ONLY JESUS SAVES
A Testimony of Vacation Bible School and Bible Camp Ministries in the Philippines
by Dr Jose Lapaga
This year’s ministries in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines on the island of Mindanao bannered the theme “Only Jesus Saves.” The goal was to highlight to the predominantly Roman Catholic populace that only in the Lord Jesus Christ can man put his faith in order to be saved from the eternal judgment in the lake of fire. The theme verse was taken from 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
The three week-long series of activities started off with the Vacation Bible School (VBS) on May 14-16, 2014 in two centres: Daan Lungsod, and Gingoog City Proper which was first launched this year. There were two teams, each comprising 10-12 workers serving 70 children in Daan Lungsod and 62 in City Proper. The VBS in these two centres were done simultaneously from 8 am to 12.30 pm. The topics included the following: (1) Salvation by Faith, (2) Salvation Is Not by Works, and (3) Salvation Message by Paul the Apostle. Each team had a teacher for the primaries (Mrs Maria Celeste Lagapa & Mrs Lani Laraño) and kindergarten (Ms Maggie Mae Zagado & Ms Lovahlissa Aligaga). Many of the church members of Gingoog Fundamental Baptist Church, especially the young people helped in the various activities such as games and Art & Craft. The VBS culminated with gospel rallies for children’s parents to hear the gospel from Pastors Manuel Atinen and Romeo Laraño.
The third week was the VBS in San Juan and Lunao centres. There were 68 children in San Juan and 105 in Lunao. The two teams conducted simultaneously the Vacation Bible Schools from May 26 to 28 which concluded with a gospel rally at both centres. The Lord gave us a total of 305 children in all four centres in this year’s VBS.
The 3rd Teens’ Bible Day Camp was held on May 19-21, 2014. The Camp registered 66 youths from different districts of Gingoog City and with more than half from a Roman Catholic background. A total of six messages were preached by me: (1) The Only Promise (Gen 3:15), (2) The Only Sacrifice (Isa 53:4-6), (3) The Only Fulfilment (Matt 1:21-23), (4) The Only Way (John 14:6), (5) The Only Name (Acts 4:10-12), and (6) The Only Mediator (1 Tim 2:5-6) for man’s salvation. Group discussions were conducted after every two messages. Games and ice breakers interspersed the three-day camp. The closing activity was a gospel rally with some parents who responded to the invitation and heard the gospel preached by Pastor Laraño. Praise items, skits and testimonies wrapped up this year’s camp.
An encouraging testimony at the close of the camp was given by Brother Tadahito Yamazaki, a member of Hokkaido Bible Centre in Sapporo, Japan, who visited and participated in some of the ministries. He said he was amazed to see many young people who spent their time listening to God’s Word for three days. He did not observe such events in his own country. He encouraged the Filipino Christians that money is not what matters most in life but their relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. He quoted Matthew 6:19-24 and described how the Japanese missed the genuine and eternal blessing because they do not want to acknowledge God as their Creator and Saviour.
Salvation Testimonies
Several young people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. There was a Roman Catholic altar boy who testified of his salvation with tears. On the Lord’s Day after the Teens Camp, the boy attended the worship service. His mother was reportedly angry because she had just purchased a new gown for his altar-boy duties. Here are some testimonies:
“I am blessed because I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.” Ron Vincent D Gamon, 12 yrs old.
“I learned that our Lord Jesus came down and gave Himself for us to be saved. I learned also that I should receive Him so I can enter heaven because it is not by good works and religion that a man can get into heaven. I learned that Jesus is the only way for me to go to heaven; there is no other way. Because of my sins He gave Himself as our Sacrifice and Substitute. He alone must I receive as Lord and Saviour. I came to know that there is no other God but Him. I also understood that man must be born again, not that he must be delivered again from his mother but in spirit and faith in God.” John Paul B Minerva, 14 yrs old.
“In this Teens Camp I learned that God really loves us because He sent His only begotten Son Jesus and let Jesus be crucified on the cross to save us from the judgment of our sins. I learned also that only Jesus saves. No other man could be sacrificed on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins except Jesus. And for that I thank God for His goodness that in this camp I learned more about the works, the words and the life of Jesus.” Rona Mae B Labito, 14 yrs old.
“In this Teens Bible Day Camp 2014, I am very happy because I learned more about God and salvation. The thing that I should do to be saved is to believe and trust in Jesus. We should accept Jesus as our personal Saviour because only Jesus can save us, not religion, club, money and others.” Khaell B Socorum, 14 yrs old.
“I thank God for His grace for giving me good health. I also greatly appreciate the fact that I learned the Word of God. I praise the Lord for coming to earth and becoming Man and giving Himself to the cross so I can be saved from the punishment of my sins. I consider this as a very significant Teens Bible Day Camp in my life.” Rayan Joy S Borinaga, 16 yrs old.
“I am very thankful to God for another opportunity that we can experience this kind of activity, Teens Bible Day Camp 2014. I am very blessed with all the messages that reminded me that only Jesus saves. No other way to heaven; Jesus is the only way. I also learned many things that will really help me grow in God. Lastly, I am thankful and very blessed for He used me in this camp.” Group Leader, Gyzza B Dandoy, 18 yrs old.
“Praise God for His sufficient grace that I am able to join the Teens Bible Day Camp 2014. It is a great blessing in my life to be corrected and be checked! I want to thank God for this great opportunity for my faith is strengthened and made firm. Learning the Word of God and knowing that only Jesus saves is a light in my life. I am praying that the teens will grow spiritually and will continue to have this eagerness to know God more.” Group Leader, Sara Jane L Suezo, 19 yrs old.
Church Workers Bible Seminar
The 2nd Church Workers Bible Seminar was held on May 24, 2014 at Fundamental Baptist Church, Gingoog City. The topic was a continuation of last year’s topic on “Teaching Biblical Narratives”. There were 34 participants.
Besides the pastors, teachers and leaders of Fundamental Baptist Church in Gingoog, participants of this year’s Bible Seminar came from as far as the province of Bukidnon—Dr Einstine Opiso with family of Mt Musuan Fundamental Baptist Church and Prof Patria Solidum of Valencia Fundamental Baptist Church. A number of participants also came from Bethany Baptist Church in Gingoog City with their pastor, Junni Antigua. A member of the Fundamental Baptist Church in Nasipit, Butuan City also joined. Brother Tadahito Yamazaki also attended this seminar.
We praise and thank the LORD for True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore who supported these ministries. We acknowledge God’s abundant provisions through the generous financial help granted by the True Life BPC Session. We give praise to God also for individual brethren who offered their support in various ways. We are full of gratitude to those who prayed for us, as we saw the power of God working in the planning and implementation of the activities. We also give thanks to God for Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church being instrumental in the preparation and in provisions. We also praise God for Gingoog Fundamental Baptist Church which actively cooperated with all the ministries. Although there were hitches experienced throughout all activities, the Lord made all things well for the good of the people.
May we continue to pray for the seed of the gospel that was sown among the children and young people. Let us pray the seed sown will bear fruit one day. Pray for the salvation of souls and edification of the saints.
All glory to God!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
