Walk in Wisdom and Prayer
The message from Pastor Oscar Claudio from Maguindanao District reminded us that our days are numbered, and we need God’s wisdom, perspective and power to get us through these challenging times. We need to pray. Prayer gives us power and perspective. We need to ask God for wisdom and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pastor Claudio’s message to his fellow pastors and Christian workers is that they are soldiers of Christ. Only through Christ can we have the courage, integrity, wisdom to serve him faithfully. Prayer is the key to victory and to overcoming the temptations and challenges of these times.
In Maguindanao District, Islamic Foundations are enticing people to join their groups through rewards of higher salaries, education for children and aid for given to the families living in the extreme poverty of the region. Many are drawn to the groups by the promises to relieve their poverty and dire circumstances. He admonishes the pastors to teach their congregants to trust God and to pray fervently to resist the evil that surrounds them. We must be careful about how we live, in the light, where we will be blessed by God’s goodness, righteousness and truth.
The scripture passages he used are the following”
Ephesians 5:8-15
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:19-29
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
The Vision of CMFE
CMFE’s mission is to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the tribal and poor people of the Philippines. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the authority of Holy Scripture, we are committed to show God’s love. Upholding the Great Commission, CMFE also plants new churches and trains new church leaders to teach the Kingdom of God.
Annual District Missionary Conference: CMFE Leadership Meeting in Davao City
The pastor’s worker of CMFE serve faithfully and lovingly. The conference encourages them and fills them with hope and encouragement. They fellowship and learn from each other. They are reminded that CMFE’s purpose to is to love God and love other people. With the power of the Holy Spirit, CMFE workers pray boldly for the love, strength, and wisdom to go after God’s purposes and restore His kingdom.
District Reports
All pastors rejoiced with their fellowship and received their love gifts during the Pastor’s meeting in Calinan, Davao City. Their hearts were full as they rushed back to their own churches for their Good Friday services and to celebrate Easter with their congregations. Filled with joy, hope and purpose, CMFE pastors and church worker returned to their churches ready to celebrate with and serve God’s people.
Calinan District, Davao City
District Missionary Tula reported that Calinan District pastors and workers are active with a myriad of activities. They regularly have Prayer Days when different members of the district congregations praise and pray for their pastors, church leaders, community and their own needs om their chosen days. The District Missionary Pastor Tula visits each of the seven other churches in the district.
The district also holds children’s dedication and baptism of its many young members. This summer the district youth joined the CMFE Youth camp made of the young people of several districts hosted by Mindupok Calvary Church of Maitum District.
We were again reminded that Macati Calvary Church needs concrete walls and cement flooring. Also, Mamag Calvary Church, located in a very unsafe area with a large militant Islamic population, continues to pray that they can reach their Muslim neighbors and share the message of Jesus Christ. They continue to show their love for their community through their children’s feeding projects because most of the children who participate are from the Muslim families. The church also continues its construction of cinder block walls instead of the nipa palm material they currently have. Construction proceeds as they have the budget to purchase the materials needed. The church members provide all the labor.
It is with sadness that the pastor Tula reported that the pastor of Saloy Calvary Church, Rubin Diangalan suffered the death of his 12-year-old son. They ask for prayer for the family.
Davao del Norte District
Davao del Norte, led by District Missionary Leahsol Siga, reported about the numerous activities that the five churches support. The district pastors meet regularly and pray together for their congregations. They “exchange pulpits” or preach in each other’s churches a few times a year. Pastor Siga also happily visits all five churches at a few times a year.
The churches also have their men’s, women’s and youth fellowship, church renovation and school campus ministries. The campus ministry in the local public schools such as Pinamuno National High School chose CMFE District Missionary Leahsol Siga to teach in the school’s campus ministry. She shares the love of Christ with the students. This was a great opportunity and tremendous privilege. She was given a Certificate of Appreciation. Please continue to pray that many if not all the young students will come to know the Lord Jesus.
Many of the district’s young people attended the CMFE youth camp. The came back blessed and on fire to serve God.
The “Mother Pig” program where they raise pigs to provide food for church activities and gatherings continues. This livelihood project helps the poor members of their congregations and with church expansions and renovations. Luntangan Calvary Church moved its location closer to the highway. They moved to make it easier to invite members of the community to visit the church. They hope to grow their membership and bring more people to Christ.
The pastor of Taglibid Calvary Church, Pastor Armando Putong, suffered a spinal cord injury when a tree branch fell on him. Though he can now sit up, he is still unable to walk. They ask for prayers of healing.
Kiamba District 2
District Missionary Pastor Eduardo Digan reported that the district also sent several of their young people to the CMFE youth camp. The churches are also active with their regular prayer meetings, Sunday school, and serving communion on the first Sunday of each month. The district also has a livelihood project of a farm where they grow corn and bananas. Their goal remains to expand their small corn farm. They use the proceeds from the harvests to raise money for the activities and projects of the churches. Some of their activities include Evangelistic Crusades, Church Revivals and Fellowship nights for the church youth groups.
Maasim District East 1
The seven churches of Maasim East 1 is led by Pastor Alan Alejo. The just recently dedicated children to Christ and had a revival service in each congregation. They also baptized 10 young people in one of their churches.
The district askes for prayer for the farmers in the congregation whose crops have died due to the drought conditions in their region.
Maasim District East 2
The churches of Maasim East 2 are active in holding evangelistic crusades, baptisms and prayer meetings. Their calendar of events is full of activities and planned events. Pastor John Mark Guimba of Lam-Alit Calvary Church is their district evangelist. He travelled to the towns around their region and held crusades for the towns people to hear the word of God. The district pastors with some town leaders support, work to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The churches again reported that they are growing. As the membership of the churches grows, they are building churches with concrete walls. This is considered a tremendous blessing. Most of the churches in other districts are still made of natural materials which are replaced as they dry or damaged by the storms. In Maasim District the churches are now built with steel and concrete. All construction work is done by volunteers.
The district also continues to pray and fast every week. They also participated in the CMFE Youth Camp. Moreover, Maasim District East 2 has a small bible training school located in Datal Lanao Calvary Church which currently has 30 students.
Maasim District West 1
Every last Sunday of the month, members of the four churches of this District host a Prayer Cottage. A member of each of the congregations with host a prayer meeting in their home. They pray and fast for the needs of the families of the churches. They pray for their evangelistic crusades where people will be saved and give their lives to Christ.
The women’s, men’s and youth programs are also active in their churches. They help with church construction and repairs and community projects.
District missionary Peligrio Flores’s continues to mourn his wife’s passing. He asks for prayer.
Maasim District West 2
The district hosted an evangelist crusade. The town leaders allow CMFE congregations to use the city’s park facilities to hold their crusades. They also had prayers meetings which emphasized healing prayers in the town.
Pastor Joey Gansin, the District Missionary and pastor of Daliao Calvary Church happily announced this was his 19th year serving God as a pastor.
Maitum District
Mindupok Calvary Church of Maitum District hosted the CMFE Youth Camp. Over 300 young people attended. Many dedicated their lives to Christ. So many were blessed. The five-day camp was supported by the offerings of the congregations and through fundraising allowing for lower registration fees and more young people able to attend. The theme was Living for Jesus.
Missionary Marilyn Apilado reminded us that a member of her congregation had donated a piano. Some of Mindupok Calvary Church young people who are taking piano and guitar lessons were able to lead and help with the praise and worship at the camp.
Other district activities include Prayer Cottages, weekly prayer meeting in different individual members homes, Bible studies, and community projects. One new project is planting trees and reviving the mangrove forests in the region. The community project is meant to help the environment and stop the flooding of the coastal areas.
Maguindanao District
Pastor Claudio, Maguindanao district missionary and pastor of Tudok Mamot Calvary Church, gave the message for the district missionary meeting. He blessed and encouraged the gathering with the message to walk in the light and pray for wisdom. We must fear God and be filled with the Holy Spirit as we serve God.
Pastor Claudio’s district has nine churches. Two of the district’s newest churches are in Sultan Kudarat and in Datu Saudi. They continue to praise God that the congregations are thriving despite the threats from the Islamic community and the military. The local government wants the CMFE churches to register their actions and limit its activities in the area. They want to expel Christians from the region. Pastor Claudio said that the pastors refused to register and continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also fast and pray monthly. They pray for safety and courage to continue faithfully serving the King of Kings. They want to fulfill their calling of spreading the Good News. He again quoted the verse in Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
T’boli District 1
The district reported numerous activities, particularly its music ministry. The Kule Calvary Church has a band with new instruments, drums and guitars. Pastor’s Titing Legal’s children play in the church band and help lead the praise and worship ministry.
The district also has a married couple’s fellowship, youth fellowship and women’s group. They also hosted a revival service in the Town Plaza.
The district has a new pastor Arman Kanan. He replaced the pastor who died from the horse accident while farming a few months ago.
The T’boli District 1’s location in Maitum, South Cotabato is very remote and difficult to reach. When Pastor Titing Legal visits his five churches he may walk up to 25 km one way and spend the night in the home of the host pastor.
T’boli District 2
Pastor Salyok gladly announced the expansion of Datal Calvary Church. He shared that since military troops were stationed in the area, some of the soldiers helped build benches for the church.
Also, communication is difficult in the area (there are very few cell towers), a radio or walkie-talkie is needed. He asks for prayer for the radio and for the safety of all the members of the CMFE churches in the district.
MANILA CALVARY CHURCH
Pastor Karl Sanchez who moved to the Philippines almost two years ago to serve at Manila Calvary Church. The church continues to feed the homeless and last Sunday, used clothing and shoes were also handed out to the poor people in the congregation. Proverbs 19:17 says that if you give to the poor, you are lending to the Lord and He will repay you.
Last Sunday, Pastor Sanchez’s message was about a captive young girl from Israel who had the courage to tell her mistress about God and his prophet Elisha. Through her faith, the Aramean general Naaman was able to be healed of leprosy and become a believer God.
DONATIONS NEEDED
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” -- Matthew 25: 35, 36, 40
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