Serving The Thirteen In Philippines

 

An update from Jeffrey Jo, Lead Pastor of CCSGM in Cavite, Manila, and Key Leader for Sovereign Grace Churches in the Philippines...

It was November 17, 2021 when thirteen pastors both from Manila and Mindanao met with Dave Taylor and David York via zoom to talk about their desire to be part of Sovereign Grace Churches. I have served alongside most of these men for many years, and for well over a year we’ve talked together about the importance of being part of this family of churches not only for partnership in the gospel of Christ but also for the blessings of accountability and doctrinal purity for the future generations of the church. All the pastors were greatly encouraged by the welcoming spirit and encouraging words by these servants of God. Indeed after just a week, they had all signed the letter of intent with the hope to ‘finish the race’ of the ordination process and be fully a part of Sovereign Grace Churches.

Knowing the ‘challenges’ ahead, they were both excited and ‘nervous’ for it will be their first time to go through a lengthy process of reading, studying, writing and taking both a written and oral exam, not to mention that they will go through it in a foreign language. Moreover, some of them haven’t had the opportunity to finish college due to poverty (Surigao del Sur was the third poorest province in Mindanao 15 years ago). Realizing the validity of their concerns but at the same time seeing their eagerness to be part of our family of churches, I was moved with compassion to serve them by assuring them that I will be giving part of my time to assist them, check on them, and pray for and with them. 

Through the help of David York, we created a systematic pattern on what to accomplish each month for eight (8) months—their readings, SGC statement of faith and shared values, and also the required papers. I am therefore doing the following to serve them:

  • Encouraging and praying for them at least once a week.

  • Advising them on how to read the recommended books correctly...

    • Spend 2 hours every morning for Systematic Theology and 2 hours every evening for Historical Theology with a notebook and a pen beside them so that they can take note on things they cannot understand.

    • To repeat read every assigned chapter of the books.

  • Twice a month, I am having a zoom meeting with them to discuss what they read by teaching them the summary of every chapter on both in Systematic Theology and Historical Theology. In addition to this, portions of both the SGC shared values and statement of faith will be addressed as well. 

I believe in these ways I may be able to assist them not only in meeting their ordination requirements but help them to fully understand solid biblical foundations both in life and ministry, and to be able to firmly stand on our doctrinal convictions as a denomination. I greatly hope to see them all be ordained as SGC Pastors. 

These are their names and I would like to ask you to please mention them in your prayers... 

  • Francis Mariano- a fellow elder in Kawit, Cavite but soon to plant a church in Imus, Cavite

  • Rey Lacbayo- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Cavite City

  • George Jimenez- pastor, Cross of Christ Sovereign Gospel Ministries, Gen.Trias, Cavite

  • Oscar Tagyam- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Carascal, Surigao del Sur (SDS)

  • Leonor Ombo- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Pantukan, SDS

  • Francisco Omba- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Langka, SDS

  • Rolando Agyang- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Cabangahan, SDS

  • Christopher Lorenti- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Gango, SDS

  • Patricio Dalipe- pastor, Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Madrid, SDS

  • Joseph Piamonte- Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, San Miguel, SDS

  • Rogelio Martinez- Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Maitum, SDS

  • Ronnie Bautista- Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Tandag City, SDS

  • Caloy San Jose- pastor, River of Life Gospel Church, Rizal, Manila

I believe that the God who has called them into His vineyard will sustain them in this process of ordination and I’m therefore praying that they will be doing this with glad and sincere hearts knowing that this pleases the Lord and equips them well as they shepherd the dearest place on earth…Christ’s Church!

May it all be for His glory!

 
Dave Taylor