93 Nat’l and Dist. Leaders Attend LAMI ‘06

Gen. Sup’t. Rey Calusay launched the annual leadership meeting with an inspiring message which encouraged everyone to effectively accomplish the daunting task of reaching 5,000 churches by 2010. Pastor Calusay gave a stirring challenge to depend on God’s ability and strength rather than on our skills.

Other speakers included Rev. Balbuena, and a leader from his church (ICS Mandaluyong), Bro. Temi Padla who spoke on Peacemaking Ministry of Leaders. Dr. Jay Herndon, secretary-treasurer of Northern California-Nevada District, A/G USA shared a powerful message in one of the evening services as well as presented a lecture on “Raising the Level of Your Leadership.” Rev. Peter Banzon, director of media department gave a rousing presentation on how to use media for effective ministry.

Aside from lectures and fellowship during meal times, a Baguio Tour was organized on the last day which brought most of the participants to the famous Philippine Military Academy and Mine’s View Park. The closing service was highlighted by a challenge given by Pastor Rey Calusay.

*For more pictures see: http://pgcag.multiply.com

 

Report from Missionary Warren & Victoria Aragona

STUNG TRAENG UPDATE
Progress of God’s work is inevitable. In spite of expected persecution and hardships, the gospel thrives even better in the hearts of these new Cambodian believers. Last Sunday, September 24, 2006, forty four attended the service and I asked one man who recently gave his heart to the Lord – “Why did you come when you very well know that your village chief does not want you to learn about Jesus?” He timidly answered in Khmer language “It’s OK, its no problem, we could learn whatever we want to learn.” It amazes me to see the son-in-law of the first convert of Phum Sakun village, where our opposition is strongest, come to the services on Sundays. It was his son whom we buried in a small, secluded patch of land. By the decision of the grandfather, they did not ask for Buddhist monks or elders to the burial rights but called for us Christians to do it even though they clearly knew of the threats that they will be specifically singled out in their community if they associate with Preya Yesu (God -Jesus). Now its not just the grandfather who follows the Lord in times of trial but also his son-in-law.

The growth of the 4 female believers we baptized last June is growing deeper in spite of insults they had faced. They now pray and witness to their relatives all by themselves and see the need to evangelize others. Several weeks ago, God allowed us to baptize again seven new believers. Two wanted to be immersed too last Sunday.

Regardless of any circumstance, God has indeed designed the church to relentlessly invade the last frontiers of the gospel. On the aftermath of Victoria’s bleeding two months ago, God moved my heart to spread the gospel through tracts. On my bicycle, I went around and handed more than 2 thousand tracts to 2 thousand plus people. It was a mixture of joy, exhaustion, sweat, frustration and fulfillment. On a return trip, I could see people lined up reading the tracts, knowing for a fact, that for many of them, it is a first-time-encounter with the Gospel that will determine their eternal destination.

Although majority of the recipients willingly accepted the tracts and a few out rightly rejected or had nothing to do with the God who created the universe, it makes me still wonder how much more people, tribes and nations need to be evangelized? From the farthest place where you had sent us Filipino missionaries, still lies an immense harvest field that stretches from Stung Traeng to the tribes of Ratanakirri, which borders Vietnam. To the North, spreads the country of communist Laos that extends all the way to China by the way of the Great Mekong River. Should we leave these areas through chance hoping that God might evangelize them someday? Or aren’t we the ones who have been commanded by the Lord to go and make disciples of all nations….and to ends of the earth?

We definitely need your prayers but I would like to stretch it further. Please have the churches and congregation fast and pray for us and the Cambodian believers. Only God knows and eternity will tell how you have affected the nations of the earth.

Missionary Nora Catipon Reports

 

Dear Mission Partners and Friends,

Love greetings from Phnom Penh! Hope this missive will find you doing well in body and spirit. I had been so busy (so what else is new) since I came back here a month ago from a month study-leave for my doctoral studies. I have submitted my thesis proposal entitled “An Investigation on the Elements into the Pentecostal/Charismatic Ministries that Attract Cambodian to the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and waiting for its approval so I can start the research as soon as possible.

Aside from teaching at Cambodia Bible Institute since I arrived, I also coordinated the Church planter’s retreat held last September 14-16 and the Worship Leaders seminar held last September 20-23.  I thank God for the success of both events.  It seems that the enemy is attacking our church planter’s through their respective families.  Thus making some of them lose heart and distracted from their ministry. God moved mightily among the church planters and their respective wives during the evening prayer meetings. Some of them was led to repentance and pledged their loyalty and faithfulness to God and their spouses. We received revelation from God through the gifts of prophecy and words of wisdom making us all broken in heart and spirit before the Lord. We all went back to Phnom Penh full of the Spirit and courage to continue the work that the Lord had set us to do. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!

The Worship Leaders seminar was a huge success. About 146 worship leaders, musicians and tamborine dancers from 24 AG churches from 12 provinces all over Cambodia attended the great event. Rev. Harry and Gerti Rideout from the USA were the morning and evening speakers while Rey Dorimon from the Philippines did the teaching and workshop on worship leading and playing instruments. God answered our prayer for this seminar! The Holy Spirit moved mightily in our midst during the 3 days seminar. The worship leaders didn’t only learn how to lead worship or play instruments correctly but they renewed their commitment to God as worship leaders while many of them received the baptism and in-filling of the Holy Spirit. Many Cambodian Pastors had expressed to me their gratitude for coordinating such seminar because they have seen the change in the attitude and manner of leading worship of their worship leaders after the seminar. Thier worship leaders were really on fire for God as they led worship that Sunday after the seminar. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Please pray for the following:

1. I’m coordinating another seminar on November 6-9 for Children’s ministries. Pray for the success of this seminar/workshop too and for the financial provision  for the expenses of this seminar. I’m expecting about 150 Children workers from AG churches all over the country to attend. Their food and accomodation for three days will be subsidized. I need about $1,200.00 to hold such event.

2. Two Sundays ago, I went to Saang, one of our out-reach to preach. I was only in the introduction of my message when I blacked out. I didn’t able to finish my message which was continued by one of the church planters who drove me to the place. This is the second time that it happened to me while preaching. Pray for my good health.

3. For victory over temptations and trials that the following church planters/ leaders are going through right now: Sopheak, Kosal, Mao Thol, Laeng, Somban and Sok Cia.

4. For God’s wisdom and guidance as I do regular counseling with some of the above mentioned names and pre-marital counseling for 2 of our church leaders who are getting married on December 2. 

5. Bountiful blessings for all of you, my faithful partners and friends.

Let us reap the harvest in Cambodia and join hands in equipping the saints here for ministry. May the Lord richly bless you and your household.

In Him,

Nora Catipon