BEC NEWSLETTER -Quarter 3 of 2023

Many of those who heard Peter’s preaching reaching on the Feast of Pentecost would have been obviously knowledgeable about John the Baptist’s earlier baptismal work. Those now responding to Peter’s preaching affirmed that they needed repentance for the forgiveness of their sins. This quarter’s report brings joyous news from the Bible Education Center (BEC) team of the success of their members in spreading the gospel message throughout the Philippines

BOHOL ISLAND VISITS

A highlight of the Bohol visit of Bro. Michael was the baptism of Kyla Marie Osiones, 21 years old. Her parents were very supportive for her baptism and interested to learn more of the gospel message

BEC CAGAYAN DE ORO

There was great joy in Cagayande Oro Ecclesia when one of Bro. Jodel’s Sunday School students Geian Calago was baptized last September. The Ecclesia celebrated the joyous occasion.

QUEZON CITY ECCLESIA

Two consistent attenders to Ecclesial meetings applied for baptism in recent weeks. Bro David Morse undertook weekly “First Principles” classes leading to the baptims of sisters Ginalyn and Shiela Andam on September 29, 2023. Members of the Ecclesia joyouslygathered to witness the baptisms.The new candidates were welcomed into the Householdof Faith with an Ecclesial lunch following their first Memorial meeting. It was an enjoyable and uplifting time for all, We pray they will continue to grow in faith and commitment to follow our Master.

ARGAO CEBU ECCLESIA

BEC Committee members Albert Cruz, Jodel James and Michael Alesna regularlyvisit Cebu, to encourage the Ecclesias and preach the gospel with BEC support. Their preaching borefruit and on Saturday, August 13, the Ecclesia met at Argao beach to celebrate the baptism of Novelyn Escoton and Angela Matos. The two new sisters were joyously welcomed with an Ecclesial lunch after the Memorial meeting.

WEDDING OF GIAN & NOVELYN

Last Oct 5th the Argao Ecclesia rejoiced at the wedding of Bro Gian Delos Santos & Sis Novelyn Escoton. A wedding reception was held at Argao beach. We pray for God’s blessing on them both for their united walk to the Kingdom.

BIBLECLASSatQUEZONCITYMTG

The Ecclesia continues a weekly Bible class originally conducted by Bro John Berry several years ago. The class rotates around the homes of Noli & Gemma Lagasca, David & Elena Morse and the BEC offices in Deparo Caloocan City. All are welcome to attend & also enjoy fellowship over supper.

Currently Bro David Morse is leading a study series entitled “Revelation for Beginners”.

PREACHINGINCEBU

The BEC supports regular visits of fieldworkers to undertake preaching and pastoral work in Cebu. Apart fromthe Ecclesia in Argao preaching is done in the mountainous areas of Malacorong, Balaas and Dalihay. Travel of our fieldworkers is bymotorbikeinvolvinga4-hourtrekover rough mountain tracks. However the warm welcome makes up for the hard journey. There are currently 5 interested friends studying the First Principles and we hope to have some good news in that regard, Lord's will.

Both our fieldworkers and local brothers and sisters in Cebu are to be commended for often contending with 4-hour journeys enduring often terrible weather, appalling roads and unreliable transportation just to attend the Sunday Memorial Meeting in Argao hall.

An online chat group for Cebu Young People has been created to allow them to and join Virtual Bible Class that is conducted by the BEC team every two weeks. The BEC team continues to support the preaching work and supplement the online classes with regular monthly visits. It is gratifying to witness God’s blessings on the work and the growth of the Ecclesias.

VISITTOBOHOL

Last month Bro Michael Alesna accompanied by his family spent a week in Bohol encouraging the two small Ecclesias in Ubay and Canawa. The Ecclesias joined together during the week to share the word of God through Bible Study and the memorials. It was touching and inspiring to see visit them again smiling and waiting for the soon return of our Master.

One of the reasons for the visit was to reinvigorate the Sunday School work. Sunday School materials and activity sheets produced by the BEC team were distributed to the teachers in both Ubay and Canawa. Former students were also visited. Some are now aged 17 to 23 years old and beyond Junior lessons. Asenior ”First Principles” class was planned and older students offered to join . Many former students promised to join the new class.Todate35teenagershavejoined from both Canawa and Ubay and we are hoping for more.

KALILANGAN ECCLESIA

A mid weekly house to house Bible Class is coordinated by Bro Jonnifer Natividad

CYC STUDY WEEKEND

The large CYC group strengthened their friendship and camaraderie with a weekend Camp last month. .Studies were led by Bro Alex Facun on the book of Nehemiah to the theme “With one Accord” and supplemented with games and social events. The CYC also conduct a Bible Class every Saturday night, Following the class the group holds a choir practice to prepare for the choir presentation prior to the start of Memorial meeting each Sunday.

TABITHASISTERSCOOPERATIVE

The BEC team has assisted the local sisters in the formation of the Tabitha Sisters Cooperative. A store has been rented in the local village and equipment purchased to enable the sisters to provide dressmaking and repair services for the local community. New products include school uniforms for local.

The Tabitha Coop premises also house a large Sunday School of over 120 kids each weekend. A large concreted covered area has been erected with the assistance of the Ecclesial members to cater for the needs of the school even in wet weather. The classes both in the Hall and at Tabitha are organized by the enthusiastic team of young people.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR

In preparation for the new Sunday School year the BEC Sunday School subcommittee led by Sis Eleanor Cruz organized 2 weekend workshops to introduce the years syllabus, enhance teachers skills and train on the available teaching materials. Sixty six (66) teachers participated in the weekend workshops in Luzon and Mindanao attended by Sunday School Teachers from the different regions of the Philippines. The workshops were led by a professional faculty and highlighted the latest teaching strategies and techniques as well as different activities designed to enhance the children’s participation.

Prior to the workshops teams led by Bro Jodel James & Sis Eleanor Cruz and Gemma Lagasca worked over several weeks to collate, print and assemble the notes and activity sheets for each age level using the BEC’s facilities. There was also an assessment of the Materials of Sunday Schools and was provided by BEC. The Materials were distributed prior to the start of the new Sunday SchoolYear last September.

Sunday Schools was Officially commenced on 1st week of September. Some of the Sunday School Areas are:

Online Sunday School

Bataan Sunday School

Quezon City Senior Sunday School

Quezon City Sunday School

Maramag Sunday School

Kalilangan Sunday School

Tabitha Sunday School

Kapon Sunday School

Valencia Sunday School

Malingin Sunday School

VISIT TO BATAAN ECCLESIA

The BEC sponsored a further visit to Bataan Ecclesia by Bro & Sis Albert Cruz earlier this month. The visitors were warmly welcomed by the Ecclesia who enjoyed the fellowship and Bible studies.

Summer Bible School 2024!

The BEC team advise that with great joy and excitement the Bible Education Center will host a further Summer Bible Camp in March 2024. A management committee is actively planning the weeks activities The attached poster provides relevant details. Application forms are available on line, via the link or to your Recording Brother or Ecclesial representative.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

The BEC Management Committee, consisting of representatives primarily drawn from the local ecclesias, are particularly grateful to our donors in Australia, USA, UK and Canada for their ongoing support for our humble labors in the Master’s service. Also to the Williamsburg Christadelphian Foundation (WCF) and for their ongoing material and financial support. To them all we express our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you so much!

Your donations will enable us to maintain and further expand the Master’s work in the Philippines. Our 2024 plans include further preaching, Sunday School, CYC and fellowship initiatives for the local brethren and sisters. We look forward to keeping you informed and “in the loop” via our regular newsletters. May you also remember the work of the BEC in your prayers. We also sincerely welcome your financial support.

Fieldworkers are also very welcome to visit and support the work of the BECs. Airconditioned accommodation is available for any wishing to volunteer to visit and support our work at the BECs. An enthusiastic welcome and warm Filipino hospitality for volunteers can be assured!

If you are able to assist us or if you have any inquiries, please contact us at: beccagayandeoro@gmail.com or to our key committee members:

Jodel James: jodeljames@gmail.com Treasurer/ Cagayan de Oro BEC

Michael Alesna: lita_alesna@yahoo.com for Valencia City BEC

Efren Facun : efrenbfacun@yahoo.com Secretary.

The Bible Education Centre Inc. is a duly registered non- profit entity in the Philippines.

A PDF copy here NEWSLETTER -Quarter 3 of 2023