Fellowship does not constitute unity. Just we happen to be in the same place at the same does not mean are united in heart and mind. Jesus proved this in His discourse against those who call Him “Lord” but do not act according to His will. Even though they did eat with Him in the same table, He will dismiss them for being “workers of iniquity.”

But fellowship is the first step towards unity. when we have reached unity, fellowship our favorite activity, if anything.

People come and go in a fellowship, until they enter into a covenant. Just like a marriage vow, our decision to give our lives to God in faith is a covenant of grace which the Lord Has established for us through His death. And together with it, we also entered into a covenant of brotherhood with our fellow Christians. We become part of the household of God through a local church or ministry, and we become accountable to that body to support, participate, and bear with.

Only through sharing can we actually begin to attain and experience becoming one with our brothers and sisters in Christ. By sharing our material possessions we experience “having all things common.” By sharing spiritual things we experience oneness of mind, heart and soul. Then we can speak the same thing, as Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 1.10.

True unity in the body will not compromise the 6 important apostolic doctrines expressed in Ephesians 4.1-6.

Unity among believers will not materialize until each of them is truly united with the Lord.

Having said all these, I believe ecumenism is not the Bible’s way of unity. It may a fellowship and a covenant between churches, but without God to back them up.

Related Posts:

1. Post Sunday Notes
2. Post Sunday Notes
3. Reaching for Unity of the Faith

New seating arrangement. The church was surprised to see a new and more orderly arrangement of the seats. It gave everyone a clearer view of the stage, less clutter, and more space to add seats should we need more (although we are already at full capacity). The mothers have a more comfortable seating at the back, the ushers can move around more easily, and guests can be attended more quickly.

New members of the Body of Christ. We also welcomed four new members of New Life Harvest family. They were the fruits of our labors in Bulacan, Bulacan where a weekly Bible study is conducted in the house of brother Lito and sister Edith.

Great music and wonderful moments of worship. Our praise and worship is always a great time for the church to express their gratefulness and adoration to God, and the worship team is leading us all with their precisely selected songs and music.

God’s words were delivered mightily. In the third part of my sermon on The Overcoming Church, God’s words are reminding us once again that there more obstacles to face before we can sit with Christ on His throne as overcomers with him. Yesterday’s message showed us two more gates of hades that the enemy threw against the true believers in the church ages of Sardis and Philadelphia, namely, the spirit of denomination and the loss or lack of perseverance.

Communion service. In the afternoon service commemmorating the death of the Lord, we just had our most number of attendees so far. Practically everyone stayed to participate in the communion and the presence of God came down upon us mightily. IT was such an invigorating experience!

Related Posts:

1. Post Sunday Notes
2. Post Sunday Notes
3. Post Sunday Thoughts

The believers are composed of about 4 or 5 families, most of them came out of the Trinitarian Pentecostal denomination in the area. Among them are Sister Wilma and her husband. She was set to become a ‘Pastora’ in one of their Bible study outreaches when she met brother Joel and learned of them Message of the hour. They were baptized right after the presentation in Tagkawayan.

Although their decision has brought persecution against their family and friends from their former church, they received it gladly and rejoiced that they were being persecuted because of the truth that they have finally received. And their present situation is doing more good to the work of the Lord than harm, because more souls are coming and embracing the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. We witnessed the baptism of four young people during my visit.

The service was held in newly constructed structure made of coconut lumber, bamboo strips and nipa. It was built on a small piece of land borrowed from a relative of one of the believing families. We were received gladly and were refreshed from a long journey by the warm accommodation of Brother Joel’s family as well as the rest of the saints’.

Related Posts:

1. Tagkawayan Message Presentation
2. Saturday's Baptism Brings 7 New Believers to God's Family
3. Masbate Mission Trip

Thirteen years later, I’m a little bit older now, with four children, and numerous scars from battles I’ve fought, hopefully a little bit wiser than before, and still very much in love with the Lord and the kingdom work.

I have so much to be thankful for! I have people who truly love the Lord and wholeheartedly support the ministry. I have friends who help me in the ministry, evangelizing and going on mission trips with me.

And I want to thank the Lord for turning our financial situation around. When some of the families in the church turned their backs on me we hit rock bottom as we struggled to meet the needs of our family and still focus on the work of the Lord. Thank God for my virtuous wife. She’s truly a gift from God!

I also want to thank God for the gifts that He placed in my life. I’ve enjoyed very much the operation of these gifts!

Thank you, New Life Harvest people, for supporting the work of the Lord in my life! Thank you for respecting the office and committing your lives to the cause of Christ!

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2. New Life Harvest Celebrates 2 Years of Ministry
3. Getting Ready For Engagements This Summer

Pastor Franco Togonon ministers the Word on the 2nd anniversary service

The morning service was graced with the presence of Pastor Franco Togonon. He preached about the importance of being mindful of the original words spoken by the holy prophets and apostles of God.

As pastor of the congregation I gave an exhortation from Isaiah 61 where the Bible speaks of the anointing of the Spirit of God that sets free, heals, restores and make glad. I took them to a short trip back in time and showed them what happened 2 years ago and why ours is still a young ministry. But I also showed them how in such a short time God has restored His people and how we stand today as a healthy, strong, growing and overcoming ministry.

Also present were individuals and families who has recently opened their homes to the Word of God. They came from Divisoria, Malabon and as far as Bulacan.

After the lunch feast of meat, seafood and fruits, the afternoon service began with a joyful praise and worship. The workers that lined the front row seats were surprised when they were handed the microphone one by one to lead one song after the other. It was a wonderful experience for all of us.

We listened to the songs and testimonies shared by families, individuals and chapters. We listened to another exhortation by Bro. Jeremiah. We listened to the inspirational speeches of our faithful and industrious workers. We cheerfully rejoiced over all the labors of our workers and their teams.

We also expressed our commitment and cooperation to the ministry by placing our names on leaves and fixing them on to a tree on the stage. It was a joyful moment as each of us, including the kids, filled the tree with green leaves while singing joyful song to God.

At the close of the meeting, the gifts were carefully distributed to their recipients together with the afternoon snacks. Despite the fact that everyone was tired, we all went home happy, blessed, loved and inspired to abide in the service of God.

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1. New Life Harvest Marks 1st Anniversary
2. New Life Harvest Ordains New Workers
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Our team consisted of myself and brother Wandy, a faithful and consistent companion in my trips in the past year, Pastor Michael Ortiz, who came with us on even on short notice, and my wife sister Joy, who also decided to come with us just before we left.

House of Worship in Mandaon, Masbate

The Fellowship

Brethren from faraway places started arriving on Tuesday evening. The same evening, the brethren were already busy preparing the meals for next two days. They killed two fatted swines, raised especially for the occasion.

The first day of the fellowship was actually an event special for the host church, The Bride of Jesus Christ, in Mandaon. They were celebrating their 10th founding anniversary.

Pastor Michael and I were the main speakers for the 2-day fellowship. I ministered in the morning services, speaking mainly about the role of the Spirit of God in the life and ministry of the church. Pastor Michael preached in the afternoon services, while brother Wandy was asked to give exhortations in the morning and afternoon services on the second day.

During the evening we held meetings for the men in the ministry. On the first night, I was asked to discuss about how to recognize one’s call and ministry. On the second night we had a question and answer on various subjects including the Godhead, spiritual gifts, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, etc.

The Ministry in Masbate

Since the late 1990′s three churches have been established in the province, as well as a number of outreaches. The local church in mandaon is under the care of Pastor Joel Togonon, who came to the island first as a helper of Pastor Franco’s. Pastor Benny Villanueva takes care of the flock in Bariis, Aroroy. He was deacon of the church in Bulihan, Silang, Cavite, before he went to the hometown of his wife and won souls for the Kingdom. Pastor Prospero is the overseer of the church in Cabas-an, Aroroy. Mostly made up of family members, they came out of a Pentecostal denomination through the minstering of Pastor Joel.

The work of the Lord in Masbate continues to grow despite the hard way of living that our brethren suffer. Pastor Joel walks for hour to reach the people in the mountain while Pastor Benny paddles his small boat to preach to families in small islands just beyond his residence.

I have suggested to fellow pastors that we use our Ministers’ Fund to help provide transportation means to these ministers. Pastor Joel could really benefit from a motorbike suited for rough terrain. Pastor Benny can also make use of a 5hp motor to power up his banca, effectively shortening the time it takes for them to reach the souls.

I feel blessed to be able to meet and minister to our precious brothers and sisters in the province of Masbate. We thank the brethren for the warm reception that we received during our short stay. We also thank the families in our church for the support and cooperation that made this mission possible and successful.

Related Posts:

1. Masbate Mission Trip
2. Mission Trip Report: Visiting A Message Church in Cagayan Valley
3. Report on Mindanao Visit, October 5-7, 2009

But what makes this place special, and the reason we travelled so far, is because there is a local congregation in it that has been believing the Message for more than eight years, but with practically no communication with any Message church. Under the care of Pastor Roderick Amparado, the church quietly lived the faith and learned of the Message through the message booklets of the prophet and the books of Richard Gan that came their way. This year, after much prayer and consideration, their pastor has finally decided to communicate and establish fellowship with ministers and saints of like precious faith.

In January 3, 2010, Pastor Roderick and his wife Angie came to New Life Center to pursue his desire for fellowship and communication. He has always wanted to meet the ministers that he only knew by name through the website of Richard Gan’s. Since I happened to be the nearest that he can go to, Pastor Roderick came to our place to personally meet me and extend his invitation to visit his congregation in Sta. Ana.

Responding to the Invitation

I accepted Pastor Rod’s invitation for several reasons. First of all, I was amazed by his testimony of how he came to know the Message, how he received it and taught it to his people, without any outside help except the books that he read. I am equally amazed and inspired by how he patiently endured the cost in the form of rejection by many of his friends and fellow pastors.

I also accepted his invitation because I wanted to welcome them to the fellowship of the saints. They have been on their own for the last couple of years. They needed fellowship and the ministering of other servants of God. They are our brothers and sisters in the same precious faith.

The third reason I accepted Pastor Roderick’s invitation for opportunity of discovering missionary possibilities in the north. As far as I can tell, there is practically no mission work that’s being done for the people in the provinces of Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Norte. This could be the final frontier of our evangelistic thrust in the country before the Lord comes.

Ministering to the Saints

We arrived at Santa Ana in the morning of 19th of January, after 12 hours of land trip. Our team, consisting of Bro. Wandy Bro. Bong and my son David, was very warmly received at the pastor’s residence. There were two elderly sisters already waiting to minister to our needs during our short stay there.

Pastor Roderick arranged for two nights of services with his people. They came from different barangays 5 to 7 kilometers away to listen to the Word of God. They even brought unconverted friends with them.

Knowing that they are already familiar with the Message, I didn’t need to introduce the prophet and the end-time work of God. I just gave them inspiring words related to the soon coming of Christ. On the first night I taught on the “sign” of the coming of Christ that would appear in heaven. On the second night, I showed them how the saints will stand with Christ at His appearing. I also gave them a short historical background on how the Message came to the Philippines.

We took our long journey home in the early hours of the 21st January. Pastor Roderick bid us Godspeed with a prayer for a safe trip.

Kingdom Possibilities

Our short trip to northern Luzon showed me quiet a number of interesting things that might be helpful to future missionary endeavors.

First of all, the region is fresh ground for Message evangelism. On our trip back home, instead of taking the same road , we chose to go through the Ilocos region. The trip took us through towns and villages waiting to be evangelized.

I also discovered that many churches in the area are already familiar with the End-time Message, although not in a positive way. Nevertheless, that in itself is an opportunity to share what the Message really is from a biblical, prophetic and apostolic stand.

Pastor Roderick has already expressed his burdens to evangelize the other barangays of Sta. Ana, and to start a radio program broadcasting the Message of the hour in the region. According to him, there are local radio stations in the Tuguegarao, Aparri, and Laoag City that can be utilized for this purpose.

I am reminded of the word of the Lord which He said to His disciples: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10.2)

May the Lord raise men who are willing to be sent to these places for the great harvest of souls for the Kingdom is my prayer! Amen.

Related Posts:

1. Mission Trip Report: Masbate Fellowship
2. Masbate Mission Trip
3. Mission Trip to Bicol

There are also a number things we’ve accomplished in the previous that hopefully will help us move ahead this year. Back in November the church elected a new set of deacons and trustees, ordained our first associate minister and a new overseer for Malabon chapter. In December we began a series of leadership training sessions for existing and future leaders and workers.

By the end of the year we have three active chapters, in Malabon, Antipolo City proper and PAGRAI, also in Antipolo City. We also have two active outreaches in Pililla, Rizal and San Mateo, Rizal. Having all these to minister to, I am relieved and blessed to have able men who are committed to the work at hand.

2010 Priorities

I look forward to this year with great anticipation and excitement. Not only is our waiting for Lord’ return shortened by another year, I am positive that God is moving and leading His people to greater heights in spiritual maturity, experiences and responsibilities. But the local churches must, together with their pastors, know and focus on the rights priorities so that God can do His work in us.

Evangelizing Communities

Our fellowship may be held in the heart of the city, but our members come from far away places that we cannot be formed into one community, except during Sunday. Nevertheless, I teach my people to look around their communities and pray for a heart for the unconverted. That is why one of our priority this year is strengthen our local chapters and build new ones in places where our old and new members reside.

Metro Manila is a big city. Although there are probably scores of Message churches in it, there is much to be reached and more to be ministered to. My mission is to establish as many local chapters as possible all over the metro and the neighboring province of Rizal.

Training and Sending Workers

With such a huge goal as I have just mentioned, it is necessary that we train and send able ministers who are ready to respond to the call of God. The work of God needs men and women who bring the Gospel of the Kingdom to the people whose lives have long been in bondage to sin and miserable existence.

We will continue the leadership training so that our workers are ready and equipped with God’s Word and spiritual gifts for the works that lay ahead.

Responding to Mission Calls

Focusing on church works does not we will keep a blind eye on requests for support and visitation from other churches. As a matter of fact, I have already set a number of mission trips in the first half of 2010. By God’s help we will be visiting or otherwise participating in activities and events in Masbate, Agusan Del Norte and Western Samar.

As of this writing we are set to leave for Cagayan Valley, the northernmost province of the Luzon Island to visit the church of Pastor Roderick Amparado who came to us a few Sundays ago for fellowship. He invited me to extend help and spiritual assistance to his people.

Feeding the Church with Food in Due Season

But the most important work for me as a minister and pastor would be to fee d the flock which God has entrusted me with. We have scores of new converts that must be attended to and fed with the spiritual food in season. Our Sunday services are already filled with a line up of special events to meet the needs of the church in various areas of life.

Related Posts:

1. Getting Ready For Engagements This Summer
2. New Life Harvest Holds First Leadership Training
3. Mission Trip Report: Visiting A Message Church in Cagayan Valley

The training is intended to tackle the 2 areas of ministry: the right understanding of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible, and proper way of proclaiming Bible truths. As Paul emphasized to Timothy, we need to rightly divide the Word of truth. In other words, servants of God must teach the right thing in the right way.

The first session is geared towards productive discussions on Bible doctrines and a sermon of Brother Branham. I wanted to help us gain a common and uniform approach in presenting the Word of God to the public wherever we are. On the other hand, I also wanted to familiar ourselves with the sermons of the late servant of God.

The second session was designed for ministry equipping. My intention is to teach ways of studying the Scriptures, preaching and teaching methods, and many other skills and ideas they will need to learn and acquire.

Our first leadership training went rather well. Although we started an hour late, we were still able to go through the program and finish with deeper interest in gaining the wisdom of the Word of God and counting on the work of the Holy Spirit as the Guide and Teacher of us all.

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Not that all “Message believers”  are truly believers of this Message. But while do need to draw the line somewhere, we also need to see how we can reach the unity of the faith. That is why  the discussion on “Biblical and non-Biblical Unity” is a timely one. It is also something we present and upcoming ministers should carefully look into. Surely there must be other real Message believers out there that we are not in contact with. Or maybe they’re the churches right next to your door.

Doctrinal issues, as well as personal ones, have brought upon us this mess. If only we were more careful in our judgments and decisions. If only we were more patient and loving and gracious. If only we did not allow vested interests to cloud our motives and visions.

Rev. Ewald Frank speaking to a small gathering of ministers after his meeting in March 2009

To be fair, there were also ministers who did and do make an effort to bring the churches into unity. I personally know missionaries like Ewald Frank of Germany, Richard Gan of Singapore, Leonard Lefise and others, who desire to see the Bride standing united in the Word. And then there are also local ministers like Manny Peralta and Robert Ventayen who are eager to see a united body of ministers in the Philippines.

Hindrances to Unity

But a gathering of ministers in a convention or a ministerial meeting does not by itself constitute true unity. For the same reason we believe that the WCC or the NCCP, or any regional and local fellowship of Gospel ministers, are far from true and Biblical unity:

1. There is no common, Biblical grounds for faith. As long as the ministers hold on to their personal understanding of the fundamental Bible doctrines, there can be no true unity. Where do we learn them. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the authority of the words of the prophets and of the commandments of the apostles. And the Apostle Paul teaches us of the six “one’s” to which every Bible preacher must adhere to. (2 Peter 3.1, 2; Ephesiasn 4.4-6)
2. Many, if not all, join for personal interests. Enough said. (Philippians 2.1-4)
3. Partisan views prevail. Simply, it’s about narrow-mindedness, or the absence or inability to listen and consider other people’s views. (1 Corinthians 1.10-13)

Prerequisites for True Unity

But Biblical unity is still possible. It does require, however, more than we may be able, or are willing, to give up. The Lord Jesus Christ has only one Body for whom He will return. So let me share with you what we must have and do if we are to attain the true unity.

1. We must have the same Spirit. Paul says that we were all baptized into that one Body by one Holy Spirit. There can be no other. And the same Spirit distributes spiritual gifts and abilities to the different members of the Body. (1 Corinthians 12.13)
2. We must all stand on the solid ground of Apostolic faith. Paul also laid out the six fundamental basis of Biblical unity. (Ephesians 4.4-6)
3. We must acknowledge our diversity. There can be only one me, and there can only be one you. Each of us were uniquely created and gifted by God. Even those who have the same gifts do not perform in the same way. Hence, it is important that we respect and acknowledge their importance in the Body. (1 Corinthians 12.4-6, 27-31)
4. We must work together under one goal. Armed with spiritual gifts, we should all work together for the edifying of the Body of Christ. All the 5 ascension gifts should work together to equip the saints to prepare them for the work of the ministry, and to help build the Church. No vested interests. No self-glorification. (1 Corinthians 14.12, 26; Ephesians 4.11, 12)
5. We must be patient. Paul says we are to work together “till we all come to the unity of the faith…” It takes patience to get to the end of our goal. And it takes grace to be patient and enduring. But we cannot just give up on others just because they can’t see things our way. (Ephesians 4.13)

There is no shortcut to true unity. The way is only rough because we have allowed too many things to stand in our way. But the way of the Lord is sure, and it leads to a bright future for those who believe they are the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Related Posts:

1. Biblical Principles on Unity
2. Post Sunday Notes
3. An Outlook on the Bride's Ministry in 2009