September 8, 2000

Dear Brethren,

We really appreciate the news we have received from you and assure you that we have been bringing your concerns before the throne of grace. May this update of the work of God amongst us help you in your prayers for us.

1. Only July 4-6, we will have the yearly Pastors' Conference. We are hoping that a good number will again come this year (last year about 70 came). The topic will focus on the "The Universal and Local Government of the Church". Pastor Steve Hofmaier and Pastor Nene Martinez will be preaching and teaching a total of 12 messages. Please pray for strength and wisdom from on high. Pray that the Word will be received with humility and submission of heart. Pray for fellowship of all the pastors that it will be for the building up of one another. Pray that this will further the cause of Reformation.

2. The Pastors' Conference will be followed by the Couples' Conference on July 7. We hope some of the pastors will be staying behind to receive instruction concerning the raising up of children. We are also inviting Christian parents from other churches to attend this whole day affair. Pastor Steve Hofmaier, Pastor Paul Cuevas, and Pastor Nene Martinez will be preaching. Please pray that this will contribute to the badly needed domestic godliness in the churches of Christ.

3. Another special ministry the church has is the monthly singles' fellowship. We designed the ministry for our singles in the church but many others are attending - the last time about 38. We are addressing various topics that are especially relevant to singles - like "Love or Lust?", "Dating and Courtship", etc. Please pray that the Lord will use this ministry for the salvation of the lost and the building up of believers in Christ.

4. We have done with our preparation for the open-air ministry - which we hope will open new opportunities for bible studies. After the Pastors' Conference, we will begin the work. Please pray for tender compassion and holy boldness.

5. With the end of the summer vacation, some of the bible studies that had to be suspended have resumed. One is with the students of Christian Learning Foundation - this is a daily 30-minute study with Pastor Paul Cuevas teaching. Also the once-a-week bible study with the faculty and parents will resumed sometime July, with Pastor Nene leading. Another Bible Study will resume in a home, with Richard teaching. Please pray for the blessings of God.

6. Now with three elders, the oversight meetings with the members have become more intensive. And we can say that the membership is in a generally healthy state. It is encouraging to see some overcoming major obstacles while others still are in need of much care. Pray that as elders, we might be able to "present every man complete in Christ."

7. The services on the Lord's day have been precious. The Lord's presence we have continually known. The ministry of the word is being very well-appreciated. In the Adult Bible Class, we are reviewing the 1689 and will be proposing some revisions or expansions to address the burning issues of our generation based on the draft that was made by Trinity Baptist Church of Montville, the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, and Grace Baptist Church of Mebane North Carolina. It is very encouraging to see the memberships interest and involvement in this endeavor. In the AM worship, we just finished our studies on Colossians, and it has been a very enriching and edifying study. In the PM worship, we are studying major doctrines of the bible for the equipping of the saints. What a delight to see a people truly hungry for the word of life.

Yours in the service of our Redeemer,




Pastor Jose Francis "Nene" Martinez
on behalf of he elders of SGBC-Cebu.