Cantata Practice for Easter 2014

Loakan Baptist Church Choir's Dress Rehearsal for the incoming Easter Cantata 2014 Here is the videos!!!

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About 2000 years ago a baby was born... His Name is Jesus... a proof of Him being born is the year we are numbering.... What year is it now? Those years are counted starting from the day Jesus Christ died, buried and rose again... Why are we counting the years based on His death? because we are counting the years when might He come back as He has promised....

But the greatest news that we need to understand is WHY did He come? 




Here first is the BAD NEWS:

Romans 3:23 
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Romans 3:10-11
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."

WHY AND HOW IS IT THAT ALL HAVE SINNED?

Romans 5:12
"Wherefore, as by one man[Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

WHAT THEN if all have sinned?

Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death;.."

Revelation 21:8
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

BUT THERE IS A GOOD NEWS

John 10:10
"The thief[Satan] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Romans 6:23b
"BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

NO AMOUNT OF GOOD WORKS OR EFFORTS CAN SAVE US... it is only BY FAITH (Believe and Trust) IN JESUS CHRIST (Who He says as He is, Lord, Savior, Master, King)

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

If you have not let Jesus Christ be part of your life, Now is the time to decide....

2 Corinthians 6:2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

If you are a Christian, then I think this post is worth sharing...

The Greatest Tool for Evangelism and Discipleship

For years or even decades, the Christian church has always been seeking great tools, methods or even materials to use in such a way to have an effective and efficient way of evangelizing and discipling people. Pastors and Christian laborers create books, pamphlets, tracks, literatures, even use the power of media through radios and televisions. Now, the computer age has come and the competition of getting people's attention and ears to hear the gospel of Christ has become difficult. So I ask, "what is the really best way to get people's attention and get them to really see who the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him part of their lives? or enter in a relationship with Him and also grow in the knowledge of Him?"

I do not wish to claim to know the answer, but I believe God's Word has the greatest answer of all. I was struck recently of a verse which is John 13:34-35. Probably a very familiar verse and the verse says:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Jesus gave a new commandment!!! A new commandment? Is loving one another really a new commandment? Of course not! In the Old Testament or in Leviticus 19:18, we find the phrase "love thy neighbor as thyself". Isn't that the same as loving one another? There are lots of other verses from the old testament which in context really means to love one another. But why is it new? The reason is this phrase "as I have loved you". Our love ought to be based or compared or be like how Jesus loved His disciples or us! And if we would look at how Jesus loved us, it's soooo compelling, soooo amazing, soooo struck with awe of His love. Just simply understanding that He laid down His life for us! The God, who is all powerful, all knowing, all present, Holy and without sin, unspotted Lamb of God, One who had no guile found in Him even when He was oppressed, ridiculed, mocked, stricken, abhorred, shamed and it goes on; Yet, He laid His life down willingly... That is the Love of God! That is how the Lord Jesus Christ loved us!

Now why am I talking about the Love of God instead of the greatest tool for evanglizing and discipling? Well, I believe THAT(Love of God) is the greatest tool for evangelism and discipleship. Of course I'm not saying that materials we use or methods we use are of no use, but come to think of it, without God's Love flowing and moving through you as His servant, as His friend reaching out to others, wouldn't you think all of those methods and tools are of no effect?

I've been with my father for almost 3-4 years in the ministry, but he has been in the ministry longer. And I'm just amazed on how God works through my father reaching out to people. I believe he has the gift of evangelism. And because of this, he is a great church planter. Because of this I tend to compare myself to my father, whether can I surpass or even be compared to my father? Oh no, I don't think so... I don't think I have the gift of evangelism. Discipler or teaching perhaps, but not evangelism. But throughout this reminiscing, a young people shared something about my father. She asked to herself, "why can this pastor continue to come even from a far away place just to minister and teach God's Word? What kind of love does this pastor have?" (not the exact question, but the same context). Made me thought, it was God's Love. I'm sure. Love for the lost souls, love for them that need to be fed by His Word.

God's Love is very important in everything we do for the Lord. Especially when it comes to reaching out to the lost souls and teaching and training baby Christians. But don't get me wrong, having this (God's Love) does not mean everything will be fast paced or will be automatic, like with just one button, people are assured of knowing and receiving Christ and be matured in their faith. Nay, I'm just saying, God's Love is so much valuable when it comes to evanglizing and discipling. Remove it, then both are worthless. By the way, Jesus Himself has been already the greatest example, that by His Love, the world was turned upside down. It didn't just reached Jerusalem, or Israel, but of the whole world, nations and of different tongue. Yet, the work is not yet done. There is much more work to do! So in everything we labor for Him, may we always wear or better yet, plant God's Love in our heart that it may flourish and bring forth much fruit, ready to harvest.

Just a few videos of the Los Musicos of the Loakan Baptist Church

Gumatdang Christian Fellowship History

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." 

(Romans 10:1)

This verse paints the start of Gumatdang Christian Fellowship. It was a period of time for prayer towards the relatives and friends of Bro. Moren Macay and family who are in Gumatdang, Itogon, Benguet. 

Bro. Moren Macay and his mother, Vicky Macay, started off coming and joining the fellowship of brethren in Christ at the Apalan, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet, year 2011 of February, now called "The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church". Being part of the group and hearing God's Word and the gospel of Christ, Moren started to have a desire that the gospel of Christ be also shared amongst his family, relatives and friends. 

Because of the desire, Moren gave his prayer request every Wednesday, whenever prayer meetings were held in the Apidos' Residence at Bakung, Beckel, La Trinidad. It wasn't an easy task though, for his family had to go through a process. Some of their family members are already an active and part of another Christian group, esp. for the sister of Moren, Joy Dizon, who is the one currently holding and teaching Sunday School for kids in Gumatdang under their previous Christian group. There were already previous bible studies held in Gumatdang by their Christian group, but for some reason it stopped and only the Sunday School for kids continued. With the family's desire to also join Moren and their mother, the Dizon Family also started going to Apalan-Guisset and hear God's Word on some Sundays.  Surely, the Holy Spirit has been working in their hearts that they continue to long and hear God's Word.

But as the Word of God declared, the Christian life is a narrow road, a difficult and not an easy road. The Dizon family now then was placed in a situation where they must decide, which Christian group they must be with, since the other Christian group were encouraging them to be united as one family worshipping God. Therefore, they decided to continue to be part of the Apalan-Guisset group. The number of people going to Apalan-Guisset now increased and the vehicle being used is fully packed overloaded with people having a joyful heart and desiring to hear God's Word and fellowship with the believers in Apalan-Guisset. 

Mid-year of 2012, the Macay & Dizon families' desire to reach the people in Gumatdang was kindled and continuous prayer was made for them every prayer meeting in Beckel. Other than the Macay family, some Dizon Family members also joined in the Beckel Prayer Meeting and started to pray for their relatives and friends. By month of July, a house was opened for bible study in Gumatdang, the house of bro. Eduard Cuilan. Bible studies were held every Friday night, and Ptr. Huberto Caroy & company have to go through a steep 30-40 minutes hike down from Happy Hallow. There were times they had to sleep for the night and hold their bible study in the morning of Saturdays.

In a few months, they transferred the bible study to the house of Mr. Ostran and Marjorie Macay, so that they could take a not-so-steep 15-minute hike but with a 30-40 minutes ride from Loakan Airport to Sitio Alumit, Gumatdang going through Tuding. As their number grew and with people interested to hear God's Word, the group then had a desire to have Sunday Services. 

With prayers, Sunday Services in Gumatdang started by January of 2013 but required help from deacons and pastors from the Loakan Baptist Church and from other willing and available pastors like Ptr. Lyte Chapap, Ptr. Benjie Oriao, Ptr. Mark Ayano and Ptr. Jeff Albino for pulpit supply on cases that Ptr. Huberto Caroy is not scheduled to come for Sundays. Transportation vehicles were also needed and with much thanksgiving of the group, Bro. Daniel Raymundo, Bro. Gino Cabangdi, Bro. Julius Cawaon and others who provided transportation has been helpful. 

With individuals receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, six (6) people followed the Lord Jesus Christ through water baptism last January 5, 2013 at Nangalisan River, Tuba, Benguet. And, another batch of believers, six (6) individuals, were baptized last March 2, 2013 at Asin, Tuba, Benguet. Then, officers were elected, namely Joy Dizon as Treasurer, Jonalyn Manongyao as Secretary, Marilyn Chale as Business Manager, Jovy Ingosan as Auditor and Marjorie Macay as Property Custodian; And, two (2) deacons were appointed, namely bro. Eugene Dizon and Rocky Macay last March 10, 2013. 

By May 2013, a three-day VBS for kids was held and 27-28 kids were taught with the help of young people from the LBC and some from Beckel, led by Ms. Liberty Bendaen, overseen by bro. Roldan Caroy. After the VBS, the Gumatdang believers took the initiation to build a temporary worship place in a donated lot by Mrs. Nita Cosil. It was made by wood, sticks and a tent, owned by bro. Julio Palispis. With surprise, Ptr. Huberto Caroy held the next Sunday service in the newly built temporary building.

As the believers continued to grow and be taught by the Word of God, so has challenges and attack of the enemy grew. Each believer had to go through their own challenges and spiritual battles and prayer has been one of their weapon to fight these battles. With these, the believers decided to hold their prayer meetings every Wednesday even without a pastor to lead them. They even tried, house-to-house prayer meetings, after they've seen the example of the "ETC" group of LBC, visiting houses as they shared God's Word. They were also encouraged by the Ladies' Fellowship and some men of LBC who visited them on the month of September year 2013 and through joint fellowships and conferences they've been part of.

February 8, 2014 a new set of believers have followed Jesus Christ through water baptism along with new believers as well of The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church. There were two (2) individuals who were added to the Gumatdang beleivers. And this day marks a new period of prayers and of thanksgiving; for all things that has been done and to be done; and, for all those who in one way or the other has been helpful being an instrument in building the Lord's body here in Gumatdang. 

All Glory be to God!

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To view pictures from the anniversary.. click here! http://loakanians.blogspot.com/2014/02/gumatdang-christian-fellowship-history.html