Ambassadors for Christ

by Dennis Valles, edited by Roldan Caroy /to be published for "The Salt" newsletter

Ambassadors for Christ or AFC, is a regular fellowship for the young people every Saturday evening, with the members averaging from high school & college young people. The history of how this was organized or how it started is basically unknown or un-informed to young people of this generation. But seemingly its goals and objectives still remain throughout the years.

The programs of the AFC continue to vary and as decided by the current officers, the program is in this order: First Saturday of the month, birthday celebrants are recognized and given some tokens, with regular fellowship; Second Saturday, film showing with group discussion; Third Saturday, Cell group handled by Ptr. & Mrs. Geru Sardina or kuya Dan and ate Janice, each group handled according to their own genders; Fourth Saturday, Special Saturday or Special Event, unusually being done within the AFC fellowship.

Each Saturday, a bible quiz is also rendered for the purpose of motivating members to keep on reading God’s Word, the foundation of our Christian Faith, emphasizing also the need to know our Bible, especially in times of needing to share it to unbelievers. To motivate members to read the Bible is of course, giving a price or token to the winner of the month, with a special discount for the upcoming KESWICK 2009 on December.

Last February, the MBFFBC-AFC has been held at the Baguio Baptist Church. The young people of the Metro Baguio Churches had their fellowship in a form of a game based from the known “Amazing Race”. Many young people joined and enjoyed this activity. It was tiring, but through it, different young people got to group and know each other. Another Metro Baguio – AFC fellowship was held last April at our church, Loakan Baptist Church. The main theme of the fellowship was centered on God-given talents and Ptr. Abraham Bigornia was the speaker. Only few churches were represented, due to some communication problem. Although some problems occurred it was a good learning experience and also learned a lot from the message given. Last July, the AFC had a food/dinner fellowship, remembering the month of nutrition. The young people really enjoyed the food with of course not forgetting to digest God’s Word as well.

Being the current President, it is a challenge leading and helping young people to grow and it is truly hard. With the current number of the AFCers of 12-22 and several inactive officers, due to other personal priorities, it is a sad thing to note this. But, also encouraging it is to note, that still some young people and officers continue to be faithful, attending and doing their part in this fellowship. It is my hope and prayer that the young people will grow, not only in numbers but also in our individual spiritual lives. By this, I also ask that the church pray for us, that we may continue on and grow for the sake of the next generations to come.

As for me being the president, my hope is to be able to fulfill my duties, especially to continue this endeavor, setting our focus only on our God and living as an example to be Christ-like, representing Him as Ambassadors for Christ.

For the Boyz Upgraded

Well? the "For the boyz" fellowship is not actually upgraded or something. I just needed a different title for this new post. :)

But anyway, previously, just before the month of August was to end, the old boyz re-united with some older boyz (us of course) held another "For the boyz" fellowship.. Get it? held last August 30, 2009 at the former-place of manong Jerim. It was a busy night for me, since I had two appointments by that time, the For d' boyz fellowship and the meeting of my fellow batchmates from the Loakan Elementary School days. Well at least the meeting was done just exactly enough for me & ars go to the For d' boyz fellowship.

It's quite refreshing seeing some old faces I know at the golden age era :) The time where our big brothers in the Faith reigned as leaders and such. hehehe! There were just few of us that night. The elderly brothers if I might name them would be: manong Jerome, manong Jephun, manong Gary, manong Jake, and much more elder manong Julius (first time i think). The younger but old (i presume) would be me, joffer, charlie, rap, scheff & kirk (i wonder if I forgot someone). Aron had to go earlier that time, so he missed the food & the fellowship.

At the time of our arrival, they were already there talking and laughing, such as the good old days, and as always, guys talk. The food is almost ready, so bro. Jops, who initiated the fellowship, instantaneously asked me to start a program. Argh!!! as always an impromptu program, which perhaps I am really getting used to, on informal occasions only. But never to be on formal occasions. For some recent "For the boyz" fellowship, i don't recall sharing messages between the elders and the young, but only food fellowship & guys talk. So out of the blue after singing and such, I started to announce the sharing time thinggy. I believe there is some good if guys seriously talk. Cause when we do, we really do mean serious talk. But, I had to take the first step on sharing, a principle i learned throughout sharing things. If you want others to share things to you, you must start sharing as well. Just remembered, this principle is found in Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you." As it rotated going towards the elders they shared a great deal of experiences, especially life abroad and a few family-man & newly married-man advices. :)

They shared the longingness and them missing the fellowship we've had before, with the other elderly young people. They also shared the struggles one Christian would have to face especially when you are taken out of the life you are used to. And of course testified, that our spiritual life and seeking God should be our priority, for once we neglect this, all things just becomes non-sense or perhaps vain. As Solomon says "Vanity of vanities. All is vanity!"

It's a wonderful blessing to hear those words, and a heart-warming indeed. Hopefully, we all learned a great deal on what they shared. To be cherished and ingrave it on our hearts and perhaps soon, new generation will hear us also share messages and advices that will warm their heart as well. :)

A Glimpse in the Music Ministry

Music is one factor of which makes life pleasurable or enjoyable. It’s one that makes our every mood or atmosphere pleasant. And in the Christian realm, it’s a tool that often teaches us, reminds us, encourages us and enables us in our every day life. And perhaps, that’s one reason why we have a ministry called the “Choir”.

The Choir Ministry or Music Ministry is one of the departments of the Loakan Baptist Church, assigned to minister or serve through sharing special numbers or Cantatas. Whose goal is to reach to unbelievers and believers with songs inspired by the Word of God and the Christian Faith.

Start of January, acting as the current Music Director, with the assistance of Bro. Jasper Lamsis, the preparations for Easter Cantata is at a delay. I had to think of what’s next and asked God for His leading. Through prayers, I have earnestly sought for what God desires for me to do especially with regards to the presentation of the Easter Cantata. By February, God lead me to make a collection of songs asking several people to help with the presentation. Our choir practices for the Easter Cantata started by the mid-month of February, simultaneously preparing also for every Sunday special numbers. Several groups like the Men and Ladies of the Loakan Baptist Church were asked to present some songs included in the Cantata, and asked my father, Huberto Caroy, to preach the Gospel as part of the Cantata presentation, focusing to lead unbelievers to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

By April, with almost approximately 2 months of practice, the Easter Cantata was held. We knew the practices wasn’t enough, and all we can do was to simply depend on God on how it would come up. We had to pray and focus mainly on sharing God’s Word especially the message of salvation through songs. The Easter Cantata was entitled as “The Message.” And indeed, God has answered our prayers. Hearing feedbacks that souls responded to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is a satisfaction that God had indeed answered our prayers and made our labors not in vain.

After the Cantata, I continued to pray and sought what God’s will is regarding the music ministry. My desire has changed and sought to pass the leadership to Jasper Lamsis, Christian and Lyndon as assistants; a desire to teach / train others to become leaders according to their own talents and strengths as well as their weaknesses, as God instilled in every Christian believers. But before passing the leadership, the Choir had to be organized, and by the month of May we elected several people to be in position, was presented to the Church and prayed for.
To re-affirm the members of the choir of their commitment to the ministry, a commitment form was passed and to be signed as an indication of ones dedication to the choir ministry, reminding as well the goals and the responsibilities. About 23 individuals committed as member of the choir for the year 2009 – 2010, but due to other personal activities and priorities, some can not actively participate. The choir continues to be open for membership as long as one will agree and commit oneself to follow the agreed rules and guidelines, putting in mind the responsibility of being one.

To edify and train choir members, they were sent to seminars and workshop, such as the MusiCAMP 2009, hosted by the Christian Artists Ministries Philippines Inc., held here in Baguio City, and another musical workshop held at the Victory Baptist Church. With these trainings and learning opportunity, they are trained and enhanced to continue to glorify God through using their God-given talents and sharing their knowledge as well.

Other than re-organizing the choir, another group was formed, named as “Christians Committed to Christ” or known as “C3”, formed by young people with the same passion towards music and serving God through it. The C3 was originally formed to make the members be more affiliated to the name of Christ, more than to be affiliated with a name of school, from which they were grouped to be part of a singing club, or a chorale. More than to make known the name of their school, they desired to make known and represent Christ with their singing.

Almost half a year, all these things have transpired within the music ministry, unexpected but God-glorifying. And as I continually seek God’s wisdom and guidance, truly He’s been faithful enough to lead the way, and I continue to be a witness thereof. Hopefully, as months or years passes bye, the new generations will also see or have a glimpse of how awesome our God is.

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This article is to be published on a newsletter currently being processed... ^^