CCT Pastors Complete Non-formal Theological Training

The graduates from Luzon with Pastor Eloi Cabillan (BTCP
instructor),  CCI National Director Henry Ventura,
CCT President Ruth Callanta, and CCT
Chairman Bertram Lim.

CCT management and staff rejoiced with 23 pastors who recently finished the course work required by Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP), a non-formal theological training program.  Certificates of completion and medals were  awarded in graduation ceremonies held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 

The training was done in partnership with Crossing Cultures International (CCI), an organization that seeks to “glorify God by equipping Christ followers globally with comprehensive training for effective ministry.” 

The graduates are: 

From Luzon - Anthony Tabilin (1st honor, Best in Hermeneutics), Ricardo Girado Jr. (2nd honor, Best in Teaching), Raffy Reyes (3rd honor), Rosberto Cortez (Best in Homiletics), David Campanero (Best in Church Administration), Gil Batiancila (Best in Pastoral Ministry), Arnel Abaincia, Fortunato Bayucan, Rommel Dancel, Angelo Macalalad, Seymour Meman, and Bobby Navarro.

From the Visayas - Leo Candole (1st honor, Best in Bible Doctrines, Best in Hermeneutics), Leonardo Sajonia Jr. (2nd honor) Sulficio Degoma (Best in Evangelism and Discipleship), Esmael Etanong (Best in Personal Spiritual Life). 

From Mindanao - Errol de Pedro (1st Honor, Best in Homiletics), Jason Samuel (2nd Honor, Best in Church Planting), Peter Ligaya (Best in Church Leadership), Elly Diaz (Best in Church Administration), Mervinito Uba (Best in Pastoral Ministry), Allan Sobrino, Ryan Tejada.  

The pastors are church planters  with  CCT Community Fellowship Inc. (CCT CFI), one of twelve organizations in the CCT Group of Ministries.  CCT CFI Inc. plants and nurtures churches in communities where CCT's programs and services are offered. CCT is a Christian non-government organization that serves the Filipino poor through such programs and services as microfinance, health, education, skills training, savings mobilization and evangelism and discipleship.  

Like all students who undergo the BTCP program, the CCT pastors completed 520 hours of interactive classroom lecture and discussion, plus 200 – 300 hours of study, reading and assignments.   They began training in mid-2011. 

Courses covered by this program are:

• Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation
• Old Testament Survey
• New Testament Survey
• Preaching Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry
• Bible Doctrine Survey
• Personal Spiritual Life
• Church Ministry/Administration/Education
• Teaching Principles and Methods
• Church History Survey
• Missions/Evangelism/Discipleship

BTCP uses a biblical, systematic, portable and comprehensive approach to providing the foundational equivalent of a good Bible college or seminary education.  Beginning with a class in Kenya in 1990, it has since equipped pastors in more than 80 countries with essential Bible knowledge and ministry skills.

Pastor Ric Girado

Pastor Fortune Bayucan

Among the graduates from Mindanao, Pastor
Elly Diaz was named Best in Church
Administration. 

Children Hear the Gospel in DVBS Classes

Hundreds of children across the country heard the Gospel and listened to stories from the Bible in Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) classes held by CCT's spiritual development department during the summer school break.

The classes where held on basketball courts, in Visions of Hope classrooms, or under shady trees.

In a poor section of Bangiad, Taytay, Rizal the shade of makeshift awning provided a little relief from the summer heat to more than 30 children who listened for the first time to Bible stories taught by Pastor James Ranises and family. On the last day of the classes, one of the mothers of the children expressed gratefulness that people would take the trouble to come and teach their children about God. The classes were hosted by Nanay Rosana Estrella who only recently became born-again. The mother of seven, she collects recyclables and sells them to a junk shop for a living.  

The DVBS classes in Bangiad paved the way for the opening of a weekly children's Bible study and for the holding of CCT's savings circle program in the area. The classes also helped to spark the interest of several parents in the neighborhood in attending Bible studies being held in the home of Nanay Rosana.

"Teaching children isn't about how long you've been at it or the skills you have in teaching.  It's just the passionate heart of the Lord that has just been given to each of us. Looking at them makes me feel 
blessed because out of their innocence is the heart that molds the older ones to be purer in 
the sight of the Lord," said Ann Jelyn Ranises, the teacher in photos above.  

It's the Eighth For the Church Planting Ministry

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. -Matthew 28:19

This is what we are called to do and this work will go on until the second coming of Christ. CCT's eighth water baptism service was held last January 19, 2013 at the Roxas residence where 89 new disciples from nine community centers were baptized.

Pastor Jun Girado with community partners from Antipolo.

Young people from Magdalena, Laguna with Pastor Dave Campanero (left, wearing glasses).

Pastor Felix Vidal ( back, left) with community partners from Binan.

Pastor Richard (right) with community partners from Cabrera.

Pastor Roberto Navarro (back, left) with community partners from SJDM.

Members of the CCT Community Church in Taguig, with Pastor Ruel Castino (right).

Pastor Arnel Abaincia (left, in barong) with members of the CCT Community Church in Las Pinas City. 

Pastor Raffy Salonga (left) and community partners from Rizal.

Community partners from General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite,  with Pastor Fortune.

Staff of CCT singing ♫♫♫ Ang buhay ng tao'y nagbabago. Ang puso'y nililinis ni Kristo kahit na anong sama't nagkasala, ang Panginoon ay babaguhin ka. Kung mananalig sa Kanya. ♪♪♫♫♪

Pastor Joel Indico says baptism represents ones' turning away from his old life and living a new life that pleases God.

Nanay Josefina, 83, is the oldest in the group. Her daughter has been a  partner of CCT-Taguig for ten years.

CCT staff sings, ♫♫♫ I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back. ♪♪♪♪

Karl Joseph, on the other hand is the youngest in the group. He is only 12 but he is already active in his
church's youth ministry. He is a part of Brigada Bata and his whole family is actively involved in the church.

CCT Holds Biggest Baptism Service So Far

Ninety-three believers, including a 12-year old boy, were baptized in the biggest  baptism service organized so far by the church planting ministry of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries. The believers  include students from the Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna, former street dwellers being ministered to by the Kaibigan Ministry, and micro-finance recipients who are now members of community churches in Antipolo City, Quezon City, Taguig City, and the provinces of Laguna and Cavite.

The baptism celebration, held on September 22, 2012,  was the third one held this year.

For more information on the various ministries of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries, visit its website at cct.org.ph