Third Week of the Preacher Training

Fellow preachers continue to diligently search the scriptures together in the ongoing preacher training here at Metro Tuguegarao. Each preacher are being taught how to use the "Strong's Concordance" and "Zondervan's Bible Dictionary" also to aid them in their studies. We continue to give thanks for all the blessings that He is showering us and for the health and opportunity for us to sit together and study the bible. Brother Ron Halbrook had done a very good job again in introducing these study aids to the brethren and to patiently teach them how to work with these study aids. This is the third and final week of the training, though the bodies are getting a bit tired but I believe that the spirit is growing each day and ever longing to learn more of the precious words of our God.

Two Precious Souls Obeyed the Gospel of Christ (April 12)

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16). The Lord is once again smiling with these two precious souls who obeyed the gospel of Christ, their sins remitted by the blood of Christ, and they were added by the Lord to His church.
The Lord's Day here in Metro Tuguegarao again touched the hearts of each brethren and visitors as well. Brethren gather together with the aim of worshipping our God and encouraging one another. Brother Rody Gumpad taught us a very nice bible study about "The Words of Christ on the Cross" and our dear brother Harry Osborne delivered the sermon with a topic about "The Work of Elders". We thank both preachers in preaching only the truth written in the bible which touched the heart of two souls who were baptized into Christ.

April 8-9 Preacher Training

We continue to give thanks and praise to our God for the many blessings he showers to all His children. The preacher's training is doing very well and every participants are very thankful to God and to our teachers for the many knowledge being shared to each one of us. We appreciate very much the sacrifices and love of our teachers; they encounter sleepless nights to prepare the lessons they have to teach us and still they stand in front well prepared and with deep love in their hearts in proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Thank you very much, as well, to the family of our teachers who whole heartily let their love ones be with us to teach us the words of God. We also thank our brethren here and every where who continually pray for the success of this said training.


APRIL 8

• brother mark Daquioag shared a lesson of encouragement for the fellow preachers.
• brother Rody Gumpad - "The New Testament Church (Roy E. Cogdill)"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of Deuteronomy"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Old Testament Prophets: Ezekiel"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Overview of Preacher's Work in Local Church"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of Philippians"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Church History: Increase of Papal Power"
• brother Harry Osborne - "The Epistle of Romans"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "The Holy Spirit"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Issues Dividing Brethren: Institutionalism"
• midweek bible study at Metro Tuguegarao Church

APRIL 9

• brother Jay Gumpad shared an encouraging lesson for the fellow preachers
• brother Rody Gumpad - "The New Testament Church (Roy E. Cogdill)"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of Joshua"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Old Testament Prophets: Daniel"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "How to Outline"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of Colossians"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of I Thessalonians"
  
• brother Harry Osborne - "Church History: Opposition to Papacy and Beginning of Reformations"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "The Holy Spirit"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Issues Dividing Brethren: Sponsoring Church"

Searching the Scriptures

The Lord is indeed very good and always ready to guide and educate those who desire to be right with Him. The preacher training is going very well and every participants is showing huge potentials in their preaching of the truth. The truth are being preached and studied every day from the start of the said training. Your humble servant and the fellow preachers who are attending this training are really receiving huge blessings through the words of our God. I have observed many encouraging events and situations that has touched our hearts and made us understand more the importance of strengthening our faith more. We have cried with fellow preachers who experienced homesickness and other problems; one instance is our brother Edwin Soriano who shed tears after we ate our lunch, when approached and asked he answered he suddenly remembered his wife and three children and wondered if they are eating properly. Though many experience problems and sadness still we see the desires in the hearts of each preacher to finish this training, like a fire burning, and be able to go out and obey what the Lord commanded and proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.








APRIL 6

• I taught "The Importance of Prayer (2 Kings 20:1ff)" with the brethren
• prayed with the brethren for 30 minutes (a time where we try to discipline and teach ourselves to approach our God and put our full trust on Him)
  
• brother Rody Gumpad continued lesson in "The New Testament Church"
• brother Steve Wallace taught "The Books of Exodus and Leviticus"
• brother Harry Osborne taught "The Old Testament Prophets: Isaiah"
• brother Ron Halbrook taught "Why Do We Want to Preach?"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Book of Corinthians"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Church History: Departures From Truth and Increase of Error"
• brother Harry Osborne - "The Book of John"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Christ Versus Calvinism"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Issues Dividing Brethren: The Missionary Society"

APRIL 7

• I shared a short lesson about "Constant in Prayer (Acts 12:1-17)"
• prayed for 30 minutes with the brethren
• brother Rody Gumpad - "The New Testament Church"
• brother Steve Wallace - "Book of Numbers"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Old Testament Prophets: Jeremiah"
• brother Ron Halbrook - The Preacher's Life and Work"
• brother Steve Wallace - "The Books of Galatians and Ephesians"
• brother Harry Osborne - "Development of Catholism"
• brother Harry Osborne - "New Testament Survey: The Book of Acts"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Christ Versus Calvinism"
• brother Ron Halbrook - "Issues Dividing Brethren: Instrumental Music"

Two Souls Baptized Into Christ

The Lord had blessed us with another wonderful Lord's Day again here in our area. Brother Rody Gumpad preached in our bible study the lesson "Go... Preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), here he enumerated some reasons why must we be persuaded to continue preaching and also he cited some examples of hindrances that may come in our way to prevent us from preaching the gospel of Christ. Brother Ron Halbrook taught in the sermon "Elders: Spiritual Leaders", he focused on the spiritual qualifications of the elders and how the elders must be appointed in every local congregation. Both lessons had helped us much again and gave encouragements to us all. After lunch I took some of the participants in the preacher's training in Alibago church of Christ; with me were brethren Robinson Pulveras, Edwin Soriano, Ludivico Sarmiento, and July Aguinaldo. These four brethren helped us in our worship at Alibago; brother Ludivico Sarmiento lead the singing, brother July Aguinaldo led the opening prayer, brother Edwin Soriano helped in the Lord's table, brother Robinson Pulveras taught us in our bible study with the lesson "Things to Remember". I also taught a lesson about "Thanksgiving" and after that I led the prayer for the thanksgiving of baby Sophia Cassandra Olimpo. At the evening, brother Robert Rances (preacher at Lingu church) arrived with two friends who regularly attend their worship; they went with brother Robert with the desire to be baptized. To cut the story short, two precious souls obeyed the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Preachers' Training (April 4)

Our day started with our regular 30 minute prayer, a time to come near to God and tell Him all we wanted to tell. Then brother Rody Gumpad continued in teaching us about "The New Testament Church", this morning he discussed about the church as the Household of God. Brother Steve Wallace taught us about the "Book of Exodus" this day; he gave us the background of the book, Moses and Pharaoh, Journey to Mount Sinai, Giving of the 10 Commandments until the setting up of the tabernacle. Brother Harry Osborne taught us also a very informative lesson about "The Old Testament Prophets". Brother Ron Halbrook taught us a lesson about "Why Do We Want to Preach?", a very nice lesson that encourages us more to continue in preaching the gospel of Christ. In the afternoon brother Steve Wallace taught us first with the lesson about "The New Testament Survey". Brother Harry Osborne continued with our lesson in "Eternal Kingdom (Survey of Church History)" and "The Book of Mark and Luke". Brother Ron Halbrook presented the lesson about "Issues Dividing Brethren" and brother Harry Osborne concluded the afternoon with the lesson about "Catholism". After pausing for a short dinner we all continued with brother Harry teaching us about the maps. A long but very informative day is what the Lord had given us this day and we are very thankful to Him for such a wonderful day.

Training Continues With Our Teachers

At last brethren Ron Halbrook, Harry Osborne, and Steve Wallace were able to meet the participants and teach them what the bible teaches. Because their flight were canceled again yesterday, they decided to take a van and take a road trip; the trip lasted 11 long hours, we are thankful to God for the guidance that He gave our brethren in their safe trip. They arrived here in Tuguegarao 3:00 in the morning, though tired and sleepless they still tried their very best to teach in the training.

We prayed with the fellow preachers in the 30 minute prayer before the classes. After the prayer brother Rody Gumpad started teaching the book "The New Testament Church". Brother Steve Wallace then taught "Genesis: The Book of Beginnings", and brother Ron Halbrook taught "Attitudes Essential in God's Kingdom" and gave an introduction about "Issues That Divided Brethren". In the afternoon, brother Steve Wallace taught "New Testament Survey". Brother Harry Osborne taught "The Eternal Kingdom (Survey of Church History)" and "The Book of Matthew".

Preacher Training in Metro Tuguegarao (March 30 to April 2, 2009)

Participants for the preacher training arrived one by one on the 30th of March 2009. The participants answered some questions to find out if they can speak and understand English for most of the materials that will be used for the training will be in English.

The following day we purchased the materials that the participants will be using for the duration of the training; after distributing the said materials to each participants a bible study was made where brother Rody Gumpad taught and resulted to the baptism of Rodelion Galduen.

April 1st, every one was very excited waiting for the arrival of brethren Ron Halbrook, Harry Osborne, and Steve Wallace who will teach us in the said training; unfortunately their flight from Metro Manila to Tuguegarao City was canceled due to bad weather. Because our teachers are unable to meet us that day we decided to continue with the training, I started by teaching "2 Timothy 3" and gave emphasis on Why Must We Preach the Gospel of Christ. Brother Rody Gumpad then followed me and taught his lessons in "Mangaskasaba (the Preacher)". We continued with the study of the bible in the afternoon wherein I taught a short lesson on "How to Study the Bible", after that brother Rody continued with his lesson on "Mangaskasaba".

The second day of April started very early for the participants, our breakfast started at exactly 6:00 in the morning wherein each participants gave their own verse before eating. After breakfast we all went straight to our class and there before we start the classes we all kneeled down and prayed for 30 minutes (it is indeed very wonderful to talk to our God). After our prayer brother Jay Gumpad taught us about "Ephesians 5:11: Overcoming Wordliness". I also taught about "Matthew 4:19: Fishers of Men", and brother Jun Gumpad also taught us a lesson about "2 Timothy 4:3-4: Wanting Their Ears Tickled", brother Rody Gumpad again continued his lesson on "Mangaskasaba". Before we break for lunch brother Mark Daquioag gave a very encouraging lesson about our purpose in preaching the gospel. After lunch we continued with our studies and I taught about "Ephesians 4:1: Walk Worthy of the Vocation", brother Jay Gumpad taught also about "What They Say About Peter", after that brother Rody Gumpad taught us "Bible Hermeneutics".

Preacher Training in Metro Tuguegarao

I. This Preacher Training is NOT a work of the Metro Tuguegarao Church of Christ or any Church from other places.
II. This is a work of INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS, both Filipinos and Americans, who are willing to come and study further the Bible and to help the interested men in their desire to become preacher of the Gospel of Christ.
III. The MAIN OBJECTIVES of the said training are:
A. To help the participants study their Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
B. To promote unity by learning how to speak the same mind (1 Corinthians 1:10).
C. To help each participants understand how to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9-11).
D. To apply in our lives what Apostle Paul had written in 2 Timothy 2:2; "And the thing that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."