A Sacred Mountain, Crying Out for the Truth of God’s Word | | |
Dear Ministry Partners,
In November, we held a Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) in the quiet little town of Dolores at the foot of Mount Banahaw. This mountain, which is the largest in a chain of active volcanoes, is revered as a “holy mountain.” It draws thousands of pilgrims who believe the mountain and its springs and caves hold spiritual power. Shrines and sacred sites dot the landscape, each tied to stories of mysterious powers. More than a hundred religious groups and sects gather here, searching for mystical powers, lucky charms, and a connection to the divine. Thousands of visitors climb its slopes each year, hoping to find meaning in its sacred springs and hidden caves. This spiritual hunger cries out for the truth of the gospel.
My prayer is that the participants of the recent TTW will be able to start one or more training classes in Dolores and other towns around Banahaw. The faithful believers in the area can then receive systematic training to help them be more effective in proclaiming the Word of God to both locals and pilgrims who are clawing at the dirt in search of rest for their weary souls.
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Thank you for standing with us as we equip believers to share the truth of the gospel in places where spiritual hunger runs deep. Your generosity makes it possible for us to hold trainings like the recent TTW in Dolores and to strengthen faithful believers who are ministering in the shadow of Mount Banahaw. Because of your partnership, those seeking meaning in springs and caves can instead encounter the living Word of God through trained disciples who understand their context and carry the hope of Christ with clarity and conviction.
We give thanks for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement. May the Lord bless you and your family with His peace and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas, and thank you for helping advance the gospel where it is most needed.
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May God bless you,
Henry and Cora Ventura
CCI Philippines National Director
| | A new class was started at Island Gospel Mission in Talibon, Bohol. This is the ninth batch of students at this Bible school. Praise the Lord! | |
Six students graduated in Santo Tomas City, Batangas. We gifted some Crossway books to the graduates. This is the second batch of students to graduate from this school, Undershepherd School of the Bible. The church continues to train more pastors and church leaders, and it also continues to support CCI financially and through prayer. | Manny and Linda Gocon and I met with Pastor Orland Mangacu to coach him in preparing the requirements for the graduation of the class in Tarlac. The class is planning to graduate and host a TTW early next year. | | I led a Teacher Training Workshop in Dolores, Quezon, with three participants: Pastor Ed, Sister Eleonor, and Pastor Pen (see photo below). I pray this opens the door for us to start training centers in Quezon Province. | | We held another Teacher Training Workshop in Santo Tomas City, Batangas. Fourteen (14) CCI students and graduates attended the TTW. | |
Soy Lumaad is currently conducting an Operations Review of CCI Philippines. He interviewed me, the Gocons, Leo, Pastor Jay, and Pastor Eloi together with more than 20 graduates in Laguna (see photo below). Soy will continue to interview people in the Visayas and Mindanao in December. | |
- I am in the process of passing some of my responsibilities as National Director to Melvin Caindoy and other members of our team so that I can focus on Ministry Expansion and Team Development. The team believes this transition should be gradual to preserve smooth ministry operations. Team members will assist me with support raising and operational efficiency, and we will also involve the Board of Directors more actively in decision-making for CCIP.
- The Luzon team met online on November 17 to plan activities for the remainder of the year, especially in preparation for Soy Lumaad’s visit to conduct the Operations Review, and to begin planning for next year’s teachers’ conferences.
- Pastor Melvin visited Pastor Minguito in Cebu to make plans for the coming year.
- Pastor Mabano will meet with the Mindanao team to plan for next year once they receive the Operations Review results.
- Pastor Marlon’s team in Bicol ministered together at a funeral service.
- Pastor Marlon also visited his students who were affected by Typhoon Uwan. The church building, which also serves as their training classroom, was damaged. The team and several students sent financial assistance to help restore the worship hall.
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Testimony of Pastor Allan Buna
"CCI has been a great blessing to me in the ministry. I graduated from a Bible School, but my training in CCI was especially helpful as I began training leaders in the church. I used my training in the ministry as I am now on pioneering work in Miag-ao, Iloilo. Praise God for using CCI to enhance my skills in doing the ministry that God entrusted to me."
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Testimony from a CCI Teacher in Camarines Norte
"I'm Pastor Christopher Gandol, and I have been a pastor for four years, serving without formal training. But God has been faithful. He opened the door for me to study at CCI. I'm now in Book 7, and I can truly say that studying in CCI has been a great help to my personal spiritual growth. I learned how to study the Word of God correctly and how to interpret it in a biblical way. I also learned how to prepare a biblical message and how to apply proper church administration in the ministry. All these have been a tremendous help to me as a servant of the Lord. I give all the glory to God for using CCI to equip me and strengthen my ministry."
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Testimony from Marlon Bermas, AC in Camarines Norte
"As an Area Coordinator of CCI, I have personally witnessed how necessary this training is—not only for believers, but also for those who have not yet come to know Christ. The Word of God changes lives, and CCI provides a clear and biblical foundation that every person needs.
In my journey of sharing CCI here in my province, I have seen how the Lord faithfully provides strength, wisdom, and courage. Despite challenges, God continues to open doors and touch hearts. It is only by His grace that I am able to help equip pastors, leaders, and even seekers to understand the Scriptures and grow spiritually.
I thank the Lord for the privilege of serving Him through CCI. My prayer is that more lives, churches, and communities will be transformed as we continue to multiply leaders who rightly handle the Word of Truth. All glory belongs to God alone."
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In the Philippines, we start preparing for Christmas in September. That’s right—we start putting up Christmas lights, Christmas trees, and lanterns, and start playing Christmas carols that early. This preparation slowly gains momentum for three months. In December, groups of children and adults go from house to house singing carols, expecting to receive some cash from the homeowner. And for nine days before Christmas, both Catholic and Protestant churches hold evening services to meditate on the meaning of Christ’s birth.
On Christmas Day itself, families travel, sometimes long distances, to visit relatives and friends. Younger folks show respect by touching the hands of older family members to their foreheads, saying 'mano po.' This gesture symbolizes reverence and acknowledges their age, wisdom, and honored place in the family. These visits strengthen extended family bonds and help each generation remember their connection to one another. The day is marked by delicious food, laughter, storytelling, and games, all shared in a festive, warm atmosphere. Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!
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Equip, Empower, and Evangelize
***Matching Gift Opportunity***
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Will you help ensure this work continues in 2026?
Every gift toward our $76,500 Matching Campaign will be doubled through December 31, 2025, or until the goal is met.
Your support will help sustain and expand the training of ministry leaders who are transforming lives through God’s Word.
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Prayer Requests & Praises
- Please pray for the Lord's guidance for CCI Philippines' future.
- Please pray for the health of our staff and their families.
- Please pray for the family of Pastor Nonie Riconalla as they grieve the passing of his wife, Jilyn.
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