Halbrook Philippine Report April 4-26, 2016
May 1, 2016th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 62nd PHILIPPINE TRIP April 4-26, 2016
Dear brethren,
God blessed my 62nd preaching trip to the Philippines April 4-26, just as He did the first one with Jim McDonald in 1995. Many Filipinos are being saved as citadels of sin and error fall before the power of the gospel. Truly “the weapons of our warfare” are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” and “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). I taught 62 times on this trip and 44 souls submitted to Christ in baptism.
After my safe arrival in Manila on April 5, the next morning Elias Cruz, Sammy Paet, and Ely Ebuenga helped me sort and repack study materials to be sent ahead via air cargo. Thursday I flew from Manila to Pagadian City, Zamboanga de Sur on Mindanao. Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco met me and that afternoon we traveled to the Palacan church where Ernie Collado preaches. 50-60 souls heard lessons entitled “Young People, Read the Bible” and “True Repentance.”
Friday 150 souls gathered at Magosutubig where I refuted the “one moral covenant” doctrine of Jim Puterbaugh and Wallace Little. They said the new covenant was only a renewal or continuation of the one covenant. Puterbaugh used this idea to support his false teaching that God has always accepted all marriages after all divorces. This one covenant deceived and divided Filipino brethren, but as the gospel casts down these vain imaginations, several preachers have repented and reconciliation is occurring.
Three were baptized during our visit April 9 to Guipos where Leo Armada preaches. That afternoon we went to Dumalinao where Cherlito Lauglaug helped start a church in a home. 40 people heard “Young People, Read the Bible” and “New Beginnings in Christ.” Ten were baptized. Sunday we worshiped at the Bogo church where Ramon Carino preaches. He is 91 and uses a walker or a wheelchair, but his mind is still plenty sharp. I used a two part lesson entitled “Selecting a Mate” for the many young people there. Then I preached at the Manga church where Leo and James Armada preach.
A year long drought has brought devastation to much of the Philippines especially in Mindanao. The fields are parched except where there is still sufficient water for irrigation. Many saints are suffering.
April 11-15 Jonathan, Jack, and I taught Revelation and Mike Willis’ Then Comes the End in Pagadian City. Revelation prepared saints in the early church for Rome’s vicious enforcement of emperor worship. It will fortify the faith of saints until the end of time by its emphasis on the victorious Christ. False teachers have twisted the book to teach wild theories about the rapture, the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, and the 1,000 year rule of Christ on David’s throne in Jerusalem. Such errors were exposed.
After the classes on the 15th, we flew to Cebu City, Cebu. Saturday we went to Bogo City where Gil Suico and Rupert Ramirez gathered 120 people. The work there is growing. On the Lord’s Day I studied two lessons on “Selecting a Mate” at the Cebu City church where Jonathan preaches. Then we visited the Lapu-Lapu church of Christ where Pablo Espinosa labors. 40 souls heard “Young People, Read the Bible.” Later that day Jonathan and I flew to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for two days of preaching. Jack Jaco and others arranged for 80-90 souls to hear basic lessons. A Pentecostal preacher was baptized and a long time Baptist preacher admitted he is near the kingdom.
April 20 I returned to Manila for 3 days of preaching at Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City with the help of Ely Ebuenga and Willie Pastor as translators. We were in a borrowed Presbyterian building filled with 135 souls. That night I spoke at the last funeral service of my brother and friend Atoy Franco. By the third day at the prison we had baptized 30 people. Sunday I spoke at the Edsa church where Rody Gumpad and Sammy Paet preach. That afternoon I preached to saints meeting in the home of Jaime Battung, then Rody and I conducted a renewal of vows for Jaime’s and Lita’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Monday 612 Bibles in Filipino dialects were purchased and will be shipped in the coming days.
I praise Him for all the saints who make these trips possible. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 107:1). The fruit of these efforts abounds to His glory!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
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