12:18 PM 11.09.01

To our Praying Brethren,

Greetings!

In spite of the many problems, nations are facing today, the various tasks the church has been commissioned by Christ to do remain unchanged. What a joy it is to know that our King and Redeemer reigns.

As we have continually prayed for you whenever your needs are made known to us, we would covet your prayers also for the work of God here in Cebu.

THE STATED MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH
Our stated meetings have continually been a rich source of blessing and edification. The ministry of the Spirit in our midst continues to give life, power, and energy in our meetings. Oh how simple is New Covenant worship and yet how profoundly satisfying and delightful!

In the Adult Bible Class, Pastor Edo has finally returned to the studies of redemptive history. We are presently considering the life of David. These studies is serving the two-fold purpose of showing the glorious and wise unfolding of God's redemptive plan and purpose, and in giving rich practical insights and applications for Christian living.

In the Morning Worship Service, Pastor Nene is doing expositions on 1Corinthians. The studies have been very helpful and beneficial. Oh that we will learn from the mistakes and errors of the Corinthians!

In the Afternoon Worship Service, Pastor Nene has been focusing upon what the Bible says about God Himself. It has been a delight to our souls that we can say with David, "One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple."

Our prayer meetings continue to be a delight. The men have grown in their earnestness in leading the prayers.

We would appreciate your prayers for God's continual blessings upon our stated meetings.

OVERSIGHT MEETINGS WITH THE MEMBERS
The three elders continue to do oversight meetings with the members. We continue to see the members grow spiritually. It is good to know that the church is in a good and healthy condition. However, there are a few members who have not been healthy spiritually and are not consistently attending the stated meetings of the church. Pray for wise and faithful dealings with their souls.

VISITORS
We have seen many visitors come to the services of the church who greatly appreciate the ministry of God's word and esteem us highly, but are afraid of joining the church. Some of them stay for a while but eventually leave because they think we are too strict in our adherence to the Bible. Others have become regular attendees but still stay in the fringes. Oh that God will add to the church such as are being saved!

MONTHLY SINGLES' FELLOWSHIP
We have really been surprised with how singles from the church and other churches continue to eagerly come to the singles' fellowship every last Friday evening of the month. We have an average of about 35 who come. We serve a modest meal, then about 45 minutes of study from God's word on matters particularly design for singles, then there are guided discussions. One said that a program like that would never work. But to our surprise, it has. The guided discussions after the study have been very lively and serious. The singles eagerly anticipate each meeting.

Please pray for the building up of believers and conversion of those who are still in darkness. Oh that God would guide these singles' in life and raised up a host of godly men and women! Please also pray for Pastor Paul as he will deal with the subject of friendship this Friday (Oct 26).

THE OPEN AIR MINISTRY
We finally have been able to launch the open-air evangelistic ministry last Saturday (deep sea fishing - as we call it). It was very encouraging and the members who went were really fired up. It is our hope to make contacts through this and even start evangelistic bible studies in communities we will be going.

Our souls ache for the conversion of sinners - that more sinners be brought from darkness to light. Please pray for wisdom, sustain zeal and energy, and above all, the glory of God through the conversion of souls. May the ministry not just be an aroma of death unto death to some, but life unto life to many.

BIBLE STUDIES
God has also giving us a unique opportunity to minister the word of God to students, teachers, and parents of a school run by some of the members of the church - Child Learning Foundation. Pastor Paul handles a one-hour devotional class every day with the older students. Teacher Totit handles another with the younger students. Pastor Nene is teaching once a week biblical principles of child rearing to the teachers and some parents. We would appreciate your prayer for God's blessing upon these efforts especially for the students who come from various backgrounds. For some of these students, the only input they have of God's word is through these devotionals.

We have other Bible studies that have been going on for months now but we have not seen any visible fruits of conversions. Oh for some to come to spiritual life!

RADIO BROADCAST
The program "Truth, Unchanged, and Unchanging" continues. It is aired every Saturday evening at 9pm. We get occasional phone calls and had a few visits from those who have listened. However, most of the listeners are professing Christians from loose evangelical churches or fellowships. It is amazing how many we have personally met assure us that they have consistently been listening to the program. As we cast our bread on the surface of the waters, may we find it after many days.

CHURCH PLANTING WORK IN ORMOC AND HELP TO OTHER CHURCHES
The church planting work in Ormoc continues to show signs of encouragement. They continue to meet for prayer, Sunday school, AM and PM worship. They have also been getting a few regular visitors. Pastor Paul continues to visit them on a regular basis.

As other churches are asking for our help, we would appreciate your prayers for wisdom as to how we would go about it. This Friday (Oct 26), Pastor Nene will leave for Iligan to visit the church Pastor Jun Alvarez labors for their third anniversary. He will be speaking at a Couples' Meeting on Saturday evening, then on the Sunday school and Morning worship service. Pray especially for the evangelistic meeting on Sunday evening. They will be renting a bigger place for the said meeting. Please pray for these ministries.

We greatly appreciate your prayers on our behalf. May the Lord prosper His Kingdom all throughout the world even in our generation!


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