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.  

First Water Baptism in 2012

Pastor Rosbert Cortez and Pastor Raffy Reyes with Nanay Vicky of the Intramuros branch.

Pastor Bien Manglo, volunteer pastor.

Children, former street-dwelling teenaged boys, an entire family, and a gray-haired grandmother were among the 74 believers who made a public profession of their faith in Christ through water baptism during the first baptism service organized this year by CCT’s church planting ministry. 

Most of the baptism candidates are from CCT community churches in Commonwealth, Quezon City; Cainta and Antipolo, Rizal; Binan, Laguna; Intramuros, Manila; and General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.  Seven are former street-dwelling teenagers who are now Alternative Learning System students at the Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna. More than two dozen are staff in CCT’s various programs. 

A micro entrepreneur from Antipolo City gave the following testimony:

Good morning.  I am Sis. Leve N. Igtic.  I am married and have an eight-year old son.  I have been a member of the CCT Credit Cooperative for six years.  I thank the Lord for how He used the cooperative to show me the way of salvation. I used to pray the rosary at a Catholic church near where I live.  I used to be very devoted to graven images; I even bought a Sto. Nino image at the church in Quiapo.

A cooperative worker once offered to lead a Bible study in my home but I refused. “I will die without leaving this religion,” I said.  I thought born-again Christians belonged to a cult because they don’t worship images.  I praise God that despite my initial reaction He opened my mind to the truth.  I know God loves me.   

Isaiah 44 is a portion of Scripture important to me.  The Lord used it to show me how futile and foolish it is to worship idols -- anyone can take a piece of wood, use half of it as firewood and the rest to make into an idol that he bows down to.

 My husband and I used to quarrel whenever I would read the Bible to him.  I thank God that my husband has also come to the Lord.

The place where we hold Bible studies used to be a part of my junkshop. It had no electricity; we had to use flashlights to read the Bible.  With God’s blessing the place has steadily improved.  Our church has been meeting for six months there now.  We hold a Bible study on Wednesdays, a fellowship meeting on Thursdays, child evangelism on Fridays, youth fellowship on Saturdays, and a worship service on Sundays.  We are able to help some missionaries, and we will soon start outreach Bible studies in two places. 

I asked Jesus into my heart on December 8. Now and in the future I will trust in him alone.

The baptismal service was held on February 4 at the residence of Stephen and  Helen Roxas in Makati.   

Baptism candidates from Cainta, Rizal with Pastor Joel Indico, extreme right,
and Jennifer Contreras, team servant for the Cainta branch 

Pastor Bien Manglo (back row, right) with baptism candidates from Binan, Laguna. 

Brother Fortune Bayucan (left),with Jackie Montano and Analyn Cantabaco
and baptism candidates from General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

 Pastor Dave Campanero, chaplain of the CCT Training and Development Institute
in Magdalena, Laguna  with Alternative Learning System students. 

Pastor Ruel Castino (right) with staff and baptism candidates from Taguig City.

Pastor Rosbert, Alvin Rescober (in blue jeans) and baptism candidates from San Andres, Manila. 

Noy Vista, (back row, right) Intramuros community center coordinator,
with Intramuros staff and baptism candidates.

Leve N. Igtic of Antipolo shares how God changed
her from a devout worshiper of graven images
to a Bible-believing Christian.