A Visit to Gumatdang

Last August 23, 2012, Thursday, I had an opportunity to visit Gumatdang, as my first time to go there since my father started to have bible study in the area. As from what I've heard though, we weren't the first to share God's Word in the place, but nevertheless, it's a great opportunity for which God has opened inorder to share His Word, esp. the gospel of Christ.

I had the opportunity to see the people who gather in the area, most of whom are mothers, I assume. I also had the opportunity to witness a little kid who likes to imitate my father playing the guitar. I would estimate his age at 2 or 3 years old. He too have his own little guitar, enough for him to hold. Some videos and photos I've taken is shown below this article.

From details I've heard from my mother and from my own observation as well, the people's livelihood in the area are through mining and farming. Most of which are mining, since wherever one looks at, there are many evidences of mining activities. Gumatdang seems to me like a place rarely been touched by city life. Although that's just my opinion or my first impression. The road as well in the area haven't been fixed yet.

From what I've known, the place can be accessed coming from Happy Hallow or going through Tuding. Accessing the place through Tuding, we walked for about 15-20 minutes to reach the place of our destination away from the road, whereas, my mother said if we've walked from Happy Hallow it would probably take 30 minutes. But walking from Happy Hallow, would mean a very steep hike coming back while the other side has lesser tiring hike.

As of now, there are about 10-20 people gathering for the bible study every Friday, and also desiring to be formed as a group or most likely a new church in the area. With their desire to be one, my father now have to teach once again and make them understand what a church is and of Christian living, but of course first and foremost securing their Faith in Christ Jesus, that is Salvation.

How is one saved? that is by grace through faith. God giving us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, Him who knew no sin, died and took the penalty of our sin and he who believes and trust in that Truth, is saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8&9). Not by our own works or effort but simply having that Faith in Christ Jesus does one becomes a Christian. And that Faith is the seed that grows that brings forth fruit or fruits, an evidence that one is truly a child of God and follows the will of his Father.

With their desire to be a church, makes a new sense of challenge and a burden to carry, knowing that my father is only one and that we are still in the verge of establishing the fundamentals of the Christian church in Apalan-Guisset. Indeed once again, Christ Word is true, "the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few." Sadly indeed there are few Bible believing and Christ-centered Workers who fulfills the great commission. Sadly there are laborers who takes more importance on what they benefit from doing God's great commission. Sadly so few are those who would lay down their life for others. Or perhaps, there are too many professed Christians very comfortable in their seats, just plainly enjoying the scenery of their church stage. I may be too much harsh on these words, but this statement is also a challenge for me. As I've been in the kind of picture too before and still prone to being one again. It's just that we Christians seem to easily forget why we are called the church and what was Christ's purpose for His bride, His body, the church in this world of darkness... Matthew 16:18 states that Christ's church will penetrate or attack the gates of hell and it couldn't withstand it. The problem these days, few Christians go to the battle. And, many are deceived and cornered to enjoy the pleasures of this world.

It's a painful picture how that Christians let others not hear the gospel of Christ. It's painful to see people walking pass by you while knowing they are uncertain of their final destination. Oh, pray that the Lord of the harvest send forth more laborers.



(My first visit to gumatdang for Bible study, my father playing the guitar while a kid immitates him. Sorry for the low resolution as I don't have a good and strong camera. If you want to donate (hehe!) feel free to contact me... =D...)

THE LIVING WORD FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God,” this so states by the Word of God in the beginning of time; The Word, the Living Word that is Jesus Christ! The same caused the beginning of His church in the Apalan-Guisset, Loakan Itogon, Benguet.

Because of God’s Word and by God’s grace, Ptr. Hubert Caroy’s return in the ministry sparked a new journey, a journey to continue the work of preaching the gospel of Christ. Year 2009, Ptr. Caroy started preaching to churches as pulpit supply for churches without a pastor. He preached recently in places like Cabuyao, Camp 6, Burgos, Daclan and other places where he was invited and scheduled. Year 2010 of July while coming back from Daclan, he met Mrs. Remy Diaz, previous member of the Guisset Baptist Church, and asked her where she came from. And she said that she joined a service in a Born Again group since it was Sunday. She also stated that they were hopping from church to church near them regardless of the church denomination, a reason caused by the demobilization of Guisset Baptist Church. Having heard of their circumstance, a burden was given to Ptr. Caroy along with his wife to start bible studies in their place called Apalan. With much prayer and God’s leading, Ptr. Caroy was free of other schedule except for his speaking engagement in Camp 6 and Daclan once every month.

By August, Ptr. Hubert Caroy with his wife started the bible studies in Apalan every Sunday, near Guisset area. Since there were also a few children in the place of Apalan, Ptr. Pat and Mrs. Rebecca Eslao joined to help out as Mrs. Eslao handled the children. Mrs. Beth Mat-an came along too as she helped esp. on finances for the gas and transportation. As they continued to have the bible study and coming back from Apalan, passing along Beckel, they also met Mrs. Juliet Apidos, whose family was previous members of Guisset Baptist Church and was at that moment joining a Bible Baptist church whose services were being held at their house. With their desire to also join Ptr. Caroy with his bible studies in Apalan, their family members took turns. Some of them had to stay while others accompanied Ptr. Caroy. As the Apidos Family members continue to join Ptr. Caroy and hear the gospel preached, some of them were given a clear understanding of the gospel of Christ and was then convicted by the Holy Spirit to truly receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. As time goes by and circumstances changed, soon the whole family joined Ptr. Caroy in Apalan. Some old faces known to Ptr. Caroy joined in as well in their Bible Study.

With the ministry growing Ptr. Caroy wanted his children to join in, so he asked his children to help with the ministry in Apalan. Then his son Roldan responded to the call to help in the ministry and committed to start year 2011. His son tried to handle the kids at first, but proved to be hard-up on teaching kids. Therefore, Roldan looked for persons to help with the children’s ministry. Ms. Janice Galong then responded to help in the ministry, therefore allowing Roldan to minister to the young people.
One Sunday of January 2011, Mrs. Vicky Macay and her son Moren, relatives of Ptr. Hubert Caroy from Loakan went along as well to see the ministry. And on that Sunday, suddenly, many young people came to visit and had Bible study and fellowship in Apalan. They introduced themselves as the children of the Delmas’ families coming from Guisset and are also acquainted with Moren Macay. They soon requested to have services as well in Guisset which then made to an agreement to hold services alternately in Apalan and Guisset every Sunday. With new professions of faith in Christ Jesus and as picture of one identifying oneself as a follower of Christ, 20 individuals followed Jesus Christ through water baptism last February 27, 2011.

As the ministry grew, along with trainings and children’s ministry, more challenges came as well as the enemy’s strategies to disturb and distract the advancement of the ministry. But with prayer and God’s unfailing grace, God’s work continues to move forward. By April 2011, Ptr. Hubert Caroy was then absorbed and commissioned by Loakan Baptist Church as a Missionary Pastor for the province of Benguet and to wherever God leads; therefore accepting Apalan-Guisset as their mission point. A second batch of believers with 8 individuals followed Jesus Christ through baptism of water last October 22, 2011.

With new believers in Christ, Ptr. Caroy and his family are now tasked to help the group grow more spiritually, discipled, organized and established as the body of Christ in the locality. Therefore Ptr. Caroy started to teach the Church Covenant and the Church’s bylaws and constitution, which will help the group understand more of God’s principles and the church’s roles and responsibilities. As God’s Word is preached, challenging the believers in Christ to also take part on the Great Commission, Mrs. Remy Diaz from Apalan along with Mrs. Rowena Binaldo from Daclan were given also the desire to reach their relatives in the place called Cubabeng. Since Ptr. Caroy still had a schedule for Daclan once a month, he thought of hitting two birds with one stone, therefore, committing to go there along with some members of the newly formed group to share the gospel of Christ whenever assigned to go to Daclan. But due to circumstances, it wasn’t easy; nevertheless, every opportunity given was taken in order to proclaim the gospel of Christ to them that has ears to hear, even if the hearers were mostly old.

By September 2011, the group elected their officers as a fellowship whereas, Ptr. Caroy temporarily appointed Mr. Rene Apidos, Mr. Bernal Delmas, and Mr. Moren Macay as Deacons for the group. To ask God’s power and continues leading, Ptr. Caroy also decided to hold Prayer Meetings every Wednesday at Beckel, where the Apidos family resides. Lord Supper was also observed once every month as agreed by the fellowship starting Dec. 4, 2011. And, the name “The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church” soon was decided as a name for the group last May 2012.

These ministries continued on and God continues to lead new individuals and open places like Cubabeng, Beckel and Gumatdang for the hearing of the gospel of Christ. Some individuals came in and some went out but with hope that the seed of the gospel of Christ was planted in their hearts and they be continue to be a blessing wherever they may be.

All these things happened, surely not by chance but by God’s own leading as He used not only Ptr. Caroy to labor in His harvest field but also those with a willing heart to serve the Master and Lord of the harvest. To name a few of these, are Bro. Daniel Raymundo, Bro. Gino Cabangdi and Bro. Rey Pitas, who greatly rendered much in transportation and other means of services. And, for those others, too many to name, that has given their time, effort, funds and prayers; The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church is surely eternally grateful. Thus, their labor is not in vain in the Lord.

And for all these things, let all glory be to God Almighty and to His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, for the day of September 1, 2012, marks another episode and experience of His Faithfulness as it has been joyfully celebrated God giving us the Victory in Christ Jesus!