MINISTERING TO THE FILIPINO FISHERMEN

It is a joy to see and have fellowship with our fellow "kababayan" at Peterhead and Fraserburgh...the Filipino fishermen! Greater joy is it to see them being saved by God's grace.

Their jobs as fishermen entail a lot of hardwork and risk and we thank the Lord for continually guiding them, protecting them and giving them the strength to work. We also greatly appreciate David Strachan, George Power, James Reid and Alec for having a burden and heart for the Filipino fishermen...praying for them unceasingly and supporting them in many ways.

Last April 18, we had our first ministry work with the Filipino fishermen at the Emmanuel Christian Fellowship at Fraserburgh. 18 Filipino fishermen attended the service. They rendered a song entitled "Diyos ay pag-ibig". I presented a brief profile and the different ministries of Cornerstone Church. Afterwhich, Ptr. Danny shared his life testimony and shared words of encouragement. The highlight of the service was calling to the altar of all the 18 Filipino fishermen. Ptr. Danny shared to them the Gospel of Salvation and eventually led these 18 Filipino fishermen in the prayer of salvation and 18 souls were saved! Glory to God!On April 19 and 20, Ptr. Danny and David Strachan visited the Filipino fishermen on board at the harbour, have dinner fellowship with them (Ate cooked prawns and crabs. Sarap ng sugpo at alimango!) and (4) souls were saved again.On April 23, we met the Filipino fishermen of Peterhead at the GThree during the Filipino Fishermen gathering. This is a weekly regular gathering for the Filipino fishermen being spearheaded by George Power and David Strachan wherein the Filipino fishermen played pool, chess, sing, gather and spend time together. We sang tagalog praise and worship songs and Ptr. Danny shared his life testimony and the Gospel of Salvation. 17 Filipino fishermen accepted our Lord Jesus and were saved on that night. After ministering to them, David and George gave t-shirts and Tagalog bibles as gift to some Filipino fishermen, particularly the new attendees.

On April 24, we attended the regular gathering of Filipino fishermen at the Fishermen Mission at Fraserburgh with James Reid and Alec. Again, after the sharing of Ptr. Danny's life testimony and the Gospel of Salvation, more than twenty (20) Filipino fishermen accepted our Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. As Ptr. Danny and David go on visiting the harbour at night, more souls are being saved.

We have learned that there are more than 1,000 Filipino fishermen working in the UK. We have just ministered to a few. Please continue to pray for us that in the remaining days of our stay in UK, we could be able to reach out to hundreds of them and usher them to our Lord Jesus.

The Lord is victorious in our Cornerstone UK mission. Thank you for all your prayers. All glory belongs to Him!

Posted by: Jane Mangadap

Four Hundred Heard The Gospel in Two Days!

Last April 20th a team from Cornerstone (Pastors Adonis, Jun, Henry and Jonathan Winter a new AoG missionary at Sefton) traveled to Kalinga Province at the invitation of Pastor Winston's father an Assemblies of God pastor working among the Kalinga tribes. We visited a remote village to conduct a two night evangelistic film showing outreach, a Daily Devotion Bible School for the children in the village and a feeding ministry.

The mission trip was a great success where four hundred people heard and responded to the gospel over two days. We were able to show the Last Flight Out, The Peace Child and the Climb all evangelistic films to present the gospel.

Pastor Jun led the DVBS and held a simple graduation in the afternoon for the children who received awards and certificates. Pastor Henry known as the Congee King for his skills in making excellent congee prepared and cooked congee for all the Children.

The team really enjoyed the mission trip and are excited to participate in future mission trips to the tribal areas.

Since arriving in Sefton life has been more busier than when my family and I lived in Baguio. We are looking forward to our time at Sefton and believing to see much fruit in the ministries which we shall be involved in.

Untill next blog. Be Blessed!

Jonathan, Raynalyne Joel and Hannah Winter.
AoG U.K. Missionaries.

LONG JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND

An hour before landing to Heathrow Airport in London, the Pilot of Etihad Airways announced that our landing shall be redirected to Paris, France. All airports all over the UK were closed due to the heavy cloud ashfall caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

On the airport ground of Paris, we stayed for a few minutes at the plane while waiting for further instruction from the pilot. Then, it was announced that all the passengers (we are more than 300)shall be picked up by a coach and checked in at a certain hotel while waiting for any updates from the airways. At the Paris Airport, all the British nationals were allowed to go first while the others with different nationalities were asked to standby. We are more than thirty and 8 are Filipinos, the others are Indonesians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Indians and Omanis etc...We have to wait for the issuance of our European Temporary Visas for a safe pass so we can get out of the Airport. We were so glad that the Etihad Airways personnel really looked after us and all our needs. After an hour, we were issued with our safe pass 72 hours temporary visa. Afterwhich, the Disneyland coach picked us up and brought us to the Santa Fe Hotel at Disneyland Resort Paris.

Our hotel accommodation for 2 nights and 2 days including the foods were all paid off by the Etihad Airways. We thank the Lord for being so good to us that He never left dus. We were all so comfortable as each passengers, couple or family, were given rooms. The eat all you can foods were so superb. We are even free to go around the Disneyland Resort because the ride on the coach is free.

God is so good because we were able to meet new friends, especially the Filipinos. We have seen the warmth and love of every Filipinos, that the "damayan" is always there wherever we are. Three of the Filipinos, Jean, Tessie and Jonathan are Christians and they were so blessed to hear our life testimonies. Tessie asked me a lot of things about the giving of tithes because it is her struggle...and I shared to her that it was my struggle before as well. We had nice and lovely fellowship just talking about the goodness of the Lord. Being in Paris and seeing Disneyland and the Eiffel tower (unexpectedly) was a big surprise to all of us.

Ptr. Danny, being so friendly, met the Sri Lankan, Indian businessman, professionals and Omani students who are Muslims. It was so funny that everytime they see Danny on the resto or hallway of the hotel, they call him Pastor Father. Ptr. Danny gave them gospel tracts, cards and key chains of Cornerstone Phils. and they gladly accepted it. We got their names and email addresses for future references.

On our second night in Paris, it was announced that a first batch will be leaving for UK by ground travel at 11pm and the second batch will be at 5am. We were on the second batch. A coach travelled all the way from Heathrow to picked us up. All airports are still closed and no definite updates when to open so we have no choice but to travel by ground to go to UK. But it was a very comfortable and exciting journey. Seeing new things along the road, passing by the immigration authorities in the border line, our coach being ferried on the Euro Tunnel (under the sea tunnel connecting Europe and Great Britain)...wasn't it too amazing that the Lord allowed us to experienced all these things? Finally, we reached the Heathrow Airport after 5 hours of ground travel. At the Heathrow Airport, a taxi picked us up. Thanks to David and Grace Strachan who have arranged everything for us and who have been so worried of us. We greatly appreciate their deep concern and their goodness. Surely, they never left us, through prayers and communication, all along our travel to Scotland. The taxi brought us to the King's Cross Station for a train ride going to Scotland. We were not able to catched up the 2pm train going straight to Aberdeen. We have no choice but to take the train going to Edinburgh. We know that the Lord is with us and He will give us the wisdom to reach our destination. Upon reaching Edinburgh after 5 hours travel by train, we were told by the train personnel that we can find the train going to Aberdeen in Dundee and we have to ride again on a train going to Dundee. Ptr. Danny and I do not know the train station going to Dundee although it was instructed to us by the train personnel. On our way looking for the station, we met a family passengers and they were bound for Dundee. We went along with them. Oh Praise the Lord! We reached Dundee and was able to catched the scheduled train going to Aberdeen. The Lord is so good. If we have'nt met the family going to Dundee, we won't be able to catched up the train going to Dundee as we have only 20 minutes left to look for the train station for the last travel or else we will stay overnight in Dundee. The train had a few passengers as it was already past 9pm. We were so "comfortable". FINALLY, we reached Aberdeen and what a joy it is to see David and Grace waving at us. We felt we were home at last! What a very long journey but we never get tired spiritually(only physically). God is so good that He allowed us to be stranded in a place where ground travel is possible...so amazing! The Lord provided all our needs, the accommodation, the foods, the comfort, the joy, the unforgettable experiences, and everything! The Lord is so good that He allowed us to have a ground travel to see the beauty of UK. We won't definitely see all of those if we are on the airplane. We have seen and tested that the Lord is good in this long journey.

May He alone be glorified in everything!


Posted by: Jane Mangadap

Santiago Assemblies of God

DVBS in Santiago Assemblies of God (Cornerstone Calaocan) is set this month

The Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) in Cornerstone Calaocan Church will be this summer from April 19 to April 23, 2010. This 5 days bible school aims to educate the children about Jesus our Savior, his love and greatness to all of us and generally, to share to them the Gospel.

EATING FELLOWSHIP

Eating Fellowship are still on the go every Sunday at the Cornerstone Calaocan Church. We are having this to develop camaraderie with our fellows here in our church. We also have this chance to make or talk plans for the development and improvement of our activities in our church. As the saying goes – we could plan more if we sit and eat together. You’re invited to join us friends, brothers and sisters.

OVERNIGHT PRAYER

We continuously conduct our monthly overnight prayer every third Friday of the month. This is a very important event to us because this is the time when we commit everything for the Lord for the success of all our activities in our church everyday especially this month of May – the DVBS, the English grammar seminar, proposed baptism this month and others. Please continue to pray for us so that we can continue to serve God according to his will.

CALAOCAN CREW MEMBERS STRIKE AGAIN

The four members olf the Crew of the Cornerstone Calaocan went again to their designated church assignments. Such were Sis. Cristy, Sis. Eva, and Sis. Sheena to Cornerstone Ramon headed by Pastor Nestor and Pastor James B. and Sis. Alvi who was designated in Cornerstone Echague headed by Pastor Winston.

They have happily and excitedly did works that were designated to them – Sis Cristy and Sis Alvi shared the goodness of the Lord in their lives through their testimonies and Sis Eva and Sis Sheng sang song of praises to the Lord during the offering part of the service.

According to them, these experiences made them learn many things like learning about people, how to mingle with them and more importantly, they learned to follow what the Lord wants them to do which is to grow as leaders of the church. Go! Go! Go! Crew members of Calaocan.

A Step of Faith - Cornerstone Church Santiago

Last Sunday we have launched our additional service. We have seen God’s faithfulness as we stepped in faith. I remember the time when the day was fast approaching, I was so nervous. I have thought that maybe I will postpone it, but, I remember what God told us during our prayer meeting. A sister prophesied, “Do your part and I will do my part.” It was a simple word but powerful.

Our church has been preparing through prayer and actively inviting people in our cell groups and in our Sunday celebration. Therefore, I have resolved that no matter what, even if my feeling is telling me that it will not be successful. We still launched our new service.

On Sunday at exactly eight o’ clock in the morning, we started our new service. It was a good start, 40 people attended and many new people were there. At 10:30 AM, we had our 2nd service and more than 80 people attended and we have seen new faces. During the night service, 30 people came together to worship the Lord.

God is faithful. He does what he said he would do.


Posted by: Pastor Marlou Javier

Echague update!

The work in Echague is 6 months now! Praise God! He is ever faithful to us. We have been tested and I have been tempted to stop the work there, but God has always a way when things seems so hard. There are oppositions along the way, to hinder the work. Nevertheless, as opposition grow bigger, the more the people are getting passionate for Christ.

I am so encourage, as the people in Echague are now getting more involved and bolder in reaching their neighbours and relatives.

Last Sunday, I am so happy to see Margarita (from children’s home) came to the church, together with her sisters and brothers. She is inviting also their neighbour, and we are hoping that through her, we can reach her family.

Posted by: Winston

Three Visitors

Read this wonderful story:

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

Is the man of the house home?" they asked.

"No" she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in" they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"

The woman went out and invited the men in.

"We do not go into a house together" they replied

"Why is that?" she asked

One of the old men explained: "His name is wealth" he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success", and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!" he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice." said the husband to his wife.

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the three old men, "Which one of you is Love? please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I invited only Love, why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success."

-Anonymous

Posted by:

Cornerstone Church Santiago

CFFC San Isidro Hosts 2010 First AoG Sectional Women and Men's Ministry Fellowships

CFFC San Isidro WM Department hosted the 1st WM Sectional Fellowship
by Mitrel M. Ritua

The Women’s Ministry of CFFC San Isidro joyfully hosted the 1st WM Sectional Fellowship last January 16, 2010. The theme of the activity was "Here I am, use me."

The Lord blessed and encouraged the 90 Women who attended the fellowship through His wonderful messages delivered by His servant Rev. Geraldine Joy Salazar, Academic Dean of Sefton Bible Training Center.

It was truly a wonderful day to all the women who attended the fellowship and everyone went home with a heart encouraged even more to serve the Lord!



CFFC San Isidro Hosts 2010 First AoG Sectional Men’s Ministry Fellowship

Last March 6, 2010 the Men’s Ministry of San Isidro also hosted the 1st Men’s Ministry Department Sectional Fellowship. This was attended by 32 men members of the Assemblies of God Section 4.

Two speakers were invited to inspire the participants. They were Pastor Nestor Domingo and Ptr. Jojie Ayensa who encouraged the participants to press on, continue serving God and share the word of God.


The members of the Women’s Ministry showed their support to the activity by serving snacks and preparing lunch for the men.



The lively and powerful praise and worship was led by the men of San Isidro Cornerstone Family Fellowship Center. Ptr. Ariel Molina of Cornerstone Calaocan, Santiago City extended his words of thanks to all attendees. Bro. Rony Buena-Agua served as the EMCEE during the affair.

Posted by:

Alexander F. Ritua

CFFC-San Isidro Ground Stages “The Public Life of Jesus”

The evening of 02 April 2010 was a very memorable night to all the CFFC leaders and members. This was the culmination of our two-day activities dedicated to the work of the Lord. This was the very first film showing we have conducted and held at the CFFC grounds beside the San Isidro provincial road.

The CFFC family was able to set-up all the audio and video equipment, chairs and tables outside the church building. The committee on film showing promoted the activity by posting photocopied posters in every electric posts at the poblacion and nearby barangays.


Crowds were drawn to watch the film – children, youth and the elderly. They found good places of sight under the mango trees, flower boxes, top of tricycle sidecars and over a load of sand and gravel. Astonishingly, some vehicles even stopped just to watch the film. Pastor Adonis Manango challenged the viewers to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord right after the film showing. Many came and surrendered their lives to the Lord.

The story behind the activity

Last February, right after our Dakilang Pagmamahal activity, I was able to email my friend Joeven Tansi from Iloilo, Philippines asking him if he can lend me a DVD copy of the Jesus Film. I shared to him my burden for showing the film on a Good Friday night in culmination of our two-day activities. Unknowingly, he caught the signal and carried the burden. He then emailed at least 10 of his friends and some church leaders passed it also until it reached the office of the Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ (PCCC) in Quezon City. He then contacted PCCC and said he’s going to pay for the DVD. But Sister Carolyn Samson of PCCC was also touched by the Lord knowing that the film will be used for a cause in bringing the people to the Lord so she took charge in sending the DVD multilingual film on my behalf through LBC courier. As I received the LBC pouch last March 12, 2010 through the Isabela State University gate guard, I was a bit teary-eyed knowing that God provided our needs in a most special and amazing way!

The activity ended with a prayer of all leaders and members present inside the church building thanking the Lord for all the things He has done to us. To God be the glory!

Posted by:

Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua

Good Friday Service Focuses on Jesus Christ’s Seven Last Words

The CFFC Family conducted the very first Good Friday service focused on the seven last words of the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary. The seven last words were shared as messages by the following servants of the Lord:




“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” – Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua;


“Today, I will be with you in paradise” – Ptr. Merwyn Estabillo;


“Woman, here is your son; Son, here is your mother” – Ptr. Jose Adonis V. Manango;


“Father, why have you forsaken me?” – Ptr. Nestor Domingo;


“I Thirst” – Ptr. Freddie C. Jose;


“It is finished” – Ptr. Augusto Manio; and,


“In to Thy hands, I commend my spirit” – Ptr. Jose Adonis V. Manango.



With these powerful messages, the CFFC Family was reminded once again of the greatest acceptable sacrifice - the Lord Jesus Christ offered at the cross of calvary. All of us felt the presence of the Lord during the delivery of each message. A reflection time has been allotted to ponder on the powerful messages that the speakers had shared. A video clip on the crucifixion from the film Passion of the Christ was shown and made us all teary-eyed.


God also provided our snacks and food for the day’s activities through the concerted efforts of the leaders and members. The Women Ministry was in-charged in the preparation of food. Special thanks to the Municipality of San Isidro, Isabela Sangguniang Bayan Members - Hon. Ariel Sanchez and Hon. Jennifer Dolores for providing a merienda for us.

Posted by:

Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua

CFFC Holds First Leadership Training on Evangelism and Commitment Night

Participants filling-up the registration form

Men and women preparing the food for lunch

The very first local Leadership Training on Evangelism was held at the Cornerstone Family Fellowship Center, Gomez, San Isidro, Isabela last 01 April 2010. This was participated in by at least 42 brothers and sisters composed of men, women and youth leaders from San Isidro, St. James – Batal and Sta. Monica Cornerstone Churches.

The training started at 9:30AM. CFFC Senior Ptr. Jose Adonis Manango warmly welcomed the participants and encouraged them to finish the one-day training course.

Ptr. Adonis welcomes the participants

one of the unfreezing moments titled "simon says"

Four sessions were undertaken during the day. The first session titled “Witnessing: the work of a true Christian” was handled by Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua. The second was discussed by Ptr. Reynaldo O. Sermonia focused on “The Importance of Witnessing”. “Preparations before going out” was presented by Sis. Mariebel Manango and Ptr. Freddie Jose taught the participants about “Steps in Bringing Someone to Christ.” The participants were also taught of three different witnessing outlines which they can use as strategies in sharing the message of salvation.

After all the sessions, the trainers with Ptr. Merwyn Estabillo distributed bibles to all the participants. The participants promised to use it for their personal quiet time with the Lord and in sharing the good news. Bro. Rony Buena-Agua, Sis. Mitrel M. Ritua and Sis. Mary Therese J. Teñozo served as MCs during the day.

the trainers praying for the bibles and thanking the Lord for its sponsors

distribution of bibles to the participants

The “Commitment Night” with the theme “Here am I, send me…(Isaiah 6:8)” culminated the one-day activity. The participants were challenged to take a step of faith in bringing the good news of salvation to the lost. Inspiring songs and video presentation with the title “people need the Lord” touched the hearts of the participants. Ptr. Alexander Ritua emphasized that each one should stand for the Lord as “lights in the darkened world” bringing hope and proclaiming the love and message of salvation that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give. A heart-warming experience was felt during the candle lighting ceremony where the presence of the Lord touched our hearts – crying, sobbing and full of great compassion for the salvation of the lost.

candle lighting ceremony signifying a step of faith -
becoming true "lights of the world"

Special thanks is extended to Bro. Eli Avellanoza of Nueva Vizcaya State University, Sis. Ma. Luisa U. Tango of Bicol University, Bro. Raymond Mendaros of Cavite, Sis. Aubrey Joy Balbin of Naguillan, Isabela, Mr. & Mrs. Marcelino Saladino of Dubai, UAE and Mr. & Mrs. Andy & Roselie Sanford of USA for giving their wholehearted support in providing bibles and training materials for the success of this training. You have planted a seed that has an eternal signifiance... To all of you, may the Lord bless you a thousand-fold!

Posted by:

Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua