Bible Lectures with Brother Rody Gumpad at Lanton church of Christ, Lanton, Apopong, General Santos City

December 6, 2016

The Church and Kingdom are distinct terms, but they are used synonymously in the New Testament to refer to the spiritual realm, relationship, or fellowship created by God in Christ, into which sinners enter by obedience to the gospel of Christ. Christ proclaimed the good news that his kingdom would soon be established, and he urged men to prepare to enter into it (Matt. 4:17). We have the privilege and duty TODAY to proclaim the good news that the kingdom has come, and to invite and urge all men to enter into it by obeying the gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15-16). 

We are glad and thankful to receive an invitation of the BIBLE LECTURES with our good friends and brothers in Christ, Rody Gumpad and his son, Rody Gumpad Jr. at Lanton church of Christ, Purok 11, Lanton Overview, Apopong, General Santos City. We were able to attend the whole day bible lectures together with my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte and brother Joseph Notarte. On April 2007, we were fortunate to be part of their students on The Preacher Training Program at Metro Tuguegarao church of Christ for one month. And we are thankful that they did not forget our close relationship and experience from that time. By God's help, we are looking forward to have another Bible Lectures with them in the near future.

This schedule was made through the help of their local preachers like brother Salvador Parbo and Jolly Julom and also with the help of brother Carlito Abella. Many preachers from different places had attended and were blessed with the lessons preached. May God help us become more equipped in preaching the truth so that many more souls will be saved.

Bible Lectures in Digos City Church of Christ (2nd Day) with Brother Ron Halbrook (13 SOULS BAPTIZED)

August 9, 2016

Many more had attended on the second day of Bible Lectures with brother Ron Halbrook in Digos City church of Christ. Over 200 people attended including brethren and visitors. My father, Julie Notarte, invited many preachers of the Church of Christ and also visitors who are not yet converted but already heard the truth for several times. Our radio programs and follow-up bible studies have been productive which help us harvest many more souls to Christ. 

Before brother Ron arrived from Davao City (which took 2 hours drive), brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached from early morning about "What Prayer Can and Cannot Do." Brother Ron Halbrook arrived almost 10 o'clock in the morning and preached 2 lessons. He discussed Jesus’ statement “I Am the Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:35) to show that Christ promised eternal life with God in heaven not material things, and followed with “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (Rom. 1:16-17) detailing the plan of redemption. I (Joshua Notarte) was requested again to translate the lessons sentence by sentence but sometimes, its paragraph already. Many could not understand English well and translation is very much needed so the truth will be more clarified.

When we sung the invitation song, 12 came forward to confess Christ and to submit to him in baptism.  We went to Lozada, San Isidro, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur and paid a fee at a swimming pool to immerse them and another soul decided to obey the gospel after we arrived at the pool, for a total of 13 baptisms today. Brother Julie Notarte baptized them and we give all the glory to God.

The schedule was supposedly whole day but my father changed the plan and make it half day because many of those who attended need to go home early as the sun still shines. Some of them need to walk more than an hour in the mountain where many rebels and bandits lived. For many times, we also went there and saw their difficult situation and so we admire their faith and sacrifice in attending this bible lectures. We are all thankful to brother Ron for spending time with us in studying the wonderful and saving message of God.

Bible Lectures in PADADA & DIGOS CITY Church of Christ

August 8, 2016

Brother Ron Halbrook continues his journey here in the Philippines by preaching the Gospel of Christ. Fortunately, the congregations that we are preaching have been chosen as part of this trip. We are thankful to brother Ron for his commitment in helping the Filipino saints to grow and edify their faith by God's word.

On Monday morning, August 8, the Gospel was proclaimed in Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur through brother Ron Halbrook. He preached 2 edifying lessons entitled, “Man Answers to God” (Ezek. 18:4) and “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (Rom. 1:16). We have a total attendance of 58 including some visitors that are invited by the brethren here in Padada. 

I (Joshua A. Notarte), was one of the preachers in this congregation since 2010 after the family of sister Lourdes Cañada has been converted. They offered a portion of their house lot to build a church building. We are so thankful that a dear brother in the U.S. name Toney Russell donated funds to build a small but adequate church building for the saints meeting in Padada (Toney has since died). After that, sister Elisama Sardido (a widow) and her family join the congregation here because it is more accessible for them than attending in Digos City church of Christ as what they are doing for many years. Together with me who always preach here were brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and several young preachers that we trained. 

In the afternoon, we drove back to Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City where my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preaches for many years. We had a total attendance of 120 where majority are preachers of the Church of Christ from remote areas. Most of them suffered multiple tragedies including a long drought and attacks and killings by bandits and rebels. Just 2 days ago, my father, Julie Notarte, received the news that two brethren were murdered by bandits.  Many brethren die in remote areas of Mindanao at the hands of roving bandits, communist rebels, and Muslim rebels.

Brother Ron Halbrook selected 2 topics to encourage and strengthen our faith in God. He taught on “God’s Weather Forecast” (Gen. 8:22) to counter man’s arrogant claims about human’s endangering the earth by “global warming” – God not man controls the weather. The next lesson was entitled “When Good People Suffer Bad Things” (Ps. 22:1).  We do not have all the answers about suffering, but we know sin introduced it into the world and we know God sustains His people in the face of every trial. I (Joshua Notarte) was requested again to translate the lesson (sentence by sentence) since many of those who attended could not understand English well.

In the evening, brother Frank Isla continue the bible lectures by preaching the lesson about "Godhead." Many questions were raised and help the brethren learn more. This class will continue tomorrow as brother Ron prepares more edifying lessons.

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.