August 15

Halbrook Philippine Report August 6-11, 2013

August 11, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By God’s good grace a door was opened to us on the island of Leyte. Cyrus Gesulga has had contact with preachers on Leyte associated with churches of Christ using instrumental music, churches known as Christian Churches in the U.S. Ben and his son Lucas Pitogo are associated with these churches. They agreed to help Cyrus gather preachers to study for five days on “How to Study the Bible” and on “The Authority of Christ.” We began those classes today, August 6, with 42 in attendance. At the day’s end time was set aside for an open forum, but everyone was satisfied and no questions were asked. The applications will become more pointed tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see the reaction.

Along with Mark Mayberry and myself, our team of teachers include several Filipino preachers: Cyrus, Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, and Jack Jaco. After breakfast and an early morning devotional lesson, formal classes begin at 9:00 AM and end at 7:30 PM.

On Wednesday our participants were very attentive as we discussed various themes involved in how to study the Bible. Lessons were presented on proper and improper attitudes, rightly dividing the truth, the two covenants, context, taking all the Bible says on a subject, word studies, and translations. In a natural way these topics accommodate application of Bible principles to such issues as instrumental music in worship, the proper use of the church treasury, and other issues. I especially emphasized the application to instrumental music. Everyone paid attention well with no apparent negative reaction. During the open forum, we had only two questions but none on instrumental music. It will be interesting to see what reactions we get for the next couple of days!

The next day Mark and I taught lessons completing the workbook on “How to Study the Bible.” Mark’s study of divine silence provided a good opportunity to show that instrumental music is not authorized in New Testament worship. I gave the participants a six-page worksheet reviewing how to study the Bible and we spent two hours working through it. This included exercises in analyzing passages in their context. Mark taught several mixed topics including a detailed study of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 to add a strong moral emphasis to our series.

 

The questions during the open forum were wide ranging, but one was especially important. It focused on whether people who obey the original gospel and then worship in churches which use instrumental music are Christians. I pointed out that when people obey Matthew 28:19, they are united with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – they are Christians. But worshiping with instruments deviates from Matthew 28:20 regarding the necessity to follow “all things” taught by Christ. This must be corrected. One of the leading preachers asked if he could have 30 minutes tomorrow to present his case defending instrumental music. We welcomed him to do it, knowing this would give us the opportunity to focus on the specific arguments he considered strongest.

Mark and I are walking 30-40 minutes each night for exercise and to maintain our stamina. During tonight’s walk, we turned at a dark corner and a small black pipe caught my shoe, causing me to fall. Our pace was fast and the fall somewhat propelled me forward in a prone position. Somehow my glasses ended up in my hands and took the impact of my sliding forward on the street. The lenses are badly scarred. Donna contacted my optometrist, who emailed the lenses’ prescriptions, and Jonathan took a fastcraft ferry to Cebu City on Cebu Island to get the lenses replaced. He visited four optometrists who specialize in making lenses, but they said my prescription could not be made in the Philippines. So, I will just make out as best I can with the glasses as they are. This is a reminder to count our blessings as citizens of America!

 

Friday I began two days of lessons on the theme “The Authority of Christ.” The first two lessons included material demonstrating Christ authorized singing in worship but not instrumental music. From 11:00 to 11:30 AM, Lucas Petigo presented two contradictory approaches in defense of instrumental music: (1) It is optional, not commanded, and (2) it is commanded by the Greek word psallo in Ephesians 5:19 (“making melody”). He first argued instruments are not commanded but also not prohibited. In response it was pointed out that when God authorized gopher wood for the ark, all other woods were automatically prohibited, just as the command to “sing” automatically forbids instruments. No specific prohibition is necessary.

Regarding psallo, the claim is made that it referred to singing to the accompaniment of instruments. I pointed out that if instruments are commanded by the use of psallo, the command is to all Christians, meaning all of us must play instruments. Those who cannot and do not play instruments cannot worship properly. Ephesians says to psallo on the h-e-a-r-t NOT on the h-a-r-p! In reality, psallo in the first century meant simply to sing and that is how it is translated in all standard Bible translations including those in Filipino dialects. Everyone listened well and no one became angry. The seed was sown.

I taught two additional lessons on the authority of Christ showing how Roman Catholicism arose by departing from the New Testament pattern of faith and practice. Instrumental music was one of the departures. Mark preached a whole lesson dismantling numerous arguments used to defend instruments. The audience was again attentive and in good spirits.

During the open forum, there were no questions on instrumental music, but there were questions about the proper role of women in the church, the work of the Holy Spirit, and Holy Spirit baptism.

On Saturday the five days of classes with men from instrumental churches were concluded. Our audience was reduced by the fact that one of their churches about ten kilometers away at San Vicente had its annual thanksgiving service – such services typically involve singing, preaching, and prayers of thanksgiving that the church has survived another year. Both Mark and I were invited to speak at this church tomorrow and we will include it on our schedule.

Meanwhile, four Roman Catholics who have attended several services at the sound church where Willie Pelino preaches and who attended our sessions decided to be baptized. After we dismissed the classes, we all rode to the ocean on tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars used as taxis). Willie baptized these four precious souls.

Lucas Pitogo who preaches at San Vicente has already invited us to return to teach again and even offered us the use of their large church building. He has been trained at a Christian Church Bible school here in the Philippines, so it is significant that he is so open to us. His influence is wide, and if he will be converted, this is sure to open many more doors. We must sow the seed and let God give the increase which is according to His will.

On Sunday Jonathan Carino went with Willie Pelino to preach for the church in Ormoc City. Mark, Cyrus Gesulga, Jack Jaco, and I traveled ten kilometers to reach a church at San Vicente . We started in an old beat-up van which broke down, so we hailed a tricycle and finished the trip. This was originally a conservative church but began using the instrument in 1999. Often churches of Christ in the Philippines using the instrument are still very conservative in many ways, and open to study. That was the case at San Vicente.

Mark began with a sermon on “The Pattern” and used the Lord’s Supper to illustrate the importance of strictly following God’s instructions for worship. I followed him with a study of “New Beginnings in Christ:” a new covenant, a new kingdom, and a new birth. I emphasized that the old covenant including instrumental music in worship has “vanished away” (Heb. 8:13) now that the new covenant is in effect. Cyrus urged the brethren to make a decision to remove the instruments from their worship.

When we opened the floor for questions, two of the leading men said the lessons presented during the previous week were very clear and there were no more questions. They promised to let their instruments “vanish away.” I stood, walked over to them, shook their hands, and assured them we can work in unity now that the wedge of division was repudiated. Cyrus led us in prayer on behalf of these brethren and this congregation at San Vicente.

This has been a good and profitable week by God’s grace!

We planned to travel to Cebu City tonight via the fastcraft ferry to begin the next segment of our work. A low pressure area stirred up stormy waters and it was cancelled. A large ship can ply the waters, so we got tickets for the all-night journey.

We thank God for opening the way for us to travel to the Philippines and we thank our brethren who sacrifice to provide the necessary financing for our work! The sky has been cloudy today, so we may not be able to see the moon, but if you can see it there, be sure to smile at the moon for us.

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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August 9

Halbrook Philippine Report July 31-August 5, 2013

August 5, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By the grace of God Mark Mayberry and I left our homes on July 31 and met in Detroit, MI. From there we safely continued our trip to Manila , arriving late on the night of Thursday, August 1.

The next day we met with some brethren who took 3 large boxes which needed to be shipped by air cargo to Cebu and to Leyte. For a couple of hours we also studied with them about some details regarding the resurrection of Christ which had disturbed some of our brethren. Mark and I pointed out that miracles are beyond human explanation and that we must confine ourselves to what is specifically revealed. The study was recorded. That evening the brethren who were disputing over the matter gathered, listened to the recording, discussed their differences, and then reconciled, agreeing to stop disputing.

On Saturday we left the hotel shortly after 7:00 A.M. and traveled two hours to the church at Vicas, North Caloocan City to work with Ely and Larry Ebuenga in an all-day gospel meeting. About 25 of the 65 who attended were Roman Catholics. I began with “The Purpose of Our Lives” and Jimmy Bobis was the translator. Mark Mayberry had a very simple and effective lesson on the plan of salvation, showing God’s part and man’s part. Rody Gumpad gave an overview of the Bible and church history to show God ordained only one true church.

Mark spoke after lunch and I followed him with a lesson on “New Beginnings in Christ,” then Rody gave the invitation by emphasizing the steps necessary to receive salvation. A young man was baptized and a lady was restored. A visitor came forward to ask if she could be baptized on behalf of her baby, but Rody pointed out she needed more study. This is the first time I had heard such a request, but it well illustrates how little people understand the truth and how much they need to hear it.

On Sunday Mark went with Rody to the new Edsa-Pasay church while Atoy Franco brought me to the national Bilibid Prison to preach to an overflow crowd in the Catholic chapel we borrowed. It is located in Muntinlupa in Metro Manila. Willie Pastor was incarcerated here almost three years ago and he immediately began preaching the gospel there with the help of his brother Kenneth who lives in the Manila area. My lesson was a verse by verse study of Ezekiel 18 entitled “Man Answers to God.” One man asked to be baptized into Christ.

After the lunch hour Mark and Rody arrived to enter two additional sections of the prison to study with inmates and baptized ten more. Meanwhile, I visited the small new church meeting at the home of Jimmy Battung in Paranaque. My topic was “Back to the Bible.” Jimmy’s son-in-law Ric Halnas is in Timaru, New Zealand and he joined our study via Skype. I baptized him in May while he was home visiting his family and now he has no place to worship in Timaru. I will go there later on this trip.

On August 5 Mark and I flew to Tacloban City on the island of Leyte, very near to where General Douglass MacArthur landed when he returned to the Philippines to liberate the people from the Japanese during World War II. A van brought us to Ormoc City where we began classes today which will continue through this week.

Many prayers of thanksgiving go up to God for all the saints who make these trips possible and for all of you who are praying for us.

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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July 8

Upcoming Trip: July 31-Aug 29

July 4, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear brethren,

 

God willing, July 31-August 29 will be devoted to preaching in the Philippines and in New Zealand.  Jesus prayed in John 17:17-21 for the Apostles to call a lost world to God, to the truth revealed by God, and to the way of salvation.  He prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  He prayed “that the world may believe” through the united efforts of Christians through all the future centuries!  After beginning work in the Philippines in 1995 with Jim McDonald, this will be my 51st trip, and my 5th trip to N.Z., pleading for people to go “Back to the Bible!”  I will work with faithful Filipinos, Mark Mayberry (evangelist, Adoue Street Church of Christ, Alvin, TX), Kurt Smith (member of West Main Church of Christ, Lewisville, TX), and Harry Osborne (evangelist, 84th St. Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, OK) in the Philippines.

 

Mark has been to the Philippines, but this will be Kurt’s first preaching after taking the training classes conducted in Oklahoma City by Harry, John Isaac Edwards, and Brett Hogland.  Harry has been many times.

 

After Mark, Kurt, and I arrive in Manila August 1st,  Saturday will be spent with the saints at Vicas, Caloocan City where Ely and Larry Ebuenga preach.  Caloocan City is part of Metro Manila (12 million people) and is the 3rd largest city in the Philippines with 1,500,000 people.  This church is struggling to construct a meeting place, but the saints are very poor and help is needed.  We will preach the whole day.

 

Sunday will be divided between the new Edsa-Pasay congregation started by Rody Gumpad in Manila and the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.  The Edsa church began in January at a strategic location for Christians working in Manila and it has grown to an attendance of 35-45 including many visitors.  They may outgrow the function room they are renting at an old hotel before their lease expires!

 

Willie Pastor was taken from the preacher training classes we were conducting in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in February of 2010, put in jail, and later transferred to the national prison.  He was sentenced to 6-8 years for killing someone in self-defense many years ago.  His brother Kenneth in Manila joined hands with Willie to proclaim the gospel in the Bilibid Prison which houses over 10,000 inmates.  So many souls have been baptized that churches are now meeting in three sections of the prison with services conducted by Willie, Kenneth, and Ely Ebuenga.  We will do our best to encourage these saints.  Willie may be released this year.

 

Cyrus Gesulga, a leading voice among premillennial churches of Christ in the Philippines, gave up such theories in 2011 and has been working closely with us.  He has arranged for us to have classes in Ormoc City, Leyte with preachers from instrumental and liberal churches of Christ December 6-10. The lessons will concentrate on “How to Study the Bible” and “The Authority of Christ.”  We hope for another breakthrough!

 

On the 13th Mark and Kurt will meet Rody in Manila to travel and preach on Luzon until the 21st when they will return to the U.S.  I will meet Harry at Cebu City to work with denominational preachers at Bogo City who are asking for follow-up studies.  Jonathan Carino recently baptized four of them.

 

August 15-27 I will be in New Zealand.  Ronnie Salunga, a Filipino, moved to Auckland in 2007.  Finding no conservative brethren, he worshiped for two years with liberals.  During that time Ronnie  conducted studies in his home using materials primarily from the website of the Hebron Lane church here in Shepherdsville, KY.  His family prepared their basement as a meeting place where Ken McDaniel and I helped them start the Meadowood church in November of 2009.  I have returned three times, and David Halbrook, Harry Osborne, and Lordy Salunga have been once.  Rick Halnas, whom I baptized in Manila in May works in Timaru , on the south island 600 miles from Auckland.  Ronnie and I will spend one weekend there trying to edify Rick and convert some of his friends.  We hope to plant another new congregation!

 

Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support for this work.  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 all checks 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@twc.com

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

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July 8

Halbrook Report: 50th Philippine Trip Apr. 9-May 27, 2013

July 4, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear brethren,

 

With God’s help my 50th Philippine trip was completed April 9-May 27.  I thank God and Jim McDonald for introducing me to this work in 1995.  Isaiah prophesied, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it” (Isa. 35:8 ).  Many Filipinos are seeking The Way of Holiness leading to heaven!  This trip involved visiting churches, preaching to the lost, teaching a weeklong series on the home and family, and training preachers.  The latter classes were conducted with the invaluable help of Steven Deaton from the Hebron Lane church of Christ here in Shepherdsville, KY and Lordy Salunga from the Southside church of Christ in Angeles City, Pampanga Province.  I taught 127 lessons and 23 confessed Christ, asking to be baptized.

 

I flew from home to Manila and immediately on to Escoda, Marcos, Ilocos Norte to join Vic Domingo’s training classes for young preachers.   April 13-15 I taught a series on “The Authority of Christ,” providing each student my booklet by that title.  About 50 attended including a Catholic priest converted in December.  At 82 years of age Vic is still very active with the help of men such as Rex Bayaca, Jensen Pascua, and others.  On Sunday, the 14th, about 200 souls attended worship including dear sister Lingling from the distant mountains where saints are in need of basic necessities.  It was also good to see Sherwin Vizcarra, faithful preacher whose wife suffers from myelogenous leukemia (help is needed for treatments).

 

On Tuesday the 16th about 200 people of all ages but especially young people attended the Laoag City church of Christ where Mat Sibayan, Sr. has preached for many years.  They heard lessons entitled “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?” and “The Purpose of Our Lives.”

 

Wednesday was spent working with Egdon Sabio, preacher for the Cabugao, Ilocos Sur church .  He is a manager at an electric cooperative, and took me to two sites to speak to employees on “Christ Teaches Total Honesty.”  At Edgon’s house preachers gathered for a morning of study. During the open forum, the questions centered on how to work for reconciliation when brethren are alienated.  On the 18th Warner Macusi brought me to the small rural church at Pacifico, Marcos, I.N.  where 50 souls gathered under a tarpaulin stretched between two houses. Friday Efren Ramos brought me to the Binacag Banna church of Christ, Nueva Era, I.N. , a rural church which has grown through the years.  After preaching we went to a canal to baptize five precious souls who confessed their faith in Christ.  I usually help brethren with expenses in these meetings, but Efren refused any help explaining that they wanted to do this for themselves.  It is a joy working with brethren who are determined to help themselves.

 

Next, I flew from Laoag City to Manila and on to Cebu City to work with Jonathan Carino and other brethren on Cebu Island. Sunday we went to the village of Libjo Tabogon where Gil Suico preaches for a new church meeting in a house rented by a member.  Normal attendance is 25-30 but 66 attended.  The saints need their own meeting place because the owner plans to drive them out.  We returned to the area again to preach in Bogo City at a hotel function room to an audience of 110 including about 40 denominational “pastors” gathered by Gil Suico and Felix Cantulan.  After two days of intensive study, the “pastors” insisted I return ASAP to teach them more.  I will try to do so.

 

April 24 was devoted to the small congregation of Baptists where Benjie Labura preached before his conversion during my last trip.  This is at Sacred Homes, Cansojong, Talisay City in Metro Cebu.

 

The next segment of the trip took me to the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.  Saturday the Lagao church of Christ in Balite, a suburb of General Santos City, hosted a one-day gospel meeting. Romeo Dela Cruz, who lives here but preaches in a remote area, joined us. Delfin Allas does much of the preaching at Balite. C.B. Balbin from Davao City helps once a month. Many young people heard lessons on “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom,” “Purify Your Souls,” “Total Honesty,” and “True Repentance.”  April 28-29 I worked with Aguillardo Untal at Bula, General Santos City. He was converted from the Pentecostal religion last fall and we are trying to help him convert his congregation.

 

Three were baptized Tuesday in an all-day meeting at Kitakal, Malungon, in the Sarangani Province. Rene Sandoval preached here before his death; the church including his wife Sel is still very active.

 

May 1-6 found me in northern Mindanao at Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental Province. It is home to Cipriano Carpentero, Jr. and Cyrus Gesulga.  Cyrus  hosted the Home and Family series with the cooperation of Cipriano. Our classes met in the building of the church at Buntong Camaman-an where Cipriano preaches, but the men slept at the Capisnon building where Cyrus preaches.  Jonathan Carino from Cebu and Jack Jaco from Victorias City in Negros Occidental helped me teach the lessons. The men repeatedly sang “Where Love Is In the Home” and “God Give Us Christian Homes” with feeling and fervor.  They were as attentive as any group we have ever taught!

 

On my birthday, May 7, I flew from Cagayan de Oro City on Mindanao to Manila on Luzon.  Seeing my birth date on my passport, the hotel sent a small birthday cake to my room.  Thursday and Friday were devoted to preaching at the Bilibid Prison where Willie Pastor has been incarcerated for about three years as a result of killing someone in self-defense many years ago.  While his family prays and works for his release, Willie and his brother Kenneth who lives in Manila have been proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the inmates! Saints now meet in various sections of the prison.  Ely Ebuenga also helps with the prison work.

 

Willie, like Joseph in Genesis, is a highly trusted inmate who is given much flexibility in his efforts to teach God’s Word.  He works in the Receiving and Diagnostics Center (RDC) where all new inmates are processed for a couple of months. He begins teaching them as soon as they arrive.  He could not join us when we preached in the Medium Security facility, but Kenneth and Rody Gumpad helped with the teaching.  Five precious souls responded to the Lord’s invitation.  Friday was a good day at the RDC sector with Kenneth and Willie, Ely Ebuenga, Rody, and Atoy Franco. 100 souls attended and three responded to the gospel invitation. The prison harvest continues!

 

Next, a two-day gospel meeting was conducted Saturday and Sunday with the new Edsa-Pasay church of Christ in Manila. Rody Gumpad alternates with his sons and sons-in-law in traveling from Tuguegarao to Manila to work with this church.  The church meets in the CYA Building, located at a central point accessible to many Filipinos who come from the provinces to work in Manila. This church is off to an excellent start.  I focused on “The Authority of Christ,” discussing the Bible plan of salvation including the New Testament church and various departures which formed the Roman Catholic Church.  Steven Deaton arrived from the U.S., and joined us on Sunday.  We had a full house.

 

May 13-24 was devoted to preacher training classes at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, in Metro Manila. Elias Cruz is an evangelist there; Jerry Toreja and Fred Gonzales are elders.  The students ranged from age 9 to the 30’s with one man in his 70’s. They slept on pasteboard and mats at the second floor of the building. A room was set up with handmade wooden tables and plastic chairs so the students could open their Bibles, books, and notepads. Steven Deaton, Lordy Salunga, and I taught classes surveying every book in the Bible, The New Testament Church by Roy E. Cogdill, denominational doctrines, issues dividing brethren historically, the preacher’s life and work, church history, and Bible study tools (Strong’s Concordance & the Zondervan Bible dictionary).  This group constantly asked questions, even approaching us after the lessons and cutting into the lunch hour.

 

I preached on Sunday at the new Edsa church again.  Jimmy Battung expressed his desire to place membership.  His daughter Malaine and her husband Ricky Halnas with their two children had been studying since they first heard me preach about six years ago. They compared what we teach with Catholic and denominational teaching. Ricky works in New Zealand and planned to arrive in Manila on Saturday, May 25.  They requested I delay my return from May 25 to May 27 to study further with them.

 

After the last classes at the week’s end at Kapitbahayan, each student spoke on what they had learned, and expressed appreciation for the teachers and for the U.S. brethren who provided their Bibles and other study materials.  Only God can measure the potential these young men will have as they give their talents to the service of God!  Steven returned home the next day.

 

After Rody and I preached on Sunday, May 26, the entire Ricky Halnas family confessed their faith in Christ. Ricky had just arrived from New Zealand and they wanted to obey the gospel immediately. There is no church in Timaru, N.Z. where Ricky works on the south island.  I told him we would do our best to find a way to help him. Through Filipinos, the gospel is spreading around the world!

 

No words adequately express my appreciation for donors who make this work possible, but God knows who you are and will reward you.  May God be glorified as He gives the increase!

 

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

 

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

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June 1

Home from the Philippines May 27

Monday, May 27, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By the mercies and providence of God I arrived home about 5:00 PM today after a safe flight from Manila via Japan and Detroit.  It is always a special joy to see Donna’s kind and loving face at the airport after these long trips – it was six weeks this time.

Once again it has been my privilege to work with Filipino saints and to see their faith, hope, love, and talents in serving God.  Our brethren and sisters there in the Philippines work day and night serving the Lord and zealously spreading the gospel.  It is always a boost and an inspiration to my faith to work side by side with them.  I thank God for all my Filipino brethren who help me in so many ways when I have a small part in the great work they are doing.  On this trip we saw 23 precious souls respond to the gospel call.  In addition to presenting lessons designed to edify saints and to save sinners, preacher training sessions and a special series on the home were conducted.  I will send a more complete report soon.
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May 28

Halbrook Philippine Report May 19-26, 2013

May 26, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

 

Steven and I are counting the days until we will see our loved ones back home!

 

Today is the Lord’s Day, May 19 , and Steven traveled to the Kapitbahayan church to worship with them and to present two studies in the life of Joseph. Meanwhile, I joined the saints meeting at Edsa to present a two-part examination of “The First Gospel Sermon” (Acts 2 verse by verse). Rody Gumpad was in Tuguegarao, but his sons Junior and Jay were at Edsa with their wives. Junior and Jay knew I was coming but the congregation had not heard there would be a guest speaker, yet the room was full with about 45 souls including visitors. One young couple said they had been observing the large sign out front and wanted to get acquainted. The man is an American from Tennessee and the young lady a Filipina. They are members of the church. I got his email address to follow up and the brethren also got contact information from him.

 

Atoy Franco then drove me to Kapitbahayan for the continuation of the preacher training classes. Steven had already started teaching his classes which gave me a chance to take a much needed nap on the cot in the adjoining room before I taught. I was still recovering my strength after the sickness on Friday and was much improved. I taught three afternoon classes and I commended the young men who have been studying with us so diligently. Some are so anxious to participate that they begin reading the verses out loud as we announce then even before we call on them to read!

 

Our classes continued and were completed during the following week of May 20-25 (Monday-Friday ). This has been a busy week as Lordy, Steven, and I have worked together in teaching these 25 young men who are learning to preach. We have surveyed every book of the Bible, the New Testament church, denominational doctrines, the life and work of a preacher, the history of the church from the first to the twenty-first centuries, and issues which have divided brethren (such as instrumental music, missionary societies, one container, institutionalism, and the social gospel).

 

The classes began each day at 7:00 A.M. and ended at 7:30 P.M. The students had assignments to prepare at night. This has been a challenging series of classes for both teachers and students. The most difficult class for the students was the survey of church history because they have little understanding of history period. They lack the historical context in which church history occurred, but as we moved forward I tried to give them as much context as possible. They began to grasp such events as the development of Catholicism, denominationalism, and restoration efforts as they began to relate them to their own Philippine history. I let them prepare short reports each day on men who were being introduced to them and about whom they were curious to know more.

 

When we learned how to use Bible study tools, I gave them exercises using Bible maps, which was entirely new to most of them. They caught on quickly, using maps introduced to them in their reference Bibles and Bible dictionaries. Some students not only filled in the blank maps I gave them but also colored them to look professional.

 

Since nearly all of these men are single, one of the last lessons I studied with them was “Selecting a Mate: The Lord Builds the House” (Psalm 127). Selecting a mate will be the most crucial decision they will make as they grow to maturity and strive to develop themselves as servants of God. I did my best to convince them to marry a faithful Christian and to trust in God’s help and providence to find that right mate.

 

When we finished teaching on Friday evening, we followed the Filipino custom of having a “graduation” to give certificates for completing the classes. Two students were recognized as “Most Improved” and two as “Most Inquisitive” (the “Ask, Seek, Knock” award). Each student came to the front to personally express appreciation for everyone who made these classes possible including U.S. brethren who provided financing to send Steven and me and for the purchase of Bibles and study materials. Some of them referred to specific lessons which helped them, or quoted new verses they had memorized. Some became very emotional and could hardly talk as tears welled up in their eyes. At the request of many of the young men, Steven and I wrote a short note of encouragement in their Bibles after we dismissed.

 

Only God can measure the potential all these young men will have in the future as they give their talents to the service of God, their brethren, and a lost world!

 

These classes could not have been taught without the financial help of brethren who donated funds for Steven and me to travel to the Philippines, for Bibles and study materials, and for related expenses. How I wish each of you there could meet these fine young men, see their diligent efforts to learn, hear their insightful questions, and observe their growth. Actually, it will be a joyous occasion in heaven for those who have made such sacrifices on each side of the ocean to meet each other and to unite in glorifying God for eternity!

 

Steven left very early Saturday morning to go home as scheduled.  I extended my stay to include May 25-26 (Sat.-Sun. ) in order to preach again at the Edsa church here in Manila by the request of the Halnas family. The room rented by the Edsa church was filled today with 45 in attendance. Rody preached a short lesson on how souls are saved and added to the body of Christ. I followed with a lesson on “True Repentance” and “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God.”

 

At the invitation, the entire Halnas family came forward to confess their faith in Christ including Ricky, Malaine, Kyle, and Audrie. Since Malaine’s father (Jimmy Battung) was baptized several years ago, the Halnas family has been studying and searching for the truth. Rick had just arrived last night from New Zealand where he works, to have a three week vacation with his family. They had decided the very first thing they wanted to do was to obey the gospel together.

 

One reason I agreed to extend my stay for these two additional days was to talk with Ricky about what he can do to worship in New Zealand. There is no church of Christ in Timaru where he lives on the south island and it is very far from the new church in Auckland on the north island meeting in Ronnie Salunga’s home. Ricky is urging me to come to Timaru and he will gather friends to try to convert them and start a church there. I will be praying about this matter and I told him we would do our best to find a way to help him. Through Filipinos, the gospel is spreading around the world!

 

Steven Deaton made it home Saturday night by the grace of God. By the time many of you read this last report I will be somewhere high in the sky praying for a safe return. I truly thank God for the saints who sacrifice to make these trips possible. May God bless and reward each one of you!

 

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

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May 23

Halbrook Philippine Report May 13-18, 2013

May 18, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

 

Greetings to all the family and saints back at home in the U.S.A. (and also some in Australia).

 

The last activity scheduled for this trip is a preacher training class to be conducted at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, in Metro Manila on May 13-24. Elias Cruz is an evangelist there and Jerry Toreja is one of the elders. Atoy Franco guided Steven and me to the church building via the Mass Rail Transit (MRT), a new experience. We hoped this would save time, but by the time we took a taxi after leaving the MRT we did not save much time. Therefore, Atoy plans to take us in his car tomorrow.

 

Our preacher training classes got off to a good start with 25 men enrolled. The students ranged in age from 9 to the 30’s with one man in his 70’s. They are sleeping on pasteboard and mats at the second floor of the building. A room was set up with handmade wooden tables and plastic chairs so the students can open their Bibles, books, and notepads as we study.

 

The teachers are Steven Deaton, Lordy Salunga , and me. Each day Steven teaches the Old Testament prophets, the New Testament through 1 Corinthians, and denominational doctrines. Lordy teaches an Old Testament survey through the Song of Solomon, the New Testament from 2 Corinthians to the end, and The New Testament Church book by Roy E. Cogdill. My classes cover issues dividing brethren historically (such as missionary societies, instrumental music, etc.), the preacher’s life and work, church history, and Bible study tools (using Strong’s Concordance and the Zondervan Bible dictionary).

 

On May 14-15, as we are progressing through the second and third days, all the teachers have remarked on the unusual reaction of our students. Typically in our experience teaching such classes, Filipinos are slow to participate by initiating questions and discussions. This group constantly asks questions, so much it is hard to complete the lessons. Even when we finish, they will come up to ask additional questions. They cut into their lunch time asking questions. This is wonderful even if the lessons are hard to complete – it shows they are listening and learning!

 

Thursday, May 16, we continue to cover a lot of material and the students are remarkably attentive. They continue to ask all sorts of questions, for which we are thrilled.

 

Friday started as a normal day and the classes proceeded well. I may have eaten something bad for the stomach or gotten a 24 hour virus because I began to have diarrhea about 11:00 A.M. After I started my afternoon classes, about 3:00 P.M. I had to stop and lay down on a cot in the adjoining room because of stomach pain. Dr. Teresa Toreja administered some medicines but there was no improvement. I stayed there on the cot fighting the urge to vomit, and dozing, until 7:00 P.M. Since I was not able to take water, I was becoming dehydrated. Dr. Teresa decided to take me to her clinic and keep me overnight to give me an IV bottle along with several medicines.

 

On Saturday by God’s grace I was able to teach by 9:00 A.M. after Lordy finished. I completed my classes today feeling tired but no longer sick. I began teaching how to outline by taking the class through Genesis 1, and showing them how to make applications from the text. For instance, the text makes it clear the days are 24 hour days because it keeps repeating the expression “the evening and the morning,” i.e., 12 hours darkness and 12 light, so there is no room for the evolutionary theory of billions of years. Also, the Bible is accurate in biology and zoology by teaching life comes from life, and life reproduces after its kind from the seed.

 

We have one more week of classes to complete this preacher training series. Steven will return home on May 25.

 

As a result of the two day gospel meeting at the new Edsa church last Saturday and Sunday, I learned that members of the Jimmy Battung family are seriously studying the gospel. His daughter Malaine said she and her husband with their two children have been studying since they first heard me preach about six years ago. They have been comparing what we teach with Catholic teaching and with denominational teaching. Her husband is working in New Zealand and will arrive here to visit his family on Saturday, May 25. They requested to talk to me about obeying the gospel at that time. Therefore, I have delayed my return from May 25 to May 27 to accommodate this request. I have done this only two times in all these 50 trips, only when there is some pressing reason. I fully expect to report several baptisms as a result of working with this family. Jimmy Battung also said he is ready to place membership at the Edsa church.

I miss everyone back home and am counting the days until my return. Meanwhile, may God bless and keep everyone of you!

 

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

Category: Reports | Comments Off on Halbrook Philippine Report May 13-18, 2013
May 16

Halbrook Philippine Report May 7-12, 2013

May 7-12, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

 

I hope and pray all of you are well physically and spiritually – and busy serving the Lord, thus enjoying the highest blessings of fellowship with God. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

 

On my birthday, May 7,  I flew from Cagayan de Oro City on Mindanao to Manila on Luzon, arriving at the hotel about 6:00 P.M. I was surprised when shortly someone knocked at the door: The hotel sent a small delicious chocolate birthday cake to my room. I assume they noticed my birth date on my passport. To include all of you in the celebration, I ate an extra bite in memory of you! I hope you enjoyed it!

 

Wednesday was spent answering backlogged email (as a result of poor internet connections for two weeks in Mindanao), studying and preparing and reviewing lessons, taking exercise, and squeezing in a short rest.

 

The next day, May 9, Rody Gumpad, Atoy Franco, and Ely Ebuenga picked me up at the hotel and took me to meet Kenneth Pastor so that we could teach in the Medium Security sector of the New Bilibid Prison, the Philippines’ national prison. Willie Pastor has been incarcerated for about three years as a result of killing someone in self-defense many years ago. Through the joint efforts of Willie and Kenneth, over 200 souls have obeyed the gospel in the prison. Willie has not been sitting down feeling sorry for himself but has been proclaiming the gospel of Christ! Saints now meet in various sections of the prison.

 

Willie is in the Receiving and Diagnostics Center (RDC) where all new inmates are processed for a couple of months. He begins teaching them as soon as they arrive. Since he is in RDC, he could not join us today.

 

My morning lesson on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost” was translated by Kenneth, which slows the process but clarifies the lesson for these disadvantaged men, many of whom have had only minimal schooling. Rody then gave an overview of Bible history and God’s plan of salvation. After lunch Rody translated as I spoke on “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom,” a verse by verse study of Matthew 5, dealing with principles all of these men have violated during their journeys to prison life. Five precious souls responded to the Lord’s invitation today. The prison harvest continues!

 

Friday was a good day at the RDC sector of the prison with Kenneth and Willie, Ely, Rody, and Atoy. 100 souls attended and heard my lessons on “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (translated by Willie) and “True Repentance” (translated by Ely). Rody taught two lessons summarizing Bible history and the plan of salvation. In spite of the heat, the audience showed exceptionally good attention. Three souls responded to the gospel invitation.

 

The weather has been mid-90’s for these two days and, of course, Philippine prisons have no air conditioning except nature itself. Though soaked in sweat, we rejoice for these opportunities. In fact, we preached today in a Catholic chapel with several images watching over us as we explained the difference between New Testament Christianity and the false doctrines of Catholicism and denominationalism!

 

A two-day gospel meeting was conducted Saturday and Sunday with the new Edsa-Pasay church of Christ in Manila where Rody Gumpad is preaching with the help of faithful co-laborers. Rody travels 8-10 hours from Tuguegarao a couple of weekends each month to work with this church, as do his sons and sons-in-laws in alternating. The church meets in the CYA Building which is located at a central point easily accessible to many Filipinos who come from the provinces to work in Manila. This work is off to an excellent start.

 

Saturday I began with a sermon on “The Purpose of Our Lives.” This was followed by three parts of a series on “The Authority of Christ” discussing the Bible plan of salvation including the New Testament church and various departures which resulted in the formation of the Roman Catholic Church. The rented room was full with 78 in attendance. There was a good Q & A session at the day’s end with a wide range of subjects from instrumental music to the dangers of anger to soul and spirit.

 

Steven Deaton arrived safely late Friday night. After a day of study and rest, he joined us on Sunday and presented an excellent study of the life and faith of Joseph. I then presented three additional studies on “The Authority of Christ” tracing the development of the Protestant Reformation and subsequent efforts to restore New Testament Christianity, and closing with a study of the danger of apostasy again today. Our attendance was 57.

 

A family of four is very near to the kingdom of God and we expect to see them obey the gospel within a short time. Actually, we have been studying with this family for several years. They commented that this series of studies clarified some things which confirmed the truth in their minds.

Thank you one and all for your love, your support, your prayers, and your encouragement in this great harvest of Philippine souls!

 

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

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May 12

Halbrook Philippine Report May 1-6, 2013

May 6, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

 

By the grace of God on May 1 my flight from General Santos City to Manila and back to the island of Mindanao was safe and without incident. Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of Misamis Oriental. It is home to Cipriano Carpentero and Cyrus Gesulga.

 

Cyrus is host for the Home and Family series with the cooperation of Cipriano. The venue is the building of the the church at Buntong Camaman-an where Cipriano preaches, but the men are staying at the building where Cyrus preaches (Capisnon). Here at Camaman-an in August 2011 during a preacher training session, Cyrus stood and apologized for his role in the longstanding division over premillennialism in the Philippines. We prayed for his forgiveness and he pledged to spend the rest of his life doing everything possible to heal the division and solidify the unity of the saints. Since then we have been working together and making good progress.

 

Our attendance today was 40 and the teachers are Jonathan Carino from Cebu, Jack Jaco from Victorias City in Negros Occidental, and myself. These two brethren have attended the series several times through the years and are now well equipped to teach it. I focused today on the need to begin with a biblical perspective, then discussed the design of marriage, the husband’s role as head, and the wife’s role as a suitable companion. We got off to an excellent start.

 

Friday, May 3rd, we are pressing forward. The days are so busy and fruitful they seem to pass rapidly. I taught two lessons today dealing with God binding man and woman in the marriage covenant, and warning against false doctrines that profess people who violate and break the marriage covenant may take new mates. Jonathan and Jack taught on a range of other topics involving duties of husbands and wives.

 

The men have learned to sing “Where Love Is In the Home” and “God Give Us Christian Homes,” and they sing with feeling and fervor. We finished going through the workbook on Family Life and began Mike Willis’ workbook on Harmony in the Home. I taught two lessons on laying aside the old man and putting on the new man in terms of attitudes and conduct affecting family life.

 

These men are as attentive and interested in the classes as any group we have ever taught! I am emphasizing that we as preachers must first apply these lessons to ourselves and then teach our brethren to apply them in their homes. The men are offering many comments and expressions of appreciation. To see this attitude makes it worth all the time, money, and effort necessary to arrange and teach these classes.

 

Continuing our series on Saturday , Jack taught one lesson and I taught two on the Sermon on the Mount, all focused on applying principles in this sermon to family life. Many of the principles Jesus taught about the character necessary to citizenship in his kingdom have a great impact on our homes such as controlling the temper and the tongue, working for reconciliation, and avoiding the spirit of revenge and retaliation. Jack and Jonathan also presented excellent material on such themes as the need to show respect for each other, to accept responsibilities, and to be unselfish. It was another good day.

 

The men are remarking they are anxious to go home and teach what they have learned to the brethren where they labor. “Where Love Is in the Home” and “God Give Us Christian Homes” are being sung again and again with increased appreciation for the blessings of godly homes.

 

Jack and Jonathan preached this Lord’s Day at the Camaman-an church where Cipriano Carpentero labors. The brethren at Capisnon where Cyrus Gesulga preaches invited me to speak. The two topics covered were “God Created All Things” and “The Purpose of Our Lives.” About 100 souls attended the worship and I was warmly received.

 

After lunch the series on the home and family resumed. The afternoon theme was “Man’s Leadership in the Home” with Jack and Jon delivering one section each and myself three. An afternoon brownout or power loss lasted about an hour which shut down our little air conditioning unit and made us appreciate it much more! Water levels are low and the hydroelectric plants on Mindanao cannot keep up with the demand. A nationwide election occurs May 13 and this is one of the issues politicians are focusing on – just as they have done in the past with negligible results.

 

By God’s grace on Monday I presented four lessons going through the Song of Solomon chapter by chapter and verse by verse. It is always an uplifting joy to study this celebration of passionate love in marriage, the most beautiful and unique of all the 1,005 songs written by Solomon. It is a wonderful reminder of how greatly we should appreciate this special gift of God’s love in our lives.

 

The men were given simple certificates acknowledging their completion of the classes on the home and family (this is a Filipino custom). They were very appreciative and some are asking for arrangements to be made to bring these classes to their own areas. Meanwhile, they will be doing their best to teach some of the lessons they have learned to the saints in their home congregations.

 

Is it really possible that the fourth segment of this six week trip is now complete? And tomorrow I go to Manila to begin the final two-and-a-half weeks? Yes, life moves forward at a steady pace and this trip will soon be history. And, before we know it, our very lives will be history. Meanwhile, we know the joys of serving God and serving each other to His glory.

 

After flying to Manila tomorrow, I will make final preparations to begin preaching in the national prison and then Steven Deaton will arrive and join me in two full days of preaching at the new Edsa congregation in Manila. Thank you for your love and prayers, dear saints of God!

 

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

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May 2

Halbrook Philippine Report April 25-30, 2013

April 30, 2013th Year of Our Lord

 

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

 

It has been a joy to see the moon night after night especially now that it has been a full moon! I can almost see your reflection on it there in the U.S. (Someone will be sure to remind me it is daytime there when it is nighttime here, but that is my story and I’m sticking to it. 🙂 )

 

Having completed the second leg of my trip by working on the island of Cebu, on the 25th I studied and prepared for the next leg. We flew to General Santos City in southern Mindanao on Friday and I preached all day Saturday at the Lagao church of Christ in Balite, a suburb of General Santos City. Ricardo dela Cruz was the longtime preacher here but he died last year and the church struggled in his absence. Romeo, his son, lives here but preaches far from here, The men rotate in teaching as they move through the New Testament and Delfin Allas does much of the preaching. C.B. Balbin comes at least once a month to preach and to give special attention to the young people.

 

C.B.’s work with the young people is bearing good fruit. Over half of today’s 33 attendees were young people. They showed keen interest as lessons were presented on “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom,” “Purify Your Souls,” “Total Honesty,” and “True Repentance.” The attention was excellent in spite of stifling heat – we are just six degrees north of the equator here! An afternoon shower gave us some relief. After our open forum, we ended shortly before 5:00 P.M. Everyone is urging me to please return soon. I would like to come back and present lessons aimed at increasing the faith of young people in the challenges they face.

 

On April 28, the Lord’s Day, I worshiped with Aguillardo Untal at Bula, General Santos City. He was a friend of Rudy Tampon and was converted from the Pentecostal religion last fall. He had a large church but lost many members as the denominational pastors accused him of joining a cult. Therefore, I decided to schedule a two-day gospel meeting here to help him stabilize the situation. Jonathan Carino, Cyrus Gesulga, and Juanito Balbin with two of his sons (Dudly Ross and Sonnie Dave) were with me today.

 

About 75 attended this morning’s worship as I spoke on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost,” a very basic first-principles lesson. This afternoon we began with a two-hour open forum covering questions on the plan of salvation, worship, various aspects of denominationalism, and the charge that the church of Christ is a cult. Many of the questions were answered in the dialect by brethren Cyrus, Jonathan, and Juanito. Then, I preached on “New Beginnings in Christ” (a new covenant, a new kingdom, and a new birth).

 

The heat was sweltering again. The meeting place has only low walls and while I was preaching this afternoon the brethren moved the pulpit area to get me out of the direct sunlight which was turning me into a burnt offering. When I arrived bck at the hotel about 6:00 P.M. in wet clothes, I showered and fell asleep for over an hour from heat exhaustion and ate supper about 8:30 P.M. after cooling down. Regardless of the heat, this was a good day and I look forward to tomorrow!

 

Monday was the second day with brother Untal at Bula and our attendance was almost 100 including many young people again. At the morning session I gave lessons on “‘The Resurrection of Christ” and “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God.” After lunch the lesson was entitled “How Sinners Receive Salvation,” to clarify more about baptism. Then there was an hour-long open forum with several questions centering on baptism – it is hard for people from denominational backgrounds to understand why they need to be baptized again.

 

Although there were no baptisms, the seed was sown and good was accomplished by reinforcing the work of brother Untal in the congregation and the community. Many who left him after his conversion were able to give much in the collections, so now he faces a huge challenge because he can no longer meet his financial obligations for the property on which his house and the church building afe located. He may lose it all but so far he is standing firm.

 

On Tuesday, April 30, we traveled an hour from General Santos City to reach the church at Kitakal, Malungon, in the Sarangani Province. A couple of years ago the preacher there named Rene Sandoval was killed in a highway accident and his widow, Sel, has continued to labor faithfully for the Lord with the help of the brethren. 140 attended today including many young people. In the morning I taught on “The Purpose of Our Life,” and began a study of “The First Gospel Sermon” (Acts 2). After lunch the study of Acts 2 was completed. To encourage the young people I presented another lesson on “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts.” Two adults and one teenager were baptized.

 

The third leg of this trip is now history, which also means I am now closer to home. Tomorrow, God willing, I fly to Manila to make a connecting flight back to Mindanao to Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Thank you for your love and prayers as we are laborers together with God!

 

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

 

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

Category: Reports | Comments Off on Halbrook Philippine Report April 25-30, 2013