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

In the morning service, Pastor Rey preached on the Stature of a Perfect Man, which he drew from 2 Peter chapter 1. He stressed the importance of attaining and reaching the adoption stage for every born again Christian so that the Bride-Church herself could be ready for her adoption. Like the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Church of God will cloth with power and glory and will be presented to the public as God chosen ones in the end time, before she is finally caught up in the air.

In the afternoon service, Pastor Nonoy taught about The Evening Time which he drew from Zechariah 14.7 and Matthew 25.6. He talked about the common misconception among many Message churches who believe that we are still in the midnight hour mentioned in the parable of the ten virgins. He showed us how that the Laodicean church age, the evening time prophesied in the Scriptures, is almost finished, and that we are now at the morning watch of the night, almost to the breaking of day.

The saints were moved by the words of God, so mightily that we had a wonderful time of worship at the close of the afternoon service. Prayers were brought to the throne of God for the ministers and ministries in all our churches, and for the open doors, that God will lead and give His people the boldness to speak His Word with fear of man, and with the urgency brought by the knowledge of God’s time.

Our time is one that truly unique and exciting for those who are waiting for the Lord’s return. The Bible tells us that there saints who will not taste death and this generation of saints could well be these blessed people. The most recent series of earthquakes surely remind us that the time – our time – is headed for something beyond human imagination. But God knows the future and He is showing it to us in His book.

Related Posts:

1. Ministers Visit New Life Harvest
2. Mission Trip Report: Visiting A Message Church in Cagayan Valley
3. Quarterly Fellowship Draws Big Crowd of Saints

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

The event was also graced with the presence of ministers and brethren from Masbate, Leyte, and as far as Mindanao. Pastor Lito Ramoso and Pastor Orsel Dumanon also ministered to the saints with the Word of God.

All the ministers preached with divine intensity and anointing, as well as the Emcees and Worship Leaders. The meetings were filled with shouts of victory, laughters of heavenly joy, and praises that extolled the glory and majesty of our God.

Some of the most memorable sermons were: “I AM the Unchanging God” preached by Ptr. Michael Ortiz; “The Wonderful Love of Jonathan for David” preached by Ptr. Rey Montemayor; “Who Are You O Great Mountain?”, preached by Ptr. Orsel Dumanon; “Battle of Faith” preached by Ptr. David Colili; “Fear Not Little Flock” preached by Pastor Jo; and “Claiming”, preached by Ptr. Nonoy Togonon.

Six souls were also baptized on the last day of the Camp, three of them were the fruits of the ministry of New Life Harvest.

As God would have it, the last service became the ultimate outpouring of God’s blessings for the participating saints. When the altar was opened, hundreds of men and women poured out their hearts to God, believing and claiming His divine promises for their lives.

Without any outside support from missionaries, the camp meeting was successfully concluded, all the funds coming from the participating saints whose hearts were made generous and prosperous by God’s mighty hand.

Related Posts:

1. 2008 Camp Meeting Revival
2. Are You Ready for the Camp?
3. Report on Mindanao Visit, October 5-7, 2009

Brother Frank expressed his desire to help the Bride of Christ be united in the Word through ministerial gatherings and cooperation. Admitting that he was not called establish local churches, ha rallied the ministering brethren to abide by their calling and trust in the God who called them to supply their needs.

He also gave his usual testimony about his meetings with the prophet of God, William Branham, and his call to the ministry, emphasizing that his worldwide ministry is in direct connection with the endtime work of God through the prophet, and now in the Bride of Christ.

The ministers listened to Brother Frank’s words of admonition that lasted more than an hour, after which they had time to ask questions concerning spiritual and doctrinal matters. The whole event went on for almost three hours.

Immediately after the meeting, snacks were served and every one took the opportunity to greet and wish him well.

If all goes well and the Lord allows it, Ewald Frank will be returning to the Philippines to visit other cities. He also expressed his desire to hold one big gathering in Manila, and which will be advertised in the media.

Related Posts:

1. Ewald Frank Holds 2-Day Convention
2. Ewald Frank's 2-Day Meeting
3. Reaching for Unity of the Faith

The brethren welcomed us very cordially, as always. Familiar faces greeted me, expressing gratitude for our presence and ministering. I was especially happy to see sister Joy and brother Albert, sis Armie and Pastor Lito and their children, and Pastor Orsel Dumanon’s family.

Inside God's Tabernacle of Praise, Cabadbaran

The Lord is indeed at work in His people in Cabadbaran. In the midst of the crises that battered them in the last few years, the congregation has grown considerably. From a humble location in the outskirt of a banana plantation, they have now moved their house of worship along the highway, thanks to the Cong family who allowed for the use of their warehouse for the ministry.

Our accommodations were given by the Cong family, allowing us to sleep in house of Albert’s Auntie, situated right beside the church, so we didn’t have to travel far. But on the last night we slept with the family of brother Nelson’s, a fellow minister of Pastor Lito’s, and whose ice cream business is a rave among the believers.

Before we left on the 7th, the Lord made a way for a backsliding brother to be restored back to fellowship. We also had lunch twice, one at brother Albert’s and another in a restaurant with the Dumanon’s. Pastor Orsel arrived on the same day we were leaving, from his 3 weeks trip to Cambodia.

Related Posts:

1. Mission Trip Report: Masbate Fellowship
2. 2009 Camp Meeting, A Big Success
3. Ministers Visit New Life Harvest

Although it rained for most of the first half of the day, the weather did not dampen the excitement and the joy of the saints. The morning service started on time and with the sanctuary already filled with anticipating brothers and sisters.

The preachers in the morning and in the afternoon were Pastors Michael Ortiz and Rey Montemayor, respectively, with Pastor Franco Togonon giving an exhortation in the afternoon. Centered on the theme taken from Isaiah 60.2, the ministered expounded on subjects ranging from the importance of the light of God’s Word in the heart of the believers, to the importance of not being yoked unequally with the unbelievers. They also challenged the believers to be fruitful in winning souls for God’s kingdom by identifying and rooting out the causes of spiritual barrenness.

It was wonderful to know that the local churches are growing in number, which I believe could be attributed to more effective evangelism in recent months. We rejoice in the fact that God continues to call out the last of his saints from the darkness of this world into His marvelous light. We look forward with anticipation to our 2009 Bride Camp Meeting in December.

Related Posts:

1. Visiting Ministers Bring Words of Encouragement to New Life Saints
2. Congress on Holy Spirit Draws Crowd
3. Mission Trip Report: Masbate Fellowship

Brother James’ visit this year was his third already, attesting to the fondness of the believers to him and his ministry. But this would not have been possible without God’s providence, considering the economic problems his country is currently experiencing. Thanks to the help and assistance of friends in the ministry, especially brother Richard Gan of Singapore, we in the Philippines are able to enjoy the powerful ministering of the Word through the life of our precious brother.

The ministering of the word was also shared by our pastor from Butuan City, Pastor Orsel Dumanon. He accompanied brother James throughout his trip.

At the close of the afternoon service, prayers were also ministered as the altar was opened for those who were touched and convicted by the Word of God. The Presence of God was definitely there from beginning to end and the saints went home with renewed inspiration in the hearts.

Related Posts:

1. Ewald Frank Holds 2-Day Convention
2. Report on Mindanao Visit, October 5-7, 2009
3. Youth Convention at New Life Harvest Center

The fellowship of churches in The Capstone Ministry End Time Message is preparing for our biggest event of the year on December 23-25 at Jabez Campsite, Pala-pala, Dasmarinas, Cavite. The 3-day event is dubbed “Going Strong in the Power of God!”

Churches everywhere in the Philippines, from north of Luzon to the island of Mindanao, are also packing up for camp meetings and conventions in their areas.

So what are you doing in preparation for the camp? let me suggest a few things to help you pack up:

Prepare your body. Our camp meeting is almost always a marathon of sermons from morning till evening. We do not waste time on chit-chat, we make the most of the time inside the sanctuary praising and worshipping God and listening to His Word. It is a bit tiring so you will need a lot of rest lest you miss a part of meeting.

Prepare a song. Especially if you are a young people, you will most likely sing a solo or join a group to offer your song to the Lord. Start practicing now.

Prepare your wallet. Whoever thought that serving God is cheap? Nevertheless the spiritual ROI is always tremendous and priceless. Save your best dimes for the best times. And the best time of the year for us is the camp meeting.

Prepare your heart and soul. Camp meeting is always a time when great things from God pour down from heaven like a mighty rushing wind. Make sure your heart and mind are set to meet with God and to receive instructions as well as empowerment.

Prepare your friends. Lest they miss you, tell them you will be away for a couple of days. Better yet, bring them if you can. They might just get to know God on this big event.

Did I miss anything? Send your suggestions now using the comments below.

Otherwise, see you there!

Related Posts:

1. Getting Ready For Engagements This Summer
2. 2008 Camp Meeting Revival
3. 2009 Camp Meeting, A Big Success

The whole day event was highlighted by two sermons. In the morning service the sermon was delivered by a promising young preacher from San pedro, Laguna. In the afternoon, Pastor Jo preached on “Giant Killers”, a challenge for the youths to learn from the “Davids” of our time and face the challenges of the present life and ministry.

It is also worth mentioning that the youths are learning to participate in powerful and unfettered praise and worship. The youths praised and worshipped God without inhibitions or shame. The shouts of praise were simply marvellous to hear. I believe God was truly pleased with their offerings of praise.

The fellowship of the youths was an answer to their desire for a more spiritual and edifying gathering suitable for their age. This request was submitted by youth leaders to our monthly meetings more than a couple of times, who noticed the deterioration and/or neglect of the more important part in other youth fellowships they went to previously.

It is the ministers’ intention to help bring back the glory and power of God’s Presence in the youth services by giving them what they needed most, the Word of God.

Related Posts:

1. Pastor Jo Launches Youth Harvest Ministry
2. New Life Harvest Marks 1st Anniversary
3. Youths Should Have A Mission in Life