September 14, 2012^th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace November 27-December 20 will mark my 48^th opportunity to proclaim Christ in the Philippines since Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995.  It is a privilege to bring Jim Barnett (Artesia NM) and Steven Saunders (Clarence, MO) to teach singing classes!  Another unexpected door has swung open to reach many Pentecostals with the gospel.  Satan takes our souls “captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Col. 2:8 NIV).  How appropriate that we learn to sing praises to God when we are freed from the bondage of sin and error!  Preaching and singing are allies in serving God.  This should be a fruitful trip.

Jim, Steven, and I will reach Manila late November 28 and begin the singing classes immediately the next day at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, Metro Manila.  Jim and Steven will provide material on singing and pitch pipes for song leaders.  I will alternate with gospel lessons.  It will be a joy to work with this good church with its elders and preachers for three days.  Jerry Toreja and Wilfredo Gonzales are elders, and Elias Cruz an evangelist there.  Sunday Jim and Steven will preach here and I will preach at the Bilibid Prison with Willie Pastor, faithful preacher incarcerated at the national prison.

Sunday evening we fly to Cebu City for singing classes at the Cebu City church of Christ on Cebu Island where Jonathan Carino preaches.  Because Cebu City is centrally located in the Visayan Islands, men can come from throughout the region including northern Mindanao.  After the classes December 3-5, we will fly to Manila and on to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province in northern Luzon.  Immediately upon arrival Thursday afternoon we will start classes at the Metro Tuguegarao church of Christ where Rody Gumpad preaches, and continue through Saturday.  I will miss some classes to preach at Tabuk, Kalinga Province with Ben Vistro and possibly other places.  Sunday after worship at the Metro church, visits are scheduled for area congregations at Alibagu, Maddarulog, Maguirig, Lingu, and Minagbag.

December 10, Monday, we fly back to Manila to part ways on the 11^th: Jim and Steven go back to the U.S. as I proceed to General Santos City in southern Mindanao to work with Rudy Tampon, Jolly Julom, and other saints.  After laying aside premillennialism on August 5, 2011, Cyrus Gesulga has introduced us to a growing circle of associates.  His close friend, Rudy Tampon, gathered a group of men from the premillennial background at General Santos City in April for a profitable five-day series studying Robert Harkrider’s Basic Bible Doctrine.  Rudy invited several Pentecostal preachers to join the class.  They sat at the front, were inquisitive and at times defensive, and we were not sure how much progress was made with them.  When I arrived in Davao City for a similar class with premillennial brethren in August, Rudy brought letters from these Pentecostals pleading for me to return as soon as possible for additional studies.

To strike while the iron is hot, the General Santos City sessions December 12-15 will cover 13 lessons in a workbook on How to Study the Bible (proper and improper attitudes & methods of study, rightly dividing the word, old & new covenants, context, when God says nothing, etc.).  I will teach six lessons on “The Authority of Christ.”  Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, and other Filipino brethren will also present lessons.  The Pentecostal preachers admit they learned many things in April and promise to gather many of their brethren.

Sunday will be spent visiting our brethren in the area.  Several opportunities are being weighed for Monday.  A gospel meeting will be held at the Balite church in General Santos City on Tuesday, where Ricardo dela Cruz labored before his death last year.

This trip should be very fruitful to edify saints and to save sinners! I take a deep breath when planning these trips, wondering if U.S. saints will tire of supporting such work, but God’s love and grace have always been sufficient. I trust that He will provide again through the love of His saints!  Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook.  Mail to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love,  Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@insightbb.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.