by Chito Tolosa

Evangelism and missions, in their simplest form, have to do with communicating the Gospel. The word gospel comes to us from the Greek word euangelion, which literally means “good message.” In the Greek, euangelion referred to any type of good report, especially those in military or political contexts.

When Jesus began His public ministry, He came “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1 :14), calling the people to repent for “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17b). This was an announcement of an wonderful new state of affairs; God was at work in time and space to bring about the government of the promised Messiah.

As Jesus’ apostles took the Gospel into all the world, however, their preaching and writing referred more to “the gospel of Christ”(Romans 15:29). The church was proclaiming the Good News of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. This was the same message; the focus had merely shifted from the kingdom to the King. And above all, it was “the gospel of God”(Rom.1:1), the Good News to man from God, who declared Jesus to be the Messiah, most powerfully by raising Him from the dead. So the Gospel is God’s message about Christ, and when we communicate the Gospel, we are, in a real sense merely repeating to the world what God has said.

Jesus employed a very significant word for this task in Acts 1:8, saying His disciples would be His “witnesses.” In the New Testament, to bear witness to something is to call attention to it. When “witness” is applied to the work of the church, we see that our task is to call attention to the King and His kingdom; we are to make visible what is invisible to a lost and dying world. Christians do this in a host of ways: by loving one another, by keeping the Lord’s Supper, by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, and even by dying for the faith. Any activity that calls attention to Christ falls under the heading of “witness,” evangelism and missions included.

MEDITATE…

It is ironic that “to witness” has to do with calling attention to Christ-we’re often reluctant to witness because we fear calling attention to ourselves. Somehow we must overcome this hesitation. Examine your heart: What do you fear? Ridicule? Loss of social status? The mockery of worldly friends? Seek to please Christ, not men.

by Ed Tolosa

Cavite is a province in the Philippines located just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Its capital is Trece Martires City, the seat of the provincial government. Cavite is surrounded by the provinces of Laguna to the east and Batangas to the south. To the west lies the South China Sea.

Cavite has a total population of 2,856,765 based on the year 2007 census. The main languages spoken are Tagalog, Chabacano and English. However, a large number of immigrants from farther provinces also speak Bicolano, Cebuano, and Ilocano. In line with national statistics, the majority (90%) of the population are Roman Catholic while adherents of Iglesia ni Cristo account for 4% of the population. Other Christian sects and Muslims comprise the remainder.

Cavite is one of the fastest growing provinces in the country due to its close proximity to Metro Manila. Many companies have established manufacturing plants in numerous industrial parks.

Cavite is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 3 cities: Cavite City, Tagaytay City, Trece Martires City.

GX door to door evangelism campaign in the year 2000 started at Trece Martires City. The pure message of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was brought to the residents in different subdivisions and barangays. As a result bible studies and cell groups were established. Our workers may have covered almost all of the major subdivisions and barangays of this city through the years but saturation work still needs to be done.

Door to door evangelism, the heralding of good news, is not easy, for in evangelism, we attack the strongholds of Satan. True evangelism often results in Christians being mocked and mistreated.

God honors true evangelism and is often pleased to make the seed grow and bear fruit. The Father is the Lord of the harvest, He grants or withholds success. Christ is the builder of His church, the Holy Spirit is the divine Energizer and Commissioner. Where God is honored and His doctrine is maintained, we can be sure that our labor will not be in vain.

I would like to commend our ex-GX workers for their good stewardship in fulfilling the Great Commission of preaching the gospel. They have been faithful servants who selflessly served the Lord, never thinking of financial gain. They have become models of the gospel. The gospel has changed them. Their examples speak, perhaps more than their words.

This year 2009, we have a new team who will go door to door in General Trias to continue to wear out more shoes for the gospel.

GX would like to specially thank our former workers for their faithfulness. We thank the Lord for our friends for your prayers and faithful support. May our good Lord bless us as we move on to tomorrow.

Baguio City

Our door to door evangelism started last January in Navy Base, Baguio City with the help of our volunteers and co- workers in all our projects. Navy Base Christian Fellowship is surrounded by almost 200 houses and all of them received GXcomics and welcomed the good news we shared. We extended invitations for them to join our Sunday Services. We thank the young people, ladies and Pastor Winnie for their help in making this ministry possible. We are looking forward to ministering to more homes in adjacent areas. It is our prayer that this activity will be carried out all year round to places where our brothers and sisters in Navy Base have already established contacts and to places where we will build new ties. I am very confident that this will be possible because our volunteers are very enthusiastic and dedicated.

We had a series of lessons on door to door evangelism with the young people and ladies of Navy Base Christian Fellowship.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say, “There are still four months and then comes the harvest”? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:34-35

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Reed Basket

The weather in Baguio is a lot cooler than the rest of the Philippines but that did not prevent the kids of Reed Basket from enjoying a cup of delicious ice cream after school. It was some sort of a reward for being fast learners. The older group can now read sentences fast and easy! School’s off this coming week to give way to Daily Vacation Bible School. Our students are required to attend. School year 2007-2008 ends on May 17.

If you think Teacher Joey Tolosa is confined inside the small day care room then think again! Just recently she was special guest speaker of the ladies’ group. She talked about Ana and Priscilla being worthy of emulation. The message was interrelated with the games (mind games) which Joey also prepared. At the end of her message she read a very encouraging poem dedicated to a sister, a daughter, a mother, a wife, an aunt, a grandmother or whatever the present role in life the attendee is in. ”In God’s eyes we are more than what we perceive ourselves to be!”

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SOP Daycare, Cavite

Another school year had ended and truly God is so Good!

The graduation of the children was held at the SOP Church building on 14 March at 9am to 11am.

There were 7 kids who successfully completed the daycare program curriculum. They were given a certificate of completion and are now qualified to enter Grade I. Likewise, 11 kids who completed the Kinder-1 curriculum and were promoted to Kinder-2 this coming school year (2008-2009). Not to forget the 2 nursery kids who were promoted to K-1.

The program was opened with an invocation prayer by Rev. de Fiesta. Inspiring messages were also given by Rev. Conrad Tolosa and Hon. Councilor Remegio Dilag.

A thanksgiving message was given by Teacher Maria Cartagena and to close this happy event for the kids a snack was provided by our benefactors and parents of the kids. Though the daycare program has come to an end and will no longer be available this coming school year, we know in our hearts that the Lord Jesus will still continue to lead these kids to another school were they will know more about the life of our Lord Jesus and His free gift of salvation.

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Home for Abused Girls

Last January 4, 2008, GX workers headed by Bro. Tony Tolosa, visited the Bethany Home for abused girls. The home is operated by the Salvation Army and is in it’s 7th year. The GX and SA workers treated the girls to a wonderful party. There was singing, dancing and a lot of good food. Bro. Tony brought with him gifts courtesy of the SA World Service Office. The girls were waiting for him to return and visit them, as he had promised on his July 2007 visit. A message of faith, hope and love was given by Sis. Maria Cartagena to the encouragement of the girls. Pray that this ministry will continue.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. To God be the glory!