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CORDILLERA HIGHLANDS BAPTIST CHURCH & MISSIONS
Bontoc, Mountain Province
2616 PHILIPPINES
REXTON F. CHAKAS, Ph.D.
Pastor
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EVANGELISM AND REVIVAL 2010. We had a good harvest of souls last July 4-7. We had 5 believers who had transferred their memberships to our church. We also have a good number of believers who will be baptized today. As of this writing, we still do not have the numbers but what I know there will be 8 believers who will follow the Lord in baptism today.
I am thankful to God for Pastor Rogelio Melis of Sayangan, Atok, Benguet and Pastor Alexander M. Chommog for their messages from God’s Word. I am thankful for Pastor Sammy Ravarra for coming all the way from Binalonan, Pangasinan to lend support to our Evangelistic Campaign. He brought along two young people from the church. I am thankful to God for the members of the church who brought their loved ones, their classmates, and their neighbors. I am thankful to God for the members of the church who went out inviting people to the evangelistic services. I am thankful to the members of the church who acted as counselors. I am thankful to God for the members of the church who sang in the choir and gave special musical numbers. I am thankful to God for those who attended the services from Sunday to Wednesday. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togethera in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore [PSALM 133:1-3].
I know we were all tired from the 4-day campaign for souls but I know God will bless you because of your love for souls. Let us pray for the CHRIST IS ALL YOU NEED CAMPAIGN tentatively set on 9-12 September 2010. Let us make 2010 as a banner year for evangelism and soul winning in our church. Let us not rest until our loved ones, our friends, and our classmates get to know that it is only Christ who gives peace which never fails. Let us not be weary because people must come to know that Christ alone gives salvation.
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SPECIAL EVENTS IN OUR CHURCH
20 June 2010
FATHER’S DAY
PASTOR DICK ZAMBRANO
High Acres Baptist Church
Calot, Sablan, Benguet
4-7 July 2010
EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN & CHURCH REVIVAL
PASTOR ROGELIO MELIS
Bible-Way Baptist Church
Sayangan, Atok, Benguet
11 July 2010
CLASSMATES’ SUNDAY
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MARCH 2010
Dear Graduates,
This March, some of you will graduate from pre-school, intermediate, high school, and college levels. Congratulations. You deserve our prayers.
One of the joys in being your Pastor is to see that you whom God has chosen to be under my care, would graduate from their present academic levels and go on to pursue their dreams. This is one of the privileges which I alone, as the Pastor, get to enjoy. You see, I have three children only and the elder girls already had the privilege of marching through a kindergarten graduation, yet I feel I am your parent. We have fellowshipped, cracked jokes, enjoyed blessings, and prayed together. Our ties are special, not bounded by blood, but by the commonality of having received the grace of God. I stand taller when I see our young people finish their studies and get on with life. I feel elated when our students pursue their dreams and achieve them. I know that the other members of the church share my happiness and elation over your success.
Graduation day, as it said many times over, is both a beginning and an end. It signifies the end of all the struggles and the hardships that you went through. It also signifies relief from the pressures of school work. It tells of a new beginning, another milestone in your life. It is during this time that people reminisce and take a long hard look at the past school year.
Graduates, you have to remember that whatever you have gone through, it was the Lord who guided and even carried you. I had been a graduate, too, and many times I tended to give myself the glory. Always remember that whatever success that God has blessed you with, never forget to thank the kind Lord for all of these. May you never ascribe the glory and honor to yourself. We have the Lord to ascribe all the glory. He gave us our brains.
Dear graduates, I do not know what lies ahead for you. I do not know what will become of you. Some of you may have to transfer to another place while some of you might transfer to another church. You know that we have prayed with and for your success. We say we have been blessed and comforted by your fellowship. We hope that the Lord will still continue to be of importance in your life. I hope that you continue to serve the Lord wherever the Lord leads you. I know that I have taught you, straight from the Word of God, the blessings of service. The Church and I hope that you continue to study His Word grow into spiritual maturity. The Church and I pray that you will never forget our “small” church and that you will be with us every time we celebrate our church anniversary. You shall always be special in our hearts. GO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
To the graduates who will still continue their education in Bontoc, go on! I pray that the Lord will make you more trusting of Him and that you will continue to be of service to His Name. Your studies should not be viewed as stumbling blocks in His service. Serving the Lord while studying should serve as inspiration and challenge. Serving the Lord and being useful in the ministry should be viewed as a privilege. I say this not to the graduates only but also to those who have not, including those who have already careers of their own.
Finally, shouldn’t we thank the Lord by offering Him a renewed commitment and dedication and a deeper consecration for His work?
Your pastor,
RFC
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FEBRUARY 2010
This 20-21 February 2010, our church will celebrate her 30th founding anniversary. We would like to invite our readers, friends, and supporters to attend this historic occasion. If you live near our area, do make it a point to come.
I love CHBCM. I can say that without reservations. I have been a member of CHBCM for 30 years now. I have spent 21 years of my life in the leadership of our church. It was through the church my family had been blessed. It was through the church I, personally, had been blessed. But you see, just professing your love for our church is worthless if not backed up by practice. You love our church? Show it. Let me count the ways:
PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH
We ought to pray for our CHBCM and its leaders daily and have a tender heart of concern for every member in particular. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
PROTECT OUR CHURCH
We ought to protect our CHBCM from all forms of gossip, criticism and slander, realizing fully well that Satan would seek to hinder the work of God through the carnal tongue. We ought not to give the critics of Highland an ear, who would seek to tear down His Church and its testimony to the blessings it has brought to our lives and our homes. How precious to have the powerful influence of a good Bible preaching church where we can come with our family and be challenged and fed each week from the manna that is from heaven.
PROMOTE OUR CHURCH
We can promote our Church best when we attend all its services faithfully, and live according to its precepts in our daily lives. The world is looking for reality. We who have been transformed by His power know Christ and have at our disposal the power of His resurrection. Let us dare to live that Christ may be seen in our lives. This is the greatest testimony of all for CHBCM and the Savior we love.
PROVIDE FOR OUR CHURCH
We ought to provide for CHBCM and its various ministries. Our Church needs our talents and willing service. Every member ought to be involved in the work. Highland needs our tithes and offerings, for God has ordained God’s people support that God’s work. Out of love and concern, let us be found faithful in all these matters.
PROPAGATE OUR CHURCH
We ought to propagate CHBCM and extend its ministry and influence in Bontoc, as well as in Mountain Province, and even outside, for the glory of God. Let us be concerned for the souls of men and by our life and witness seek to bring men to Christ. We know that Christ is the real answer to all the spiritual needs of man. We know that He can and will meet every need of every soul that in faith turns to Him for salvation. We know that He can bring joy and peace and satisfaction to the human heart. Let us be found faithful in our witness, realizing that time is short and the coming of the Lord draweth near.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR OUR CHURCH
We ought to praise the Lord for CHBCM. Let us pray daily that we will do our best to make it the best possible witness in Mountain Province. CHBCM is not perfect but we have a perfect Savior and Lord. We have the Holy Spirit to help us, and His perfect Word to show us the way.
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JANUARY 2010
Every time a new year comes we always talk about having gotten older. I hope we did not only age but we should have matured also. We should not grow old only. We should mature, too. Growing old is totally different from maturity. Growing old has something to do with time while maturity has something to do with the thinking process, including actions and way we conduct ourselves. In the Bible, God condemned Christians who grew old in years but are still babies in the spiritual parlance. You may be 10 years as a Christian, however, your spiritual maturity is poor. Babies are beautiful and we like to cuddle them. However, we do not even like to go with Christians who are spiritually immature.
A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR TO EACH ONE OF YOU & THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. We extend our best wishes and prayers for a peaceful year to our members and readers everywhere. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. Your prayers for me and my family helped us sail through 2009 into this new year. Please continue supporting this ministry and other ministries which God had placed upon our shoulders.
PREACHERS’ RELAY AND PRAYERS. The prayer meeting on December 30 was scheduled on December 31 so it will coincide with the New Year’s Midnight Watch where we had our traditional preachers’ relay. The preachers’ relay is an annual event where all the preachers of the church will be preaching in one service. This is one event we all like because we get to hear many sermons in one worship. This is also among the rare occasions where I do not preach. [To continue reading, click on newsletter and look for the 2010--22-01--NT--01-03 issue of the newsletter].
TIME FLIES. The Romans had a pagan god named Janus. Janus was the god of gates and doors and new beginnings. He was twofaced. He looked both ways. Our word, January, is named after him. January is where we are once again. The ancient worshipers of the pagan god, Janus, would have put it, "Tempus Fugit!" Time flies! Jesus reminded us that time flies as He said to His disciples: "The night cometh, when no man can work.” (JN 9: 4). That is why we have to use all opportunity we have. We should use all the gifts that we have. There will be some time in the future when we will not be able to work out our strength and make full use of our skills.
PRAYER WEEK. Let us start 2010 with prayers for our church and our members, the ministries, our pastors and their families, unity and team work in the church, including the church anniversary. We shall have different speakers during each day of our prayer week. Refreshments will also be served every after prayer service.
January 4 7:30 pm Monday Pastors and Preachers
January 5 7:30 pm Tuesday Ladies’ Prayer Meeting
January 6 7:30 pm Wednesday Church Prayer Meeting
January 7 7:30 pm Thursday Youth Prayer Meeting
January 8 7:30 pm Friday Men’s Prayer Meeting
NOVEMBER 2009
November is our “Personal Testimony Month” with the theme: Dare to Stand Alone for Christ.” It is high time we give emphasis on our personal testimony and how it affects other members of our church, other Christians, and the whole community. We think that nobody is watching us. Many eyes are on us. Many times the way some live their lives are largely dependent on what they see we do, what they hear we say, and how we think. Let us be careful the way we live. If it is a life of compromise, we shall answer such to Jesus. If it is a life of standing for the truth, then you shall be rewarded.
SO LONG, PASTOR AND MRS. VICTOR BATCAGAN. It is with profound sadness we inform our readers that last October 31, Pastor and Mrs. Victor Batcagan, including their one month old baby died when the vehicle driven by Pastor Batcagan fell from the road going up to Sagada down to the road going to Bontoc. [Please click on to newsletters and locate the November 08 issue for more].
MISSION BUILDING IN LUBON, TADIAN BEING CONSTRUCTED. The mission building [Phase 1] at Lubon, Tadian, Mountain Province is now being constructed. Please see the church bulletin board for the details of the building and the needs in the construction. Those who would like to give an offering for the project may call Preacher Leo Umila [cell phone number 09084105239] or Pastor Rexton F. Chakas [09096094309] or Pastor Pons Challoy [09192465258].
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE AM-AMONG 2009. Whether it will rain or shine, Am-among 2009 this November 21-22 will push through. We had been praying for this occasion and we are confident the Lord will answer our prayers for a good weather, good attendance, the salvation of the lost, and the strengthening of Christians. On 21 November [Saturday night], there shall be a fellowship service with one or two of the visiting pastors at the pulpit. On the 22nd, the worship will be at the Mountain Province Multi-Purpose Building. In the evening, the worship will take place at our meeting place. Invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives. Let us feed on the Word of God.
OCTOBER 2009
Let us continue to pray for the victims of the recent typhoons, most especially the churches severely affected by the recent typhoons. Yes, the sun is already shining but the havoc the typhoons caused have made dents in the economic, psychological, and even spiritual lives of many. But let me say this—despite the death and destruction which the recent typhoons brought about upon us, there were lessons that came out of these.
First, the deaths made us realize that life is short for some, and shorter for others. The victims of the landslides have not planned to have short lives. They had plans what to do on that day or the morrow [JAMES 4:13-14]. They also have dreams of their own. They have goals for them personally, and for their families. But alas! We do not know when the Great Leveler comes. Most of the victims were not warned about the mountain slides and the flash floods. So does the coming of the Great Leveler. It comes when we think we will live full lives. It comes when we think we have all it takes for Mr. Death not to visit us.
Second, the deaths tell us that we should strengthen our evangelistic work and sustain the preaching fervor. We need to go and tell people about the love of Christ demonstrated on the cross of Calvary [JOHN 3:16]. We need to teach and preach that apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, no one, even the very best and the most pious or religious, can have everlasting life [ROMANS 6:23].
Third, the deaths taught us that life is like a vapor. Friends and acquaintances appear and become part of our lives. We enjoy our days with them, then they suddenly vanish away like vapor [JAMES 4:14]. That is why we should do good while we may [GALATIANS 6:10]. Life is too short to have and maintain enemies. Life is too short to sustain animosities. Sometimes I do not like the idea of people going near coffins of the dead and ask for forgiveness. Let us straighten out our relationships while we are still alive. Let us do good while others are still alive.
Fourth, the destruction taught us the impermanence of material things. We work ourselves like beasts of burden to make and save money. We build houses and they get worn out, or they perish under landslides. We buy beautiful clothes and house appliances, they vanish on the onslaught of floods. We exchange or savings for tracts of lands, yet these become disfigured with weather disturbances. I cannot fathom the anguish and the sorrow that accompanies the loss of the results of our work. The destruction told us that we should not root ourselves on this earth as if you will be a permanent citizen.
Fifth, it showed us that death and destruction can bring people together. It brought out the good and the beautiful amongst us, despite those who tried to cash in on very low supplies [the prices of some commodities, including candles skyrocketed]. I do not know why it takes destruction and sorrow to galvanize us. I do not know why it takes destruction and sorrow to make people repent of their sins, help others, and pray for others. This should be an on-going process.
Sixth, it demonstrated to us the sovereignty and mercy of God. Though mountains depart and hills removed, the mercy and kindness of God [ISAIAH 54:10], I know were felt and seen. Though there were and are things we could not explain, we learn to submit to His sovereign will. Many more could have perished. Many more properties could have been demolished. We could only trust God and thank Him for life at the moment.
The destruction of the electric posts rendered Bontoc without electricity and I relived the days of my childhood when we did not have the luxury of electric power all day long. Electric power brought us television, computers, ITERNET, Facebook, and etc. These rob us of the precious time we must spend with our families. The candle light brought me and my family to huddles—during and after meals. I loved it. I loved the closeness. For me, the lesson is, love and cherish your moments with your families. We may not live long to spend most of our days with them.
SEPTEMBER 2009
The month of September has RUNNING THE RACE as its theme at the Cordillera Highlands Baptist Church. Athletic theme, isn't it? Yes, because in Bontoc, the month of September is the start of athletics in and among schools. We would like to take inspiration from what Apostle Paul wrote in the Bible about running the race. We want our people to know that each one is running a race. We want our people to be informed that the running of the race is not against each other or against any other church.
Life has its ups and downs. Life has its many challenges, many mountains and hills to climb and for some, there are plains and valleys to cross. But all in all, what matters is that we all run the race with patience. Some are infront of us. Some are behind us. Others run with us side-by-side. What is important is that we all come out winners because of the help from our Almighty God.
Come and spend your Sundays with us. Let us learn about running the race. Let us be equipped with how to overcome those that beset the spiritual runners. Come to Cordillera Highlands Baptist Church.
JULY 2009
The month of July is Touching Lives Emphasis Month. Cordillera Highlands Baptist Church and Missions wants to see Christ exalted through transformed lives which we touch with the Gospel.
People move in and out of each other’s lives, and each leaves a mark on the other. In the end, you find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who have touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you. You see, those who are important and unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love or carelessness, and move on. There are people who leave you, and it seemed all the oxygen was there, and you wonder why you ever came in contact with them. There are people who leave, and you hated to see them go and leave a hole in your life. Children leave parents, friends leave friends, and acquaintances move on. You think on the many who have moved into your life. You look on those present and wonder.
We students come in contact with fellow students. Pretty soon, we lose contact with them. Some drop out. Some get married before graduation. What impact have you made on their lives. Have you touched their lives with the Gospel? We come in contact with clients and co-workers. Then all of a sudden some retire while some move to other offices and workplaces. What imprint or impact have we made on their lives? Have we touched their lives with the Gospel?
The emphasis this July 2009 is for us to touch lives of friends and acquaintances with the Gospel. In the end, they will always be thankful for having touched their lives with the Gospel. Let’s tell them. Let them know of the Gospel. Let us invite them to church. Tell them what the Lord has done for you.
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JUNE 2009
For the month of June 2009, the emphasis at Highland is on Commitment and Revival. In the Philippines, the months of April and May are summer months, ergo, vacation months. In June, with the onset of the school year, those who have gone on vacation [spiritually, included] come back to Bontoc. Those who have gone to work in other places for the summer are back. This is the reason why we emphasize commitment and revival.
The first Sunday of June is our Commitment Sunday. We center on re-committing our lives to God. We center on going back on our promises and commitments to God and His Church.
The second Sunday of June is our Freedom Sunday. Since Philippine Independence Day falls on June 12, we decided to name June 14 as Freedom Sunday. Yes, we have heroes in the Philippines who gave up their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, so we who believe in Him, will also be set free from the bondage of sin and darkness.
The third Sunday of June is Fathers' Day at Highland. We are grateful to God for giving us fathers at Highland--fathers who are faithful to their families, and fathers who are faithful to God and His Church. There will be baptisms after the morning worship.
The last Sunday of June was named Welcome Students Sunday. This will be a day where the emphasis will be on learning. If you are a student and live near our place, we invite you to attend the worship.
We invite those near Bontoc to come and worship with us. If we could be of spiritual help, please let us know.
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APRIL 2009
For the month of April 2009, the emphasis at Highland is on spiritual growth. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. ” (2 PETER 3:18). Christian growth is everyone’s need.
Babies are cute and delightful in many ways. But if a person were to remain a baby for ten years, twenty years, something is terribly wrong. In a literal, physical sense there are no twenty-year-old babies. But there are twenty-year-olds, forty-, sixty-year-olds who often act like babies. And what do we say about them? That they are cute and delightful? Think of a grown man coming to church dressed like a baby and with a flower in his lapel that squirts water at you. You will find that he will not have any friends because people like that are unpleasant, a real pain in the neck. You know, if there is one thing very hard to tolerate, it is immaturity. I’m afraid that God is similarly annoyed by some of us, for there is a lot of spiritual immaturity among Christians today in the church. We do not want this to be said of the Christians at Highland.
But need to encourage young Christians to grow. And older Christians too, for we never outgrow the need to grow. We need to emphasize the basics of the gospel:salvation by the death and resurrection of Christ, by God’s grace (his free gift), by faith (not by anything we can do to earn it). That is quite proper. Butlet nobody misunderstand: there is a lot more to learn in God’s word besidethese basics. And it’s sad when someone who has been a Christian for a
long time knows nothing else than a single verse.
So come over and grow with us!
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