Photo Courtesy: Pastor Annalyn Narsico, Sis. Gemma Dionisio, Pastor Solomon Belic, and Pastor Victor Notario Sr.
A total of 70 souls were baptized in water in the Name of JESUS from January to March of this year 2022 for OPIF Philippines. This was reported by Pastor Victor Notario Sr., Philippine National Overseer, during the OPIF Philippines National Council’s Accomplishment Report in the recently concluded General Conference held in Tiaong, Quezon last April 1-4, year 2022.
Among the 70 souls water-baptized were those from the newly formed cell group in Palawan.
“A lot of Filipinos have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. In result to this, there was a significant increase in the number of families who have suffered from food inadequacy. And so, brethren from OPIF ME S9 decided to think of a program that could help some in need. One of the first beneficiaries, is a friend of Sis. Rosaline Managbanag who’s once a member of OPIF ME S9”, Bro. Rudy and Sis. Gemma Dionisio of OPIF ME S9 narrated in the interview.
They added “As we delivered food to them, we also took the chance to share the gospel through a virtual Bible Study. Then, the time came when Sis. Rosaline decided to go home to the Philippines and we encouraged her to continue the faith. And so, as soon as she arrived in Palawan, a virtual Bible Study in her home started every Saturday afternoon at 2PM in which later on, was joined by her relatives as well.”
The Bible Study in Palawan began sometime in June 2021 which was handled by Bro. Rudy and Sis. Gemma Dionisio. Bro. Rudy Dionisio is the OPIF ME National World Missions Director at present.
He said “After teaching water baptism, there were five souls who initially agreed to be baptized. Pastor Fernan Planas of OPIF ME S9 right away contacted the Overseer in the Philippines to request for a minister to officiate the baptism. Pastor Solomon Belic, OPIF PH Missionary, responded and headed to Palawan to accomplish the task”.
A feeding program was also requested to encourage more to attend in the community and at the same time, to hold evangelism activities, which all expenses were shouldered by OPIF ME S9 through its World Missions arm. A total of 16 souls were then baptized in a Mission Trip to Palawan on February 19-20, 2022, included were the five souls who initially answered the call for water baptism. Although there have been difficulties encountered like with the unstable internet connection because of the geographical location, the bible study continued up to this time. Pastor Fernan Planas along with DP George Ryan Dayanghirang later joined the Dionisio family in teaching the Word and later on, was endorsed to OPIF Philippines.
“Just hold on to your faith and desire the baptism of the Holy Ghost”, said Bro. Rudy and Sis. Gemma Dionisio to Palawan Cell Group. And when asked about their message to brethren who have families and friends they want to share the gospel in faraway places, the couple replied, “The baptisms that happened in Palawan only proves that a virtual Bible Study can also be an effective means in propagating the gospel. True enough, casting the net now becomes casting through the internet.”
In related news, 20 of the 70 who were water baptized were from Surigao.
“We planned it a long time ago after the mission work we had in Isabel, Leyte but it didn’t go as planned because of the strict travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. But it finally loosened and so, together with Pastor Solomon Belic and Pastor Romel Galupo of OPIF PH S8 Pagadian, we pursued the plan. Grateful for the efforts of Pastor Aries and Sis. Meraluna Natad, who had decided then to affiliate with OPIF Organization, had become the focal point of the mission”, Pastor Notario said in the interview.
Pastor Notario narrated, “The main goal of the mission was to open possibilities of building churches in Surigao and to share the Word to people particularly the Surigaonon for them to know Christ.” When asked if they had doubts about the mission, he answered, “None. It’s because we knew that there’s a great hunger for God’s Word and many are willing to surrender their lives to God.”
Prayer and fasting were also organized to ensure the victory of the 3-day mission works. Invitations were sent to the communities of Brgy. Tayawod, Claver and in Tagana-an, Placer, both in the province of Surigao del Norte.
Sixty people attended the first day, increased to 80 on the second day of the crusade and recorded 120 attendees including children on the third day of the event, which was the Divine Service.
Pastor Aries Natad distributed gifts to encourage more people to attend in the last day of the mission work. Pastor Celso Betito who's previously from OPIF ME S10 and Bro. Jannel Abatayo from OPIF ME S6 joined Pastor Victor Notario Sr., Pastor Solomon Belic, Pastor Romel Galupo, and Pastor Aries Natad in preaching the gospel. A total of 20 souls submitted to water baptism in JESUS’ Name after hearing the Good News.
Alongside the report on the number of water baptisms were 11 souls who received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the first quarter of the year. Also mentioned in the list of accomplishments were the two churches, OPIF PH S10 (Matag-ob, Leyte) and OPIF PH S11 (Camalig, Albay), which were inaugurated not long ago and the recent dedication of the church building of OPIF PH S5 (Cuenca, Batangas) held last year. And not to forget that OPIF has now a total of 12 cell groups in the Philippines.
“Despite of all the challenges the world has faced, the true church of the living God is still standing. There’s none that can hinder it from moving forward. God has already promised in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell will never prevail against His church and so, the enemy has no means to defeat us. We, the church of God, are already destined for victory”, Pastor Notario said in his report. He added, “Well, as a matter of fact, we had accomplished more during these difficult times compared to the time prior the pandemic.”
The 4-day General Conference was jam-packed with lots of activities from Evangelical Crusade in the first night, to a detailed walk-through of SOP ver. 3.0 in the second day headed by Pastor Michael Sanchez, BOD-Home Missions, and Pastor Marilyn Neric, BOD-Finance. It was followed by an Elder’s Meeting in the night time. The event continued with a Divine Service in the morning with Pastor Martino Cortan, former Chairman of the Board and resident pastor of Pangasinan Cell Group, as the preacher. He preached on the event’s theme “God Never Fails”, with its key verse found on Jeremiah 29:11.
Immediately after the fellowship service was the Overseer’s Report and the awarding. Among those who have received an appreciation award was Bro. Benedicto Atienza, who generously lent his place for the General Conference. A group of brethren who helped out in the kitchen and the Worship Team were also given appreciation. They were Sis. Bernadith Bilagantol (S6), Sis. Rosaline Managbanag (S3), Bro. Frederick Corpuz (S3, Romblon), Bro. Joshua Joven (S3), Bro. Judel Manalo (S9), Sis. Jubel Papera (S9), Sis. April Papera (S9), and Sis. Grace Atienza (S9).
Pastor Solomon Belic of OPIF PH S3 and Pastor Erwin Gaviola of OPIF PH S9, the host pastors of the event, were also given recognition for their contribution to make the event a success.
Pastor Michael Benito, BOD-World Missions and Pastor Michael Sanchez himself had given the pastors gift certificates as their way of acknowledging the selfless service the pastors have given to the ministry of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.
The day went on with a Pastoral Retreat in the afternoon of the third day with Pastor Emiliano Neric, Vice-Chairman of the Board, and Pastor Marilyn Neric who taught about the Oneness of God and Holiness, respectively. It was subsequently followed by the Breaking of the Bread and Footwashing Ceremony for all pastors and ministers present in the venue. The event ended on the fourth day with a National Council Quarterly Meeting. After the General Conference, another seven souls were added to the number that has been baptized in the Philippines.
The event was hosted by Pastor Renato Furo, OPIF PH National Home Missions Director and resident pastor of OPIF PH S2, and Sis. Rachele Alvarez, OPIF PH National Education Directress.