January – April, 2010

Let me give you some of the Ministry Highlights for the first four months of 2010.

GTMI MANILA OFFICE OPERATIONAL.  Typhoon Ondoy did extensive damage to our offices in Manila.  We have done the needed repairs, replaced some of the office equipment, and the vehicles are now in service, though much has to be done yet. We are grateful for your support.  We will continue to trust God with the other needs so that we complete the repairs by the last week of May in time for the GTLI.  

The Church of the Foursquare Gospel of the Philippines (January – February).  The Foursquare Church has about 1,800 churches in the Philippines.  Seven (7) of their key leaders have undergone the GLTI Program including the current President.  The course is now being taught at their Bible School in Quezon City.  Last January 2010, 100 of their national leaders gathered in Cebu City to do strategic planning.  Their Vision, Strategies, and Standards were reviewed.  The unanimous consensus of the leaders was to complete the process.  In February, a core group met at the GTMI Office to continue with the work.  The leaders completed their Mission Charter, put in place their strategies, redefined their Organizational Structures, and provided the standard for measuring performance.  It was a very tedious but rewarding process; now the Foursquare Church is nearly complete in their basic documentations.  Action Plans are now being developed to implement the new direction and structure. Because the leaders saw the value of the program, the denomination paid for the cost of these training.

Enlarging the GTMI Network.  God told Isaiah to enlarge the tent (Isa.54:2-3).  This is true of GTMI.  I had the privilege and joy to minister the Word as Bible Hour speaker to the over 500 delegates of the Gideons National Convention last February 5-7 in Dagupan City. I gave four plenary messages to the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International last March 25-27 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It allowed me to connect with former ministry partners and to establish new relationships. A few of them will attend the GLTI in May 2010.

The Presidential Forum.  (March 26 – Intercontinental Hotel, Makati). The GTMI Network, comprised mainly of GTMI graduates, called for a Forum with some of the Presidential Candidates for the May 10 election.  300 key leaders packed the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati to listen the three presidential candidates.  They were Senators Richard Gordon and Manuel Villar, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. It was a successful Forum.  The candidates were able to communicate their programs and the people had the opportunity to meet them, feel their hearts and “see” their visions for the Nation.  The project was undertaken in 26 days and the budget for the Forum was met locally.  

Tung Ling Seminary (April 7-9).  It was my joy to teach a class on Transformational Church Planting in this Seminary for the second year.  Investing in the training of these young Christian leaders is a high priority for GTMI.

The Church and State: Collaboration and Conflicts (April 16-17, Zamboanga City).  I will be doing a series of lectures on Church-State Relationship: Framework for Christian Engagement in the National Election at the request of church leaders. The seminar will focus on the moral vision for the Nation where there is growing Gospel presence, economic sufficiency, social peace, public justice and national righteousness. An updated version on Guidelines for Election for the Churches and Christians will also be presented.