After preaching for over 35 years and working in the Philippines for 10 years, it is not often that I have a new experience, but I had one today. This was the first time I had ever preached in five different churches on the same Lord’s Day. It was a long, but fruitful day in the Pagadian area!
The first service of the day was at 9am with the Guipos congregation where brother Leo Armada preaches. I spoke to a full house for about an hour and a half on “Being Perfectly Joined Together” from 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. James Armada extended the invitation following the lesson and 9 came to confess Christ. Before they went to baptize the group, another asked to confess Christ and be baptized for remission of sins. So, they took the 10 to the spillway where all were baptized. We passed on as they went down to the river because we had to get to the next place.
We had a lengthy drive to the next appointment at noon with the Pulacan church where Ernie Colliado preaches. We had a good number assembled for that meeting as well and I preached on “The Life of Joseph.” No invitation was extended, but the brethren were thankful for the visit and seemed to be encouraged.
We were delayed a little reaching the scheduled 2pm meeting with the Manga congregation where Leo and James Armada labor together. The building sets fairly high above the road just in front of it, so there is a rather steep climb up a number of uneven steps in order to reach the meeting place. I preached on “Avoiding an Evil Heart of Unbelief” which included some points for non-Christians, but centered on exhortation for Christians to grow in faith. At the end of the service, brother James Armada again extended the invitation with further instruction towards non-Christians and 3 came to obey the gospel. James took those to be baptized while we went on to the next place to set up.
Our next schedule was with the Danlugan congregation where James Armada preaches. He was a little delayed due to the baptisms at the previous place, so we were well behind the scheduled 4pm time in getting started. Again, a good number was present, mostly members of the church, so I preached a lesson on “Where Is Your Treasure?” from Matthew 6. No invitation was extended at the conclusion of that service.
Our last scheduled meeting was at the Hilltop church where Gadiel Candallo preaches. We arrived a little late, but found only the preacher and one other member there. It seems a large rain had come about 2 hours before the service which prevented most from coming. However, there were 10 of us traveling together plus the entire Armada family that joined us as well as several other brethren from the area. I preached on the “Foundation of the Family” from 1 Peter 3. We had a good study with excellent interest shown. I finished preaching at 9pm – twelve hours after I began at 9am. In all, it was a very tiring, but fruitful day.
The Lord willing, tomorrow is a travel day with no preaching scheduled. My voice can use the break! We are to drive from Pagadian to Ozamis, fly from Ozamis to Cebu and take the fastcraft boat from Cebu to Ormoc on the island of Leyte. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travel.
Brotherly, Harry O.
