Holy Week Trip to IsabelaApril 1-7 I accompanied 3 interns from Bethany College of Mission for an exposure trip to Isabela province. The timing was perfect to observe the customs of the people in rural areas during Easter week. We were reminded of the darkness that many are bound up in as our bus passed a procession of penitents whose backs were reddened and bleeding from self flagellation. Once we got to the province each intern was paired with a Bible school student or church worker and sent out to a village to experience barrio life. The students came back with all manner of stories of their experiences. One student attended a funeral and wedding service in the same day. Bucket baths and rides on water buffalo were just some of the more unique cultural experiences they had. But by far the highlight was the closeness of the relationships that they established with their companions and their friends. After they returned from their barrios, we traveled to the Banaue rice terraces to relax in the beauty of God's creation.
Bethany School of Church Planting - Commencement #16
April 6 marked the day of completion of requirements for 6 students of the Bethany School of Church Planting. One student had completed the 3 year diploma pr
ogram and 5 students had finished the one year certificate course. Each testified of the challenges they faced in meeting the requirements. For some the tuition payments and food budget were their trials. For others the studies or ministry in their outreaches were particularly challenging. Our theme was "Creatively Reaching the Nations With the Gospel". I talked about each of us being faithful in discipling those whom God puts us in contact with as a powerful resource in God's hand. One in ten Filipinos go abroad to work. Many Bethany church members (and some of our graduates) are abroad. Its our prayer that they would have hearts of discipleship that they take with them wherever they go.
The Beat Goes On
At one of the zone meetings that I attended during Holy Week it was great to see evidence of the Bethany churches expanding. Five people publicly demonstrated their commitment to follow Christ's command that "he who believes and is baptized shall be saved". God's heart beat for the lost continues. Pray for these 5 that God would protect the tender shoots of their faith as they begin their new life following Jesus.
Serving Christ with You, Steve & Alberta
Bethany School of Church Planting - Commencement #16
April 6 marked the day of completion of requirements for 6 students of the Bethany School of Church Planting. One student had completed the 3 year diploma pr
ogram and 5 students had finished the one year certificate course. Each testified of the challenges they faced in meeting the requirements. For some the tuition payments and food budget were their trials. For others the studies or ministry in their outreaches were particularly challenging. Our theme was "Creatively Reaching the Nations With the Gospel". I talked about each of us being faithful in discipling those whom God puts us in contact with as a powerful resource in God's hand. One in ten Filipinos go abroad to work. Many Bethany church members (and some of our graduates) are abroad. Its our prayer that they would have hearts of discipleship that they take with them wherever they go.
The Beat Goes OnAt one of the zone meetings that I attended during Holy Week it was great to see evidence of the Bethany churches expanding. Five people publicly demonstrated their commitment to follow Christ's command that "he who believes and is baptized shall be saved". God's heart beat for the lost continues. Pray for these 5 that God would protect the tender shoots of their faith as they begin their new life following Jesus.
Serving Christ with You, Steve & Alberta
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