The Philippines is a disaster prone area due to typhoons, mudslide, earthquake, fire, and other hazards.  There is a need for every Nazarene church in the Philippines to be proactive in addressing disaster – reduce risks and to mitigate the effects of calamities, and to be prepared to respond to disasters effectively.   Disasters also provide the church with one of its greatest opportunities to demonstrate God’s love to people who are hurting. Thus, the church becomes the hands of Jesus to the community.

On May 23-27, 2011, the Philippine Field Office and NCM Philippines sponsored a week long and intensive Training of Trainers on “Risk Reduction, Disaster Management and Emergency First Responder.”   Nineteen delegates representing different districts in the country, the Philippine Nazarene College, Visayan Nazarene Bible College and Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary participated in the training.  The training was held at World Mission Communication conference hall in the campus of the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary.

Stephen Gualberto, Field Strategy Coordinator of Philipipnes and Micronesia, talked about the Biblical Foundation of Disaster Management and led the discussion on Risk Reduction and Disaster Management, and facilitated the action planning.  Mr. Brian Gray, the program director of the Mountain Life Flight from Susanville California, and Mrs. Linda Zane conducted the training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency First Responder.   Maureen Akinyi Okundi from Kenya and a student of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary spoke on Child Protection in Emergencies.

The Global Day of Prayer is a world-wide celebration centered around Pentecost Sunday. The mission of this celebration is to unite the global body of Christ, to seek God for revival, to intercede on behalf of our world, and to collaborate for the blessing and transformation of our cultures. It is preceded by ten days of prayer (Acts 1:14); celebrated in public venues on Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and followed by “90 Days of Blessing” on communities after Pentecost (Acts 2:42).

For more information please follow this link:
Global Day Of Prayer

Against the Flow: Nazarene Youth Congress Pilipinas 20

By Janary Suyat

Last April 18-23, 2011, three hundred sixty (360) young leaders from the Philippines and Micronesia gathered fro the Nazarene Youth Congress Pilipinas. The theme of the event is “Against the Flow.” It was held in Hidden Paradise Resort, San Fernando, Cebu. It has been a month already since the Youth Congress was held yet the resounding shout of the participants “Laban ako sa Agos” (I go against the flow) still continues today. They were challenged and inspired to follow the call of Christ and to go against the flow of this world.

The event emphasized the core values of the Church of the Nazarene, with Rev. Dan Balayo as the speaker for “We are a Christian People”, Rev. Bonifacio Plantilla for “We are a Holiness People”, and Rev. Stephen Gualberto for “We are a Missional People. The speakers challenged the youth to offer their lives to the Lord and to “not let anyone look down on you because [they] are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Rev. Josephine Ano-os spoke about the mission of the Church of the Nazarene which is to make Christlike disciples in the nations.

The youth leaders also participated in different workshops: Intentional Discipleship, True Love Waits, Ministry to Children, Human Trafficking, Ministry to Unreached People Groups, Creative Arts Ministry, and Multi-media Ministry.

During the District Caucuses, partnerships were made among the districts, and they challenged each other to continue following the mission to “Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations”; and praying for each other’s passion for the ministry became a highlight.

The youth were challenged as they saw short videos that promote discipleship and evangelism according to the experiences of young people that lived in other parts of the world, as well as testimonies of local artists and celebrities that have committed their lives to go against the flow. After the evening worship services, the different districts presented performances they have prepared. Everyone had fun and made new friendships as well.

To date, participants continue to communicate in Against the Flow Facebook account. Many are now doing intentional discipleship and creating small groups. They have continued updating each other’s evangelism and discipleship tools, new ministries, leadership trainings, harvested souls, and even challenges. They have committed to pray for each other as they go against the flow of this world; pressing on to become more like Christ each day.

Jarrett Davis

APNTS Communications Officer

On May 5th, The Church of the Nazarene with Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Philippines joined a collaborative, national effort called, “4/14 Window Pilipinas” to change this troubling reality.   The event brought together denominations, ministries, and community organizations from across the Philippines to take a meaningful look at the current state of Filipino Children and rally for their integral place in their society and churches.

The “4/14 Window” refers to the demographic group of people between the ages of 4 and 14.  It is this section of society that is the most receptive and open to spiritual and developmental input.  4/14 Window Pilipinas hopes to inspire churches to place Children as a high priority in their ministries and to work to minister holistically to this powerful demographic, intentionally discipling them for life-long faith.

Rev. Stephen Gualberto, Field Strategy Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene Philippines and Micronesia, addressed the group calling attention to the current state of Children in the Philippines.   Gualberto highlighted current rising statistics of poverty, trafficking and exploitation of children in the Philippines and appealed for a greater Christian response.   Gualberto states that he hopes that this event will engage the church in assessing the critical issues facing the children and youth in its community so that it can create ministries to meet the needs of children and youth.

The event aimed for a meaningful collaboration of different church ministries to help integrate children and youth into the faith community for intentional discipleship.  A  broad, multi-sectoral audience of 13 local churches, 3 ministries, 7 denominations, 2 educational institutions,  8 community development agencies, and 8 groups from the literature and business sector collaborated in round-table discussions on Philippine child advocacy.

The Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines is proud to join with 4/14 Window Pilipinas and see a strong potential in filipino children and young people as resources for the holistic transformation of their world.   The coalition challenged churches to come together and fight for the protection and holistic development of children in our churches and societies; For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.