Report from Elvin Buenviaje

Recent Events

Activities

The church planting team that graduated and significantly finished the training last January made me feel very thankful for how the Lord works in the church planting ministry. 

Meanwhile, personally, I continue to work through my health and despite setbacks in my health a few years ago the Lord has protected and strengthened me always. I was able to join a church planting module in February in Palawan (Samarinyana, Tula Tula and Rizal Team are seen at the back of the photo). It was a blessing to see the new church planting teams and very encouraging to see our partners in Palawan. I am also very thankful to share testimonies and pray with our partners in Palawan. Brother Gil Comia (Aramaywan Gospel Hall) and couple Anna Pearl and Job Lagrada (Ipilan and Binta’t Kariz, Rizal Palawan). I thought that because of my health I would not be able to join a module anymore but I am overwhelmed with the Lord’s protection and goodness. 

As at July 2016, 16 church planters are being trained and 43 churches have been planted.  

Every school year ECPM, with help from the Lord, tries to give extra support for the children of church planters (even those who have already graduated from the training but are continuing on in the ministry). We call this the Mission Work Care Project and provide education assistance during school enrolment in June. This is a very little amount but we try to pull our efforts together and, with savings, we extend this to the children of the church planters. 

This photo was taken last December in our house during a simple Christmas fellowship with ECPM Team. From left: Vic, my wife Fritzie and me, Ella and Vida, Vic’s wife Arlene and Mervin (Vida’s brother-in-law who always assists us in some of our errands). Not in photo is Vencent who also volunteers in helping ECPM in many different ways. I am blessed to have this team.

Personal Stories

Rudy Ortiz (PHI01)

Rudy is the worker/pastor at Ranao Ranao Christian Church and is being assisted by his wife Flor and two children namely Cristy and Nathaniel. They are also able to put up teams handling the outreaches of their church. 

Because of our initial partnership in church planting years and years ago, outreaches opened in Bicol that led to the opening of more church planting sites like Oas, Rapu-rapu, Pio Duran, Daraga, Alcala, Matacon… and others. 

Ranao Ranao was also able to train their youth so that they may be able to serve in the outreach areas. Youth leaders now have assigned areas for bible studies on Saturdays and Sunday fellowship.

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The campsite in Bicol and the energy of the young people in Ranao has encouraged a lot of young people to finish their studies. Now a lot of the youth there are inspired to take up education, be a teacher and use that profession to share the word of God. 

Ideas for the Future

We will be coming out with a new edition of our newsletter soon to help other churches know more about missions and church planting. This will encourage them to partner with ECPM in different ways. 

Prayer and Praise Points

The difference in ages of the members in a church planting team poses challenges. Even if the partnering church screens the church planters they send, the method in training and equipping sometimes is affected when adults and young adults are combined in a team. Yet God has shown His mercy and power whenever we come to him in prayer for issues like this. Please pray for good teamwork despite a difference in ages, personalitites, viewpoints and strategies.