BAPTISM in Leling, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur & BIBLE LECTURES in East Asia Royale Hotel, Gensan

August 5, 2016

John 9:4 (NKJV)

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

By God's grace, 5 SOULS submitted to BAPTISM after hearing the truth through our radio program and bible studies. They are (1) Romel Cabaña, (2) Elma Cabaña, (3) Jezeel Cabaña, (4) Jason Cabaña, and (5) Joshua Cabaña. We rejoice with the angels in heaven as they become members of the Church of Christ which was purchased by the blood of Christ. Please help us pray for this family that they will continue to serve God and will remain faithful. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, baptized them in Leling, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Together with me who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte and Jonathan Notarte but we give all the glory to God.

After that, we traveled to General Santos City and attended the BIBLE LECTURES of Brother Ron Halbrook in East Asia Royale Hotel. This is five days of classes on the Book of Revelation and on the final events at the end of time. The classes started on August 1 until this day. Jolly Julom was the host and many brethren came from a distance and stayed with him for the week.  They slept on mats on the floor of the church building where Jolly preaches.  His family and other helpers prepared food for them. Most attendees are Christians, but one very attentive fellow was a Baptist preacher.  He asked for clarification on baptism as the last question.  He was satisfied with the answer when brother Ron read and discussed Mark 16:15-16.  We hope that he will soon obey the gospel.  

Bible Study in the house of Romel Cabaña

August 3, 2016

Acts 14:27 (NKJV)

Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that he had OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH to the Gentiles.

Romel Cabaña and his family are our radio listeners from Purok 20-A, Campo 10, Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. They invited us again for a BIBLE STUDY in their house and we are thankful for the very good impact of the truth in this family. They have many questions in searching for the truth and after answering all their questions from the bible, they were very happy. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, and Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua Notarte) had cooperated in this work. Our schedule was supposedly one hour only but due to their aggressiveness in studying the bible, we consumed 3 hours, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM.  After preaching the truth, they all decided to be baptized and they choose to do it on Friday (Aug. 5, 2016). 

Worship Services 07-31-2016

July 31, 2016 

Psalms 95:2-3 (NKJV)

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

3 

For the Lord is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.

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.

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 Valente Tumol Sr.

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.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - We requested brother Salvador Flores to preach on the worship service in Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. He was one of the preachers in M'lang church of Christ, M'lang, Cotabato and we are thankful that he found the meeting place here in Padada and join us every Sunday worship. Brother Renato Bogoy lead the songs. I and brother Jonathan Notarte had cooperated.

Funeral Service of sister Lorenza R. Cariño

July 28-29, 2016

Philippians 3:20-21 - 

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Our beloved sister in Christ, Lorenza R. Cariño died at the age of 91 years old. She was married to brother Ramon Cariño Sr. for 70 years and a mother of brother Jonathan Cariño. Both of them are preachers of the Church of Christ for many years. Sister Lorenza was blessed to have a loving Christian family and friends. We know how she lived faithfully to God and the long life she received was well prepared for eternity.

We extend our deep sympathy to the bereaved family as we attended the last night funeral service. Together with me who came from Davao del Sur was my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Franklin Isla and Franklin Isla II.

It was not easy for us to travel by land from Digos City, Davao del Sur to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. We traveled 8 hours. We take the shortest route but is the most dangerous because we need to pass through rebel and bandits areas where many ambush were made. But thankfully, we safely made it through God's help.


Unfortunately, our car has mechanical trouble as we get closer to Pagadian City. We brought it to repair shop and my father need to borrow money because we don't have enough money for the payment. It was not totally repaired since many more parts need to be replaced. But due to financial loss, we decided to go home as early as possible on the next day even though, we were already warned by the mechanic that the survival to reach home in Digos City will be rough.

Early morning on July 29, we departed from Pagadian City to our home in Digos City. But on our way in Kidapawan City, our car was overheated and the engine did not start anymore. That is why we don't have a choice but to contact a "towing service" which is very expensive. My father borrowed money again so we can arrive home in Digos City. Our car was delivered directly to repair shop and we are praying that God will supply our needs so we can repair it. We badly need this car so we can continue to travel in different places even in hinterlands and rebel areas so we can spread the Gospel of Christ that saves many lost souls.

Funeral Service of Nenita Blanca (7th Night)

July 27, 2016

John 6:40 (NKJV) - 

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Traditionally, Filipinos hold a wake that usually last for five to nine days. They do this for cultural, some are for superstitious belief and others are for traditional custom. But commonly, people do this for honoring and remembering the life and legacy of the dead. 

On the other hand, the wake of Nenita Blanca will last for nine days, not because of tradition but due to financial loss. Her family plan to bury her as early as possible but the funeral parlor and public cemetery will not allow unless they pay for it. Her family was worried in finding money until they desperately decided to sell their house lot for a cheaper price in order to pay for the burial expenses. But until this night, no buyer was found. We also do our best to help them in this hard times. My father, gave some amount to help them from his own pocket. 

This night, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, continue to preach the word of God to comfort and to teach them the truth. I (Joshua Notarte) lead the songs and brother Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr., Renato Taburada and Ben Dulong had cooperated. We appreciate the attention of the family of Nenita Blanca in studying God's word. We pray that they will also obey the truth without delay. Brother Ben Dulong was requested to preach on the next night until burial on July 29, 2016.

Funeral Service of Nenita Blanca (6th night)

July 26, 2016

John 5:28-29 (NKJV) - 

(28) Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice (29) and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Everyone must look forward to the resurrection in the last day. Faithful Christians have so much to look forward to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ eternally. But to those who are not in Christ and erring one will be frighten on that last day. That is why the most important question we have to answer is, "Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

This night, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte continue to preach this truth on the funeral service of Nenita Blanca in Sitio Power, Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Many who attended are still lost in sin. We do what we can to proclaim the salvation in Jesus Christ by teaching the truth. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs and the preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr. and I (Joshua Notarte).

Funeral Service of Nenita Blanca (5th night)

July 25, 2016

Acts 24:15 (NKJV) - 

" I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust."

We keep on comforting the family of Nenita Blanca by preaching God's word on a funeral service in their house at Sitio Power, Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Her daughters, relatives and neighbors are grieving for her loss. But aside from that, they are worried for the burial expenses. Until this day, the funeral parlor, the casket and the cemetery were not yet paid. They are very hard up financially and pleading for help.

This night, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached the word of God. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. lead the songs and the preachers who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua Notarte).

Worship Services 07-24-2016 & Funeral Service at night

July 24, 2016

Matthew 4:10 (NIV) - 

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

9:00 - 12:00 PM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in 2 congregations of the Church of Christ. First, I preached in New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, I preached in Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur. Together with me was my wife, Glaiza Notarte.

9:00 - 11:00 AM - Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte and Jonathan Notarte preached in Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

At the same time, Joseph Notarte and Valente Tumol Sr. preached in Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

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

2:00 - 3:00 PM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) and brother Ben Dulong preached in Digos City District Jail church of Christ. I preached in Female quarter and brother Ben preached in Male quarter.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Ruel Eloy preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Renato Taburada lead the songs.

7:00 - 9:00 PM - Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte preached on the FUNERAL SERVICE of Nenita Blanca in Sitio Power, Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Cebe Arjay Notarte lead the songs. Other preachers who cooperated were brother Felipe Tula Jr., Joey Bilang and Renato Bogoy.