Mayon Trip

Hello!

I have just arrived from Albay. Salvador and I drove all the way from Cebu to Legaspi to deliver relief goods to the victims of the typhoon there.

My experience was really great thinking that you are doing this for those people in that place. I have never felt tired driving...infact I enjoyed the sceneries...the mountains...the farms...all of natures beauty...also we walked through San Juanico Bridge and enjoyed the sunset...we met strangers and laughed with them.

The best experience was when we arrived Legaspi. I saw how nature can be gentle and strong at the same time. I saw that our status in life is not a guarantee that we can escape such tragedy...that everything in this world is just a mirage...the only real thing is God, life and death, and eternity.

By then, I understood the power of God and the things that I have been preaching all these years...GOD IS SUPREME AND AWESOME!

Thanks for your prayers.

Aldous

PS: I hope you will take the MAYON CHALLENGE. Be there...feel it...experience it...

Cancer Awareness Forum

Many of you might already know that cancer ranks third among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines. Infectious and cardiovascular diseases are the top two. Filipinos has constantly disregarded Cancer prevention, and a researcher has lamented that if this continues, "it is estimated that for every 1,800 Filipinos, one will develop cancer annually."

Seventy-five percent (75%) of all cancers in our country occur after age 50 years. Most Filipino cancer patients wait until the last hour before consulting and at this point, the cancer is most often at an advanced stage.

In cooperation with CAN (Cancer Assistance Network) with God, I Can Serve of Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, Pharmanex and Mactan Church of Christ, we would like to invite you and your colleagues to join a Free Cancer Awareness Forum on November 30, 2006 at Majestic Restaurant (Opon branch) from 9:00AM – 12:00PM.

Below is a summary of the program:

Overview
Presentation of Medical Facts
Testimonies from Cancer survivors and how they survived
Question & Answer
Medical check-up for Breast Cancer early detection
Counseling

We only have limited seats of up to 100 people so please let us know if you are interested to join this half-day forum.

You can make your FREE reservations by sending me an SMS at 0922-4217559 or by calling me at 341-1423. I will be very happy to hear from you.

Breast cancer is easy to beat if you catch it early. Help us in our advocacy to fight cancer by sending representatives to this forum. I am also willing to visit you personally in your office so I can discuss details with you.


Yours truly,

Aldous Echegoyen
Project Organizer

The Hands On Program for Excellence (H.O.P.E.)

J-Factor Youth group, in cooperation with 19:20 Solutions, has launched its newest program especially tailored for youth ages 15-21. The Hands On Program for Excellence or H.O.P.E. was launched last September 2, 2006 at Mactan Church of Christ building located at Carajay, Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

A number of young people has attended the H.O.P.E. launching last September 2, 2006 and has signed up for this program. The launching was basically about what H.O.P.E. is, why it was organized and how it can help young people.

Many of our young people, nowadays, just do not see their future clearly. They are indulging on enjoyment and the present. They are just not visionaries of the moment. The problem comes in when they get used to it or they end up growing old without knowing what they are actually made for. Most young people see their destination like walking through a foggy valley. Our goal in H.O.P.E. is to provide them fog-light and help them walk bravely through the foggy way.

H.O.P.E. is a systematic method of mentoring young people in order that they will not just be excellent and successful in life but also to prepare them to welcome success or even failure.

Our ideas are simple yet systematic and pragmatic. The following are the basic steps:

Step#1 Dealing from the Inside (“Knowing Yourself”)

Step#2 Dealing with Your Thinking ( “Desiring to Change”)

Step#3 Preparing Yourself for the Future (“Having the Right Vision”)

Step#4 Developing Skills (“Enhancing Leadership Potential” & “Working Smart Not Just Harder”)

H.O.P.E. believes in the mentoring approach of teaching young people while giving them the freedom to express themselves in the most practical ways.

For more information about this program, please contact me at 0922-4217559 or call me at 341-1423. This is a 16-session program and will only meet once a week for 2-hours.

Men ministry (Basketball men)

Objective: discipleship, growth and development, and evangelism

Started July 29, 2006

A new ministry for men who loves to play basketball has been established last July 29, 2006 with 11 men in attendance and was done at Villa Vista, Lapu-Lapu City.

We started our first day of ministry with a simple devotional that talks about BURN OUT. The experience gave a very good impact to the attendee’s because it is their passion, not just to play, but also to make a difference to other people. Everyone was excited to play; in fact they planned a better place where the next basketball fellowship will be.

Praise God that this ministry helped the passion and needs of our men in the church because they can express what is in their hearts and mind – to talk about their personal concerns and God.

This (Men’s ministry), came up because the church’s vision and mission is to equip each member to discover their gift and ministries. We believe that in this ministry each member will develop camaraderie and Christ centeredness.

We’re doing this for refreshment, fellowship, knowing each other, to develop deeper relationship as brother in Christ, and most especially learn more about the life of Christ and how we can imitate it in our life.

We are inviting you to join this ministry…

…express yourself…we can Help you…

The ministry schedule: Every Saturday 6:00 AM

The present members of the ministry: Ben Imbong, Allan Aton, Bembi Delrio, Boyet Baguio, Randy Alegre, Randolph Alegre, Liefmark Usaraga, Reuben Ybanez, Aldous Echegoyen, Dadz Corpuz

- -Dadz Corpuz

Check this out for more pictures on the Basketball Ministry
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/a_echegoyen2000/album?.dir=/207fscd

One Thing Gains Everything

Ladies Retreat (August 12, 2006)

Last August 12, 2006 was a memorable outing for the ladies in Mactan. It was held in Mountainview Busay, Lahug, Cebu City. There were 16 ladies - one representative from 3 congregations (Talamban, Babag, Mactan, and the new congregation at Seabreeze).

The ladies had time to fellowship and had fun taking pictures. We had our devotional led by Sis. Alma Postadan. The lesson we learned was about "ONE THING GAINS EVERYTHING". Most of the ladies participated in the discussion. WE had learned to recognize the very important thing in life.

Let us always put God as our TOP PRIORITY. Prioritizing God is one thing that gains everything.

Jessica Bacante

For more pictures on Ladies Retreat check out
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/a_echegoyen2000/album?.dir=/af74scd

Prayer Warriors for Christ

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together" (Ps. 34:3)

OUR GOALS
-To do evangelism work in Mactan island-To build faith and spread the good news of the Kingdom to win souls to Christ.- To organize a venue for revival and meetings for ministers. To open new ministries that fit to their passions.

UPDATE and Thankfulness:

The whole church and I would like to thank God for the continued guidance and faithfulness.

We are a group of people who believe in the power of prayer and have come together to form a church-wide prayer chain. The members of the prayer-chain also believe in His promises and have a desire to be instruments of His will.

There were 22 Prayer Warriors who spent their time to pray to the Lord last June 24, 2006.

We do prayer fellowship every last Saturday of the month for our reflection and continues encouragement to one another.

I am taking this opportunity of sharing with you our activity (prayer fellowship) in order for us to remember that prayer can make a difference in our life.

This is an exciting event in the life of every Christian:
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. -1 Timothy 2:1-4

- - Dadz Corpuz

MCOC Preacher Visits PPCOC, Singapore

About 6 of us, Filipino preachers, went to Pasir Panjang Church at Singapore last June 2006 to attend their Church Camp held at Allson Klana Resort Hotel at Seramban, Malaysia from June 7- 10, 2006.

It was a very fulfilling trip because we were given the benefit of exposure to congregations and brethren from different cultures and backgrounds. With me are Preachers David Cariaga, Greg Gallardo, Elmer Palacio, Danny de Vera, and Raj Buo.

All of the preachers were assigned to be part of the small discussion groups in the Camp except for Raj and myself who were assigned with the youth group. The lessons, the fellowship and the food were great. We were all blessed by the brethren from Singapore and also from Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Thailand.

Personally, my experience there opened some doors and new ideas for me. I was invited to preach at Geylang Church and it was a very encouraging meeting also.

I would like to thank the Church in Mactan and the Leaders who have allowed me to leave them for 2 weeks and be part of this Camp. I especially want to thank Salvador Cariaga for all the help he has given. Also to Bro. John Bailey, Sis. Linda “Momsy” Henry, Bro. Roger Brown, Bro. Alfred Tan, Bro. Seth Tugunon, and Bro. Allan Aton.

God bless you all!

- - Aldous Echegoyen

MACTAN CELEBRATES 21st ANNIVERSARY

The Church of Christ in Mactan has just celebrated its 21st anniversary last May 21, 2006 where about 500 people attended the commemoration.

For 21 years Mactan Church is proud to have added 3 more Church leaders which totals to 10 Church Leaders. With its 3 full-time workers, more than 10 ministries have been actively operating and ministering to church members. Also, launching the Children’s Worship late last year is one thing we can be proud of.

The 21st Anniversary celebration last May 21 was a success with the special help of the Church Leaders, the Ladies of the church who had the initiative to get sponsors for the food, the Sunday School teachers who did their best to keep the children in the classrooms until the service is finished, the ushers, the organizers and the workers of MCOC.

The sermon was delivered by Bro. Aldous Echegoyen who presented the Gospel of Christ through his sermon entitled “The Voyage to Faith”. He preached about the beauty of being the child of the Living God and how a person can become a child of God.

Mactan is still in the process of growth and advancement. We are hoping to be able to reach our goal of 300 worshippers before the end of this year. We are also praying to convert as many as 50 souls by the end of 2006.

Please continue to pray for us. Thank you for all your support.

See more pictures here
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/a_echegoyen2000/album?.dir=/40f1scd

NSO Seminar in MCOC

THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE
Solemnizing Officers Seminar on Marriage Law in the Philippines
May 12, 2006

Lapulapu City, Cebu - - The event was a success with about 15 ministers and church leaders attending the seminar last May 12, 2006 at Mactan Church of Christ.

13 ministers from Cebu Province, 1 from Butuan and 1 from Pasig City, attended the seminar on Marriage Law in the Philippines held by the National Statistics Office spearheaded by Atty. Lilia B. Tandoc, Regional Director of NSO Cebu.

The seminar started at 9:00 AM and ended at 5:00 PM. Among the topics and speakers are: Marriage Laws in the Philippines (Mr. Firmo C. Diputado), Updates on the Bacolod Convention (Atty. Lilia B. Tandoc), How to Fill-out the Marriage Certificate Form (Mrs. Anna Marie Yap), CENOMAR and Republic Act 9048 (Mr. Ronaldo C. Taghap), and Procedures/Requirements of Solemnizing officer (New Applications/Renewal) by Mrs. Candida S. Taghap.

The open forum was also patiently responded to by the speakers and all of the questions have been liberally answered. Also a slight issue on our doctrine of church autonomy has been discussed and solved. Apparently, it is only possible to get a Solemnizing License when the person applying has a recommendation from a SEC recognized and registered congregation.

On the other hand, Bro. Barry Murell will be composing a letter of resolution, as suggested by Atty. Lilia Tandoc, which may possibly help preachers from small congregations and/or congregations not yet registered with SEC. Atty. Lilia Tandoc promised to assist us in this process.

The seminar was mainly organized by Mactan and Babag Congregation lead by Bro. Elmer Palacio and Bro. Aldous Echegoyen.

This has been beneficial to all those who attended not just because of the Certificate of Attendance that they received (which is a requirement to get a Solemnizing License) but also because of the knowledge that they acquired.

Ministers and Preachers of the church needs to promote moral and legal marriage, family conduct and submission to the Government. I could say that this seminar has helped us to move one more step forward to that.

All participants received a Certificate of Attendance and a Family Code of the Philippines book.

- - Aldous

For other information regarding Solemnizing License please check http://www.philippinechurchesofchrist.org/news/solemn.htm

Also Check How to Register Your Congregation at http://www.philippinechurchesofchrist.org/sec/sec.htm

NEW CHURCH LEADERS

NEW CHURCH LEADERS

Mactan Church of Christ has added 3 more leaders last March 2006...


Bro. Roger Brown

Bro. Seth Tugunon

Bro. William Sameon

We now have 10 Church Leaders in Mactan. The other 7 are:

1. Dante Zulla
2. Gerry Bastonero
3. Ronnie Alegre
4. Reming Bensi
5. Pilmer Sausa
6. Alfred Tan
7. Charlou Famorcan

VISION & MISSION of MCOC

Vision: “A church of 1000 glorifying God and doing his mission”

Mission: “Love God and make disciples for Him”




Core Values:
1) Authentic Worship
2) Salvation
3) Godliness
4) Pillar of Truth
5) Spiritual Growth
6) People Development
7) Uplifting of the poor
8) Solving mans’ problem

Mactan 2006

I am very happy to share with you the plans and future of MactanCongregation for 2006. The church leaders are so positive about this and95% of the members are willing to support the vision of Mactan this year.All of our ministries are active and getting on fire now with God's help and grace. I thank God for my partners, Dadz Corpuz and Lief MarkUsaraga, and the church leaders as well as the active and supportive members of this congregation. Praise God!!

Aldous Echegoyen - MCOC Church Minister

Method for Success in 2006

Goal Simplified: GROWTH & EVANGELISM

QUALITY = QUANTITY
(Focus on QUALITY first then QUANTITY will just follow; if the body (the church) functions well it will naturally grow like a living organism)

MONTHLY THEME

January - “Purpose Driven Christian”
(Direction/Vision/Mission)

February - “Loving the People Christ Died For”
(Evangelism)

March - “Strength in Numbers”
(Working together/Unity/Involvement)

April - “Significance of the Gospel”
(Bringing people to Christ/Church)

May - “Working in the Vineyard of the Lord”
(Zeal for the Lord’s work)

June - “The Rewards that Awaits Us”
(Reward for the workers/Motivation to Go On)