Gospel Buzz '08... a big success

Living Waters Asia and Star Youth Ministries' mission trip for this year (Gospel Buzz '08) at Pamplona and Sanchez, Cagayan, was a big success, thanks solely to our Lord above. The team was there from Oct. 27-30 (they left Bulacan on the evening of Oct. 26). They endured a total of 33 hours of road travel on a rented bus just to get there and back to Bulacan.

With God's help, the team was able to saturate with the Gospel (through tracts, one-to-one witnessing and open-air preaching sessions, and evangelistic film showings), both the Ilocano-speaking communities of Allasitan and Biduang, Pamplona, Cagayan. For three days, from morning to afternoon, participants of the trip were at the streets of these communities, under the heat of the sun, knocking at doors and approaching people to give out tracts and to talk to them about the Gospel. They were also able to conduct two evangelistic crusades for the children. The children loved the program that LWA and SYM prepared which featured songs, games, puppets and a presentation of what Jesus did to save people from going to Hell.

Before the team went to Cagayan, they have already arranged to conduct an evangelistic film showing, with Dennis Mark Aglosolos preaching at the end, at the covered basketball court of Allasitan, Pamplona, Cagayan. But when the team were at Biduang (the community next to Allasitan) to invite people to attend the event, people there were telling them that they should also do one at their community. And so, leaders of the mission trip right away arranged for it with the local officials of the place. On Oct. 28, they conducted their first film showing at Allasitan from 7pm to 8:45pm and then packed up quickly and rushed to Biduang for their 9pm schedule there. It was such a tiring day for the whole team but they surely were filled with joy to have served their Master from morning all the way to late in that evening. The response to the Gospel of the many people that attended these events was also a significant source of joy for everyone. The following day, they were again out early, this time at Sanchez, Cagayan, to give out tracts and to In the afternoon, they conducted a WOTM seminar for their host church, Highway Baptist Church. Oct. 30, they were at Laoag, Ilocos Norte to again deliver the Gospel on their way home.

God really delivered for the trip. The team needed about P160,000 (about $4,000) for this event and fifty days before the trip, they really had no money on hand for this. They just kept on telling themselves that because what they will be doing is God's will (deliver the Gospel to the regions beyond), they should expect God to provide for the needs of the trip even if it's the last day before they take the road. But thirty days before the trip, people started giving. Even LWA's office janitor surprised everyone by giving what seems to be a small amount for most people, but a large amount for him. He told the team that he always hears about the trip from them during their prayer time and just decided to be a part of it. LWA and SYM even ended up with some savings for the next Gospel Buzz after everyone got to their homes.

Another concern the team had was the weather. The past months, the province they were going to had been experiencing heavy rains. The team kept on telling God that if it rains during the time they're there, people will be mostly inside their homes and it will be very difficult to find them. But during the trip, when most provinces around Cagayan were experiencing a heavy downpour of rain, Cagayan was so sunny. Rain only fell on the way home.

God is really in the work of making wonders. If Gospel Buzz '08 is a big proof of this, then there is no reason why Gospel Buzz '09 should not take place.

Thanks to all of you who prayed and supported financially this mission trip. May God bless your generous and obedient hearts.

For your comments on any of our news stories, send us an email at
comments@livingwaters-asia.com

First Filipino language tract from LWA

We know that it's been long over due, but it's better late than never, right? Living Waters Asia has finally released its first ever Filipino language Gospel tract, Way of the Master style.

KALAYAAN (Freedom, in English), proves to its readers that they are not as free as they think they are. The tract makes the point, using the mirror of the Law, that because one has committed offenses against the standard He's set for us to follow (the Ten Commandments), he/she is a slave of the penalties of his/her trespasses. The tract goes on to explain how anyone can be freed from the slavery of sin by the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross of Calvary.

One woman who read this tract during its trial version about 4 months ago commented that the message really touched her and prompted her to consider what it suggested that she do.

This tract is already available for purchase at our online store for the very cheap price of $4.00 per pack of 100 pieces. But if you buy this directly from our office, you can have a pack for only P180.00 (cheaper compared to its US dollar value at our online store).

In about a month, we will be releasing our 1 million Peso bill with a Gospel presentation written also in the Filipino language. Watch out for it!

SYM facilitates a retreat for High School students

SYM now facilitates retreat for students. Just like what they did for the 4th year students of Notre Christi Academy of the Philippines (Bustos, Bulacan) last September 2-4, 2008.

NCAP, on a yearly basis, bring their students to a retreat where the students can be prepared for the demands of college, at the same time, get to hear a clear explanation of the gospel. This year, they hired the services of the Star Youth Ministries. This is the first time SYM did this. Through the leadership of Lester Cabais, the retreat director, the event held at Amber Trail Kingdom Hotel and Resort was a big success. Helping in the event are SYM members Andrea Amor Franco and Paul Desiderio. They conducted morning devotions for the 92 students.

Lectures on "Coping with College Life", as well as "Love, Courtship and Dating" were delivered by Lester Cabais and Dennis Mark Y. Aglosolos. The gospel, as adapted from the Living Waters pamphlet, "Why Christianity?", was also delivered by Dennis Mark Y. Aglosolos. Interaction by the students was allowed during the lectures that's why their questions and objections about the gospel were answered by the speaker. Several of the students claimed to have responded to the gospel. Only God knows how true that was. But what the SYM team is sure of is that seeds were planted in the hearts of the students.

If you want SYM to conduct retreats for students, just contact us at info@livingwaters-asia.com.

WOTM seminar at Kapitangan Bible Church

Last August 31, 2008, LWA conducted a WOTM seminar for the members of Kapitangan Bible Church at Kapitangan, Paombong, Bulacan. The seminar was through the request of its resident pastor, Mars Mirabuenos, coordinated for him by SYM member, Andrea Amor Franco. The response to the seminar was very encouraging. We hope and pray that the members of this church will get to use on a regular basis, the WOTM principle in their evangelism efforts. Thank you to the faithful congregation of KBC for the warm welcome and praise the Lord for opportunities like this!

WOTM Trainings at the LWA ministry office

LWA has been busy this month conducting trainings for Christians who want to be more involved in evangelism. Last August 5, 2008, Lester Cabais of the Star Youth Ministries and Dennis Mark Aglosolos took turns in explaining the Way of the Master to Christian college students of Baliuag University. Those that attended only had words of approval for the principle. The students' goal was to win souls for Christ in their university and with the seminar, we can expect more soldiers of the Gospel roaming around their campus explaining sin, righteousness and judgment to their fellow students.

A few days after, August 9 to be exact, members of the Star Youth Ministries underwent the Intermediate Training Course. The SYM members were challenged to do more for God after viewing the episode that tackled witnessing experiences that sometimes turn violent. Instead of folding in fear that such things may happen to them, they became more willing to go through these experiences for God's glory if these happen to them in the future. They also developed a deeper appreciation of the Way of the Master after the episode entitled, "Recognizing Satanic Influences". They are more convinced that the modern gospel message that is more of a self-enhancement message is not a message that God approves of.

If you want the Intermediate Training Course, you can purchase it at our online store.

LWA training young biblical Gospel preachers

With the spread of preachers around us preaching a modern gospel message, there's a need for us to train young Christians who will be faithful in delivering a biblical gospel message for the rest of their lives. This is exactly what LWA has been doing in the past weeks. SYM male members have been scheduled to deliver the message of God's saving grace during the weekly youth worship service at the student center of the SYM. First to do this was Lester Cabais, followed by Paul Desiderio and then, by Kimphy Desiderio. Next online are Sef Juliano, Edmar Alcantara and Rey Miranda. All of these SYM members were in unison in saying that speaking in an organized service is something out of their comfort zones. But they are so willing to go through the experience knowing that God is glorified by this. Please pray for these young people that God would continue to mold them into the kind of Christians He wants them to be, brave and passionate when it comes to winning souls for Christ.

Free movie, coffee, pretzels and the life-saving Gospel

Last July 25, 2008, the Star Youth Student Center showed for free the movie "Facing the Giants" for students who frequent the center. Everyone enjoyed watching the movie while sipping an abundance of Arabica coffee, dipping on it plates upon plates of chocolate pretzels. The event was designed to bring in young people who will later get to hear a clear Gospel message. And that is exactly what Dennis Mark Aglosolos did at the end of the movie. He expounded on the sinfulness of everyone present that day. We don't know how many responded to God's call for repentance and faith on Him. What we know though, is that the Holy Spirit spoke to people in the event who had an open heart and mind to listen to the life-saving Gospel.

Praise the Lord for how He blessed that event! It was not cheap to organize events like this. Money was involved and God definitely provided it. All it takes is a little creativity on our part and God will make it a reality if it is for the purpose of glorifying Him.

SYM challenges young people to be more balanced in their Christian service

Last June 6, 2008, the Jesus Worship Center at San Ildefonso, Bulacan invited Dennis Mark Aglosolos and the SYM team to speak to their young people. There were about 50 to 60 young Christians in attendance during the event. Dennis spoke about balancing our Christian service, with a deeper emphasis on evangelism. The team talked about how, in the past years, young Christians have been drawn to music as their primary service to our Lord. Anchoring the talk to the message of the 1st chapter of Isaiah, Dennis explained that God becomes displeased with our worship, prayer, offerings and fellowship if holy living is absent and if we don't take time to warn those who are living in sin about their eternal destination. This is the reason why we need to always re-examine ourselves.

Because there were also some unbelievers around, Dennis also took time to share the gospel, WOTM style. We really hope that everyone got the message that day.

LWA at The Lord is my Shepherd Church

One of the most well-attended WOTM seminars conducted by LWA happened last May 17, 2008 at The Lord is my Shepherd Church at Abad Santos, Manila. Through the arrangements made by Star Youth Ministries member, Jeremiah Lim, who is a new member of the church, the seminar was organized. More than a hundred Christians attended the event.

LWA thought that the seminar will not push through anymore because the host church had already bought The Basic Training Course and was already using it to train their church leaders. But the leadership of the church wanted the principle to be taught to everyone in the church who wants to be involved in the ministry of evangelism and they wanted a set-up where they can ask questions to more seasoned WOTM evangelists. Dennis Mark Aglosolos did the presentation for the whole group and SYM members facilitated small group discussions. The LWA team was so blessed with the response of the members of the host church. Christians, young and old, committed to be more involved in sharing the gospel at the end of the seminar, of course, WOTM style.

To the leadership, as well as to the members of The Lord is my Shepherd Church, we send you our most sincere "Thanks" for inviting us to your church. May God bless everything that you for Him!

LWA to distribute gospel tracts in upcoming big events

One of LWA's evangelism activities is to distribute gospel tracts during big events in the country where people will definitely be around. It's like going fishing where the fishes will be. You don't have to spend a long time anymore to catch one for they will be in abundance in these events. All you have to do is to be where they are and just bring your fishing rod and bate, in this case, your fishing rod is the gospel and your bate so that they will think about their need for Jesus is the Ten Commandments.

This is what LWA will be doing in the coming months. For June, LWA plans to be around where the Independence Day celebration will be. Usually, during this holiday, Filipinos in the Manila area converge at the Quirino Grandstand to watch the festivities. We will be there to give them gospel tracts and to do several one-to-one witnessing sessions. LWA also plans to be at Robinson's Pulilan when it opens hopefully at the end of June or anytime in July. The crowd will be there and so are we.

Other events we are looking forward to for this year is the opening of SM Baliuag and the Metro Manila Film Fest parade somewhere in December.

We pray that you will also do your part in winning souls for Christ during these events.