GOD CLOTHES HIS CHILDREN

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“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Matt 6:30).

Praise and glory be unto our God who is “a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q4). “What is God?” was the theme for both the Teen’s Bible Day Camp (TBDC) and the Vacation Bible School (VBS) conducted in three districts of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, the Philippines. The Lord providentially led us to the theme which is so fitting in our predominantly idol-worshipping country. The theme verse was taken from Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” The aim was to teach the attributes of God and point them to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both the activities are conducted in cooperation with the Fundamental Baptist Church of Gingoog City.

Ms Louie Teoh, who used to worship at Life BPC and remembered our late founding pastor Timothy Tow sending containers of foodstuff and clothes to the people of Cambodia, donated her company’s extra stock of children’s clothes to True Life BPC to benefit poor and needy children. Since 2012, we have been sending clothes to children in Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, India and Africa through FEBC students and graduates and our contacts overseas. Mrs Jemima Khoo and Mrs Manuela Heng helped packed the clothes for shipment each time.

Here is a word of thanks from Preacher Sopheak of Cambodia, an FEBC graduate:

Dear Dr Khoo,

Greetings in the blessed Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

Mrs Khoo passed to me the clothes last month. On behalf of True Gospel Bible Presbyterian Church, Kampot, Cambodia, and our children in Sunday School and the children in our two new outreaches, we would like to thank God and also thank Mrs Khoo very much for giving them new clothes to wear.

Thanks and God bless!

In Christ

Sopheak, 8 July 2013

TEACHING GOD’S WORD IN MINDANAO

Report by Dr Jose Lagapa on the Bible Ministries in Mindanao, Philippines, May-June 2013

At the two-day TBDC, I delivered a total of eight messages: (1) God is a Spirit, (2) God is infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His Being, (3) in His Wisdom, (4) in His Power, (5) in His Holiness, (6) in His Justice, (7) in His Goodness and (8) in His Truth. It was attended by more than 70 youths, most of them non-believers. Group discussions followed after each day’s messages which were led by pastors and Bible women of the church. Games and object lessons were also conducted. King James Bibles were distributed to those who have no Bibles or those with modern versions of the Bible. Participants were given T-shirts with the TBDC logo. A gospel meeting on the last day was attended by parents and relatives of the participants. Pastor Romeo Laraño of the Fundamental Baptist Church, Gingoog City was the preacher. Praise God for the many who came to salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We pray for genuine professions of faith. The church there is reaching out to them, and may the new believers actively live out their faith.

The VBS held in Daan Lungsod, San Juan, and Lunao Districts of Gingoog City saw more than 200 children participating. The theme “What is God?” taught the children that (1) God is present everywhere, (2) God hears everything, and (3) God helps His children, simplifying the doctrines of God’s omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. Sinners cannot escape the judgment of God because He sees all their sins. However, God will hear their prayers of repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The all- powerful sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary can save them from eternal condemnation in hell.

VBS in Lunao

The lessons were taught to the children by Celeste Lagapa and Maggie Zagado. There were also group discussions, art and craft sessions, and games. The VBS concluded with a gospel meeting attended by the parents of the children. A total of 70 parents and relatives of the children joined the gospel meeting. The lessons of the VBS were summarised and the gospel was preached.

VBS in Daan Lungsod

An additional activity this year was the Church Workers’ Bible Seminar. This was specially conducted for Sunday School teachers and other workers in teaching ministries in order to equip them with the basics of teaching biblical narratives. I spoke on “Why Teach the Bible?” which highlighted the Great Commission and the essential qualifications needed to teach God’s Word. Another topic was “How to Teach the Bible?” which emphasised the need for correct presuppositions when studying and teaching the Bible, namely, the perfect inspiration, preservation and authority of the Scriptures, and the analogy of Scripture. Workshops on constructing outlines and drawing principles from narratives in the Bible encouraged the participants to develop their own teaching materials.

We praise the Lord for the pastors, workers and young people of Fundamental Baptist Church and Bethany Baptist Church in Gingoog City who gave their support which contributed to the success of these ministries. We thank God for the significant contribution of the Rev Robert Kluttz and the brethren in Hokkaido Bible Centre, Japan. We also give thanks to God for Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church and other likeminded Bible-Presbyterian churches for their help in one way or another. We praise and thank God for True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church which is so instrumental in the realisation of these ministries. Above all we give all glory and honour to God for giving us the privilege and opportunity to serve Him even though we are so unworthy. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” (1 Cor 9:16-17).