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Dear Ministry Partners,
It's a rock. A huge rock. A huge colored rock. And it speaks. It tells me that there is a Creator. A Creator who can bring into existence rocks and people and everything else out of nothing.
The CCI Fall Tour of the U.S. West Coast and Canada has taken us to Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California, and finally to Manitoba in Canada.
We saw the majestic mountains, gorgeous gorges, and breathtaking boulders of Colorado. They speak of the undeniable power, intelligence, and majesty of the Creator who put it all together. How can puny human beings dare say they came into existence by chance?
Jesus said, “I tell you that if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40).
During this tour, we visited churches, stayed in hotels and people’s homes, and shared our testimonies with hundreds of people. Praise the Lord for this opportunity!
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We appreciate your prayers and support.
Henry Ventura
CCI Philippines National Director
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Meanwhile, back in the Philippines… | |
We started four new classes with a total of 45 new students in September. Please pray that these students and their teachers will persevere to become better servants of the Lord Jesus Christ! | |
Pastor Alfredo Inso, Jr. started a new class with seven students at Carcar Evangelical Free Church in Cebu. This is the result of a Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) held in August. | |
Pastor Abellanosa and Pastor Gabe started a new class in Malitbog, Bukidnon, with 11 students. | |
Pastor Syjuco started a new class in Escalante City with 12 students. | |
Pastor Repaso and Pastor Reggie started a new class with 15 students in General Santos City. This class will be taught by one of our graduates, Pastor Allan Neil Demadara. | |
Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) | |
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Pastor Manny and Sister Linda Gocon held an online TTW with Pastor Kenneth (Machida) Almacen of the Baptist Bible Church of the Philippines, Umingan, Pangasinan. Let’s pray that Pastor Kenneth can soon start training pastors in Pangasinan.
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Seminar on Advanced Expository Preaching (SAEP) | |
Pastor Melvin held an Advanced Expository Seminar at Island Gospel Ministries in Bohol. They had 25 participants. | |
Here are some testimonies from the SAEP participants: | |
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“First and foremost, I thank God for the opportunity to participate in the seminar on Advanced Expository Preaching. This experience has been tremendously beneficial, as it has significantly improved my ability to study the Bible effectively and share its teachings accurately with the church. Specifically, I have learned how to properly organize an outline and the essential preparations that lead to impactful preaching. I also want to express my gratitude to CCI for bringing this seminar to us, especially for the island pastors who often lack access to major seminars like this one. To God be the glory!”
-Pastor Junuel Evardo
Banacon Baptist Church, Getafe
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“The Advanced Expository Preaching Seminar reminds me of a couple of important principles as a pastor. Preaching should not be driven by personal interests or gains, and it is essential to remember that you are accountable for the lives entrusted to you by God. I have discovered effective methods for simplifying the preparation of Sunday sermons and presenting them efficiently to the congregation. Honestly, it will take time for me to train myself in applying these techniques, but with God's grace, I am confident that I will master them in the future. I am truly thankful to the Lord for bringing this seminar to us through CCI, as it is crucial for us pastors.”
-Pastor Ruben Canada
Cataban Baptist Church, Talibon
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“The seminar imparted an invaluable lesson: learning is a continuous journey. During this event, I gained new insights on how to study the scriptures effectively and convey them to others. It served as a reminder that preparing God’s message requires dedication, time, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
While adapting to the new principles I've learned has been challenging, I am also filled with excitement for the benefits this will bring to our church. This seminar has been a tremendous blessing for all of us pastors in the Islands. I give thanks to the Lord for this opportunity and for the collaboration between CCI and Island Gospel Ministries Inc. in making this seminar possible.”
-Pastor Gamaliel Sobior
Guindacpan Evangelical Christian Church
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The class in Don Salvador Benedicto graduated on September 28. Please pray that they will be effective in their ministries and that they will be able to help multiply and support the ministry of CCI. | |
Pastor Eloi Cabillan and Linda Gocon officiated at the graduation of six Filipina students in Hong Kong in September. This is the fourth batch to graduate in Hong Kong under Pastor Eloi’s tutelage. It was attended by some of our former students and other Christians in Hong Kong. Some of them also expressed interest in being trained. Linda encouraged the graduates to attend a TTW. She also promoted the other CCI seminars that are available. | |
Testimony from a CCI Graduate: | |
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“We just had around three years of the worldwide pandemic, and the world was in real trouble, fear and depression. It was like no hope, and most of the people were not living normally and were deprived of a peaceful life. It was during this period of time that I found hope in the Lord (“Why so downcast oh my soul...put your hope in God, Psalm 42:11), knowing that He is in control and He allowed this to happen for a purpose. As for me, there’s no reason to be feeling hopeless when we are in the Lord. I, too, was most of the time locked up in the house, and I made use of this study of God’s Word so I could focus on the Lord and on His will to “grow in His knowledge and grace” - whatever the situation is!
It was a very exciting experience, even though we were meeting via an online Zoom channel. The knowledge and the sharing of each other’s experiences and testimonies during the whole period of study was a precious thing I will forever keep in my heart. I learned much during the “question-and-answer" time when our excellent and knowledgeable teacher had the answer from the Word of God.
I am so confident that the Word of God lives and that God is faithful in His work. I am left challenged for all my life, and I have to apply His Word so my life is anchored in Him; that is the most helpful thing I know to be able to live above any difficult situation I may be facing ahead of time.”
-Scarlet L. Bagacina
CCI Graduate in Hong Kong
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Prayer Requests & Praises
- Praise God for Pastor Mabano’s successful promotion at the Gideons International national celebration in September. He made many contacts at this event.
- Please pray for the CCI alumni sports fellowship, which will be held at Malaybalay, Bukidnon, from Oct. 21 to 23. One of the goals of this sports event is to encourage alumni to help expand CCI's ministry.
- Please pray for Pastor Jabonga’s health issues, which are making it difficult for him to teach.
- Pray for Pastor Jun’s upcoming travels to Kidapawan and Surigao City for promotion and TTW.
- Pray for the Mindanao team’s monthly meeting online.
- Praise God for a successful graduation in Hong Kong and that Linda was able to attend.
- Praise the Lord for the success of the U.S. and Canada Fall Tour.
- Please pray for Linda, who had a gallbladder attack on September 27. The pain went away, but she might have to undergo surgery. Please pray for healing.
- Pray for the graduates in Hong Kong that they will desire to teach CCI’s materials and attend other training we offer.
- Pray that the Lord may help Pastor Melvin Caindoy find faithful people who can help him in Cebu, Leyte, Samar and Negros Oriental.
- Pray for good health for ma’am Teresa Caindoy.
- Pray for the support raising that all the coordinators need to be involved in.
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