EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MANILA

1024 Felix Huertas St., Sta. Cruz, Manila

Website: www.eccmanila.faithweb.com

E-mail: eccmanila@yahoo.com

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF ECCM MINISTRY

JANUARY 15, 2005

 Joel & Levy Santos

 

 

BRIEF MINISTRY BACKGROUND

 

The ministry commenced sometime in April 2001 while I was taking my further studies.  Although there was a problem in finances, by faith, we pursued our plan and started to gather some Christian friends in the community and together we earnestly prayed for the launching of the church. 

 

Unlike the rural ministry where it is initially started through house-to-house Bible studies and visitation, our work in Manila was started through formal worship service. More than ten of our friends joined us every Sunday and regular prayer meeting every Wednesday in our rented home. After a month, we decided to move and seek for a space to accommodate more people who attend our regular activities. Philippine Missionary Fellowship helped us paid the monthly rental to maintain the Church building.

 

After two years of God’s faithfulness, and through our patience and hard work, we have now a regular and stable ministry in the heart of Manila. Many church activities had been formed that year. We started the evening service in order to give chance those professionals who cannot attend the morning session due to their jobs.  We also conducted free medical and dental mission sponsored by Mission Community Services, Inc. Our Sponsor-a-child program was also launched and more than ten children are until now receiving regular allowances for their studies and milk support. We also conducted leadership seminar for the young people in Baguio City, and there, we also able to launch the Christian Basketball Association (CBA) and started the Bible School Program for Youth. The ministry during that year was greatly blessed by God!

 

The past 2004, because of severe crises encountered by our country, people from both business and religious organization suffered of financial difficulties. This caused the Philippine Missionary Fellowship (PMF) to stop supporting the church financially therefore the church was forced to vacate the place and temporarily occupy the mezzanine floor of our rented house. The church pays a share for the space and electricity.

 

The church is still in the pioneering stage but has no full time pastor. There are three members of the preaching team who are assigned to preach every week. None of us could commit for a full time work since all of us must work to support the needs of our own families. No one is given any amount or love gift because the church has no means for it. But unlike other churches in the Philippines, ECCM is blessed with pastors who help the various ministries of the church.

 

 

SOME MINISTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ECCM DURING YEAR 2004

 

1.      We praise the Lord for the good result of ECCM ministry in the lives of many young people. One parent testified that since his son attended our services, he has changed a lot.  He doesn’t use drugs anymore and tried to avoid doing worldly vices.  Now he is a regular and active youth member.  This young man is Obet Kempis. He gave his life to Christ for almost a year now during one of our evening services together with other 5 individuals.  He has also influenced and invited many youth including his brothers, sisters and friends to attend our church activities.

 

2.      Most of our church members are very young spiritually.  But they are very active and gifted in all aspects of the ministry.  Our concentration is to make them mature in their faith and train them to become useful in the ministry.  We also encourage them to study in a nearby Bible school; there were 7 of them responded and enrolled but at present only two on them remained at Central Bible College. 

 

3.      Our camp in Antipolo City has also got tremendous effect to the lives of the youth. Many young people were converted and eight of them followed Christ through water baptism.

 

4.      Our Children ministry is also very encouraging. Our children rally had been attended by more than 60 children. Their parents also witnessed the program. We were also granted additional support for children by the Sponsor-A-Child (SAC) program of Mission Community Services, Inc. (MICOS). They are receiving 200 pesos monthly plus one kilogram of milk for their health needs.

 

5.      One of our Bible School scholars is now graduating. Praise God for giving him wisdom in his studies. We also thank God for his sponsor who pays his tuition fees.

 

6.      The church has able to start an extension work at slum area in Tondo, Manila through our volunteer worker Ptr. & Mrs. Rolly Malayon. Until at present 20-30 unbelievers are attending the regular Bible studies.

 

7.      Regular members of the Church have supported most of our activities in the year 2004. And despite the many trials and destructions in the ministry, we successfully completed our whole year calendar of activities.

     PRAISE THE LORD!

 

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING YEAR 2004

 

1.      The church has suffered greatly from the ongoing crisis that our country is facing. Our offerings got around 60% decrease and we had hard time raising fund for our scheduled activities.  Even our share for the rent/electricity was not meet every month. The church is very much affected by the financial crisis that we almost decide to lie low or stop the ministry then. But we praise the Lord, through His help and faithful provision, we learned to stretch and find ways to help the church stand the test it faced.

 

2.      During that year, we planned to end up the ministry and decided to transfer the whole membership to other existing church of like faith near the place. This is in conjunction with the transfer of residence of some of our employed members who are faithfully supporting the financial needs of the church because of employment reason.  It was the saddest experience of the church. Some cried out because the long time fellowship and good relationship that we have is threatened to end. But because of God’s mercy and comfort, he helped us continue the ministry of ECCM until now.

 

3.      During that year, there were also some regular members of the church affected by the ministry pressures and crisis who went out of our fellowship.  Still, we thank God because most us are still here, intact.

 

Praise God, we reach the end of year 2004 successfully even in the midst of tremendous trials we experienced not only in the family of God but also in our families and country as well. We are more decided to stay and work in His vineyard until He comes.

 

 

THE GLIMPSES OF OPPORTUNITIES EARLY THIS YEAR 2005

 

This year, the whole church is expecting the best to the ministry of ECCM. We look forward with great anticipation for good and successful ministry.

 

1.      Early this year, a Christian friend encouraged us to establish a feeding program for the street and indigent children in our place which most of our attendees are from.  So we made a project proposal and submitted to Philippine Children Ministry Network.  When realized, this project could help the malnourished children to recover physically and give us more opportunity to share the Gospel not only to children but also to their parents.  

 

2.      Our proposal for international affiliation has given us hope to make our ministry alive again.  It’s not because of material reason, but most of all with the fellowship and prayer needed by our church. We believe that this affiliation will give us an inspiration to face all the challenges of 2005.

 

3.      There is also one professor of System Technological Institute (STI) who promised us to help our ministry for children. He is unbeliever, but he has a burden to help the needs of children in our church. He pledged school supplies like notebooks and ball pens to our Sunday schoolers this coming school opening in June.

 

 

PRAYER REQUEST

 

1.      Please pray for the immediate funding of our proposed feeding program requested from Philippine Children’s Ministry Network. May the Lord help them find sponsors to realize our feeding project soon!

 

2.      Our economic crisis greatly affects not only our church finances but also our attendance. Please pray that this year our attendance will increase and many members will involve in the soul-winning program.

 

3.      Please pray for more comfortable place for the church along with the financial needs for maintaining the place. Our temporary space is not sufficient for us. We pray for a bigger space to accommodate all the members!

 

4.      Please pray for the preparation as well the financial needs of our upcoming summer evangelistic youth camp this April. May the Lord help and guide us in inviting the youth to attend this activity. Pray also for the availability of the camp staff and workers.

 

5.      The church has no available worker for the youth. Help us to pray that the Lord will provide a worker or raise one to lead the youths.

 

6.      Please pray that the Lord will help us in raising regular and sufficient fund to support a full time pastor.

 

7.      Please pray for our Calendar of Activities of 2005. May the Lord shows us again His faithfulness as we devotedly abide His will for His glory!

 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!