Mactan Church of Christ

MCOC REVIVAL PLAN

2008-07-03T16:33:00.001+08:00

Present condition: The congregation in Mactan may start to get cold in its fellowship and service in its ministry for the following factors:

The beginning of school sidetracked the mind of everyone especially the youth and their parents
Due to economic reasons, adults has to work doubly hard to cope up with the rising market price
My personal decision to work part-time has distorted the direction of the church in general

Solution/Action Plan:

- Revive the Growth Method of MCOC (Invest, Invite, Include)
- Revive Monthly theme to direct the church in general
- Revive the bulletin board to inform the church about what’s going on in the church
- Revive the Prayer Warrior to strengthen the faith of the church
- Revive and re-plan discipleship program (Adult, Singles, Youth, Children)
- Revive the monthly potluck with a specific program and objective for every potluck to revive fellowship
- Revive the once-active ministries and promote them to the church/Develop or enhance each ministries to the next level (empower them)
- Revive the Small Group Sunday Bible Study
- Revive Care groups (even just once a month) to encourage brethren within zone
- Re-plan direction, goals and program for youth and singles
- Plan a once-a-month visitation to encourage brethren to involve in the church
- Revive fellowship outing with core leaders
- Revise flow of worship to avoid monotony or boredom
- Revive singing practice and enhance the program
- Revive and re-plan Wednesday Devotional as “Re-Charge”
- Give new look in the chapel/Assign rooms or place for Sunday SGBS
- Ask involvement and help from able members to help in each of these endeavors

How to communicate these plans:

Schedule a potluck/meeting with core members and ask them to involve in the revival plan of MCOC
Schedule a retreat with core leaders to discuss specifics and details
Inform the congregation of the agreed plan of action
Implement all with the help of everybody
Make constant report to update and encourage the members especially the core leaders and/or those who have involved themselves

Update!!!

2008-06-13T18:24:00.001+08:00

Weeks:
May 19-25
May 26-June 1
June 2-8

It has been a very hectic month for me, both personal and ministry. The last week of May, I have not updated the report due to constraint of time. I have to work double time to reach my quota for my personal work. Every time month ends I have to make sure that I reach this so I can provide the needs of my family.

Although this has been the case for the past weeks, ministry work has also been doing well. I’m now having Bible studies with 3 good prospects: Aimee Ybañez, Amy Cagud, and Joy Bustillo. All are already attending worship services regularly.

We have also been busy preparing for our church anniversary which was successful last May 26. We have harvested a few good prospects through that event and we are now in the process of building up rapport with them.

Below are the attendance we had for the past Sundays:

May 18
Adult – 67
Youth – 72
Children – 42
Visitors – 24

May 25
Adult – 39
Youth – 32
Children – 23
Visitors – 1

June 1
Adult – 43
Youth – 46
Children – 30
Visitors – 7

June 8
Adult – 43
Youth – 32
Children – 31
Visitors – 3

Take note that although it is still summer vacation, we have maintained an average of 40 attendances with the adults compared to last year. Our goal of reaching 50 adults attendance (quality attendance) by the end of October is, with the Lord’s help, reachable.

With regards to our goals for our weekly and monthly offering, Bro. Dante has been monitoring it and based from his reports in the past weeks we are averaging Php 7,000.00 a week. Our goal of reaching Php 30,000.00 offering monthly is also, with the Lord’s help, possible.

My prayer is that before the end of the year 2008 we will be able, by God’s grace, surpass our goals and expectations.

I believe that God is on our side this year in spite of the trials we, as a church, have experienced in the opening of 2008. PRAISE GOD!!!

Week: May 12-18, 2008

2008-05-21T05:47:00.001+08:00

Aside from the existing people I’m discipling, I have also visited some new prospects:

Abrea Family
Nang Asing
Ophelia & Iking

All are prospects referred to me by Bro. Gerry. I’m still trying to build relationship with these people except for Nang Asing who has already died 2 years ago. I have also visited Ervie Remarata this week. She has already attended our worship service once and I just did some follow-up on her.

On the other hand, you will be pleased to know the Attendance during the English Worship last May 11:

Adults 56 (Note: Goal is only 50 for adult)
Youth/Singles 48
Children 22
Total 126

This is really good news and I am hoping the we will reap what we sow before the end of this year. I think our main concern now will be our financial goal of Php 30,000.00/month since we are only averaging Php 20,000.00/month for now. I am still trying to ask God’s wisdom on what He wants us to do about this. In a worst case scenario, I believe that God will provide as He always did.

Thank you for your support.

In Christ,
Aldous Echegoyen
Church Minister

WEEKLY REPORT

2008-05-14T05:56:00.004+08:00

Week: May 5-11, 2008

The following are the people which I am discipling and have visited for the week…

Name of Disciple Date Visited Remarks
1. Danilo Davila0 5/06/2008 Still trying to schedule home Bible study
2. Ephamay Davila0 5/06/2008 Still trying to schedule home Bible study
3. Nora Mejos0 5/06/2008 Met husband for the first time/invite
4. Wilmer Olano0 5/10/2008 Reviving relationship/invite
5. Susan Pagba0 5/08/2008 Bible study set/text for available time

Aside from my personal visitations, I also visit with some of the interns’ prospects. I also supervise the interns work and Lief Mark’s every 8:30 AM from Tuesday to Saturday. On top of that I also see to it that the “operation” in the church is well coordinated and programs are directed to our goals in saving souls and changing lives.

I have informed the leaders late last month and have requested that I will be devoting my full time in my business during the weekdays and will only be giving my time to the church during weekends. I have requested that this be granted to me only from May to June so that I will have adequate time to build up my future income so I can finally give up another Php 5,000.00 from my salary. The leaders have given me their approval on this.

In spite of the approved arrangements, I have shown in my report that I have given full attention to the church work even during weekdays even until 10:00 PM. I have not even mentioned above my needed study time for my Sunday sermons which I do every 4:00 AM everyday.

I hope you find this report encouraging and I hope I have shown my total and unwavering commitment to the church of our Lord here in Mactan. To God be the glory!!

You will also be pleased to know that our Adult attendance last Sunday during the English worship was 97. Our goal was only 50 adults every English worship and we have exceeded it. Praise God!!!

In His service,

Aldous Echegoyen
Church Minister

MCOC UPDATE 2008

2008-05-14T05:52:00.002+08:00

Dear Brethren,
I think it has been 2 hectic months since my last email to you. You may be wondering what happened in those 2 months, especially after my announcement to the congregation that I will be working as a part-time minister.

Coping Up
Well, nothing really changed in my service to the church after that announcement. My working hours and attention to the church is still like I was working full-time. To cope up with my schedules, I would wake up at 4:00 AM, have a personal devotion time and prayer then I sit down and plan for the day and week. I end my day at around 10:00 PM after I visit prospects and people I’m disicpling making sure that I spend quality time with them. Sometimes, if I cannot reach the person in the evening then I visit them before they leave for work in the morning.

Gradual Change in the Church
Although there has been no change in my working time and attention to the church, you would be happy to know that there are gradual changes in the church in general. The leaders are more supportive now and are very much willing to help carry the load in the church. Its not that they are not supportive before or they are not willing to carry the load before…but they have been more committed than ever. Praise God for that!!!

Another good thing that arises from this situation is that members now are willing to give their participation in the church. I feel that we are much closer as a church now than before. You can see that they are now feeling the burden of the church. I know this will still take more time and it is a gradual process before members will be able to make necessary sacrifices for the church BUT I know we are on our way.

The Singles Ministry is another encouraging news. We have just conducted a one-day Ministry Team Building session with them and it was a success! They have signed a covenant that they will help the church by leading the junior youth. In fact, they have been helping in the Youth Ministry for about 3 months now. They have committed that they will help in reaching out to the youth in order that the young people in the church will be more guided and be more godly.

Goals to Reach
We had a meeting with the leaders just recently and we have come up with the following goal which we will evaluate again on September 1. These are the goals that the leaders have required from me in 4 months starting May:

Non-member Discipled (all adults) - 10
Adult attendance during English Worship - 50
Monthly offering - Php 30,000.00 (approx $ 714)

Our Finances
Our finance is still unstable but I feel that the whole church is doing their best to help cope up with our deficit. In fact, the youth are now raising funds for all their activities by selling some snacks to the church every Sunday. Before the school ended, they sold ice-candies worth a thousand and they used that money for our Church Camp and their trip to Leyte where they encouraged the church there by singing to them.

Personal Business
Since I resigned as full-time minister, I have given enough attention also to my personal business in order for me to cope up with my personal needs. I’m still trying to cope up with my personal finances…trying to cope up with the salary I gave up about 2 months ago. I’m still gaining momentum with my business and trying my best that this business will not hinder me in my service to the church and time for my family. I still haven’t closed enough deal to support my family but I’m still hopeful that God will provide for his servant.

Interns from Cebu Bible College
By the way, before I forget, we now have 2 interns from Cebu Bible College who will be doing evangelistic campaign here for the whole summer. They are doing very well and I supervise their work everyday and I visit their prospects every Saturday so we can invite them for Sunday worship. They now have scheduled about 5 Bible Studies in different homes and we are hoping that this will help add more souls to the church. Praise God!!
We still need you prayers. Pray that a great thing will result from our efforts here. Again thank you for your usual support and we also pray that everything is okay with you and the brethren there.

God bless you!!

Mayon Trip

2006-12-23T16:19:00.000+08:00

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

2006-11-20T17:03:00.000+08:00

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.)

2006-09-12T10:35:00.000+08:00

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)

2006-09-12T10:33:00.000+08:00

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

2006-09-12T10:19:00.000+08:00

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

2006-06-30T12:03:00.000+08:00

"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

2006-06-23T10:40:00.000+08:00

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

2006-06-01T11:31:00.000+08:00

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

2006-05-13T11:32:00.000+08:00

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

2006-05-08T16:25:00.000+08:00

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

2006-01-17T07:35:00.000+08:00

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

2006-01-17T07:34:00.000+08:00

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

2006-01-17T07:25:00.000+08:00

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

2006-01-17T06:06:00.000+08:00

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)