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.

Preacher Training & Gospel Meeting at J.P. Laurel church of Christ, J.P. Laurel, Malungon, Sarangani Province (3 SOULS BAPTIZED)

June 28-29, 2016

1 Corinthians 1:21 (ISV) - 

"For since, in the wisdom of God, 

the world through its wisdom did not know God, 

God was pleased to save those who believe 

through the nonsense of our preaching."

Preaching the true Gospel of Christ will invite men and women to become obedient to God. Many people view God's word as a "foolishness" but for us, it is the power of God unto salvation. Therefore, we need to continue in spreading the Gospel for it will never be in vain. For the same reason, we are thankful to the brethren in J.P. Laurel church of Christ who are very much active in this work by having monthly preacher training class since September 2015. Brother Pedrito Matampole labors here and help us in converting many of his neighbors in their community.

On this month, they decided to have 2 days activities. On the first day, they held the Preacher Training Class where brother Pedrito Matampole, Ringene Grengea and their co-preachers attended and study thoroughly the bible until midnight. On the second day was the Gospel Meeting because there were visitors who attended who are not yet members of the Church of Christ. I (Joshua A. Notarte), together with brother Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and Julie Divine A. Notarte were requested to preach.

After preaching the truth, 3 SOULS came forward during the invitation song and submitted to baptism. Their names are: 1. Romel Campaan, 2. Danisa Campaan, and 3. Marites Larapan. Brother Julie Notarte baptized them and we give all the glory to God.

Bible Study at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur (1 SOUL BAPTIZED)

June 27, 2016

Acts 10:47 (NKJV) - 

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, 

who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"

Just like Cornelius and his household, there will be no reason for forbidding baptism to those who heard, believe, repent, and confess Christ as the Son of God. Salvation is for everyone who do God's will. For the same reason, we are thankful for He touches the hearts of those who heard the truth.

This day, one of the persons who attended our worship services in New Quezon church of Christ has decided to be baptized. Brother Joseph A. Notarte was the preacher in this congregation for many years and I (Joshua Notarte), together with brother Jonathan Notarte and Pedro Perez help together in edifying the brethren here. Our late sister in Christ, Felomina Elan, help us in establishing this congregation and we can say that this is one of her legacy in God's work.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached during our bible study and I lead the songs. After preaching the truth, Antonia Montejo Diot, submitted to baptism and we give all the glory to God. In the pictures below, you can see her daughter assisted during the baptism because sister Antonia's feet are weak. Please pray for our new sister in Christ as she enters a new life.

Worship Services in the Lord's Day

June 26, 2016

Matthew 18:20 (ISV) - 

"because where two or three have come together in my name, 

I am there among them."

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte), preached on 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 Joseph A. Notarte and Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Brother Jonathan A. Notarte preached in 2 congregations. First, he preached in New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. After that, 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. I preached in Male quarters and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached in the Female.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - I (Joshua A. Notarte), preached in Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. 

We could not do this without the help of our co-preachers and we are very thankful for them. They are brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Joey Bilang, Ruel Eloy, Renato Bogoy and Renato Taborada. Above all, we thank our Almighty God in helping us to make this possible.

Burial of Sister Belit Labasano Ani

June 25, 2016

John 11:25-26 (ISV)

²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The person who believes in me, even though he dies, will live. ²⁶ Indeed, everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe that?”

Sister Belit L. Ani was buried in Calinan Public Cemetery, Calinan, Davao City around 1:00 PM. We went there to attend and comfort her family in this difficult time of their lives. Sister Belit was a wife of our co-preacher, brother James Ani Sr. who is preaching in Wangan church of Christ, Wangan, Calinan, Davao City and neighboring places.

Before we buried sister Belit Ani, a funeral service was first made in their house. Brother Hope Itdang was requested to preach. Several preachers of the Church of Christ also had attended like brother Pepe Ando, Gerry Caa, Pedro Perez, Joseph Notarte, I (Joshua A. Notarte) and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, who was requested to preach in the cemetery.

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

June 23, 2016

We have God given duty to preach the Gospel of Christ to every men including those who are in prison. Jesus Christ himself taught us to show our concern for them when he said, "I was in prison, and you visited me" Matt. 25:36. Our desire and purpose is to do what God wants us to do, and for the same reason, we preached the truth of the word of God.

We are thankful that God opens the door for us to preach here in Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as Provincial Rehabilitation Center) located in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. For more than 1 year already, we have been able to preach the truth that leads to repentance of many alien sinners until they obey by submitting to baptism. We continue to do our best in preaching every Thursday. This time, brother Joseph A. Notarte preach the word of God and I (Joshua A. Notarte) lead the songs. Together with us who help in this work were brother Ben Dulong, Jonathan Notarte, Julie Divine A. Notarte and Pedro Perez. We also thank the Jail Warden and Jail Administration in permitting us. Please help us pray that God help us in this work to continue and grow.

Funeral Service & Burial of sister Lileth Dialane; Many brethren also are sick

June 22, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 (ISV)

⁸ We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord. ⁹ So whether we are at home or away from home, our goal is to be pleasing to him.

Our sister in Christ, Lileth Dialane, died after giving birth of her first son. She undergo cesarean operation in one of the hospitals in General Santos City but since they don't have money, she secretly decided not to buy any of the prescribed medicines and went home riding a motorcycle but after few hours, she died. Sister Lileth was a member in Kalonbarak church of Christ, Kalonbarak, Poblacion, Malungon, Sarangani Province. She was baptized during our first time in preaching the Gospel of Christ in their area. Please pray for her family especially to her son, Lei Andrea Dialane in this difficult time of their lives.

We went there to comfort her family through the word of God. I (Joshua A. Notarte) was requested to preach during the last funeral service until the burial. Brother Joseph Notarte  and Jonathan Notarte lead the songs. The preachers who cooperated with us were brother Pedrito Matampole and Galacio Simplicio.

Many brethren in Kalonbarak church of Christ are sick during the time we visit the place. One of them is their preacher, brother Galacio Simplicio, who is already half blinded. One of his eyes need medical operation but could not able due to financial loss. He is preaching for many years and help established several local congregations of the Church of Christ. We went also to Malungon Municipal Hospital and visit the son of sister Irish Sumagaysay. Her child's name is Ram Sumagaysay. They are both sick and don't have money for their hospital bills. They don't even have food to eat the time we visited them. We give some amount of help from our own pocket. Please pray for them.