Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur

 January 21, 2016

Every Thursday, we do our best to preach the Gospel of Christ to the prisoners in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail where more or less 500 detained. Many were interested in hearing the truth and some of them taking notes of the lessons we preached. 

This time, brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached the word of God. I, Joshua A. Notarte, lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Julie was not able to preach because he loss his voice due to his allergy.

We are so thankful for the jail administration in allowing us to preach the truth about Jesus Christ. May God help us with this work to harvest many lost souls.

 

Funeral Service for Brother Jesus Samling

January 19, 2016

We preached on a funeral service at Balnate church of Christ, Balnate, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur before we buried our Brother in Christ, Jesus Samling. He was sick for many years but his family don't have enough money to buy his medicines because of hardship.

Brother Jesus Samling and his family are all members in Balnate Church of Christ for many years. They are active in helping this congregation grow which started on 1979. My father, Julie Notarte, sacrificed in training preachers from them and until now, they remain in preaching the truth. Brother Ronnie "Luis" Samling is their present preacher until now who is also a Barangay Captain in their community.

Many preachers helped in comforting the family of brother Jesus Samling. Brother Frank Isla preached for several nights during the funeral services together with brother Ronald Jay Dela Rosa. Brother Cenon Taña, Eddie Samling, Joseph Notarte and Jonathan Notarte also cooperated.

This time, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte was requested to preach. He preached the truth and also comfort the family who loss their loving father. I, Joshua A. Notarte, was requested to lead the songs. Many people had attended and heard the truth.

Please pray for the family of brother Jesus Samling that they can overcome in this hard times. May the word of God helped them edify their faith.

Gospel Meeting at Kalonbarak, Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani Province; 10 SOULS BAPTIZED

January 16, 2016

In the highlands of Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani Province located a small community called Kalonbarak where we found a great prospect of truth seekers and an opportunity to establish a local congregation of the Church of Christ. 

Together with my co-preachers, we went there using our Pajero car and the motorbike of brother Pedrito Matampole whose motorbike was not paid for three months because of financial crisis and great debt during the death of his brother in flesh, Fedelito Matampole. The company where he bought his motorbike called him for last warning before they will be forced to confiscate it. Please pray for him and may God touch the heart of those who could help. 


Brother Galacio Simplicio, a gospel preacher of the Church of Christ for many years invited us to preach here. He was converted by brother Leonardo Maste and after that he helped in preaching the truth in different places and helped in establishing several congregations in South Cotabato areas. Now, he help to open a congregation here in Kalonbarak, Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani Province where his grandson and close relatives reside. He also invited some denominational leaders who are influenced by many false teaching.

During the gospel meeting, brother Rudy Coercy A. Notarte, a preacher in Tagum City church of Christ, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, lead the opening songs. 



The house is small so we could not enter all in the room. Many were listening outside but the message was clear since we used a sound system. Even the neighbors could hear it clear.

Many preachers had attended but only my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was able to preach. We choose to maximize the time for the open forum since they have many good questions asked. Many of them who attended heard the teaching of the Church of Christ for the first time and they were amazed on the answers given were all biblical.

Aside from that, one of the great problem in this community was the place where we can baptized those who will obey. Their nearest river was about 5 kilometers or 1 hour walking distance. No vehicles could enter. So we decided to hire motorbikes to fill the drum with water. It was the only option we could think to do the baptism.

 During the invitation song, I was requested to lead the song and there were 10 PRECIOUS SOULS who came forward and were immediately baptized. We give all glory to God for this addition.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, baptized them using a drum filled with water.

Their names are:

1. Myla Cambang

2. Divina Osano

3. Jomila Cambang

4. Leleth Dialane

5. Lovely Heart Cambang

6. Leve Heart Cambang

7. Letecia Salutan

8. Felipe Salutan

9. Gabino Cambang

10. Jovie Ann Pangilan

After baptizing them, brother Joseph A. Notarte read some scriptures in the bible to edify them as new babes in Christ. May God help them become mature in their faith.

Other preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan A. Notarte and Pedrito Matampole.

Lastly, they plan to build a small church building where they can meet to worship. They are willing to donate a portion of lot beside their house. Their only problem is where to find money for cutting trees, for the roof and other materials. Please pray for this good plan of our new brethren as they were eager and happy to live a new life in Christ. May God help us meet our needs for His glory.

 

Funeral Service for Brother Jerry Aguan

January 15, 2016 @ 2:00-3:00 PM

Brother Jerry T. Aguan, a Gospel preacher in Balite church of Christ, Balite, Marilog Dist., Davao City, died on January 8, 2016 at 12 o'clock in the midnight due to Cardiac Arrest. 

Brother Jerry was a long time Gospel preacher. According to his brother in flesh, Rosyl Aguan, after he was converted into Christ in 2006, he helped in preaching the truth.

After the gospel meeting at Purok 2, Campo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan, Cotabato where 10 souls submitted to baptism, we attend and comfort his family during the funeral service. Brother Joseph A. Notarte lead the songs and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached and edify them to continue in their faith.

Many of their relatives who attended the funeral service were not members of the Church of Christ and this makes a way for them to hear the truth. They were all attentive and we glorify God for it. Please help us pray that they will obey the truth as what brother Jerry Aguan also preaching when he was alive.

Other preachers who cooperated in this work were brother Moca Marapan, Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua A. Notarte). On January 16, 2016, his dead body will be buried and brother Pepe Ando and his co-preachers will preach. 



Please pray for the wife of brother Jerry Aguan. Her name is Rodelyn Aguan, 29 years old, and their siblings were still very young. (as shown in the last picture) She asked for help to our brethren in Christ for the burial expenses because they don't have enough money. Their house is small and just beside the national highway where it is risky. My father gave some amount of money to help them. She also told us that brother Gerry Caa helped her financially. She also asked for help to the Government Officials. She was desperate in finding money for their big expenses. Please help and pray for them.  

Gospel Meeting at Purok 2, Campo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan, North Cotabato, Philippines; 10 PRECIOUS SOULS BAPTIZED

January 15, 2016

We traveled about 119 km. or 74 miles to preach the Gospel of Christ in a gospel meeting in Purok 2, Campo Uno, Katipunan, Arakan, Cotabato. We were thankful to God for the safe travel using our Pajero car where brother Joseph A. Notarte driving. We departed early morning and arrived on time and meet the people who are seeking for truth.

We gathered in the house of brother Enir Betil who was newly converted into the Church of Christ. We thanked him for opening the door for us in their house to conduct this Gospel Meeting.

Brother Moca Marapan and his co-preachers helped in inviting people to attend. Through their house to house bible studies with them, most of those who attended had already decided to obey the Gospel and are willing to be baptized. Most of them who attended lived in a place where many wars happen until this present. Many of our brethren in Christ even in neighboring provinces like in Kitaotao, Bukidnon areas were forced to evacuate their homes and gardens because of military operations. They were afraid of stray bullets. So many of them now are in hunger and are sick. And according to brother Moca, one of them died in the evacuation area. Please don't forget them in your prayers.

During the Gospel Meeting, brother Jonathan A. Notarte was requested to lead the songs and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached the word of God. He was the only speaker who preached because after this schedule, we are going to attend and comfort the family of our co-preacher, brother Jerry Aguan, who died last January 8, 2016.

After preaching the truth, 10 PRECIOUS SOULS submitted to baptism and we give all the glory to God.

Their names are:

1. Nessie Betil

2. Neil Marapan

3. Roy Juaquin

4. Lolita Marapan

5. Rosita Marapan

6. Lito Marapan

7. Rosa Batawig

8. Rachel Juaquin

9. Lita Manlanuan

10. Rowena Batawig

Finally, I read some scriptures in the bible to edify them to continue in their faith. May God bless them as they lived in Christ. 

Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

January 14, 2016

The Gospel of Christ was continually preached at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail where more than 500 prisoners detained that came from different places throughout Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. We are very thankful for the jail guards and jail administration in allowing us to preach the truth. They are also listening and observing as we have bible studies inside the jail since April 2015.

This time, brother Joseph A. Notarte was requested to lead the songs. We are lack of Cebuano Hymnals so many of them who attended could not sing with us. We do our best to produce and have printed copies but our printer is not heavy duty. Many of our printed hymnals was given for free to the most needy brethren in mountainous places. I, with my brothers in flesh, Joseph and Jonathan, and our co-preachers like Ruel Eloy, Joey Bilang and Renato Bogoy, are those who help in making these hymnals.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached the word of God about the First Century Churches. This time, the church in Rome. We studied for several weeks on how they become members of the Church of Christ, how they worship and their practices, and what are their characters as a local church. We also studied the life of a preacher and Christians where for many times like apostle Paul was in prison but was not discourage in living for Christ sake. Many lessons were preached and studied that help us find the truth. May God help us bear many fruits inside this jail who will obey the Gospel and will be saved.

Other brethren who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong with his wife, brother Jonathan A. Notarte and I (Joshua A. Notarte).

Worship Services in our areas; 1 SOUL BAPTIZED

January 10, 2016

From our home in Digos City, Davao del Sur, we traveled to different places using our motorbikes and car to preach in the worship services. This is what we always do for many years until now together with my brothers in flesh and my father. For me, I started this routine in preaching on 2006 and was thankful that God always protect us from any harm and danger on our way. To God be the glory!

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I preached on the worship service at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Together with me who preached was brother Advincula Odas. 

 After the worship service in Bitaug church of Christ, 1 PRECIOUS SOUL submitted to BAPTISM and we give all the glory to God. Her name is Maricris Velarde. She always attending worship services since childhood. Brother Advincula Odas baptized her in the sea. Brother Valente Tumol Sr., Victor Laureto and sister Natividad Tumol cooperated in this work. (click the pictures beside)

9:00 - 11:00 AM - My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached on the worship service at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Brother Joseph A. Notarte preached in 2 congregations at the morning. First, he preached in New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, he preached in Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur. 

2:00 - 3:00 PM - We all attended the worship services in Digos City District Jail church of Christ, Digos City District Jail or BJMP, Digos City. Brother Joseph Notarte preached in the Female section and brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in Male Section. I helped in leading the songs.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs.

We could not do this all without the help of our co-preachers. They are brother Joey Bilang, Ruel Eloy, Renato Bogoy, Cebe Arjay A. Notarte, Ben Dulong and Ringene Grengea. We are also thankful for our sisters in Christ who help us preparing for the things needed on the worship services. May God reward us greatly for all our effort in His kingdom.