THE LOAKAN BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY on her 56th anniversary

Edited from the Original by Roldan Egmin Caroy on Monday, December 10, 2012

. . .” the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore ,

to send out workers into the harvest field.”

(Matt. 9:27)

 

Yes, God is the Lord of the harvest.  By this, we give Him honor and thanksgiving on our 56th anniversary. God has used many people, many workers, many circumstances and opportunities to accomplish His work. He has sent workers into His harvest field in Loakan . . .

 

It was sometime in the late 1940’s and the early 1950’s that the seed of the work was planted through the ministries of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE).  Missionaries including Rev. Alfred Conant, Rev. Jerome Casner and family, and the Baguio Baptist Church pioneered Bible classes and children’s Sunday school in what is known today as Puroks Ongasan and Mangga in Loakan Proper.

 

A small group of believers were organized and started to hold regular meetings and Bible classes, first in homes like those of the Cuilan and the Pedro Palispis families.  Later, worship services were held in a makeshift chapel made from donated materials including galvanized iron roofing by the late Mr. and Mrs. Hopewell.

 

The beginnings of the Loakan Baptist Church experienced its share of difficulties and persecutions.  Many of the local people whose paganistic traditions and practices were ingrained in daily living and family life did not readily accept the Word of God. The early believers could remember how their pews would be hang on trees by those unsympathetic to the faith. Also, for a period of about five years after the Conants left, the work seemed to come to a halt.  Inspite of the circumstances, there were those who persevered in the faith.

 

In 1956, Rev. Jerome Casner and Pastor Ansen Valentin started the baptism of new believers.  Formal worship and evening services and the remembrance of the Lord’s supper were started.  Before Rev. Jerome Casner and his family returned to the United States, the believers drafted their church constitution. The group then became known as the LOAKAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

 

By 1958, the makeshift chapel was transferred to a lot located on a hill overlooking the Airport or what is known today as Maryhills. The piece of property was donated by the late Mr. Ngamoy Sacay, an elderly who faithfully attended church. Again, unbelievers scoffed at the small chapel and would call it a “chicken coop” but the believers did not “chicken out” but continued to follow The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

 

In 1970, a wider lot was donated by Mr. Sacay on which the present church building now stands.  Construction started with a little less than P 5,000.00 on hand and with the leadership then of Pastor Felix Bigornia and a few deacons, the church building was put up.

 

Through the years, the expansion of the church building took place on all sides. Sunday School rooms to accommodate a pre-school was built on the eastern side of the church building under the pastorate of Rev. Larry Domingo.  Church members donated and loaned their money to augment the meager amount that was available to finish the project.

 

In 1990, an adjacent 500 sq.m. lot was bought by the church and annexed to the church frontage.  During the same year in July, a killer earthquake hit the City of Baguio and its suburbs.  The church building sustained considerable damage when the southern portion of the building eroded and the wall collapsed. God’s provision was once again made evident through the gifts from His people, friends and members from here and abroad.  Repairs were undertaken not long thereafter.

 

Again in 1998, under the pastorate of Pastor Graciano Saugen, additional Sunday School rooms and a multi-purpose hall were annexed to the western side of the church. This was to accommodate the growth of the pre-school and the Sunday School classes.

 

More important than the growth in property and improvement in physical structure, the Lord added to the number of believers each year.  From a handful of believers, hundreds if not thousands of lives have been touched by the ministry of the Loakan Baptist Church.  The church has brought the gospel not only to the local residents but to the different parts of Baguio and Benguet like Happy Hallow; Antamok Mines; Balatoc Mines; Camp 1; Camp 6; Loacan, Itogon; Daklan; Apalan; Guisset; Beckel; and Gumatdang. Furthermore, extending to the neighboring provinces like Bacnotan and Burgos of La Union; And, Lubo of Kalinga, Apayao. Daughter churches were established like the Happy Hallow Baptist Church; Balatoc Christian Fundamental Baptist Church; Community Fundamental Baptist Church in Loacan, Itogon; Camp 6 Baptist Church; Harvest Baptist Church in Bacnotan, La Union, and The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church in Apalan-Guisset.

 

Through the years, God in His infinite wisdom, provided workers too many to mention in this piece of written history just so to accomplish His own purpose in the harvest field.

 

At present the church has around 300 members led by Ptr. Ruben Huyo being the Senior Pastor, Ptr. Geru Sardina as the Associate Pastor beginning year 2009 and Ptr. Lemuel Pay-an, who was recently designated as the Youth Pastor. The church has also absorbed and commissioned Ptr. Hubert Caroy as a Missionary Pastor last year 2011, since he has started mission work in places that of Apalan, Guisset, Cubabeng, Beckel and Gumatdang. His family also have been instrumental in supporting and assisting him, as he continues to evangelize and share the gospel of Christ to places who needs to hear the Hope that is in Christ Jesus. The church has been also given the burden to help in Vigan and commissioned Ptr. Nero and Penny Misajon year 2011 under the supervision of Ptr. Huyo.

 

This year, Ptr. Lowell Achedera was then also called to be the Pastor in Daklan, continuing to reach the lost souls and edify believers in the locality. The church has then decided as well to hand-over the work of the Lord in Burgos, La Union to our fellow Bible Baptist believers who are near the vicinity as it profits nothing competing with other Christian groups; Therefore, focusing more to God’s leading toward open doors of opportunity in sharing the Word of God and the Gospel to other unreached places. It has also been a great mileage and celebration as the Christian Education Center has reached it’s 30th Foundation Anniversary this year.   

 

The church continues on as the Living Body of Christ in the locality of Loakan through the given regular church services, prayer meetings, home and school bible classes, Sunday school, home visitations, the church arms – AWANA, AFC, Young Adults Group, Ladies Fellowship and Men’s Fellowship, music ministries, the Christian Education Center, Parents’ Bible classes and counseling sessions.  All  the activities are aimed to proclaim the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to them who are lost and edify or build the believers into becoming like Christ. 

 

The church also sends and supports local and foreign missionaries; Continues to support Bible School students, currently to name Mr. Roujay Balagot and Ms. Sharon Sison; And, even support volunteers who desire to be used in the ministry, currently to name Ms. Jochebed Caroy undergoing training in “Goducate.”  

 

Through some 56 years, God has amazingly and tremendously blessed the Loakan Baptist Church!  Truly the Lord of the harvest is faithful and worthy of our praise and thanksgiving!

 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your Name be  glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, But the earth he has given to man.

It is not the dead who praise the Lord, Those who go down in silence;

It is we who extol the Lord, Both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.

(Psalm 115 :1, 14-18)

What is Truth and what is Right?

 

On these present times, these words seem to become so dull, blur and never clear. Because these times? People seem to choose what truth is and what is right. Disregarding the Bible as truth or being the right guide for our lives, people will claim their own ideas, perspectives, experiences, feelings or belief to be truth and right.

Indeed, this is not just a philosophical or scientific problem, which many people nowadays simply shrug off and never give much importance or thought of. It is one of the very important issues in life and for everyone that should find the answer in order to deal with it. Why? Because in all honesty and reality we also have what we call "falsehood" or a "lie". And whenever people follow or believe in falsehood or a lie, what follows are negative and never a satisfying consequence.

Sure, there may be some "fun" in it or selfish satisfaction in these, but it is sure to last only for a moment of time. In the end, pain and suffering lurks. Destruction follows after -- destroyed family, destroyed relationships, destroyed trust, destroyed lives, etc. And sometimes the funny thing about human beings, even if they say they don’t believe in God, somewhere in their heart they blame God for their destroyed lives. When pain and suffering creeps, they tend to blame “Someone”, and that would usually be God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

But how do we truly know what is Truth and What is Right? Is it truly based on our own ideas? Our thoughts? Our decisions? Our experiences or feelings? Or is it based on the majority’s decision?

The growing issue or becoming prominent idea what is truth and what is right are becoming based on individual’s idea or feeling of what is right. Statements like “I’m like this because this is the truth of who I am.” Or “This is how I feel so this is truth!” or “You don’t understand what I feel!” and that tends to be their truth and what they think is right.

But if we get this concept or idea of how truth is, that is based on how “we” feel or think. If a murder thinks or feels killing is right or is the truth! Or if a rapist thinks or feels raping women is right or the truth! What then? Surely this is not the basis of truth! Truth cannot be standardized or be based or founded on what “we” or “I” think or feel or experience, because humans are NOT ALL the same.

Now I remember my philosophy teacher teaching that everything is based on what we call “HAPPINESS”. Or, that we should probably base truth or what is right in this so called “Universal Happiness”. But is that really truth? From what I understood from his lectures, the majority or the whole humanity is centered in this called “Happiness”. And, therefore one should depend or base truth in this “universal happiness.”? The problem, does such thing exist? Again, as I’ve said, “Human beings are NOT ALL THE SAME.” Each individual are unique. Not even an identical twin is exactly completely the same. No, they are not. Which means, each individual’s happiness may vary or uniquely different. There may be individuals or a group of people having the same kind of “happiness” but it can’t cover everybody. Some are happy with rain, some are not. Many may be happy when the sun shines, but there are those that aren’t, like those who have “photodermatitis” (allergic to light). In other words, happiness or the majority’s happiness is not the basis of truth and right.

Another illustration or something to learn from why truth can not be dependent on the majority’s idea or thought or experiences as truth can be learned from the story “the boy who cried wolf”. It is a nursery or kindergarten story that teaches about the importance of honesty and trust. But on the later part we could see how truth can not depend on the majority. Although the story has connection about what we call “lie” or falsehood but we would see in the end that the majority of the people didn’t believe the boy who cried wolf. Which in reality of the end of story, there was truly a wolf -- in effect the boy suffered its consequence. From this story we can see that truth can’t be based in the majority, for when falsehood or lie is believed by the majority, then doom cometh after.

Now what? Here is where I’ll offer the basis of “Truth” and you’ll probably shrug this off or just stop reading by this time. But if you have a little time and an eye or even an ear to lend, listen to this view or perspective of “Truth”. Thing is, this is NOT my original experience, idea or perspective. Neither is this something that originally came from a group of believers or of a vast majority. But it all starts with the God of the Bible, the Scripture, the Book of books and it also points to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you understand the Christian Faith, the God of the Bible is a Three Person in One Godhead, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit – and they are still One. It is actually hard to understand, but if you have faith, you will understand.

Now what is the God of the Bible, the Bible or Jesus Christ has got to do with “Truth” and “Right”. You see, the God of the Bible never changes as the Bible states in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”; Also in Hebrews 13:8 it says “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” And Jesus said too in John 14:6 “…I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Now, take note! God or Jesus is TRUTH and He never changes. With that reality, we can be assured that the Truth we believe in is not a lie or falsehood. Therefore God is the basis of what is Truth and what is Right!

In addition, have you ever asked, “Where did right and wrong came from? Or How did we know what is right and wrong?” Did man invent it? Saying this is right and that is wrong! No, God Who is the basis of what is right and wrong printed these in our hearts and minds. That is why from the beginning, man always knew! But because of man’s original sin, this had become blur or incomplete or corrupted. A very prominent evidence is what man is experiencing today. It never was God’ s fault, it was man’s disobedience. Man betrayed the God Who created him.

Now again, this is just what I can offer. You may decide to believe it or not. Because, that is just one of God’s Character and God’s gift to us: a will to decide. The first man decided for himself to disobey God which had made a great consequence of all the things we are experiencing. And again because of God’s grace, mercy and love He still offers a way back to Him while we are still alive and that is through believing on Who Jesus Christ is – the Truth. That is why Jesus said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

 

In memory of Aurea C. Caroy-Melecio

One Reason why I believe in the Bible and on JESUS CHRIST ONLY as the Messiah

Here are list of prophecies JESUS CHRIST has fulfilled from the Old Testament. 

Please do take note that the Old Testament Books were written long before Jesus Christ was born. And thus, one of my reasons why I believe the Bible and ONLY JESUS CHRIST being the ONE AND ONLY Messiah, NO ONE ELSE.

There are actually other prophecies Jesus has not yet fulfilled which we await to be fulfilled, just like these verses:


(Zechariah 14:1-4, Acts 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) The Lord Jesus Christ will someday come down just as He went up. But He shall come with His mighty angels to bring vengeance.

Other than Jesus fulfilling prophecies, there are others like those written in Daniel prophesying the coming and passing of empires [Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation of the great image. 

There are those who don't believe on these, especially atheists, but the Bible can stand on its own just by the fact that many tried to erase it and yet, until now the Bible still stands as God's Word changing lives of those who believe on God's Word and on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word.

As for others claiming that there are another messiah or another Christ, the question is, "Are there prophecies of their coming? or are they simply claiming? Are they even in the bloodline of King David? Most likely, 'NO' and the only prophecy they are fulfilling is that of the prophecies saying "there shall rise false prophets and false teachers, claiming to be the Messiah.." 

Check out these verses, and may God, through the Holy Spirit, give understanding to those who read it and that you may see the Truth, found only on Jesus Christ.  

44 Prophecies Jesus Christ Fulfilled
	Prophecies About Jesus	Old Testament Scripture	New Testament Fulfillment
1	Messiah would be born of a woman.	Genesis 3:15	Matthew 1:20, Galatians 4:4
2	Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-6
3	Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:26-31
4	Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.	Genesis 12:3, Genesis 22:18	Matthew 1:1, Romans 9:5
5	Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 17:19, Genesis 21:12	Luke 3:34
6	Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.	Numbers 24:17	Matthew 1:2
7	Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33, Hebrews 7:14
8	Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.	2 Samuel 7:12-13, Isaiah 9:7	Luke 1:32-33, Romans 1:3
9	Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal.	Psalm 45:6-7, Daniel 2:44	Luke 1:33, Hebrews 1:8-12
10	Messiah would be called Immanuel.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:23
11	Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:14-15
12	A massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace.	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16-18
13	A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah	Isaiah 40:3-5	Luke 3:3-6
14	Messiah would be rejected by his own people.	Psalm 69:8, Isaiah 53:3	John 1:11, John 7:5
15	Messiah would be a prophet.	Deuteronomy 18:15	Acts 3:20-22
16	Messiah would be preceded by Elijah.	Malachi 4:5-6	Matthew 11:13-14
17	Messiah would be declared the Son of God.	Psalm 2:7	Matthew 3:16-17
18	Messiah would be called a Nazarene.	Isaiah 11:1	Matthew 2:23
19	Messiah would bring light to Galilee.	Isaiah 9:1-2	Matthew 4:13-16
20	Messiah would speak in parables.	Psalm 78:2-4, Isaiah 6:9-10	Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35
21	Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted.	Isaiah 61:1-2	Luke 4:18-19
22	Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek.	Psalm 110:4	Hebrews 5:5-6
23	Messiah would be called King.	Psalm 2:6, Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 27:37, Mark 11:7-11
24	Messiah would be praised by little children.	Psalm 8:2	Matthew 21:16
25	Messiah would be betrayed.	Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13	Luke 22:47-48, Matthew 26:14-16
26	Messiah's price money would be used to buy a potter's field.	Zechariah 11:12-13	Matthew 27:9-10
27	Messiah would be falsely accused.	Psalm 35:11	Mark 14:57-58
28	Messiah would be silent before his accusers.	Isaiah 53:7	Mark 15:4-5
29	Messiah would be spat upon and struck.	Isaiah 50:6	Matthew 26:67
30	Messiah would be hated without cause.	Psalm 35:19, Psalm 69:4	John 15:24-25
31	Messiah would be crucified with criminals.	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27-28
32	Messiah would be given vinegar to drink.	Psalm 69:21	Matthew 27:34. John 19:28-30
33	Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced.	Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 12:10	John 20:25-27
34	Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed.	Psalm 22:7-8	Luke 23:35
35	Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments.	Psalm 22:18	Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:35-36
36	Messiah's bones would not be broken.	Exodus 12:46, Psalm 34:20	John 19:33-36
37	Messiah would be forsaken by God.	Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46
38	Messiah would pray for his enemies.	Psalm 109:4	Luke 23:34
39	Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side.	Zechariah 12:10	John 19:34
40	Messiah would be buried with the rich.	Isaiah 53:9	Matthew 27:57-60
41	Messiah would resurrect from the dead.	Psalm 16:10, Psalm 49:15	Matthew 28:2-7, Acts 2:22-32
42	Messiah would ascend to heaven.	Psalm 24:7-10	Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51
43	Messiah would be seated at God's right hand.	Psalm 68:18, Psalm 110:1	Mark 16:19, Matthew 22:44
44	Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin.	Isaiah 53:5-12	Romans 5:6-8

Some additional verses or notes:

"See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him – his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness – so he will sprinkle [i.e. help or heal] many nations."  Isaiah 52:13-15 (Isaiah was written 750 BC)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed .. the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed and afflicted .. he was led like a lamb to the slaughter .. by oppression and judgment he was taken away.  And who can speak of his descendants?  For he was cut off from the land of the living.  For the transgression of my people he was stricken .. After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied.  By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. (Isaiah 53: 5-11)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?… I am … scorned by men and despised by the people.  All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. … I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me… a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet…I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me .. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.  .. All the ends of the earth will remember… Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.  They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn. (Psalm 22, ca 1000 BC)

“’The days are coming’, declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land."   (Jeremiah 33:14-15 ca. 600 BC - The Prophecy of lineage)

"Listen O High Priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant the Branch. See the stone I have set in front of Joshua! … and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day." (Zechariah 3:8-9 written 500 BC - The name of Jesus Prophesied!)


“But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2 written 700 BC - Birthplace of Jesus prophesied)

Discipleship or “Disciple”-ship

There is a growing confusion and discussion about this word. And I personally think the word is drastically being changed in its original meaning from the root word “disciple”, which is a learner or student. Though the current idea is not yet far from it, still the meaning from my observation is pointing towards a picture of a group of people secluding themselves to discuss and learn something centrally from a manual or book written by a man asserting that it is based from the Word of God, the Bible, with a simplified and easy to understand guide in understanding the Bible. Although this is just my personal view and of my personal observation, I’ve got a feeling there are those who would and would not agree with me and on my observations. Just like other Christian words, like the word “Christian”, “Praise and Worship”, etc. has somewhat changed its meanings, I fear this “Discipleship” could change too.

               Now, why I’m writing this is the above stated reasons and to also speak out further personal thoughts, observations and ideas. I am not against in this idea or concept of Discipleship though, but I feel their needs be a truth-checker or reminder or perhaps Jesus’ command to “Watch and Pray” (Matt. 26:41). And I would re-focus in the word “Watch”, which entails Christians to learn to stop, pause and see what is happening. And sometimes to understand what is happening, one must see the bigger picture, an overview, like an aerial view of an eagle. The “Watch” word though doesn’t mean we just simply watch and do nothing. I believe Jesus wants to have the knowledge and understanding of what is really happening, to see what the enemy is doing and to see what God is doing. After which, the “Pray” is essential, because it seeks to have God’s favor, enablement and authority through Jesus Christ, to do what God desires the Christian to do.

      Therefore, I wish to share things I’ve watched and praying that whatever the case, Christians will fulfill God’s Will and obey His commands for the Glory of God alone.

        Recently someone showed me this post or article in lieu of the person’s concern over someone who may be into it.

I don’t know where it came from nor bothered google-ing it in the net. But I read it and it gave me goose bumps. Why? Because someone (the founder of the so called “G12 movement”) was spoken to, by God through a vision (*Brrrrrr….*). Well? I know I’m quite biased here due to my religious and cultural belief. But, let me explain further from where I’m coming from. As a Bible-believing Christian, we believe that the final authority of Christian faith and practice (since Jesus is not here on earth but in heaven) IS the Word of God, the Bible -- the Scriptures (based in II Tim. 3:16-17). Not man, nor woman, nor other visions or dreams or other people claiming to be the Son of God. Though we believe that God can speak through visions and dreams as written in the Word of God, still the FINAL AUTHORITY when conflicts arise will be the Bible. Why so? Because we believe the Bible is God’s complete revelation of His will and plan, which Christians ought to obey. That is why on the matter of this so called D12 or E12 or G12 or discipleship, I believe we are not fully against it, because the idea of teaching others with the gospel of Christ and God’s Word is still enclosed to it. But, just as the author of the post said, the teachings being taught are what are to be careful of.

In addition, to say that “this method or tool is what God wants His church to be modeled to” is a dangerous idea. First reason why I said this is that such a commandment or teaching was not “literally” taught by Jesus Himself, evidenced by the apostles themselves. In fact, what Jesus taught His disciples mainly and such is the work or reason of the existence of His church (esp. the early Christian Church in Jerusalem) is to obey Jesus’ Great Commission – The preaching of the gospel of Christ and teaching Jesus’ teachings (Matt. 28:18-20). This is Christ Jesus’ crystal clear instruction to His church. No visions, no dreams. Point-blank – Evangelism and Discipleship.

Third reason? (second reason was the evidence of the apostle’s obedience) …. Is that for almost two thousand years, such an idea never came up and it was just recent that this popped up! Meaning, if what the founder of the D12 movement said was true, that this was God’s will for the church, then for so many years the disciples and the Christians after them, disobeyed God’s will or command. BUT, thank God that is not true! When the Holy Spirit came down at the day of Pentecost (50 days after Christ resurrection and 10 days after His ascension), the disciples and believers of the Lord Jesus Christ didn’t run and look for 12 unbelieving people to convert. In actuality, they spoke different languages and dialects of other places or regions that were there for trading and commerce. And, concluded with Peter preaching Jesus Christ for the day and approximately three thousand individuals believed in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Master and Savior. As the Bible said, Three thousand people were added to the church or converted in the Christian Faith. Such an amazing awe-striking dumbfounding event!  

               If I may share my insight in relation to the current trends in Christianity, this discipleship method or tool is not evil in itself. But to fixate our eyes on this idea only because of actual numbers of members produced or enjoined with this movement is surely a trap of our enemy. Why would I say this? Because I believe God was never interested in numbers but at the heart of every individual, whether their heart truly Christ reigns or not. Numbers of members or being part of the so called “discipleship” is not a guarantee that such is a child of God. Remember Matthew 7:20-23? Or 7:13-14? And the phrase “few there be that find it.” God actually already knew few will find the way back to Him from the billions of earth’s population.  

               Furthermore, churches that are entirely into such a trend tend to forget other people needing to know the gospel of Christ. Honestly I do not know entirely how things work in the so called movement, but initial observation tells me, especially for those who requires that they acquire a manual or a book (other than the Bible), gives a glimpse that this is not for those who cannot afford or do little income for themselves. Second, the discipleship sometimes require them to go to places and usually on accessible places, giving me also a glimpse that this is not for the in-accessible, those who live in the remote areas. In the long run, these churches may find themselves not into church planting or preaching the gospel of Christ in far areas, remote areas where the gospel of Christ has never been preached.

               I’m a missionary kid, and I must say being into missions is never a comfortable one. In fact, it is a place of discomfort, sorrow, pain and even tears. Such as what apostle Paul himself experienced. And I can’t imagine how my father got through and going through such a life. I perhaps can just put to mind Christ’s promise “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

               Last thing I wish to express and perhaps to remind (for the churches) is that “Discipleship” or the Great Commission is actually God’s work. And, we Christians are His mere fellow laborers. He is the Master of the harvest field and we are simply doing what the Master asked us to do (Matt. 20:1-16). To better put, let me quote Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 saying “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Still it is fully God’s work especially on the matters of changing the heart. Therefore, conversion of a person and discipling them to be Christ-like is never based or dependent on another person, a man or woman, or a method or tool or program. It is wholly and fully dependent on God through the working of the Holy Spirit. We, Christians, are simply God’s instruments. So go ahead, do discipleship, do D12 or E12, or do missions, preach the gospel of Christ! But NEVER FORGET to always pray and seek for the working and LEADING of the Holy Spirit and to hope for another “great mighty rushing wind!”