Gospel Meeting at Dagupan Church of Christ

The Lord opened another very good opportunity to preach the gospel to many in this gospel meeting at Dagupan Church of Christ. Brother Florendo Respicio and Macky Miguel are the preachers in this local congregation. We are taught by two very good preachers. Brother Geronimo Ganela preached a nice lesson about "Things Most Surely Believed" and brother Rody Gumpad taught to us a wonderful lesson about "Things the Old Testament Teaches". The brethren enjoyed listening and absorbing the words of our God and as a result two (2) souls stepped forward, confessed Christ and expressed their desire to be baptized into Christ to receive the remission of their sins.

February 23: Two (2) souls baptized into Christ

We give thanks to the Lord for the baptism of Cely Samas (26 years old) and Filomena Julian (90 years old). They are both attending the services at Aquib, Pita where brother Dennis Yuson preaches. Sister Filomena has been bed ridden for quite some time now but when she heard the gospel when we held a gospel meeting at their place she desired to obey the gospel and be baptized for the remission of her sins. This day, even if she is feeling weak she insisted to be immersed in water for her salvation. Her act of obedience greatly encouraged us again and may it also help others to fully understand the need to obey the gospel of Christ.

Bible Study With Misis Celia Lim and Friends

We give thanks to God again for opening an opportunity to study the bible with Misis Celia Lim and her friends at their humble home. Brethren Ron Halbrook, Rody Gumpad, Jonathan Carino, Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, Mark Daqiouag, Jay Gumpad, Jun Gumpad, and your humble servant happily went at the home of Misis Lim and there we had a very good study with them. Brother Ron taught a very good lesson; he presented the bible, God's promise to Abraham, God's plan of salvation, and necessity of obeying God's commands. They paid very close attention to the study and in their eyes you can read their interest in understanding more the truth; as proof of their understanding, they asked many questions which we tried our very best to answer with the use of the bible. We would love to stay more and study more with them but time is not on our side because brethren Ron, Jimmy, Jonathan, and Atoy must arrive at the airport before their flight leaves. Our friends were very thankful and they look forward to have another study with them and have their questions answered by the words of God.

February 13: Bible Lecture

The bible lectureship continues in Tuguegarao and again brethren David Halbrook taught us a lesson about "Every Member Putting On the New Man". He used Ephesians 4:17-32 and discussed to us the difference of the old man and the new man; how the old man must be put away and continually live in the newness of life. Brother Ron Halbrrok taught us also a lesson about "Putting the Past in the Past (Philippians 3:13-14)". He reminded us that God will fulfill His purpose in our lives if we'll just keep our trust in God. Also we learned that we must leave the past and the future in God's hands. We also learned that putting the past in the past applies to: 1) life's prosperity and adversity, 2) family relationships, 3) seeking and offering forgiveness of sins. After the morning lecture we paused for a short lunch and brother Rody Gumpad and Rosendo Gumpad took brother David to the airport for his flight back to Manila for he is to fly back home on the following day. Meantime, we continue with the lectureship with brother Jonathan Carino whp preached to us about "Do You Have the Right to Your Own Belief?" In this lesson we learned that we must respect God's authority becuase there are some things that are legally right or morally right but religiously wrong. Brother Ron then taught us again about "Standing on Path, Pressing Forward (Philippians 3:12-16)" It is explained to us how we should press forward in three areas: 1) as an individual Christian, 2) as a local church, 3) as a family. We are to get on the right path and to stay on that right path.

February 12: Bible Lectures

Brother David Halbrook preached first with the lesson entitled "What God Expects of Marriage"; he discussed about how a husband must treat his wife and how a wife must treat her husband. After brother David, brother Ron started his lesson about the book of Song of Solomon that he entitled "The Song of Solomon: A Celebration of Love", this was a very interesting study and discussion about the book which taught us more about how an individual must appreciate and love his wife and how a wife, in return, loves and appreciate her husband. After the lesson we extended the invitation song and 3 souls stepped forward, confessed Christ and expressed their desire to be baptized for the remission of their sins. In the afternoon, the bible study was started by a lesson from brother David about "Continue in the Things Which You Have Learned"; here he encouraged us to continue in our faith and to remain strong. Before brother Ron continues with his lesson about the book of Song of Solomon we extended another song of invitation and 1 soul stepped forward and confessed Christ. After dinner we continued the study and brother David preached again about "Mark 16:16 Teaches". The whole day was a very fruitful day and many information was given that will help more each gospel preacher present. We continually give praise and thanks to God for openning wonderful opportunities, such as this, to continually study the pure gospel of Christ.

February 11: Our Brethren Arrives

Brethren Ron Halbrook and David Halbrook arrived with brethren Jonathan Carino, Jaime Batung, and Atoy Franco. We happily met these brethren of us with high hopes of working with them for the preaching of the gospel. In the evening these good brethren joined us in our midweek bible study. Brother Ron Halbrook stood first and give some lessons from Psalms 107 and encouraged every one to "Count Our Blessings". Brethren Jonathan Carino, Atoy Franco, and Jaime Batung stood up respectively introducing themselves and shared some words of encouragements as well. Brother David Halbrook then took the time and preached to us about "Aquila and Priscilla: Heirs Together". We ended the night with strengthened faith and with hope of strengthening more our faith in the bible lectureship on the following day.

February 5: Bible Study at Alicia, Isabela

Preachers in the group pictures are: (from left to right) Macky Miguel, Emer Yuson, Rody Gumpad, Dennis Yuson, Edgar Corpuz, Mark Daquioag, Jay Gumpad, Jerome Forelo, and Jun Gumpad; the picture was taken before the group went to Alicia, Isabela to be with our brethren and friends and to study the words of God. The preacher there is brother Wilson Pascua. As you can see in the pictures, we happily gathered together under trees to proclaim the gospel; the visitors, friends, and brethren are very attentive to the lessons presented even if squadrons of mosquitoes get a little bite from each of us. Brother Rody Gumpad preached another good lessons about "Searching the Scriptures" and "The Second Coming of Christ"; two very good lessons which resulted to 6 souls that confessed Christ. After the bible study we took them to a nearby river and they are all baptized into Christ. Also with us in this preaching trip are sister Tessie Gumpad, Maribel Yuson, Jerry Soliva, Robert Pader, Manny Pader, Jeffrey Macarubbo, Edgar Licodini, and Ron Cabante.