A Ride to the Biennial

Are you ready for an adventure?

Take this quick journey of preparing yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically for the very first Biennial Assembly of CBYFP.

WE HOPE TO MEET YOU AT THE DESTINATION.

See you there!



EXPEDITION CBYFP: A Travel Guide
Target Destination: Filamer
Target Date of Arrival: May 23, 2011
JOIN NOW!

What if, one day, some ambitious “Einsteinic” scientist snapped from the cosmic void of “the great unknown” all the electromagnetic energies and invented a device that allows us to skip time so we can jump to May 2011?

We may already have attained several achievements from the advancement of technology, but even our brilliant 21st century scientists have not yet invented a particular creation (a remote control or a time machine, perhaps?) that can take us to the future.

Simply put, we do not belong to that epoch where “everything impossible is possible.”

Take the movie Click starring Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale as an example. If there had already been this kind of invention, we would be probably dead by now because of too much “fast forwarding” (does this term even exist?). Plus, due to the frequent frustrating power failure caused by reasons that the electric companies only know, there might be a 90% possibility that somewhere along the trip to the future, we might run out of electricity and the machine might bug down.

Imagine being trapped in time.

I guess that might be a bad idea to think about. So, we’re left with no other choice than to take on the voyage of reaching May 2011 one day at a time…until we get there.

Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, carved in history this famous quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Hence, this is going to be a six-month long voyage, so we have to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually as well.



FOUR GUIDELINES FOR THE VOYAGER

#1- RECONNAISSANCE

Just a second. Before we reach for our car keys, there’s one important question we need to answer first before anything else:

Why are we going anyway?

On May 23-28, 2011, we’ll be taking on a great adventure of faith together with our other brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the country.

This assembly is going to be a fusion of all the eleven Kasapulanas comprising youth of different ages, personalities, family backgrounds, cultures and traditions from the different Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. (CPBC) churches in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We have one mission: to worship one God under one faith—under one Convention. The purpose of this assembly is to combine the elements of fun, fellowship, unity, spiritual learning and growth amidst diversity to coincide with our theme.


Objectives:

After the assembly, the youth will be able to:
1. uphold CBYFP as a national organization
2. feel belonged and wholly revived
3. look forward to the next camp; and,
4. live victoriously for the Lord in fulfilling the Great Commission until the end.


During the assembly, we specifically aim to:
1. Revisit CBYFP profile (heritage).
a. Relearn the Mission-Vision of CBYFP.
b. Rediscover the organizational structure.
c. Review the history of CBYFP.


2. Revive the fellowship (belongingness).
a. Recognize each other’s uniqueness
b. Restore the joy of being together
c. Reconnect with our purpose


3. Renew the commitment (heart).
a. Recommend a working theme for the next 2 years (assembly)
b. Reinforce and challenge new leaders
c. Rededicate our lives to God


4. Reflect the experience (action).
a. Render service to others
b. Respect other Christian traditions
c. Relay what you have learned


The next thing we need to know is where we are going to.


Our destination: Filamer Christian University (FCU), Roxas City, Capiz


Here are some facts we need to know about FCU and why our assembly is going to be held there:

1. Aton guid ini. FCU was established in 1904, just a year before Jaro Industrial School (now Central Philippine University), by the early American Baptist missionaries to the Philippines. It is a member institution of CPBC.

The CBYFP Program Committee, headed by the President, visits FCU.

2. Free Size. FCU, particularly the Roblee Hall, can accommodate more than 500 delegates. The University's gymnasium is also a condusive venue for some of our activities.

The Roblee Hall

3. They Have It. FCU can provide us with the needed facilities to effectively conduct the program and other activities for the assembly.

4. Rain or shine, our clothes will remain dry. There’s no need to worry about our tents getting flooded if heavy rain might fall, because our sleeping quarters will be at either the elementary or high school buildings.

The ProgCom pose with Pastor RD Celeste.

5. Three-in-One= School + Church + Hospital. Just beside FCU is the infamous Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, established in 1908, also a member institution of CPBC. A little further is Capiz Evangelical Church. So, praise God for the Christian atmosphere and conduciveness of the venue that FCU offers.

Peace! Nang Star, Mezan and Nong Jec Dan...Nong Chester?

For more information about FCU, click here.

All these and more will be revealed once we’re there.

The next thing to consider: money matters.

What are the expenses?

Church Fee:

P200.00 (2010-2011)

Individual expenses:

Registration Fee: P200 and Food Fee: P300.00

FARE*

Negros-Iloilo: Supercat: P399.00

Oceanjet (with id): P300.00

Roro- P90.00 Dumangas

Port-Dumangas terminal: P20.00

Dumangas terminal-Iloilo terminal: P40.00

Iloilo-Roxas: Bus (economy)

Student: P127.00 Regular: P140.00

(aircon) Student: P142.00 Regular: P162.00

Iloilo-Roxas: Van-P120

Aklan-Roxas: Van: P100.00

Roxas terminal-Filamer: (Tricycle) P8.00

* Fare rates may change without prior notice.

Seems like we have a lot to prepare, so, let’s start searching for the right bag to put in all our camping stuff.

#2- PACKING UP

All set and ready to go!

We begin by making sure we have our bags ready for all the necessary things that we must bring for a camp. Here’s a tip from a not-so-frequent-camper-but-once-a-girl-scout-trouper: make sure to have a checklist. This will be of big help in organizing our belongings and to ensure that all the important needs are packed.

What to Bring:
Bible, Beddings, Pen, flashlight, Notepad, T-shirt for t-shirt printing, Eating utensils, Medicines, Toiletries, 1 pack of noodles and 1 canned goods (for outreach)

And when we say “camp,” this means we shouldn’t expect to be sleeping on a comfy and bouncy waterbed inside an air-conditioned room. For first time campers, ask anybody who has attended the previous CBYFP camps and they’ll explain what I mean.

The challenge: are you willing to sacrifice your comfort zone?

For six days:

· No watching of Imortal or whatever we love to watch daily on T.V.

· No “Yaya, give me what I wants!” (Aay…sosyal ja nga bata ho! tsk,tsk,tsk. Wrong grammar pa…Haha!)

· It’s goodbye to Facebook for awhile.

· We have to reduce our 15-minute bath time to five mins. only (we won't be the only ones to use the bathroom)

· …the list goes on.

Yup, we need to have endurance here, but isn't that the excitement and fun (!!!) of camping?Plus the fact that we’ll be with other youth whowill be exactly in our same situation of completing a “six-day-comfort-zone-sacrifice.”

But, this is all for the Lord right? Remember His sacrifice on the cross? It was way far too “suffering”. It was His whole life that He sacrificed just for us; ours is just a matter of sacrificing our comfort zones for Him.

Are you ready to take on the challenge of taking the "six-day-comfort-zone-sacrifice" for the Lord?

If you are, then get your backpacks ready and let’s start packing up! =D

It’s now time to start the engine.

#2—STARTING THE ENGINE OF FAITH

Faith is believing in hope beyond the horizon.

May 2011 is still a long way to go. Many preparations have still to be made. But everything that has been planned for so far will all be useless if we won’t allow God to literally “take the wheel” and lead the way.

This is the beauty of not knowing the “great unknown”, because we have something to pray for, to yearn and to hope for. Even the CBYFP Youth Board has something to look forward to—like putting the plans into action and seeing them materializing from a piece of paper to reality. It is thus our earnest prayer that these plans for the camp will be successful (please help pray for this). While we’re at it, let’s allow our faith to do the works.

We may not yet clearly see what God has in store for the Biennial Assembly, we are certain that He is working. Even though we may not see Him physically and though His plans have not yet been clearly revealed to us today, we are confident that He is in control of what is to come.

Faith, according to Max Lucado, is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.

This is what the engine of faith is all about—trusting and depending on God for what He thinks is the best. God says, “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 9). And if we believe in Him with all our heart and do not depend on our own understanding, and, if we remember the Lord in all we do, He promises to direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

And when God makes a promise, He will fulfill it.

Preparing for a big assembly is not as easy as you think it "sounds" or "looks"; but, once we start our engine of faith and allow God to weave all our preparations and concerns for the camp together, we will simply be amazed by His handiwork.

Here’s one last thing before we go: make sure our gas tank is fuelled with prayer.

#3- FUELLING WITH PRAYER

Prayer is the "fuel" that will keep us from running "out-of-gas" along our journey.

It takes a lot of faith and endurance along this journey towards the camp. We may experience a lot of potholes (which are so literally typical in the Philippine terrain) along the way—pressures, flaws, tough decision makings, etc.—but author Ru dela Torre said in his book Road Trip that in order to keep on going despite the rough ride, we need to “gas-up” in prayer.

Prayer is the fuel that gets things started and gets things done in accordance to God’s will; for, when a believing person prays, great things happen (James 5:16).

God also promises us in Jeremiah 33:3 that if we call upon Him, He will answer. But of course, we have to do our part first before letting Him “do the rest.”

For example, if you are bothered by how to reach the P500.00 registration fee for the camp or the fares, why not start allotting a portion of your daily allowance for it starting today? Say five pesos? If we can spend P20.00 or P30.00 for our daily cellphone load, hopefully P5.00would not be a really big burden to our pockets, because we are on a mission—and in this mission, we need to have some tactics and a bit of ingenuity in order to succeed.

I believe saving P5.00 a day will definitely be of big help. Let’s do some calculations. For thirty days, we already have P150.00. Multiply that for five months and we have P750.00 by April. In that way, we can save more than enough for our registration.

Here’s a bonus: a sense of fulfillment, right? =)

Take it as a suggestion. But as Christians, we should commit to God all our concerns and really claim His promise of answering our prayers. He knows the desires of our hearts, and He is willing to honor them. Let us be reminded that “…if we ask God for anything that agrees with what He wants, He hears us. If we know He hears us every time we ask Him, we know we have what we ask from Him.” (I John 5: 14-15).

So, we have first to show God that, indeed, we are willing to put some effort in order to achieve our desires. Of course, with that we need to have some discipline on our part so we can really accomplish our goals. The reward in the end will be worth it.

Let’s pray for our camp and commit everything to our Father—
that He will bless our personal preparations;
the program;
the officers, committe members, and speakers;

the delegates;
the venue;

the entire assembly.

The Apostle Paul further assures us in Philippians 4:19 that our God “…will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give [us] everything [we] need.”


All we have to do, is to fuel up our engine will a full tank of prayer...we’ll just be stunned if we do.

If we [fuel our faith with prayer and] commit our plans to the Lord, they will [defintely] succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

********

Hence, after a careful 1) reconnaissance, we need to 2) pack-up so we can 3) start our engine of faith and along the way, 4) fill our gas tank with gallons of prayer so that by May 23, 2010, we can reach our destination safe and sound.





So, fellow CBYFP youth…are you ready to take on the journey?



Let’s enjoy our ride to the Biennial with the Lord.

See you at FCU!




You may also send your inquiries regarding the Biennial Assembly to: cbyfp_biennialcamp@yahoo.com


Photo Sources: CBYFP Facebook Group, www.deviantart.com, www.enchgallery.com, www.theoviator.blogspot.com

President's Report

THE 3KP EXPERIENCE
The Kalipunan ng Kristyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas (KKKP) conducted its first Council of Leaders Meeting on July 23-25, 2010 at the Institute of Religion and Culture, Muntinlupa City. It was held for the realization of the program plans for the ecumenical youth. The 3KP is a Christian Youth Federation that involves different youth organizations in witnessing the injustices in our society today.

We had our Biblico-Theological Reflection, sharing from the NCCP Youth Desk, updates on the activities from the other organizations, making policies regarding the finances of the organization, creation of the editorial board of the “Frontliner” news letter, various discussions regarding the agenda concerning the organization and planning for the future activities and programs of the organization for the youth.

It had been a great experience. The meeting was full of fun, enjoyment and most of all, full of learning from the other youth leaders. May it continue to be an avenue in serving God through strengthening our commitment in serving the marginalized sector of the society with solidarity and to strengthen the relationship with the youth from other denominations.

(SGD) EMERY MEZAN GARCIA
President

LET'S BEGIN

The First Biennial Camp

Date: May 23-28, 2010

Theme:

CHRIST
you = me = us
revisit.revive.renew.reflect.

Text: Romans 15:4-7

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

Behind the Velvet Curtain

Unruly journal notes behind the 2nd CPBC Biennial Assembly

May 26-28, 2010
Central Philippine University
Jaro, Iloilo City


MAY 25, 2010 "Bit by bit...putting it together."

Unity. It takes several hands, a couple of brushes, some splashes of color here and there and, most of all, a lot of ingenuity to make several minds combine into one improvised, yet very artful, masterpiece... =)


What is the essence of being “artihan”?

"..artihan, in the sense nga creative." - Chester Salvador

May 26, 2010 (First Day of the Convention)

A. CBYFP Exhibit Snips and cuts. Putting together a cavalcade of CBYFP memories and legacies in one display.

Pause for a Pose. The officers with Ma'am Hermely Jalando-on, former CBYFP President.

For Sale. Souvenir Tshirts, pins and keychains for sale at an affordable price for the benefit of the CBYFP 1st Biennial Camp in 2011.

B. Rehearsal (at the University Church)

Don't Shoot. The Dungon Christian Church YPs are ready for some WWII action!

Dance for J.C. The Baptist Center Church Youth Group are all talented actors and dancers!

Oops. Seriously, some audio problem here; but, the CCC YP carried it through. =)

Unity: a secrect to success. Thanks so much to all the participating youth groups for their cooperation, active participation and willingness to be all a part of the historic event in CPBC's milestone of legacy.

MAY 27, 2010 (DAY OF PRODUCTION)

In unity, there is strength. In God, there is victory.

Tips! Five things to remember before any production:

1. Stay cool, even under time pressure. Get a dose of some laughter for a while.=)

2. Make sure that the participants know the sequence of the presentation and are guided backstage.

3. Check ALL microphones, video, sounds, and make sure to have a back-up for all your files needed in the production. It's better to be prepared than to regret.

4. Smile. A cheerful disposition will lighten the stress. Notice Harrace in the picture below. =)

5. Pray. After having done your part, let God take over and be amazed by His working power.

Behind the Curtain. The most unforgettable incident that occurred was when we received a text message, approximately just two hours before the production, that the venue for the presentation was changed from the University Church (UC) to the CPU Rose Memorial Auditorium (RMA).

Because the set-up and the stage of RMA is different--literally spaceous--from UC, each group had to go over their blockings and quickly made revisions.

In every event, especially in a big production, one can’t deny that mishaps do occur. However, what we're really thankful to God for is that during the presentation, our lapses were somehow concealed behind the curtain. So, praise God for the curtain (hehe!), plus the additional blessing of having the auditorium air-conditioned for the entire duration of the program...=D

MAY 28, 2010 (Last Day)

What is the real essence of attaining success?

Despite any circumstance, it's not about giving up, but it's all about persevering to finish the quest; it's not relying merely on our own abilities to accomplish something big, but rather uniting as a team to accomplish something even bigger; and most importantly, it's not about facing any challenge alone, but it's all about trusting that only with God, we can and we will conquer the challenge;

for, in unity there is strength beyond doubt,

and in God, we always have the victory!

CBYFP unlocks CPBC's heritage

United in Song. The CBYFP participants singing "Find Us Faithful."

How can 110 years and over a hundred written pages of CPBC's history be turned into a reality in less than 30 minutes?

For some, that question might seem quite impossible to answer; but, for everybody behind the success of the CPBC Cultural Presentation sponsored by CBYFP on May 27, 2010 at the CPU Rose Memorial Auditorium, only with God, anything is possible.

Here's a preview of CBYFP's Cultural Presentation. As you read on, may you also reflect on the journey of faith that has been left by our forefathers for us to uphold.

Enjoy the journey as much we did in presenting it during the 2nd Biennial Assembly.

FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH: The CPBC Heritage

(Excerpts from the script used during the actual presentation)

There was a time, when the word “Baptist” was still unknown to a land that had struggled for freedom from slavery, discrimination and degradation and from more than three centuries of Spanish oppression.

Little did the Filipinos know that at the turn of the 20th century, a journey was about to begin. It was a journey of faith that would withstand the many changing tests of time in the Philippine Baptist history and in the history of the Philippines herself.

The 20th Century. CBYFP members depicting the Philippines circa 1900.

ACT I: DISCOVERING THE PAST

On the 3rd day of May, 1900, the starting point of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and the history of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society in the Philippines began.

It was on that day when Rev. Eric Lund and Braulio Ciriaco Manikan y Miralles, the recognized pioneers of the Philippine Baptist history, arrived in Iloilo.

Serious yet Reflective. Joash (a.k.a. Rev. Lund) and MattMatt (a.k.a. Braulio Manikan) fit well in playing the roles of the Baptist pioneers.

On February 1901, Jaro Evangelical Church was established. It became the oldest Baptist Church in the Philippines.

The American Baptist missionaries founded the Baptist Home School (now Filamer Christian College) in Capiz in 1904, followed by the Jaro Industrial School (now Central Philippine University) in 1905.

The challenge to continue Jesus’ healing ministry resulted in the establishment of Iloilo Mission Hospital in 1907 and Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in 1908.

On March 17, 1906, eight Filipinos were ordained as the first Filipino Baptist pastors. The missionaries made sure that those ordained Filipinos would render a long service and promise to exercise church leadership.

By 1910, almost every capital town in Western Visayas had a Baptist church holding a worship service.

THE BIRTH OF CPBC

The year 1935 saw the birth of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. It was a gift of history to the Filipino Baptists...and was also the first official step in the turnover process from American to Filipino leadership.

The first officers of the Convention were:
President: Dr. Feliciano Sombito
Vice President: Dr. Pedro Rio
Gen. Secretary: Dr. Jorge Masa
Associate Gen. Secretary: Dr. S. S. Feldman
Chairman of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Lorenzo Porras

In Character. The CBYFP officers at their best in portraying CPBC's first officers, together with UC, TSBC, and HEC YPs.

In 1939, CPBC’s program of Missionary Affairs, Evangelism, Rural Life and Work, Religious Education and Literature, Woman’s Work, and House Mission Work, were defined and committees were created to handle the programs.

However, the full implementation of those programs was stopped by the outbreak of World War II.

THE YEARS DURING WWII

Two important events occurred in the Philippine Baptist history during World War II:

1. the death of many Filipino Baptists;

and the massacre of the 11 American Baptist missionaries by the Japanese at Hopevale, Brgy. Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz on December 24, 1945.

Seeking Hope at Hopevale. The Dungon Christian Church YPs dramatically depict the unforgettable memories left at Hopevale.

2. the destruction of many buildings, houses, and churches.

Fast Fact. Many Japanese soldiers who came to the Philippines during WWII were actually Koreans who were recruited to the Japanese army.

The decision of the Philippine Baptists to preserve the right of the Baptist churches to exist amidst the war proved to be the testing fire of faith. This persistent faith was a decisive factor why the Philippine Baptist churches survived.

Fast Fact. Today, if you visit Hopevale in Capiz, you will find the remains of the missionaries safely kept underneath a cross that is situated on top of a hill, in honor and in remembrance of their devotion to God and to the Filipino people whom they have helped, nurtured and taught of the Gospel. A few meters away, you can find the "Cathedral in the Glen." It was their place of worship during their hiding.

THE DECADES FOLLOWING WWII

In spite of the proclamation of martial law, church activities throughout the CPBC were carried out as usual. In 1945, the members of the CPBC Board of Trustees met for the first tme after a period during which they were unable to convene. Old and new missionaries arrived to rebuild what the war had destroyed.

In 1949, the West Visayas Chrstian Youth Fellowship was established. It was changed to Baptist Youth Fellowship of the Philippines in 1957 and to Convention Baptist Youth Fellowhsip of the Philippines in 1978.

In 1954, Camp Higher Ground was established as a Campsite for Young People.

All in one. Take it all from the BCC YP in their energetic performance.

CPBC DURING THE MARTIAL LAW YEARS

In spite of the proclamation of Martial Law by President Marcos, church activities throughout CPBC were carried out as usual.

Dr. Domingo J. Diel and the late Dr. Johnny V. Gumban led the Philippine Baptist Churches at the height of martial law.

They were firm in their views that Christians should participate in fighting against injustice and oppression in the society and work for national peace and reconciliation.

During the Marcos dictatorship, many Baptists were involved and many opposed to dictatorship.

One of them was Fluellen Ortigas.

The CPBC Youth Organization gave up their activities for about five years during the early period of martial law. The Baptist youth activists in the 1970s were silenced after the proclamation of martial law.

Proud to be Filipino. The CCC YP join hands after portraying the harsh Martial law years.

ACT II: LIVING THE PRESENT

At the break of the new millennium until the present, there are approximately 1,000 member churches all over the Philippines from Luzon, Mindoro, Panay (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo), Romblon, Negros, Cebu, Eastern and Western Mindanao, Mindoro and Palawan with one church overseas in Hong Kong.

United in Faith. This is where we are now.

After more than a century from the arrival of Lund and Manikan, the number of baptized members today has reached 300,000; 500,000 in all, including children.

CPBC was likewise able to amend its constitution and now holds its general assembly biennially.

ACT III. FACING THE FUTURE (FINALE)

Seventy-five years of SERVICE.

Seventy-five years of DEDICATION.

Seventy-five years of UNSLEFISH ACTS.



This is our DEVOTION--ever-enduring, never burning out.

We have looked back at our past. As we live our present, may we look at our future with HOPE as we continue the legacy that has been left to us; and, like our forefathers, may we leave behind FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH so that all who will come behind may FIND US FAITHFUL.

# END #

References:

Acosta, Rudy, 1985. "A Brief History of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches."

Bunda, Nestor, 1999. A Mission History of the Philippine Baptist Churches 1898-1998: Drukerei Mainz GmbH, Aachen.

Beaver, Raymond W., 1988. Partners in Mission: American Baptists and Philippine Baptists in Mission Together 1900-1985: ABC Printing Press, Iloilo City, 1998.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CBYFP would like to thank the following for making the Cultural Presentation possible:

All participating youth groups:
Baptist Center Church
Community Christian Church, Inc.
Dungon Christian Church
Highway Evangelical Church, Inc.
Tabuc Suba Baptist Church
University Church
Ms. Deli Baclagon (for the reference book)
Rev. Job Santiago (for the additional CPBC information)
Pavia Baptist Church (for the choir piece of Find Us Faithful)
Ms. Julie Ann Lagulao (for the live accompaniment)
Engr. Vitini Idemne (for directing the choir)

...and to everybody for the prayers and moral support!

...but most of all, to our Lord, who has, time and again, proven

that it all takes our faith in Him to make what seems impossible,

really possible to happen.

All praise be unto Him. To God be the glory!