Funeral Service of Sister Belit Labasano Ani

June 17, 2016

Our sister in Christ, Belit Labasano Ani, died on June 15, 2016 at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. She is a wife of our co-preacher, brother James Ani Sr. who is preaching in Wangan church of Christ, Wangan, Calinan, Davao City.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and my family went there to comfort their family in these hard times. We thanked God for revealing His words to us in the bible so we can know His will that will help our faith edified and give us assurance that living in Christ will not be in vain as we receive the eternal reward in heaven. Brother Pepe Ando lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, Gerry Caa, and many more.

Please help us pray for the family of sister Belit Ani. They are very hard up even in paying the funeral expenses. Let us all express our deepest sympathy to them all.

Bible Study in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur & Distribution of Cebuano Bibles to the Prisoners

June 16, 2016

By God's grace, our weekly bible study with the prisoners in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as Provincial Rehabilitation Center) continue to change the lives of many sinners and criminals. Many more are coming to us after hearing the truth for several times and requested to be baptized. This could only be done when the jail administration permits but we are very optimistic that the warden will allow especially now that warden Espinosa is asking for bible study materials and preaching outlines of the Church of Christ. Please help us pray that God will touch more hearts to obey the Gospel of Christ.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached this day. Brother Joseph A. Notarte lead the songs and the preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong, Jonathan A. Notarte and I (Joshua A. Notarte). Sister Susan Dulong always cooperated with us in this work. After preaching, we give 5 BIBLES translated in our local dialect "Cebuano." These were given to the brethren who requested and they are very thankful for it. This will surely help edify their faith and grow their knowledge in Christ. We are very thankful to the brethren in U.S. through brother Ron Halbrook in buying these bibles.

Gospel Meeting in Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur & Radio Preaching at Night

June 11, 2016

Ephesians 4:15-16(KJV)

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The Gospel of Christ that we heard and preach are so much powerful that can change the life of a sinner into holiness. By speaking the truth in love will assure God's help in growing and edifying our faith. This is our hope in preaching the truth here in Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur as we conducted a Gospel Meeting. Their former preacher, Dionisio Cantulan, was killed by communist rebels on April 26, 2016 during the Military encounter against armed rebels. After then, they don't have a preacher. That is why through the help of brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, he requested brother Advincula Odas (a preacher and one of the elders in Bitaug church of Christ) to preach here and we were not disappointed. The family of Dionisio Cantulan were very thankful and they are now having worship services every Sunday morning. Please help us pray for this congregation to grow in knowledge, grace and increase in numbers.

The SPEAKERS who preached the word of God were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, I (Joshua A. Notarte) and Julie Divine A. Notarte. We make sure that the truth will be preached and that everyone must know that there was only One Church that Jesus built. The place where the congregation was established was surrounded by different denominations that influenced many people in their community. We prayed that God touches their hearts to listen the truth and obey. 

At 6:00-6:30 PM, the Radio Program of the Church of Christ was heard throughout Davao del Sur province and neighboring provinces depending on their location. I and my brothers in flesh, Joseph and Jonathan preached here for many years. Our father in flesh, Julie Divine A. Notarte, trained us to preach here. I started preaching in our radio program in Radyo Ukay Digos 104.7 FM since I was 14 years old and I am 28 years old now. Through this radio program, many people heard the truth and after several times of listening, they obey and remain faithful. To God be the glory!

Brother Rudy Coercy A. Notarte still under medication & We comfort the family of our bereaved relatives in Tagum City, Davao del Norte

June 10, 2016

Our brother in Christ and co-preacher, Rudy Coercy A. Notarte, still under medication since he was sick on January 19, 2016 due to "Cerebral Stroke." They already spent thousands of pesos for the hospital bills, medicines and continued reflexology massage although there are times they could not buy medicines and have to stop the massage session because of financial loss. They already borrowed huge amount and loan their property. They continue asking for our help especially to the brethren who are able. Any amount of help even how small it is will be gladly received.

I, together with my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and my brothers in flesh, Joseph and Jonathan, visited and pray for him in their house in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Slowly by slowly, his body is improving and he could walked using crutches. Brother Rudy's prayer was that he could back to preach again with us in different places. He is very useful in edifying the brethren and preaching the truth. For now, his sons, Edward Notarte and Jay Notarte are preaching in Tagum City church of Christ where brother Rudy labors for many years. On May 29, 2016, they were able to baptized 2 souls. We are thankful for their help in the work of their father. His wife, Josefina Notarte, was also sickly and undergo several medical operations. Please pray for them.

At night, we went to comfort the family of our bereaved relatives in Tagum City. Our auntie, Corazon Notarte, died. She is a cousin of my father Julie Divine A. Notarte. They are not members of the Church of Christ but many of them already heard us preaching the truth since we are always requested to preach to them in different occasions like this.

Public Preaching in Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

June 9, 2016

This video shows the powerful preaching of the Church of Christ. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached about "The Lord's Servant" (this video might be viewed in Computer only)

In the Evacuation Center of Barangay Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, the people gathered together not to evacuate but the hear the truth brought by the preachers of the Church of Christ. We were thankful for the invitation and opportunity given to us to speak the word of God on this day. This PUBLIC PREACHING was conducted by the Barangay Officials headed by our co-preacher and their Barangay Captain Chito Pari.

They have this Evacuation Center because this area is prone of countless wars between Government Forces and Communist Rebels plus Muslim Rebels. For countless times since 1970's when the Gospel of Christ was preached here and baptized hundreds of souls, the brethren had experienced to evacuate their houses and little gardens due to wars. In fact, many church buildings of the Church of Christ in this place were burned by rebels. But thankfully, the brethren remain faithful in serving God and active for it's work.

This day, I (Joshua A. Notarte) was one of the speakers who preached the word of God. Together with me who preached were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and our father in flesh, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Larry Madialan lead the songs. Last week, brother Franklin Isla and Ronald Jay Dela Rosa preached here and many brethren also had attended.

Many preachers also of the Church of Christ had attended and cooperated. I could not name them all one by one but we are very thankful for their hard work in preaching the truth even to the most dangerous places. Their labors and sacrifices for the kingdom's sake will never be in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)

Worship Services Where We Are Preaching

June 5, 2016

"Come near to God and he will come near to you..." - James 4:8

Every Sunday, we continue to preach in different congregations of the churches of Christ. By God's grace, His words help us edify in faith to continue serving Him whatever the cost.

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in the worship service at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Together with me who preached was brother Felipe Tula Jr.

At the same time, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte and Joseph A. Notarte preached in Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached in Mahayahay church of Christ, Mahayahay, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

Brother Pedro Perez preached in New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur and in Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Brother Advincula Odas preached in Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. He is preaching here since Dionisio Cantulan died and we are making sure that the truth only will be preached. My father, Julie Notarte, help for his travelling expenses.

2:00 - 3:00 PM - We preached on the worship service at Digos City District Jail church of Christ, Digos City District Jail, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Joseph Notarte preached in Male quarter and brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in Female quarter.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - I (Joshua A. Notarte), preached in Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. lead the songs and brother Joseph and Jonathan Notarte had cooperated.

6:00 - 8:00 PM - Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached again on the monthly bible study in Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. 

We thanked God for his guidance in keeping us safe always. We would also thanked our co-preachers because without them, this work could be hardly done. They are brother Joey Bilang, Ruel Eloy, Renato Bogoy, Ben Dulong and Cebe Arjay A. Notarte. Above all, we give the glory and honor to God. He alone is truly worthy to be praised and worshiped!

7 Souls Baptized in Federico, San Jose, Matanao, Davao del Sur

June 3, 2016

ROMANS 6:3-4 (KJV)

(3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

By God's grace, seven (7) precious souls submitted to baptism after hearing the Gospel of Christ. It was not easy to preach to these people because they belong to bandit's family. But by God's help, these wives and children attended the bible studies and worship services in Bantong church of Christ and Dongan Pekong church of Christ, Matanao, Davao del Sur through the help of brother Dionisio Tol until they decided to be baptized. To God be the glory!

Before we went to the water, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached first the importance of water baptism for the remission of sins according to the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38) Not only that, he emphasized also how important for us to remain faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10). Please pray for them that they can also preach this message to their family who are still active in bandit's life. 

After preaching the whole truth, brother Julie Notarte baptized them and we give all the glory to God. Their names are: Rosita Baro, Roxan Mae Baro, Jizel Dalumatan, Rose Mae Masucat, Aljun Diambulang, Paranan Itom and Belhin Masucat. (The youngest was 12 years old)

Please pray for our new brethren that they may grow and become mature in their faith. We thanked God for this success in saving souls. We are also thankful to the preachers who cooperated in this work. They are brother Dionisio Tol, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, Ruel Eloy, Joey Bilang, Renato Bogoy, Felipe Tula Jr. and I (Joshua A. Notarte).

Bible Study with the PRISONERS in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur

June 2, 2016

Another week of planting the seed, the word of God, to the hearts of the prisoners in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as Provincial Rehabilitation Center) in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Every Thursday, the brethren are waiting for us to hear the truth. Many prisoners also are interested and even decided to submit in baptism. Please pray that God help us with this work to be successful so we can harvest many more souls.

This day, I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached the word of God. Brother Jonathan Notarte lead the songs and brother Ben Dulong and his wife, Susan Dulong, had cooperated. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, could not able to preach this day because he was suffering on his allergy. Please pray for him.

Several Brethren Confined in Llanos Hospital, Digos City, Davao del Sur

May 30, 2016

Our co-preacher, brother Felipe Tula Jr., was confined in Llanos Hospital, Digos City due to dengue fever. He was confined for 8 days. He was very weak when we visited him. We prayed for his immediate recovery. Together with me were brother Ruel Eloy, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and our father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Felipe is a preacher in Noa church of Christ, Noa, Magpet, North Cotabato and helped preaching to many lost souls. He is now staying in our house in Digos City and help us making Hymnals translated in our local dialect, Cebuano. This will be given to the most needy brethren who can't afford to buy their own. 

In the other room of the hospital, brother Rodulfo Manib and his mother, Rosita Manib, were both confined since May 21, 2016. They were very sick and pleading for help. They are both members in Dongan Pekong church of Christ, Dongan Pekong, Matanao, Davao del Sur. They were baptized since 1996 and until now, they remain faithful in the Church of Christ. Brother Dionisio Tol is their preacher. 

They are all asking for food for their watchers and some amount for their medicines. They are poor and needy. These brethren lived in war areas where many military operations made from time to time against armed rebels. Please pray for them.