FECPI Church Planting Team

Please come to our Women's Conference in July!

2010-05-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

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The Power of National Prayer

2010-05-06T00:17:00.001-07:00

National Day of Prayer
- Thursday, May 6 -

No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on earth is more powerful or effective than the power of prayer.
- Linn Carlson, DaySpring writer

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NRSV

Let us stand firm in prayer for a peaceful and righteous election day. On May 10, let us vote for the one God has chosen for us. Let not our hearts and minds be swayed by sweet tongues, deceiving surveys nor impulsive thoughts. Listen intently and be open to the Holy Spirit's leading. God bless the Philippines!

FECPI Retreat 2010

2010-04-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

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"We are called to live a divine adventure..."

"Does your life fit into God's plan?

"Do you want to just exist or do you want real life?"

"What can God do through you?"

"Be shepherds of God's love because you are willing and ready to serve!"

These were but some of the thoughts for reflection shared by our wonderful speaker, John Mark Brabon during the FECPI Pastor's Retreat held on April 14-16, 2010.

Yes, it's time to think outside the human box, and aim to think with the mind of Christ, where there is divine love, confidence, empowerment and wisdom, not forgetting that we were called to serve, not to be served.

Let us not be dismayed by the trials we face, but rather stand firm and finish the race assigned to us. Put on full armor and be filled with the Holy Spirit, and bear the confidence that Christ our Savior leaves us, being the chosen, the redeemed and the beloved children of God! Mighty things can happen... only God knows!

Coaching, Training, Mentoring & Partnership

2010-03-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

Coaching with Pastor Folmer

On February 24-26, all the church planters and trainers of Faith Evangelical Church of the Philippines went to Binalonan, Pangasinan to spend the days with Pastor Mar, the National Church Planting Coordinator and Pastor Folmer, OMS International trainer for church multiplication. During the meeting you could observe what it actually means to train and to coach. Pastor Folmer coached Pastor Mar and then Pastor Mar coached the rest of the church planting team.

The first hours together were spent in worship and fellowship. It was followed by reports of each church planter and trainer about the victories, challenges and opportunities they face in the ministry in general as well as in training leaders implementing Train and Multiply as a follow-up during the training in October of 2009. The reporting was followed by group discussions helping each other turn the challenges into opportunities. Through group efforts and discussions, each church planter and trainer was able to see clearly the direction toward achieving their goals and vision, pointed out their mistakes and be able to make new plans to improve the ministry.

Pastor Mar facilitated all the discussion and reports of individuals and groups. Pastor Folmer ended the time together with words of encouragements and challenge to continue training leaders and planting churches. All the church planters left the place physically tired but spiritually renewed and their vision and passion fueled by hope and new insights they learned from the coaches and from each other as well.

Train and Multiply Training

On February 27, there are ten FECPI churches who sent their pastors and lay leaders to attend the training in church multiplication using Train & Multiply in Faith Fellowship in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan. The churches include Bulacan, Tarlac, Sta. Ignacia, La Union, San Carlos, Dagupan, Malued, Alaminos, Pozorrubio and Rizal. One pastor of different denomination also joined the training to see how they can adopt the same process of leadership training. There were around 50 delegates in all attended by young professionals, fathers, mothers and even some senior citizens who were all involved in leadership in their respective churches.

Pastor Mar, as the National Church Planting Coordinator, facilitated the overall training. He was being coached by Pastor Folmer, an OMS Missionary Trainer for Church Planting Ministry. The training was highlighted by group discussions and activities until finally at the end they were able to plan with their pastors and lay leaders on how they will implement the said training.

Almost all the churches started with identifying their key leaders to be trained for pastoral leadership like cell group leaders, church planters and lay pastors. They planned also to implement the training as soon as they get back to their churches by praying and talking to the identified leaders. The lay leaders were also encouraged to start new groups and train new leaders. All the churches were convinced that training leaders is the key to church growth and multiplication.

All the churches reported also in detail all the advantage and benefits of implementing Train and Multiply in training leaders. They all look forward to growth, not just of leaders, but of members as new groups will be started and opened. They are positive also that it will bring growth in their tithes and offering collection every Sunday as the people will be taught and discipled in a deeper way by the new leaders equipped and trained under Train and Multiply.

The concept of planting new churches instead of bringing new believers to an existing church somewhere is not something new to the churches in partnership with church planting ministry. But for those who belong to the traditional churches, they still need time to transition and they resolved to apply it in cell group and training cell leaders which is a good start already.

We, in the church planting ministry is looking forward to partnership with local organized churches and see them grow and multiply as they train leaders using Train and Multiply.

faith fellowship lucena celebrates its 3rd anniversary

2009-09-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

In May 2006 the team of church planters settled in Lucena City to plant a church. They gathered their first contacts to start a worship celebration on September 21 of the same year. This month they celebrated their 3rd anniversary and SC Minda, the team leader praised God for His faithfulness and goodness to the people who obeyed and followed Him.

SC Minda had three teammates since then. Abby Galzote was her first teammate who also did not fail to visit the church since she left to study. The second was Alejo Cuyno who only stayed there for several months and finally Chat Relucio who is still there serving with SC Minda in Lucena City.

The anniversary celebration was highlighted by the different presentations of each house church in different barangays. Pastor Mar gave an inspirational and challenging message to the people and many came forward during the altar call.

Today, they are ministering to five different barangays with the help of two lay leaders who assist the church planters with the house churches. Through the years the workers of Lucena give glory to the Lord for the changed lives they have witnessed and the families who came to the Lord.

For more pictures of the anniversary celebration please see the slide show.

FBC students field visitation

2009-09-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

On September 4, 2009, ten students of Church Planting Principles in Faith Bible College went to two church planting locations in Region 4 to experience what it is like to be in a church planting field. Two other FBC staffs joined them—Debbie and Loren. The students were divided into two teams. The first team joined the Tagaytay team with Pastor Teddy and Enric Lepardo while the other half joined the Cavite team with Pastors Bong and Gerry Bulilan.

Both teams gathered to spend time in prayer and devotion and for the church planters to give brief orientation of what they do in the field, their vision and mission and some of their experiences. They also showed the students and taught them some of the things they do in small groups and also in evangelism. Then they were ready to go.

The students, equipped with their skills and knowledge in evangelism and theirs heart full passion and excitement an d courage, went out to evangelize together with the church planters. The church planters demonstrated first what they do then let the students did the same. The students reported in class all their first time in evangelism, especially, going from house to house because some of them did that for the first time. But there were also those who were already doing that in their respective ministry assignments.

That was indeed a day full of adventures, learning and fun. The students were not only blessed but were also a blessing to the people they shared the gospel, the people they visited and to the church planters who accommodated them.

Tuy House Church joined Tagaytay Faith Fellowship

2009-09-14T02:23:00.000-07:00

It was a day of worship, fellowship, learning and celebration for the churches in Tuy, Batangas and Tagaytay City. The rain did not stop them to gather in Colossian Gardens in Tagaytay City. From morning until evening, they were together to celebrate God's faithfulness in their life.

Pastor Mar shared with them the core values and mission and vision statements of FECPI.
Pastor Teddy with Bro. Pol distributed the baptismal certificate in the afternoon.
Pastor Vadeth, Pastor Teddy and the leaders of Tagaytay facilitated the worship in the morning while the praise and worship team of Tuy led the worship.

These are the young people of Tagaytay and Tuy, Batangas... the future leaders of the church.

The Rodriguez family leads the house church in Tuy, Batangas.

FBC 20th Anniversary Celebration

2009-09-10T04:19:00.000-07:00

FECPI Church Planting Teams joined Faith Bible College to celebrate 20 years of God's faithfulness. 18 of our 20 church planters are proud graduates of the Bible College.

It was a week of celebration. On Tuesday, the 25th of August, was the kick off where pastor Brent gave the message during the chapel service. Wednesday was a day of prayer, before each class began, the students and the faculty members spent time to pray. In the evening was a night of prayer and worship opened for everyone. By the way, the classes during the whole week were opened for those who would like to sit in the class.

The peak of the celebration was on Friday night, the 28th of August, where Miss Ermalee Hidalgo was installed as the first woman and Filipino president of the Bible College. It was indeed a night of celebration attended by pastors from the Wesleyan church where Miss Ermalee came from and was molded to be the woman she is right now. FECPI pastors and friends also came, especially those who have been part of the Bible college. PRASIA rendered beautiful music that night but, of course, the highlight would be Miss Ermalee's speech.

It was not just a celebration but a fellowship, a reunion to be exact, of old friends who met in Faith Bible College...

new house church in Bacoor, Cavite

2009-09-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

Ariel and Jovie Manahan became Christians in Batangas where we used to have a church planting team. The closing of the ministry there did not stop the growth of this couple. They also experienced a lot of testing of faith and almost gave up but the grace of God sustained them and they continued to serve the Lord.

In May, the couple decided to transfer to Cavite province where Pastor Bong and Pastor Gerry are ministering. They were visited and followed up and soon a house church in their place was opened. Their relatives and neighbors joined them and the group continued to grow. Another couple from the neighborhood who were already Christians but had no church to attend to joined their house church. The couple now leads the house through praise and worship.

it started with a vision

2009-07-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

Bro. Pol Rodriguez and his wife Alice
they joined the prayer gathering in Tagaytay together with the church planters of region 4 and P.Mar in June

Pol Rodriguez was an elder in Sta. Ignacia Faith Fellowship, his wife and their kids were also involved and trained in the ministry there. In April 2009 his family had a vacation in Pol's hometown in Tuy, Batangas. It has been 19 years since he left the place and he has been praying for his whole family to be saved and to have a church in their place. He tried to talk to many pastors ministering near their place not knowing it was him the Lord will send to his own family to start a church.

He started with his siblings and their kids a Sunday Worship when they got there. His sister and her husband have been Christians in other place but since they got back there, they were not attending any church. There the vision of Pol grew to start a church not just with his family but in their town because there was no evangelical church in their place and the population is growing. He saw the potential of his town starting with his own family since his parents got saved already.

together there were 5 families which started to gather in April every Sunday for worship and every Tuesday for small group. Pol and his wife preach and teach the Bible, his sister Mia and husband Marlon were in-charged of the praise and worhsip and their children teaching the kids... Tagaytay team is currently helping them with training and materials and also gather with them for fellowship!

God Moves at Faith Fellowship-Israel!

2009-05-14T01:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Prayer partners,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It has been more than a week that we are experiencing the favor of God here in Israel. We arrived here on the day that Israel is celebrating their 61st year of independence. We stayed in the hotel for 3 days and after that we moved to the church where we could stay for the rest of our time here in Israel.

When we arrived at the hotel, my Brother Samzon and his wife Mejani with their son Shan and also with his employer visited us and brought us to the beach adjacent to the hotel. There are more than 60,000 Filipinos in Israel working as care giver for the elderly.

Since it was Independence Day for Israel many Filipinos took advantage of the holiday to have some sort of relaxation in the beach and it was a perfect timing for us because there we met my sister whom I did not see for more than 13 years. She is working in Israel with her husband for a long time.
My Sister and her husband (sitting beside my wife) invited us in their church “The Lord Our Righteousness Ministry” for a dinner. This is one of the Filipino Churches in Tel Aviv, Israel. We had fellowship with their pastors, a couple, and their daughter (sitting beside me). They told us how their church is helping the Filipino communities especially for those who have babies; they founded in their church a nursery for children taking care of the babies while the Filipino parents are working. At present they accommodate more than 40 babies in their nursery and one of their full time workers is my sister Elisa.

When we finally checked out from the hotel and went to our church building we were met by some of the members who are so excited to see us including the sisters of my wife who are also working here in Israel.
Our church “Faith Fellowship Israel” covered our expenses for our trip including our accommodations.

I was surprised when I saw the church building because of what God has done in a short period of time; their musical instruments are almost complete, they are renting the building for 3,500 shekels if converted is more than 35,000 pesos, the members are working together for the growth of the church and most especially I have observed how they commit themselves to preserve their testimony as true followers of Jesus Christ.

The following day May 2 our church celebrated their 2nd anniversary. Their theme “We are the salt and light of the world” reveals their commitment and purpose of existence here in Israel. I have seen their joy when I read the portion of Ptr. Brent’s report to the general conference about Israel Faith Fellowship and how he supported the vision for the ministry of the OFW.

The service started at 7 pm and lasted for almost 3 hours. The event was attended by at least 80 people and some of them received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior while some recommitted their lives to the Lord.
I was blessed when I personally heard the narration of the church history. Bro Samzon and Mejani Ocampo stepped out of faith to start the church and later they were joined by Rosie Vallente and Jeana Ocampo who are members of Sta. Ignacia Faith Fellowship in the Philippines. At first they were even ridiculed by some Filipino believers here in Israel who had no idea of the vision that drove them to start Faith Fellowship Israel. But the Lord has blessed the church by sending trained workers like my sister Jenny who is a graduate of Faith Bible College.

Today, there are 8 fully committed workers and leaders in this church and at least a total of 27 regular members.

After the service it was just like a reunion for us because we met some relatives and friends whom we haven’t seen for a long time.

Most likely all Filipino workers here in Israel are looking forward for Saturdays to be refreshed and be strengthened by the fellowship with their relatives and friends. Our church is taking advantage of this free day to worship God together at 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Some members stay in the church until Sunday afternoon and they go back to their work until the next Saturday.
During working days some members of the church, friends and relatives are inviting us to visit them in their work and meet their employers. We praise God we experience the hospitality of the Hebrew people.

After their anniversary, the following Saturday was a different setup of worship service because I divided them into small groups and discussed with them thoroughly the importance of our core values.
They enjoyed and learned because they participated in the discussion focused on the core values of our denomination.
We will make use of every Saturday while we are here to discuss and learn more on our mission and vision as a denomination and how to achieve them through cell group strategy.

We ended the worship service last Saturday by honoring the mothers and they were very happy when the church gave them red roses and few minutes free call to their children and love ones in the Philippines
Please continue to pray for our time here in Israel that we may contribute for the spiritual development of our leaders here. Pray also that God will send and develop more workers in this church that they may reach their vision to build strong and multiplying Filipino Churches in every key cities of Israel. Also pray that they may help in the fulfilment of the rapid multiplication of churches in the Philippines by referring their families and friends to our church planters who are close to their homes.

Also pray that they may help in sending people who are called in the ministry but have no capacity to pay their tuition and other bills for their training at FBC.
Lastly, I praise the Lord for the support of our leaders especially to Ptr Brent, he has been supportive to the ministry here in Israel and to the OFW since this vision was shared to FECPI leaders. Without the support of our leaders (BOT), pastors and members this mission for Israel remains to be a dream.
By God’s grace we will maximize our time to fulfil God’s purpose of sending us here in Israel.
To God be the Glory!
In Christ Service,

Ptr. Mar & Bell

Celebrating God's Faithfulness

2009-05-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Faith Fellowship Laoag church anniversary celebration on May 10...

Jasmin, Jaymar & Kenneth on the worship team
mark lead the opening prayer

during the praise and worship

and of course... eating time!

Many of us are being confused on how seeds grow and turn into plant that bears plenty of fruits, how the ugly duckling turns into a beautiful swan, or how Mt. Pinatubo maintains its perfect cone shape. Those simple yet difficult to answer questions continuously dig our deepest imaginations that can create different non-factual theories and explanations. But if we think and focus more closely to those issues, we can find out the simplest answer: Its God’s will.

Faith Fellowship Laoag celebrated its 6^th anniversary last May 10, 2009 at the Navotas-B Park. Pastor Emil Galzote led the program together with his daughter Jasmine who was the song leader. Pastor Let Malaluan, who was the former pastor of Laoag and currently leading Tagaytay Faith Fellowship, also joined the said celebration. Pastora Let shared us her testimonies and experiences while she was still here in Laoag some years ago. We reminisce all of our unforgettable experiences on how Faith Fellowship Laoag started with the other 3 Pastors, Ptr. Jonathan Cariaso, Ptr. Mau Rivera, and Ptr. Richard Teodosio, challenging activities, and all the joys that we share with each other for 6 long years. As Pastor Emil has said, those memorable scenarios help us to build a strong character that changes our views in life that encourage everyone to promote peace through fellowship. Pastora Let, was so flattered acknowledging the same faces, as well as new faces, continuously serving the Lord. After the program, we’re all gathered for our traditional packed-lunch.

Faith Fellowship Laoag will continue to plant seeds and harvest more fruits for us to build a strong foundation of love and fellowship with Christ.

by: Mark Moneda of Faith Fellowship Laoag

In the Hands of the Master Planner

2009-04-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Just as the Lord prepared everyone else in the Bible when He gave a task, so was He still in the business of preparing His servants today...

Pastor Mar testifies a lot on how the Lord has prepared him for the huge responsibility of being the National Coordinator...

As the Senior Pastor of Faith Fellowship Dagupan, he was able to plant daughter churches in five years...

He just said that he won't leave Dagupan, but when it was the Lord who said "Go!" who are we to say no?! so he accepted the responsibilities... God's ways are not our ways.

Before he finally took over as the National Coordinator in April, a summit was held in Antipolo among FECPI Board of Trustees and OMS International leaders to have an agreement on the church planting method to use here in the Philippines... that really set the stage for him to take over the ministry. A direction was already set by the Lord--where to go and how to go about it.

Last day of the summit held at Faith Fellowship Ministry Center

some pictures taken during the discussion held at Gem's Hotel in Antipolo

The Lord not only prepared his ministry but even their house in Manila, the Lord has provided. From Dagupan they had to transfer to Manila so he would be near the main office. His relatives and his wives relatives were mostly in Tarlac and Pangasinan but Belle's sister bought a house in Montalban which he criticized because it was so expensive and far from their relatives.

"I didn't know that even that the Lord as prepared for us. April was already approaching and we didn't know where to stay then Belle's sister arrived from abroad and asked them to stay in her house in Montalban."

Those are just some of the many blessings they have received from the Lord. If we are faithful, God is more than faithful to bless His servants.

Pastor Mar and Belle hold on to God's promises in Jeremiah 29:11 which was proven true in their life. The future is in the hands of the Master Planner!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

A New Milestone... A New Calling

2009-04-24T20:23:00.001-07:00

Click image for a closer view of the Ordination Banquet Programme

The Lord has been doing marvelous things in the lives of our FECPI church planters. Just recently, we have witnessed how the spirit of these servants were ignited during the FECPI retreat at Pranjetto Hills, so much so that their faces were glowing with joy and excitement as the new vision, mission and core values were formulated and established for the common interest of all members of the FECPI family. Glory to God! It's such a wonderful experience to see how God's people with different personalities, backgrounds and experiences could just come together and unite in spirit and in mind for the purpose of pleasing, serving and glorifying the one true God!

And now, another milestone, another challenge, a new calling: Four of our church planters, along with 3 other FECPI pastors, made it through the screening, interview and "heart" examination to become ordained pastors. It's not just a title, so we say. It is a calling.

What does it take to be ordained? What does it involve? What lies ahead? Hmmmm we wonder... But whatever lies ahead, we are but sure it is all under God's masterplan, and goodness follows according to His perfect will and purpose. Hallelujah!

Congratulations to our newly ordained FECP Church Planters and pastors:

(From left)Jun Pinili, Jerry Cruz, Jonathan Trino, Noel Penaranda, Alice Penaranda, Aileen Dabandan and Let Malaluan.

Also in this picture are FBC President Ermalee Hidalgo, NSC for churchplanters Mar Ocampo, and FECPI President Brent Burdick.

May you look forward to what lies ahead, press on to reach the end of your race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling you.

Shalom!

Saying Hello to Greater Responsibilities

2009-04-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

The pastor who just said goodbye to a church is actually saying hello to the churches.

Pastor Mar's goodbye to Dagupan was his hello to greater responsibilities entrusted to him by FECPI to be the National Coordinator of FECPI Church Multiplication Teams...

ON the first day of April...

Pastor Mar first met with the Regional Coordinators of the church planting teams. They have meeting for three months already for planning and brainstorming but this was his first meeting with them as the National Coordinator.

The First Visitation

Together with other Regonal Coordinator, Pastor Mar and wife Belle visited the church multiplication teams... Their first destination was Cavite province where the church planters of Region 4A gathered.

The second destination was in Pangasinan where they met with pastor Emil and then to Quirino province where they met with the church planting teams of Region 2.

The visit was highlighted by prayer time with the workers. That was actually the first and most important agenda of the new National Coordinator--to gather everyone and pray believing that more would be accomplished starting with the most essential yet neglected part of the ministry--PRAYER!

The visiting team stayed with the church planters to encourage them and listen to what they have to say. That was the time also to show them where the church planting teams are going and should be going with the right vehicle to ride on and proper instructions to follow...

Pastor Mar even shared a testimony that on the first two days that he was going to the office in Aurora Blvd. from Montalban where they are now living, he got lost. That happened not just once but twice. He knew how it felt to be lost. With the new and clearer direction the Lord is leading the church planting teams, he was encouraged and that's exactly what he shared with the rest of the church planters which encouraged everyone as well.

"It is not hard to follow a leader who knows where he is going..."

Pastor Mar & Belle got a lot of testimonies to share when it comes to how the Lord has prepared them for this ministry... Watch out for those stories!

Part of the visit was to mingle and have fellowship with the rest of the teams and their spouses. The visit wasn't only encouraging but it was also fun exploring the caves in Aglipay, Quirino!

when a pastor says goodbye...

2009-04-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

Pastor Mar & Belle Ocampo said goodbye to Faith Fellowship Dagupan in March. They served in Dagupan for 5 years after Pastor Mar graduated from Faith Bible College in 2004. Those years have been very productive. Their commitment and faithfulness in the ministry gave birth to two other churches--Faith Fellowship San Carlos and Faith Fellowship Malued.

Now it's time to say goodbye...

Faith Fellowship Malued prepared a farewell party for the couple on the same day Pastor Mar & Belle were celebrating their 14 years of marriage. Through the messages of the members you would know how the couple has served the church and how they have impacted the lives of the people. Mr. Martinez, the uncle of everybody, was critical of God and the Bible. He kept challenging Pastor Mar about the Bible but he was surprised by Pastor Mar's honesty & humility which led him to get to know God.

The church also gave a plaque of appreciation to Pastor Mar & Belle. It was hard for them to lose a dear pastor who served the Lord faithfully but were very grateful and with the blessing, they released their pastor to serve on a higher level of leadership.

Pastor Mar is now serving as the National Coordinator of FECPI Church Planting Teams.

Lucena City for Christ!

2009-03-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

Fun, Fellowship & Family Day

2009-01-29T00:39:00.000-08:00

It's only eight in the morning and the kids & youths were already in the resort, jumped in the pool and played while waiting for others. They brought their food to share with others for lunch. That's how excited they were for the event.
The program started with a praise and worship, followed by water baptism when Kuya Jun adn Julie Ann decided to obey the Lord through water baptism. The testimonies were really moving stating how the Lord has changed their lives.

a recognition given to Nanay Emma for preparing the food during the youth activity in December

There were also a lot of games for the fathers, the youths and the kids. Prices made the games even more exciting and fun!

check this slide for more pictures

The Right Worship to the Right God

2009-01-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Dagupan Faith Fellowship had their youth camp on December 29-30 at Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Jacinto, Pangasinan. The youths were accomodated by some Christians there during the night while their sessions were held in a church building nearby.

34 youths from pre-teens to young professionals attended the camp. The youths came from Dagupan Faith Fellowship and its daughter churches in San Carlos, Malued and Pogo Grande. Sherilyn de Sola, one of the youth leaders, reported that these youths are already involved in praise and worship because the camp's theme is about "the Right Worship to the Right God" which discussed also the manners of worship and the use of music to worship our One True God.

Sherilyn reported a list of what they have learned during the camp. Here they are:

that we should offer our time, talent, treasures, and our temple to the Lord
that the worship leader should know the songs and not just imitate other known song leaders but be creative with his or her own style.
that song leaders should also be a worshipper and not seek to be worshipped... remember that God looks at the heart
that the instrumentalist should also be worhsipping and singing while playing their instruments
the back-up singers should know how to modulate the voice so as not to overpower the song leader
and for everyone to be true to self and offer a genuine worship to the Lord

they also learned to do household chores and were able to meet new friends as they stayed in the houses of the Christians in San Jacinto.

The camp resulted to transformation and realization among the youths and they are definitely looking forward to the next camp meeting.

FECPI Workers Christmas Party

2008-12-03T02:49:00.000-08:00

presenting... the singles of FECPI

A Christmas Party in November

Can you feel the cool breeze at night? It only tells us that Christmas is fast approaching and for FECPI workers, Christmas starts in November.

It started in 2007 when FECPI workers--local senior pastors, pastoral staff, ECC church planters and FBC faculty and staff gather for a time of celebration and fellowship in November. It used to be First Monday of December now it was moved to last Friday of November. The reason? December is a very busy month so why not gather and celebrate before everybody gets busy arranging different parties, retreats and other events.

The program started with a movie about Christmas followed by the opening number of ECC church planters singing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. See pictures below.

What is a party without games? With the pictures you can tell how the pastors enjoy the games...

the Big Foot Race

guessing game--the Americans guess the word on their forehead being described in English by a Filipino... the Winner? Pastor Brent and Pastor Richard!

another game is the game of survival! Singles are paired and went through challenges... the winner? Grace and Bong!

after the games, the workers enjoyed the food and the fellowship. But the program did not end there...

The committee surprised the pastors with special awards... the pastor of the year award voted by the workers themselves goes to Pastor Mar Ocampo--for the outstanding servant leadership he has shown in the ministry!

pastor of the year: Mar Ocampo and wife

The night ended with a surprise tribute to FECPI President Brent Burdick and his closing speech and prayer encouraging everyone to keep on serving the Lord no matter what the cost!

I-FOCUS Life & Ministry Training in Baguio City

2008-11-21T04:05:00.000-08:00

As every event would end, there is always a group picture taking. This comprises the whole training done in five days... of learning together, fun and activities, inspiration and challenges to obey God in life and in ministry.It's everybody's prayer to be protected fromt he schemes of the enemy and to remain faithful in obeying God's command in everyday life and in every ministry He has called each one to be involved with, especially in church planting. Until the next training, we hope and pray for every delegates to be able to apply everything they have learned but most of all to be strong in the Lord always despite persecutions and challenges that they may encounter along the way.

God bless everyone! To God alone be the glory!

The Final Session of the Training

2008-11-21T03:44:00.000-08:00

Revival Nights

2008-11-15T02:49:00.000-08:00

FBC Challenges a Thousand

2008-11-10T04:19:00.001-08:00

On the last night of the training, FBC President, Miss Ermalee Hidalgo together with FBC Chaplain, Pastor Aven Rivera and an adjunct Faculty Professor Tom Sparrow went up to Baguio to connect with the graduates of FBC and lay leaders and give the challenge to become a part of "A Thousand for FBC" - a thousand who will pray for FBC, a thousand who will support financially and a thousand who will respond to God's call to study full time in the Bible College.

I-FOCUS Kids

2008-11-10T02:31:00.000-08:00

Kids could sometimes hinder the parents to attend the training... Not with I-FOCUS Life and Ministry Training. Parents are encouraged to bring their children. There are teachers assigned to handle the kids so that at a very young age, they too, will not only have exposure to the ministry of the Lord but also be trained as future leaders.

Matthew 19:14 - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Prayer Walk and Exercise

2008-11-06T02:05:00.000-08:00

I-FOCUS Life and Ministry Training gives emphasis to prayer and one of the things taught is about prayer walk... So here the team goes... walk and pray. Before the basic class shared the gospel in the community some of the delegates together with the pastors went out on Tuesday morning and walked to pray. Reports have it that they faced rejections. So the following morning, the team went out again to pray for the same community, hoping to see transformation.

The team stop at a basketball court to pray and after that Nona led the team do some stretching to release the stress and regain energy. For those who joined the morning activity, it wasn't only about learning how to "prayer walk" but it was also fun and refreshing.

SPECKA Group and Accountability Time

2008-11-06T00:45:00.000-08:00

Every morning before the sessions begin all the delegates meet with their group to study the Bible using SPECKA. SPECKA is a method used to study and discuss the Word of God. Each letter stands for something to look for in the passage. S - Sin to avoid or confess, P - Promises of God, prayers or praises, E - Example to follow, C - Command to obey, K - Knowledge to learn and A - Application.

Another thing that is emphasized during the training is Accountability. Each one is encouraged to partner with someone he or she could be accountable with, not just during the training but also when they go back to their homes and ministry.

Highlights of I-FOCUS Training: Sharing the Gospel

2008-11-06T00:33:00.000-08:00

the Basic Class went out one afternoon to share the gospel using the JOhn 3:16 method as an application of what they have learned during the training. This is what CPM is all about: putting into practice what you have learned...

Declaration of Faith through Water Baptism

2008-11-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Water baptism is not for a change of religion. It is simply declaring to the world, "I am a follower of Jesus Christ." It is one also of showing our obedience to the Word of God. Many people delayed obedience for many reasons like being persecuted by the family but most of the time, people are not just ready to obey the Lord. May it be our goal to always say, "Yes Lord, Yes Lord!"

Witness how two people responded to God in obedience through water baptism... But you may be wondering where is the pool? Baguio is a very cool place and you have to go down La Union to find resorts and beaches for water baptism and these people didin't want to delay their obedience anymore... so they decided to be baptized in water and made use of the available resources to make this possible.

October 2008 CPM/IFOCUS Pics

2008-10-29T22:05:00.002-07:00

October 2008 CPM/IFOCUS Training

2008-10-29T22:05:00.001-07:00

The FECP-ECC family had a wonderful and blessed experience during the CPM and IFOCUS training at Pine Breeze Cottages in Baguio City on October 22-26, 2008. Nothing beats the cool atmosphere and the beautiful scenery of mountain pines and flowering plants of the Philippines' summer capital. Truly, nature's beauty speaks of our God's power, majesty and splendor. Strategy coordinators and delegates from different regions enjoyed one week of information-gathering, hearing of the Word, workshops and revival nights. Activities ranged from praise and worship, devotions, open house church celebration with SPECKA, prayer walk, seminars on doctrines and CPM background,training on IFOCUS Life, Ministry and the daily journal/devotional, and many more. Everyone witnessed the powerful moving of the Holy Spirit as participants shared inspiring testimonies of how their lives were transformed and continue to change as they hunger for God's Word and allow themselves to be trained in occasions such as this, so that in effect, they too, will be able to lead others and train them to live in Christ's likeness. God is so good, and His love endures forever! To Him be the glory forever and ever! Stand by for more CPM stories and pictures!

God Moves in the Hearts of Youth in Benguet State University!

2008-09-11T01:57:00.000-07:00

IFOCUS trainers and other news...

2008-07-12T03:38:00.000-07:00

Meet the IFOCUS Life and Ministry Trainers...

From Left to Right: P.Jerry dela Paz, P.Robert Navarro, Sheila Sengia,

Abby Galzote, Let Malaluan, P.Jerry Cruz, P.Nathan Cariaso and P.Noel Penaranda)

I think we are missing one trainer in that picture... check this next picture.

Yes, Joy Rombaoa is the IFOCUS Accounting Trainer and she will be sharing more about accounting and management on the next IFOCUS Training. Watch out for that!

You may be asking who is the other guy in the picture?!

Well, let me introduce Tim dela Paz, the YWIF pioneer. YWIF stands for Youth with I-FOCUS. He started to gather youths in his campus in Angeles University to spearhead this ministry that will soon be a pattern for the other Youth ministries in church planting. Tim is also a member of IFOCUS band who will be helping the church planting ministries to conduct mini concerts and crusades in different communities as a tool for evangelism. The band is just starting so we have to pray for the instruments they need for the said ministry. If you want to invite them in your community, contact pastor Jerry dela Paz or your regional coordinator to arrange the discussion.

As the ministry is growing, the need for new trainers is also growing...

We encourage you to be praying for this ministry because you could be one of these trainers... God bless you and your ministry!

IFOCUS Training in Baguio, May 2008

2008-06-26T00:57:00.001-07:00

Powerful Numbers to Call

2008-06-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911 When -

You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is b igger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone M ark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY. NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY. ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY. FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

I Focus Training, May 2008

2008-06-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

FECPI Retreat at Pililia, March 2007

2008-04-09T23:14:00.000-07:00