By Keziah G. Huelar

Furthering the Baptist faith across the globe—Central Philippine University and the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches joined the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation Theological Mission Education, Aid and Mission Consultation at the Kings Green Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia on January 22-24, 2019.

With the theme “Stronger Together,” the event, spearheaded by the Malaysia Baptist Convention, aimed to challenge, empower, and equip believers across the continents to carry the Baptist faith with devotion and fervor to Christ.

There were 172 delegates coming from all over the globe who participated in the three-day event.

Delegates from CPU included Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, CPU Office of Communications and Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church. Representing CPBC are Rev. Dr. Jerson B. Narciso, CPBC General Secretary; Pastor Jec Dan Borlado, CPBC Director for Placement, Theological Education and Ministerial Concerns; Rev. Samuel G. Talha, President, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches; Mrs. Feraz Legita, Deputy Director at Asia Pacific Baptist Aid, Asia Pacific Baptist Federation; Rev. Jenkins Bañas, Director, CPBC Director for Mission and Evangelism; Ms. Henna Baclagon, CPBC Director for Development Ministries; Rev. Rosan Tabaodaja, Mr. Jeff Legita and Mr. Alvin Legita.

During the said event, Rev. Dr. Narciso presented his paper entitled “The Church’s Response to Armed Conflict in Southern Philippines.” His study presented a background for and the history of the armed conflict in the southern part of the country and the ideal response of the church in reaching out to the said areas.

According to Malaysia Baptist Convention’s website (https://mbc.org.my/), in this consultation, the mission and evangelism committee created sessions led by experts to explore ways in which the Baptist churches that exist as a minority group amidst dominant religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam could do ministry within such contexts. The sessions also included workshops in which the experts and participants could discuss methods applicable to each participant’s circumstance. Most importantly, the committee planned to explore ways of introducing the Baptist faith to countries where the faith had not yet been formally organized.

With the theme “The Heart for Christmas,” this year’s University Church Cantata Choir once again was shared their golden voices in their annual Christmas musical held last Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 6:00 pm at the University Church, Central Philippine University.

The lighting of the 3^rd advent candle by church members dressed like kings marked the start of the program. Rev. Samuel R. Escobin, Associate Pastor of the University Church, led the opening prayer. Engr. Jose Rizaldy Harder, Chairman of the Church Council welcomed everyone. He emphasized that this year’s cantata is not just a mere presentation but a celebration with a message—that a person is capable of spiritual transformation that will have an impact for eternity. He also added that a Christmas celebration is not just for fun, but should focus on forgiveness and reconciliation.

According to Joshua Jonathan C. Quimpo, Musical Director of the Cantata Choir, the cantata is described as a modern and theatrical way of presenting Christmas through song and drama. The joint participation of Jubilant, Bahandi, Children and Church Choirs turned the program into a night of passionate singing for the glory of God. Solo and group performers were able to express the importance of Christmas as they sang songs that narrate how Jesus came from humble beginnings.

The songs were a collection of church musicals from previous years. Quimpo said that it was “one way of giving back to the Lord is to share his talent to gather members and aspirants who have the passion to sing and the humble spirit to be trained.” He also said that while singing in the church enhances their love for music, it would change the notion that learning music is expensive.

Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Associate Pastor for Outreach of University Church, offered his Christmas message, guidance, and blessings to glorify the Lord at the closing of the successful Christmas Cantata.

With the aim of promoting Christian values in the workplace, the Review, Continuing Education and Consultancy Center in cooperation with the College of Theology, University Library and the OMF Literature, Inc., held a seminar on Conflict Management featuring Dr. Harold J. Sala at the 4^th Floor, Conference Room 2, Henry Luce III Library on September 21, 2017.

For the welcome and greetings, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, thanked Dr. Sala for taking the time to lecture in CPU. He also hoped that the CPU faculty and staff would be able to apply what they learned in the lecture to their workplace. Ms. Lynnie H. Leal, Regional Marketing Specialist, VISMIN, OMF Literature, Inc., then introduced guest speaker, Dr. Harold J. Sala.

In his talk, Dr. Sala focused on “Resolving Conflict in the Workplace.” He shared that conflicts do not destroy relationships. It is the refusal to resolve that conflict and to deal with it that tears groups and people apart. “Conflict produces anger. It creates tremendous stress and destroys team spirit as well as our peace of mind. Ignoring the conflict doesn’t work and neither does insulating yourself from the problem. Our natural tendency is always to separate ourselves from the point of conflict.”

Dr. Sala highlighted four points in order to resolve conflict. The first point is confrontation: Matthew 18:15, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Choosing the time, place of confrontation is crucial in resolving conflicts.

In his second point, Dr. Sala highlighted that listening is key. One should strive to understand the person with whom one is in conflict. “If I were in the other person’s shoes how would I feel? Would I feel neglected? Would I be angry? Is it possible that the other person has a legitimate complaint? A legitimate gripe?”

Third, one should strive to find reconciliation. “It’s give and take, not you giving and the other person taking. Rather, it is to find the middle ground, the peaceful ground and subsequently, you both unite your hearts and efforts, and by the grace of God you put behind you what tore you apart.”

Fourth, one should develop an attitude of forgiveness. “Forgiveness does not mean what you did is okay, because what you did was not okay. Forgiveness means I take this issue and I put in God’s hands. I let Him deal with it, but I refuse to carry the load and burden any longer—it is much too heavy for me.” Forgiveness means giving up one’s right to hurt the other person who has hurt him/her.

Dr. Sala holds a PhD in English Bible from Bob Jones University with proficiencies in Hebrew and Greek. He is a world-renowned speaker, author, and Bible teacher. He is the founder and has served as president of Guidelines International Ministries. He has published over 55 books and hundreds of other literature, some of which have been translated into other languages.

Faith shared beyond borders – the Centralian community welcomed the 2017 American Baptist Churches (ABC) of the Rocky Mountains Philippine Mission Team to Central Philippine University for the celebration of this year’s Christ Emphasis Week from August 11-18, 2017.

The team is composed of Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran, Team Leader, and his wife, Deborah Van Ostran from American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, Rev. Charlie Clark and his wife Jackie Clark from Aurora Hills Church, Rev. Dr. Eugene M. Downing Jr. from New Hope Baptist Church, Rev. Aline Silva from Koinonia Church Grand Junction Colorado and Rev. Jeff Lundblad from the First Baptist Church of Laramie.

Rev. Dr. Van Ostran is the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains since 2008.  He seeks to help local churches reconnect with and discover new avenues of ministry within their communities. 

He earned the Doctor of Ministry at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State College. He is married to Debbie, throughout her life; Debbie’s church involvement has included the education of small children by utilizing her artistic talent and bubbly personality.

Rev. Charlie served Aurora Hills Church in Aurora, Co. where he is the Senior Pastor with his wife Jackie as the office manager. Rev Clark attended Colorado University in Boulder where he majored in Music and later earned a Masters in Secondary Education.  Charlie served a number of small, American Baptist congregations as a bi-vocational pastor while teaching High School band in his early years and was later called to serve on the staff on New Life Church in Colorado Springs, a large, evangelical mega-church, as the Minister to Children.

In 2009, God called Charlie to return to the ABC and to the Aurora Hills Church where he has led the church to transform in its service to the community and outreach to the world. Charlie has participated in several mission trips including an ABCRM Pastoral trip to Myanmar in 2011.  Charlie is also the author of a couple of books on Christian discipleship.

Rev. Dr. Eugene M. Downing, Jr. is a native of New Jersey and pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. An alumus of North Carolina A&T State University, he completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.

He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2010. His ministry experience also includes service on numerous denominational and community boards.  He has studied in Ghana and volunteered in the Haiti Earthquake Relief. Dr. Downing has recently published his first book entitled Navigating Life with God.

Rev. Aline is pastor of Koinonia Church in Grand Junction Colorado. Aline grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, immigrating to the US when she was 16. She attended the University of Kansas, where she earned a BA in Religious Studies. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and is licensed by the American Baptist Churches.

She has served as a young adult mentor for a Missionary Baptist Church, a youth pastor at a United Methodist Church, community outreach pastor at a Cooperative Baptist Church, associate pastor at an American Baptist Church, interim pastor at a Disciples of Christ Church, itinerant preacher for the American Baptist Churches and the Academy of Young Preachers, and most recently a certified Life Coach, and a discernment workshop leader for the Fund for Theological Exploration. Rev. Aline is the youngest ordained female pastor of the ABC throughout the United States.

Rev. Lundblad’s undergraduate education was at the University of Sioux Falls, an American Baptist college.  He served as a youth pastor for six years at two Baptist churches in the Dakotas. He enrolled in Palmer Theological Seminary, an American Baptist seminary that is a part of Eastern University, and graduated from there with a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) degree.

His ministry in training was at a Mennonite church in the Philadelphia area, and he has, during his seminary education (and full time employment at Eastern University), served as interim pastor at Malvern United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania.

The team is in CPU for the week ministering to the faculty, staff and students through their preaching, prayers, counselling and presence. May their lives continue to be a blessing!