Ministerial Report: Naga City Church of Christ

Dear Brethren in Christ,

              May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

“I thank my God every time I remember you…I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

               being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

               –Phil. 1:3-6.

               I thank you very much for our continuous partnership in the work of the Lord.  On behalf of my family and Naga City Church we thank you.

               Listed here below are the past activities and programs of our church as part of our one year plan for the year 2017.

I also indicated some of our significant participation to other churches in Bicol region and outside.

 

PICTURES: Naga City Church of Christ Activities

Highlights:

1. Overnight Prayer Meeting, our first event of the Year. On January 6, 2017, we successfully held our prayer program for the whole church as the first step of facing the coming year with faith and anticipation of God’s marvelous work. It was then an exciting overnight activity both with the young people and adults. We gathered for more than fifty person. The program is so simple that we had a song-exhortation-prayer order using the A-C-T-S pattern for the whole program. At the middle of the program we inserted some prayer testimonies and finally we challenge the church to commit to our “round-the-clock prayer program” in which we need at least 24 members to complete the 24 hours rotation, and we praise God that the slots had been filled. We are still continuing the prayer program we started then.
2. 2. Ministry Class, our 9^thBy the grace of God, we’ve been able to train another batch of students of the Bible for the ministry particularly for leading our small group meetings. From January 8 to March 26 we have had nine students and eventually six of them have completed the course. Here are the names of our newly trained small group leaders; Bro. Francis Arenas, Bro. Charles Bautista, Bro. Arnold Moral, Sis. Angeline Jayson, Sis. Geraldine Relao, and Sis. Ruspie Siso. Three of them received special award for their excellent participation and studies
3. Women’s Fellowship (DORCAS), Our Women’s Moment to Shine. On February 18, 2017, we held our women’s fellowship meeting at Saulong’s residence in Tigaon, Cam. Sur. This was another important event of the month because many attended and were edified. Some of the women from Tigaon Church joined with our women and were excited. I was able to deliver a message on family matters and the significant role wives play on maintaining marriage relationship.
4. Church Leaders Retreat, Our Unforgettable Encounter. We praise the Lord that another unforgettable experience for our church leaders has been treasured through this event. On April 14, (Good Friday) at Ecology Village, Pili, Camarines Sur, more or less 30 church leaders of NCCC including elders, deacons, deaconess, cellgroup leaders and women’s and youth presidents have been dedicated their time for reflection, consecration and recommitment for the ministry. Three of us, Bro. Chris Lara, Sis. Ayen Grencio and I facilitated the event through team building, lectures and messages that challenged all of us to be more of a servant leader in the church through our theme: “The Calvary Road.” And we praised God that after the retreat, everyone went home blessed, inspired and edified. 
5. DVBS 2017, Our Kids Adventure. Yes, our VBS this year becomes a significant lifetime adventure for them, since we have gathered more or less 80 children from our neighborhood and from our member’s kids. This six-day event which started on May 1 up to May 6 has been a wonderful time for the kids to learn more about the Bible and know more about Jesus. We thank God that the church has been used by God to host this big summer event through man power (our volunteers) and financial needs. On the last day of its graduation, students as well as parents, by this time many parents have attended and have heard the word of God and were blessed. Some parents expressed their appreciation to the message they have heard. They were also acknowledging the effort we gave to their children. In addition, our Sunday school has also additional teachers who committed for the whole year of teaching. We praise the Lord because of that. 
6. Other Ministry Involvement, My Special Participation. I also praise God for the opportunities given to me to be used by Him in other ministries and services outside Naga Church. On March 4 at Calamba Church of Christ, I was invited to facilitate and lead a church leaders retreat. By God’s help, the church leaders hearts and commitments to the ministry were rekindled. On April 8 at Canaman Church of Christ, I was also invited to be the speaker on their indoor evangelistic crusade where dozen of visitors come forward to the altar call. On April 10 to 21 at National SPKKK, I and my wife were invited to lecture on their Camp and Seminary which was held here in Bicol at Carolina Elementary School at Carolina, Naga City. My subjects are Church Management, Christian Leadership, and Training Others to Teach (Christian Ed). My wife’s subjects are Church Music and Biblical Foundation of Worship.We were able also to send 15 young people in that camp which really inspired and become excited to attend the next SP.On April 24-27, at Tigbao, Aroroy, Masbate, we attended the Bicol Regional Convention. I and Bro. Chris Lara become a lecturer on that program on the theme: SPIRITUAL MATURITY PRECEDES MULTIPLICATION, our church choir was able to represent our church through a special number. On April 29, at Siruma, I was invited to be a guest speaker on a 42^nd Church Anniversary of Bagong Sirang Church of Christ at Siruma, wherein more or less 30 members of our church in Naga attended. It was successful, praise the Lord. On May 1 to 6, at Daet, Camarines Norte, I was also invited to be a lecturer (part time) at Camarines Norte Bible Institute the former Discipleship and Leadership Training in Daet. I lectured also on the subjects of Hermeneutics and Christian Counseling and on May 9 to 20 I was able to lecture at SBI (Summer Bible Institute) at Bolo Norte Church of Christ on the same previous subjects. This years’ attendance must be the biggest, we had a total of 104 students. Praise God.  On June 1 and 2, at Tagbilaran City, Bohol, I, my wife and Bro. Chris were able to attend our National Leaders Convention in Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. This is a great opportunity for us, because aside from the program that awaits us is also the world class tourist spot we could also see for the first time. As a matter of fact, we can’t afford to attend that convention, because it’s expensive due to its distance, however, some of our generous friends and brethren as well as our church here in Naga all helped to make it possible. Lastly, on June 12 at Talon Church of Christ, Talon, Amadeo, Cavite. I was invited also to facilitate another church leaders’ retreat hosted by Mabuhay City Church of Christ in Laguna.
7. 16 New Baptized Were Added to the Church, from December to June. We thank God for the continuous plentiful harvest of soul. Listed below are the newly baptized men and women who by the grace of the Lord accepted His call through our evangelistic effort through small groups and Sunday services invitation.