Ministry Report of Pastor Mamerto F. Catorce (January - April 2008)

God’s Word is true when it says, “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the works of the Lord forasmuch as we know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians 15:58)

This is my four months summary report of the ministry here in Christian Independent Bible Church (CIBC). I am featuring some highlights of our growing ministry by the grace of God. I started with seven (7) members when I arrived in October 10, 2004 but now we have more than 80 in church attendance. I am now three years and six months of stay in this church but as months and years pass by, everyday become an exciting adventure in the ministry of the Lord.

After three very successful years, we’ve come up in organizing our church officers and created a Church Ministry Team (CMT). We organized three auxiliary organizations: The Alliance Men Philippines (AMP), the Alliance Women Philippines (AWP) and the Alliance Youth Philippines (AYP). This is to expand more in conquering other territories for the Lord.

The picture above shows our installation of church officers in January with our District Ministry Supervisor – Rev. Guardson Garcia.

Highlights in the month of FEBRUARY 2008

The month of February is considered as love month, with this our Youth had a great fellowship entitled “Amazing Love”. True enough, we are all amazed of more than 110 youth who attended the fellowship. There were games, entertainment and also a lecture on “True Love Waits”.

Everybody was blessed and was challenged and we ended up in prayer of commitment to love God because He first loved us. To God be the glory.

This is the 3rd batch of Graduates of our First level of training for youth dubbed as Basic Evangelistic Bible Class (BEBC). In February 24 there were 15 youth (others were absent) who had completed the 13 lessons in preparation for the coming water baptism this end of May.

They received a Certificate of Completion and we offered a prayer of consecration.

Highlight in the Month of March 2008

This is our Joint Men & Women Fellowship. There were more than 70 men and women attended with its prime emphasis on “The Christian Family”. The whole member of the Barangay Council were all present headed by Punong Barangay Lucas Embate Jr. They all enjoyed the games and surprises much more as I lectured on “The Christian Family”. Fun, Fellowship plus the Food completes a successful fellowship and ministry.

Highlights in the Month of April 2008

Our church, through our supporters sponsored a Barangay wide whole day seminar on “Family & Life” conducted by myself and the Municipal Social Welfare & Development and by the Population Department of the Province of Iloilo. The seminar was conducted at the Barangay Public Plaza. This is our sacred ministry towards the community – bringing the church and the message of salvation by using this strategy. The Municipal Mayor Jaime Esmeralda appreciated much the program and said, “this is the first time in the history of our municipality that a church hosted this very important & urgent seminar and it is all for FREE – the snacks, lunch and souvenir items”. He added: “I really highly appreciate the initiative of the host church with its Pastor and its supporters for their kind heart and gentle touch in helping this Barangay without making any religious barriers – on behalf of the Municipality of Igbaras – accept our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.”

There were 150 registered delegates (all are parents) attended the seminar. Our lecturers from the Municipal and Provincial office were so excited and satisfied with this initiative. We hope to conduct this kind of gathering again next year and it would be “Barangay Family Day.”
Please continue to pray because there were still oppositions but in God’s power I believe even now they are all defeated. Glory be to our eternal God.

VBS 2008 (April 24-27)

Every year we are conducting Vacation Bible School. There were more than 130 kids and youth attended our VBS. We thank the Lord because 98% of attendance came from this barangay – a positive sign that parents of those who are Roman Catholics are now sending their kids here to church. The activity is a combination of VBS and Sports Festival. Those pictures above show our Graduation – Culmination and recognition. The church is full-packed of people attended this activity despite the fact that the weather is at Low Pressure. With all of the above, we bring back all Glory and Honor to the Lord.

This year, we recognized the 50 years in the ministry of Rev. Dalmacio Napano who pioneered the entrance of the Gospel here in 1958. Aside from that, he also donated a 300 sq. meter lot adjacent to our main church. We appreciate his labor and generosity as well.

Please pray for our incoming activities: May 26 (Baptism) and June 8 (Back to School Fellowship for students at the Barangay Plaza).

Lastly, please pray for me because I was diagnosed to have Thyroid Adenoma and I have to submit for T3, T4, and TSH exams or Goiter exams. With this, I need your prayers because I am determined that this situation can never stop me in doing the work of the ministry. God bless us all.