Updates from Irosin
Ptr. Gumer Gile has shared many wonderful things that are happening in Irosin PAMI church. First, the nice results of their EARLY MORNING PRAYER. Irosin started their daily early morning prayer last December 01, 2010 in their church. They decided to do it just for the whole month of December. But since it brings a lot of good results, they want it to continue. Among the testimonies given by those who attended: Read More
Bulusan Ministry Update
From: Ptr. Virgil Gacis, January 4, 2011
Dear Brother Mike and PAMI Board,
God is great, Praise Him! We appreciate God’s goodness in serving here in Bulusan church.Through the help of God, there are many people who come to Him whose eyes were opened by power of His Word. Though we experienced various trials here, the church is continuing to grow, not only in the knowledge and grace but also in numbers. There were six who accepted the Lord and were baptized last October 10, 2010. God continues to help new believers in their faith, we pray. Read More
People Call us PAMI
By Ptr. Chito Mendizabal
When Ptr Romy Escobedo asked me to be their speaker in their Church Anniversary and Christmas Party, I willingly accepted; in fact I was excited. Because this church was one of the churches that PAMI has started or pioneered. The first Bible study was for children. Then, adults Bible study followed. Many of the first attendees were men which became pastors eventually (Pastors Nestor, Romy, Ernie, Inggo, Jessie). They sent some of their students to EBI, who have since become pastors: Pastor Redgie (Bonifacio), Ptr Rolly Balasta (Presbyterian in Albay), Ptr Samuel Espano (Phil. Evangelical Mission-Bulusan), Ptr Levi Caudilla (Masbate) and Ptr Joel (Leyte), Ptr Eddie Fuedan (Channels of Blessing-Bulusan).
It was so heart-warming to hear in their church history that they indeed started as PAMI outreach. Until today, said Ptr Ernie, “People keep on calling them PAMI.” [Chito has previously said that the word “PAMI” is used the Sorsogon to generically refer to born-again Christians.]
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Updates from Bulan
Calayugan Bible Study
By Ptr. Vir Fulo
In Christ Precious Name our Lord and Savior. Updates from Bulan Christian Church and Daughter Churches
- Bible Studies: In Abad Santos Sis. Michelle has four families who attended permanently and more than 80 children attended for children’s Bible Study. Other Bible Studies are from San Vicente, Ilawod, Obrero, Sabang.
- Calayugan: I joined with Ptr. Joel every Saturday afternoon. We are planning to change the schedule to Sunday afternoon. If God’s will we are going to start a worship service this year, because there are more than 12 baptized believers already in Calayugan. Please include this in your prayers. Read More
Christmas Greetings from PAMI Philippines!
From Pastor Chito B. Mendizabal, Field Director – EBI-PAMI Philippines
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” 2 Cor. 2:14
Praise God for His abundant mercy and grace that we may become an aroma, spreading the fragrance of Christ to all people. Thanks be to God, just recently, we’ve been a conduit of His grace, extending hands to a pastor [William Thompson] and family in their great ordeals – from hospital needs to arranging things at home (wife died from Heart Attack after 3 days aggressive interventions in the ICU). Some EBI students stayed with the family to help in the cooking, arranging of Bible study every night for 7 days, ushered guests; We too help in processing papers of insurance; preached at their Sunday service and officiated the necrological service. While we were at the hospital, we’re able to minister too to other patients (4 other rooms) mostly Christians (Divine appointment?) praying and helping. And you had great part in those ministries of serving, because of your financial help and your constant intercessions for us.
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Training with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Early this month Ptr. Chito spent two days in training by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, for the upcoming Will Graham crusade: Bicol Celebration of Hope. Chito writes:
The Love of God! I just arrived from Naga City from a two-day training. This was hosted by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in preparation for the upcoming Bicol Celebration of Hope with Will Graham on April 28,29,30 to May 1, 2011 in Pili Stadium Naga City. Our lecturer was Dr. Bob Kendig (BGEA Counseling & Follow-up Coordinator). Eight of us (pastors) from Sorsogon were recommended to attend and be trained which in turn would re-echo the same training to churches in Sorsogon province. The training focused mostly on the Christian Life & Witness Course, a training on how to help the “babies” or “inquirers” (those who would accept Christ in the crusade) grow in their faith.
I think this is God’s “visitation” to us Bicolanos. Our place has been always devasted by varied calamities and disasters like typhoon, volcanic eruptions, flood, and other crisis and adversities. Christians in Bicol are only about 4% of the total populations. That’s why when I heard about BGEA coming to Bicol, I praised God and continuesly praising Him; looking forward to a time when a great numbers of my own people coming to the Lordship of Christ. God pours out His saving mercy and grace upon Bicolanos. Please include this always in your prayers, especially breaking the walls among Christians and churches, especially pastors here in our place, that we may be united in our vision and care for the souls of our people.
Irosin Christian Church to Begin Weaning
Since the very earliest ministry of PAMI, it has been our vision that new churches that are started will eventually become self-supporting and self-governing. This would free up resources so that new PAMI workers can be supported, and more PAMI churches can be started. The process of a PAMI church becoming self-supporting is known as “Weaning”. For the first several years of a church’s existence, PAMI will support 100% of the pastor’s allowance. After the church has grown, and members bring in their own tithes and offerings, they can gradually begin supporting the pastors allowance. Weaning is a gradual process whereby for the first year of weaning, the local church supports a small percentage of the pastor’s allowance (e.g. 20-25%) and then each year after that, the church increases the percentage that they cover, until eventually, the church supports 100% of the pastor’s allowance. Weaning also allows members of the local church to have a greater “ownership” in the ministry of their congregation. Exactly when a church begins weaning depends on how fast they are growing, and their financial resources to begin supporting themselves.
The PAMI Irosin Christian Church has grown very well over the last few years, initially under the leadership of Ptr. Randy Rivera, and currently under Ptr. Gumer Gile. In fact, when I visited the Irosin church in July 2009, I saw that they were meeting under an awning, because their rented house had become too small. Even then, the awning space was packed, and many people were standing outside. I remember that people would start arriving at 7:45 AM on Sunday morning, so that they could have a seat for 8:30 Sunday School hour.
Just a week ago, the PAMI Irosin Christian Church has taken the step of faith to begin weaning. On November 28, the Irosin Church council met and determined that they could trust the Lord that they would be able to support 20% ($28 or 1200 pesos) per month of their pastor’s allowance, beginning in January 2011. Praise be to God!
Pictures from Bulan Baptism
On October 16 a baptismal service was held by our church in Bulan. 10 new souls were baptized: 6 from the town of Bulan, 2 from Otavi, 1 from Monical, and 1 from Tonbongan. Praise the Lord!
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
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Upcoming Will Graham Crusade, YWAM visit, Baptism
Recent reports from the field mention some exciting things coming up soon, which we can be praying about:
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* The Bulan church is planning a baptism of several people on Oct. 16th. Pastor Virgilio Fulo says: There are nine candidates we’re going to baptise. Please pray because our weather is not good at this time. There is a coming typhoon. (It’s headed for Northern Luzon Island, so shouldn’t hit our area directly, but can cause a lot of rain and waves.)
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* In preparation for an upcoming Will Graham Crusade (grandson of Billy Graham) called BICOL CELEBRATION OF HOPE, a local kick-off rally will be held on Oct. 19th in the Sorsogon Gymnasium. Our field director, Pastor Chito Mendizabal, was voted as chairman of this rally. This is what Ptr Chito says about it:
Kick-off rally is mobilizing pastors and leaders to commit to preparing the people for the event BICOL CELEBRATION OF HOPE (Will Graham), which will be on Apr 28-May 1 at Pili Stadium in Camarines Sur Province. So kick-off is choosing leaders as operation andrew, intercessors, women’s, youth and children leaders. Course/training will be made for all leaders, like LIFE AND WITNESS COURSE. As chair of kick off, I’ll help form committees and delegation of works.
Note: The Bicol Region is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. It occupies the Bicol Peninsula at the southeastern end of Luzon island and some other islands. It consists of six provinces–namely Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
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* Week-long visit/training by a YWAM team of Filipinos from Manila is to be hosted at EBI at the end of October (during the EBI semester break). Pastor Chito describes it as follows:
They are Filipino youths who have been trained in Manila by Youth With A Mission training groups. EBI could have an exposure to other training like of the YWAM who are best trained in area of ways of presenting the Gospel like miming, street preaching and others…this may serve as encouragement to our Bible students and vise versa; YWAM could learn too from our distinctives like small groups, in-depth Bible training and work program or the bakery.
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* YWAM may set up a Christian Literature center for use by pastors throughout Sorsogon Province, and is considering locating it at EBI. Pastor Chito says: About Resource Learning Materials, EBI is a nice prospect of having a christian library for pastors and workers because it’s a Bible school. We have many people to assist in proper handling of the books, they say. Anyway, this isn’t final yet, as they’re considering too having the library in the city proper.
Nun Comes to Know Christ
When ministering God’s Word, we never know whom he might lead us to. Pastor Randy tells us that on September 12, a woman who was a nun, and who has listened to Randy’s Christian radio programs for some time, attended the Sunday morning worship service in Allen. Afterward, Randy led this woman to accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. Glory to God!
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