Gospel Meeting at Plateau church of Christ, Plateau, Mahongkog, Magpet, Cotabato

July 11, 2016

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) - 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'

Every year, we are invited to preach on the Annual Gospel Meeting at Plateau church of Christ where brother Roweno Lino preaches. It is not easy to go there because of the presence of the communist rebels. Just few days ago, 3 rebels were killed during the military operation in the road where we passed. Thankfully, we arrived safely, preach the truth boldly, harvested 10 precious souls and went home with gladness by the Grace of God.

The SPEAKERS who preached were brother Placido Solangga, Jimmy Noa Sr., Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, I (Joshua A. Notarte) and Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Loreto Labe also has attended. The brethren were very attentive. Several visitors also had attended and some were religious leaders in different denominations. They requested us to preach about the Foundation of the Church and the doctrine of Christ.

After preaching the truth, 9 souls came forward during the invitation song but after the Gospel Meeting, 1 more soul decided to be baptized with a total of 10 SOULS. Brother Roweno Lino did the baptism. We were not able to go to the water because of the distance and it is not advisable for us to stay long in their place. The names of those who were baptized are: 1. Rey Boy Mabatao, 2. Jenelyn Mabatao, 3. Jollie May Mayaan, 4. Kenn Mark Aguirre, 5. Jonel Andas, 6. Jeany Rose Bayaan, 7. Romena Lino, 8. Jonafe Icdang, 9. Riza Ejercito, 10. Leymar Andas. We give all the glory to God. Please pray for these new brethren that they may grow unto maturity in Christ.

Worship Services On The Lord's Day

July 10, 2016

Heb. 13:15 - 

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached on the worship service in Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Ruel Eloy lead the songs. We are grateful to see Romel Cabaña and his family attending our worship service. They are listening to our radio program for several months and happy to found the truth. They said to continue attending the worship and bible studies. Please help us pray that they will obey the Gospel on the soonest possible time.

At the same time, brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached in Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Together with him who preached was brother Felipe Tula Jr.

Brother Advincula Odas was sent to preach in Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Joseph A. Notarte preached in 2 congregations of the Church of Christ. 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 preached in Digos City District Jail church of Christ. Brother Joseph Notarte preached in Male quarter and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in the Female.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Felipe Tula Jr. preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Ruel Eloy lead the songs. We help train these men to preach and lead the worship.

Gospel Meeting at Taclobo church of Christ, Taclobo, Libertad, Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal

July 8, 2016 (at night)

Acts 20:32 (NKJV) - 

"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

Gospel meeting used to accomplish a lot of things for a Christian life. This is God's ordained method for us to have faith. It's purpose it to create, to build and strengthen our faith. Thus we are thankful that the Gospel of Christ was continually preached and heard in Taclobo church of Christ. 

The SPEAKERS who preached were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, and Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Cebe Arjay A. Notarte lead the songs. 

Visited Evacuees' Brethren (Nine Brethren Killed By Bandits)

July 8, 2016

We visited evacuees’ brethren in Bankerohan Gym, Barangay 5-A, Davao City. They evacuated because from April 19 - June 24, 2016, nine (9) of our brethren were killed by the bandits. There were twenty more killed by bandits but they are not members of the Church of Christ. The following are the names of the brethren who were killed by the bandits:

1. JANET RILLAMOT - 58 years old

2. ROBINSON LUMILANG - 45 years old

3. JOMER SANDOMAN - 53 years old

4. BAE ANGELINA - 62 years old

5. FURTONATO VILLAMOR - 61 years old

6. DOKIT VILLAMOR - 43 years old

7. SASO MANBINTO - 38 years old

8. JERFER HULAGNO - 47 years old

9. ETOY HULAGNO - 4 years old child

One of them was killed by bandits on April 19, 2016 and two were killed by bandits on May 20, 2016. Another two brethren were killed on May 25, 2016. This was in the news of Northern Mindanao TV Patrol. Another 3 brethren were killed by bandits on June 24, 2016.

On July 5, 2016, the bandits attacked them again and so they evacuated at Davao City areas. There were many more evacuees but we do not know where others were displaced. There is a possibility that there are more brethren who were also killed. We have no enough money to find them. Many brethren asked for help especially to my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, but he has already very hard up and has already borrowed big amount of money in helping the neediest brethren who are victims of drought and victims of wars.

Many of these brethren were baptized on year 2002 during the time when brother Ron Halbrook held bible lectures at Kitaotao, Bukidnon with the cooperation of many co-preachers. We also cooperated during the time when brother Ron Halbrook held bible lectures in this place. Some of them were baptized earlier and some were baptized after year 2002 and many brethren remain faithful even though they are in severe hunger due to long drought and countless wars. Many of our brethren were killed during wars. Some were hit by stray bullets and some were killed intentionally by bandits. There are also many communist rebels and Muslim rebels in their place. There are more than twenty congregations in Bukidnon areas or more than one thousand brethren who are always victims of wars and victims of drought. We are always their speakers on their Gospel Meetings. We had baptized hundreds of alien sinners in these places on the past years and this year but we give all the glory to god.

Our government had helped a little for their food and medicines but the need is still very big. Their children are always crying due to hunger. Please help them and remember them in your prayers.

In the pictures attached below are my co-preachers. On the left picture is brother: Joseph Notarte, Cebe Arjay Notarte, Julie Divine A. Notarte, Salvador Baday and Moca Marapan. On the second picture wearing black jacket is brother Jonathan Notarte. In the background were the evacuees both members and non-members of the Church of Christ.

Funeral Service of Sister Linsay M. Emba

July 5, 2016

Matthew 5:4 - 

"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted."

Our sister in Christ, Linsay Mino Emba, 106 years old, and a member in Malinan church of Christ, Malinan, Kidapawan City died due to her old age. She was baptized on the year 1992 by my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, and after that she remain faithful in Christ even though many had tempted her to transfer in different religion. We admire her faith in standing for the truth. In fact, her family and many of her relatives were members of the Church of Christ. 

I (Joshua A. Notarte) was requested to preach on the funeral service this day. Together with me were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Noli Caa and Francisco Pampangan who is one of the preachers in Malinan church of Christ. We do what we can to comfort the family of sister Linsay Emba and we give some amount of help for the burial expenses. Please pray for them.

Worship Services & Bible Study at Night

July 3, 2016

3 John 8 (NKJV) - 

"We therefore ought to receive such, 

that we might be fellow helpers to the truth."

It's the Lord's day and the brethren are ready to serve and worship our Living and Almighty God. We are thankful that God send preachers in different places whom we can call, "Fellow helpers to the truth."

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in the worship service at Mahayahay church of Christ, Mahayahay, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. In the picture below is brother Rodulfo Saludar who is one of the preachers in this congregation for many years.

Brother Pedro Perez help us to preach in 2 congregations. He preached in New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur and in Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

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

Brother Joseph Notarte and Valente Tumol Sr. preached in Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

2:00 - 3:00 PM - We preached in Digos City District Jail church of Christ (also known as Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) in Digos City where more than 500 prisoners detained. We started to preach here since 2006 and were able to baptized 150 prisoners. Unfortunately, the jail administration did not allow to conduct baptism anymore inside the jail even though many prisoners are already decided to be baptized. Please help us pray for this matter. This time, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in Male quarter and Jonathan Notarte preached in the female.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Cebe Arjay A. Notarte, our youngest brother in flesh has started to help us in preaching in Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. He is 14 years old.  

7:00 - 9:00 PM - We preached during the monthly bible study in Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur where my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was always requested to preach. Brother Advincula Odas lead the songs who is also preaching in Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Our 2nd Public Preaching in Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

June 30, 2016

Acts 4:29 (ISV) - 

"Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and 
allow your servants to speak your word boldly.'

We are once again thankful to the brethren in Maibo church of Christ, Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur in conducting this Public Preaching in their community headed by their Barangay Captain which is our co-preacher, brother Chito Pari, and also to brother Jerome Pari and Larry Madialan who greatly contributed their effort in this work. 

Our venue is the Evacuation Center of Barangay Maibo. This was built for the safety of the people because for many times, countless wars occur in this place between Government forces and Communist Rebels plus Muslim rebels. On 1970's when the Gospel of Christ was first preached here and converted hundreds of souls, many of their houses were burned including the church buildings of the Church of Christ. There are times that they could not finished their worship services because the rebels suddenly attacked. But even these trials, they remain faithful to God until death. Majority of the people who attended are already members of the Church of Christ here and in neighboring places.

I (Joshua A. Notarte) was one of the SPEAKERS who preached the word of God in the morning together with brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and Julie Divine A. Notarte. The afternoon speakers were brother Franklin Isla, Franklin Isla II, Ronald Jay Dela Rosa and Alvin Atil.

Many preachers of the Church of Christ also had attended and cooperated. Many of the brethren also had walked 2 hours from the mountain just to attend and hear the word of God that edify our faith. We are thankful to every one who do their best in making this work possible. May God reward us greatly.