ at the Last Supper. Remembering the priceless offering of His own blood and flesh, we pay tribute to His eternal love. Remembering His humility, we are ourselves humbled. And remembering His promise, we look to that blessed hope that very soon we will be able to dine with our Lord and Savior in our eternal home.
These are the things we are never to forget. The love of Jesus, with its constraining power, is to be kept fresh in our memory. Christ has instituted this service that it may speak to our senses of the love of God that has been expressed in our behalf. There can be no union between our souls and God except through Christ. The union and love between brother and brother must be cemented and rendered eternal by the love of Jesus. And nothing less than the death of Christ could make His love efficacious for us. It is only because of His death that we can look with joy to His second coming. His sacrifice is the center of our hope. Upon this we must fix our faith. {DA 660.1}
May the true meaning of this blessed ordinance be ever kept in our hearts and in our minds.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
SUNDAY MISSIONARY WORK
"Sunday can be used for carrying forward various lines of work that will accomplish much for the Lord. On this day open - air meetings and cottage meetings can be held. House-to-house work can be done...Whenever it is possible, let religious services held on Sunday. Make these meetings intensely interesting. Sing genuine revival hymns, and speak with power and assurance of Saviour's love. Speak on temperance and on true religious experience. You will thus learn much about how to work, and will reach many souls..."Maranatha 178.3
Our work in the near future will be centered on Sunday missionary work that "when we devote Sunday to missionary work, the whip will be taken out of the hands of the arbitrary zealots who would be well pleased to humiliate Seventh-day Adventist..." Maranatha 178.2
Not that we will wait for this grand Sunday missionary work to commence to start this work but it is now a high time to make this day a Missionary Day to prepare ourselves for this grand work.
Yes, the Royal Valley SDA brethren make it a point to use this day for various missionary endeavors. At 9am to 12 noon, our Women's Ministry share the gospel to the inmates of Maa, Davao City Jail. They also visit the families of the inmates. Spiritual guidance to the family as well as material things are shared to the members of the families of the inmates.
In the afternoons, members of the choir gather for practice to share also the gospel through this ministry. After this, some of the members are bound for our radio program which aired in Radyo Ukay DXUM in Davao City and Charm Radio FM in Kidapawan City.
To most of the brethren Sunday is a 9(am) to 9(pm) missionary endeavor.
SDARM Fellowship at RVSDA Church
August 29 - The Royal Valley SDA Church brethren was surprised and happy that SDARM brethren from different churches (Tagum City, Digos City, Davao City, Kibalang, Bukidnon) held their fellowship in our church. Brief text messages passed to church officers on that week to get ready for the special fellowship and with open arms they were welcomed and always welcome in our church.
It was really a blessing to the church as their church pastors, most of them doctor of naturopathy share health reformation lecture in the afternoon. Their Bible students at Digos City also grace the program by giving special songs.
We are looking forward that they can again visit our church or we can visit their churches, for empowering each other in working with the Lord especially in these last days.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pocket SOP Books Now Available
The primary objective of the Publishing Ministry is to share God to the world through the written word.
So far, we have been able to produce our local quarterly Sabbath School lesson, the morning devotional, and several batches of flyers and tracts.
We have also been able to give away numerous Bibles and SOP Books.
In the past year, we have been eyeing a set of pocket SOP Books that comes with a free History of Redemption Study Chart/Timeline, and praying that God will open a way for us to acquire these books.
Finally, in mid-2009, God did open the way. With the help of friends, brothers, and sisters in the faith, we were able to acquire 120 sets of these books.
The set is composed eight books that include Prophets and Kings, Patriarchs and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, The Great Controversy, Christian Service and Counsels on Stewardship (in one book), Counsels for the Church, and Ministry of Healing and Steps to Christ (in one book).
They come in a beautiful and convenient bookcase and box that makes the set perfect for gifting.
Some of these books have already been given away to different individuals who have expressed sincere desire to learn more about God.
More of the books will be made available through brethren who are interested in literature evangelism.
We continue to pray that God will open the way for more Adventist books to be made available in the near future.
For information on how to obtain copies of these books, please email us at royalvalleysda@gmail.com
So far, we have been able to produce our local quarterly Sabbath School lesson, the morning devotional, and several batches of flyers and tracts.
We have also been able to give away numerous Bibles and SOP Books.
In the past year, we have been eyeing a set of pocket SOP Books that comes with a free History of Redemption Study Chart/Timeline, and praying that God will open a way for us to acquire these books.
Finally, in mid-2009, God did open the way. With the help of friends, brothers, and sisters in the faith, we were able to acquire 120 sets of these books.
The set is composed eight books that include Prophets and Kings, Patriarchs and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, The Great Controversy, Christian Service and Counsels on Stewardship (in one book), Counsels for the Church, and Ministry of Healing and Steps to Christ (in one book).
They come in a beautiful and convenient bookcase and box that makes the set perfect for gifting.
Some of these books have already been given away to different individuals who have expressed sincere desire to learn more about God.
More of the books will be made available through brethren who are interested in literature evangelism.
We continue to pray that God will open the way for more Adventist books to be made available in the near future.
For information on how to obtain copies of these books, please email us at royalvalleysda@gmail.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Church Services
Everyone is welcome to attend our weekly church services:
Midweek Prayer Meeting - Wednesdays, 7:00 pm
Vesper Meeting - Fridays, 7:30 pm
Sabbath School - Saturdays, 8:30 am
Divine Service - Saturdays, 10:30 am
Testimonies - Saturdays, 2:00 pm
Medical Missionary Training - Saturdays, 3:00 pm
Adventist Youth Program - Saturdays, 4:00 pm (this is the last program for the Sabbath and usually ends at 6:00 pm)
Our church is located within the Royal Valley Academy (high school) campus, Km 7 MacArthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City.
If you need further directions, please contact us through email: royalvalleysda@gmail.com or sharivele@yahoo.com
We'd love to have you worship God with us. :)
Midweek Prayer Meeting - Wednesdays, 7:00 pm
Vesper Meeting - Fridays, 7:30 pm
Sabbath School - Saturdays, 8:30 am
Divine Service - Saturdays, 10:30 am
Testimonies - Saturdays, 2:00 pm
Medical Missionary Training - Saturdays, 3:00 pm
Adventist Youth Program - Saturdays, 4:00 pm (this is the last program for the Sabbath and usually ends at 6:00 pm)
Our church is located within the Royal Valley Academy (high school) campus, Km 7 MacArthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City.
If you need further directions, please contact us through email: royalvalleysda@gmail.com or sharivele@yahoo.com
We'd love to have you worship God with us. :)
Pictures: Church during Sabbath School Lesson Review
Jail Ministry
Our jail ministry has now expanded to three branches, ministering to two groups of male inmates and to one group of female inmates.
Last August 21, 2009, we visited the larger of the two male groups to bring vegetarian food and herbal medicine.
While our brethren inside jail are happy enough to hear God's Word during each of our weekly visits, they became even more thankful with the addition of our humble material gifts.
The simple meal we brought was to them a great feast, given the scant conditions of prisons in the country.
They were most thankful for the garlic and turmeric capsules that were distributed and for the homemade herbal liniment that were also given away.
Conditions in the jail are so difficult that a large fraction of the inmates sleep on cold, bare cement floors.
In our meager wealth, we try to share our blessings with these brothers whenever possible.
Our thanks go to the Aguda family who generously support our various lines of ministry, to the brethren of Royal Valley SDA Church who untiringly spent time and energy in the preparation of the food and medicine, and, of course, to our Heavenly Father who unceasingly watches over His people.
Last August 21, 2009, we visited the larger of the two male groups to bring vegetarian food and herbal medicine.
While our brethren inside jail are happy enough to hear God's Word during each of our weekly visits, they became even more thankful with the addition of our humble material gifts.
The simple meal we brought was to them a great feast, given the scant conditions of prisons in the country.
They were most thankful for the garlic and turmeric capsules that were distributed and for the homemade herbal liniment that were also given away.
Conditions in the jail are so difficult that a large fraction of the inmates sleep on cold, bare cement floors.
In our meager wealth, we try to share our blessings with these brothers whenever possible.
Our thanks go to the Aguda family who generously support our various lines of ministry, to the brethren of Royal Valley SDA Church who untiringly spent time and energy in the preparation of the food and medicine, and, of course, to our Heavenly Father who unceasingly watches over His people.
Women at Work
Sometime ago, I came across this question on the internet: "How does the SDA Church address the issue of equality across genders? Can women be pastors and ministers in the SDA Church?"
That question comes to mind now as I consider the work women of the Royal Valley SDA Church have been doing this past year.
Majority of our members are women and girls. That means we have very few who can be ordained elders and deacons. But never did it mean that we lack busybees doing the work of the Lord.
Our Women's ministry started as a loose group of mothers and housewives who simply wanted to improve the lifestyles of their respective families. So they took an interest in basic nutrition and shared vegetarian recipes with one another. Later on, they began to study natural ways of healing, focusing on herbs. Lecturers were invited to the church to speak about different kinds of herbs and their uses. This knowledge was readily shared with relatives, friends, and even complete strangers.
Some Saturday evenings would find these women and their husbands still in church, repacking capsules of powdered garlic, turmeric, and charcoal for distribution to whoever needs them.
Later on, the women acquired knowledge on basic massage techniques, which became very useful for our little medical missions.
This past year, the church opened a new branch of ministry: Bible studies in the Women's Correctional. And guess who's spearheading this work!
Every Sunday morning, the women of our church would meet at the Ray of Hope Village to study the Bible with the women inmates. Bibles and other basic needs were given away and knowledge was shared regarding God's Word and how to take care of our health.
The inmates were taught about the healing wonders of herbs, charcoal, and water. Soon, even the jail wardens began to benefit from the knowledge.
After some time, the inmates began to ask the church women to visit sick relatives and to study the Bible with them too. On Sunday afternoons, they might opt to visit one such family or go to the local hospital to offer prayers, songs, and messages of encouragement to the sick.
After which, they'll all head to the church to practice with the church choir. The evening will be spent offering songs at the church's local radio program.
With all this work, one might think that the women will soon grow weary, but no. They actually enjoy getting together at least once a week and working together. It's also bonding time for them. Our Sabbath afternoons at church would be littered with testimonies and experiences by these women who share God whenever and wherever possible.
The women are always the first ones to sign up for a tract distribution activity, or for a visit to other churches, or for one training program or another. One could say that they do more work than our church men (although the men do all of their appointed work to the best of their ability).
And that's not all of it yet. All our Sabbath School Superintendents, secretaries, and choristers are women. Ninety per cent of our AY officers are women and girls. We have women lecturers, musicians, teachers, and speakers for prayer meetings and Sabbath programs.
The best thing about all this work is that our women are now more inspired and more driven to study God's Word for themselves so they could increase in knowledge and in wisdom.
Here we see what a great place there is for women in the ministry. Gone are the days when women had to sit home and wait for men to do the job. The women of today are women empowered to accomplish great things - learning, healing, inspiring, and winning souls within the home, the church, and beyond.
So going back to the question we started with, I think one pastor had it right. In God's church, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or social status, the question is always "what can I do to be of service to Christ?"
And for women, there's a lot.
Believe me, I know. Because as I am writing this, women of our church are gathered in the home of a newly-widowed woman and her teenage children, studying the Bible with them.
That question comes to mind now as I consider the work women of the Royal Valley SDA Church have been doing this past year.
Majority of our members are women and girls. That means we have very few who can be ordained elders and deacons. But never did it mean that we lack busybees doing the work of the Lord.
Our Women's ministry started as a loose group of mothers and housewives who simply wanted to improve the lifestyles of their respective families. So they took an interest in basic nutrition and shared vegetarian recipes with one another. Later on, they began to study natural ways of healing, focusing on herbs. Lecturers were invited to the church to speak about different kinds of herbs and their uses. This knowledge was readily shared with relatives, friends, and even complete strangers.
Some Saturday evenings would find these women and their husbands still in church, repacking capsules of powdered garlic, turmeric, and charcoal for distribution to whoever needs them.
Later on, the women acquired knowledge on basic massage techniques, which became very useful for our little medical missions.
This past year, the church opened a new branch of ministry: Bible studies in the Women's Correctional. And guess who's spearheading this work!
Every Sunday morning, the women of our church would meet at the Ray of Hope Village to study the Bible with the women inmates. Bibles and other basic needs were given away and knowledge was shared regarding God's Word and how to take care of our health.
The inmates were taught about the healing wonders of herbs, charcoal, and water. Soon, even the jail wardens began to benefit from the knowledge.
After some time, the inmates began to ask the church women to visit sick relatives and to study the Bible with them too. On Sunday afternoons, they might opt to visit one such family or go to the local hospital to offer prayers, songs, and messages of encouragement to the sick.
After which, they'll all head to the church to practice with the church choir. The evening will be spent offering songs at the church's local radio program.
With all this work, one might think that the women will soon grow weary, but no. They actually enjoy getting together at least once a week and working together. It's also bonding time for them. Our Sabbath afternoons at church would be littered with testimonies and experiences by these women who share God whenever and wherever possible.
The women are always the first ones to sign up for a tract distribution activity, or for a visit to other churches, or for one training program or another. One could say that they do more work than our church men (although the men do all of their appointed work to the best of their ability).
And that's not all of it yet. All our Sabbath School Superintendents, secretaries, and choristers are women. Ninety per cent of our AY officers are women and girls. We have women lecturers, musicians, teachers, and speakers for prayer meetings and Sabbath programs.
The best thing about all this work is that our women are now more inspired and more driven to study God's Word for themselves so they could increase in knowledge and in wisdom.
Here we see what a great place there is for women in the ministry. Gone are the days when women had to sit home and wait for men to do the job. The women of today are women empowered to accomplish great things - learning, healing, inspiring, and winning souls within the home, the church, and beyond.
So going back to the question we started with, I think one pastor had it right. In God's church, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or social status, the question is always "what can I do to be of service to Christ?"
And for women, there's a lot.
Believe me, I know. Because as I am writing this, women of our church are gathered in the home of a newly-widowed woman and her teenage children, studying the Bible with them.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Big Little Church: Visiting Pangian
It was an unassuming building beside a rough road that runs and rolls over a rugged terrain. The walls were made of kalakat, the pews of uneven wood slabs. There were no fancy windows, nor was there an utra-modern sound system.
Yet, within Pangian Church one finds a sense of peace and reverence that is too often absent in big-city churches.
Perhaps it was in the way one hears only the speaker on the pulpit and not much else, or in the way one is supposed to leave his shoes outside the door, or even in the modesty of the old electric guitar and the slightly different way the vernacular hymns were sung.
Then again, perhaps it was all of these blended into the way the local brethren showed their hunger and eagerness for eternal truths we have come to share with them.
We first witnessed their eagerness and diligence two months ago in the neighboring locality of Bito. We have since committed ourselves to visiting them in their own church, meeting their needs wherever possible, and sharing precious truths we ourselves continue to study.
The brethren have started a Bible Markings Program where the young and the old study the Bible together. During our visit, ten Bibles were turned over to the church officers for distribution to needing members.
The Sabbath services were filled with messages of present truth and encouragement shared by Elder Gil Tagolgol, Elder Paquito Esperanza, Bro. Anthony Larita, and Sis. Wylie Ann Mariano. They requested for a lecture on health, and we were more than happy to oblige with Sis. Gladys talking about the need for keeping the body clean and Sis. Risha Catubigan sharing about our body's need for rest in order to rid it of toxins. Sis. Jowena Saliling also shared experiences from her youth that have led her to her present devotion to the Lord.
Music made the worship services even more meaningful as the brethren of Royal Valley and of Pangian took turns sharing the gift of song in praise of God and in encouragement of one another.
Although new to the message of reformation, the brethren of Pangian have begun to change old ways of observing the Sabbath and maintaining health.
What the church needs now are more resources, access to more information, books and other learning materials - tools that will help them improve on the truths we have shared with them.
We stayed one more night in Pangian, comfortable in the warm hospitality of Bro. and Sis. Tanyo and their grandchildren. These grandchildren were youngsters who, time and again, have made themselves available for service in their little church, and who have expressed their eagerness in learning more and more about present truth.
In the little church of Pangian, we are once again reminded that the size of a church is not as much the breadth or length of a building as it is the genuine eagerness for righteousness possessed by its members.
Yet, within Pangian Church one finds a sense of peace and reverence that is too often absent in big-city churches.
Perhaps it was in the way one hears only the speaker on the pulpit and not much else, or in the way one is supposed to leave his shoes outside the door, or even in the modesty of the old electric guitar and the slightly different way the vernacular hymns were sung.
Then again, perhaps it was all of these blended into the way the local brethren showed their hunger and eagerness for eternal truths we have come to share with them.
We first witnessed their eagerness and diligence two months ago in the neighboring locality of Bito. We have since committed ourselves to visiting them in their own church, meeting their needs wherever possible, and sharing precious truths we ourselves continue to study.
The brethren have started a Bible Markings Program where the young and the old study the Bible together. During our visit, ten Bibles were turned over to the church officers for distribution to needing members.
The Sabbath services were filled with messages of present truth and encouragement shared by Elder Gil Tagolgol, Elder Paquito Esperanza, Bro. Anthony Larita, and Sis. Wylie Ann Mariano. They requested for a lecture on health, and we were more than happy to oblige with Sis. Gladys talking about the need for keeping the body clean and Sis. Risha Catubigan sharing about our body's need for rest in order to rid it of toxins. Sis. Jowena Saliling also shared experiences from her youth that have led her to her present devotion to the Lord.
Music made the worship services even more meaningful as the brethren of Royal Valley and of Pangian took turns sharing the gift of song in praise of God and in encouragement of one another.
Although new to the message of reformation, the brethren of Pangian have begun to change old ways of observing the Sabbath and maintaining health.
What the church needs now are more resources, access to more information, books and other learning materials - tools that will help them improve on the truths we have shared with them.
We stayed one more night in Pangian, comfortable in the warm hospitality of Bro. and Sis. Tanyo and their grandchildren. These grandchildren were youngsters who, time and again, have made themselves available for service in their little church, and who have expressed their eagerness in learning more and more about present truth.
In the little church of Pangian, we are once again reminded that the size of a church is not as much the breadth or length of a building as it is the genuine eagerness for righteousness possessed by its members.
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