UMC takes the road on Purpose
One of the oldest denominations in the Philippines,
the United Methodist Church has seen the need to be more dynamic in the
21st century where fast-evolving technology rules and people
continuously seek for something better and better.
“There has to be something more substantial to
life and the church has a crucial role in guiding people through
life’s complexities,” Romy Sison, advocate of natural
church development said. and currently Associate Lay Leader Rizal
District of the Philippines Annual Conference East, member of Living
Word United Methodist Church, Treasurer and Board member of Harris
Memorial College and Decker Memorial Foundation.
For this reason, Resident Bishop
Benjamin Justo of Baguio Episcopal Area of the United Methodist
Church has encouraged District Superintendents under his jurisdiction
to take the Purpose Driven campaign to their areas.
Since February this year, four
orientations on how to run the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign have been
conducted. In the Northern Philippines Annual Conference, there were 88
participants and 28 churches registered to implement the program. The
orientation was coordinated by Rev. Rodel Pico and Rev. Rodel Acdal and
held at Gattaran UMC. In the Central Luzon Philippines Annual
Conference orientation held at Paniqui Tarlac UMC under the leadership
of Rev. Wilson Vinluan, Rev. Protacio Mandagan and Re. Josue Lacaulan,
62 church leaders participated and 23 churches signified their plan to
start the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Philippines
Annual Conference held their orientation at Bayombong UMC under Rev.
Elmer Luna, Rev. Balligi Lorenzana and Rev. Rodolfo Sumaling. NEPAC has
the biggest delegation with 94 participants and 26 churches will be
doing the 40 DOP campaign.
The Palawan, Northwest, North Central
and Northeast Luzon Philippines Annual Conferences will set their
respective dates of orientation.
“We will continue to coach UMC
churches with the help of other UMC pastors who have gone through the
Purpose Driven campaign,” Pastor Arnold Adriano, Coaching Head of
Purpose Driven Southeast Asia said.
An example of a coaching/mentoring UMC
pastor is Pastor Jose Padang of Tarlac UMC. He has shown the Purpose
Driven way and has become a model through his innovative approach in
implementing the 40 DOP.
From 207 members, three worshipping
congregations and 20 small groups, Pastor Padang has witnessed the
growth of the church to 586 worshippers, 14 worshipping congregations
and 60 small groups after three to four months of doing the 40 DOP.
Because of its growth, congregations were spread out to different areas
of Tarlac where more communities continue to be reached out for Jesus.
“In fact, we baptized more than 100 new believers last February,” Pastor Padang said.
When Pastor Padang was informed that the
small groups are not allowed to meet for bible studies inside Tarlac
UMC, he asked everyone to meet in some other places. Everyone decided
to meet in their homes, barangay facilities or friends’ houses.
“The result was simply amazing. We
were surprised because the number of small groups just grew as people
in the communities became curious and wanted to know what the small
groups were doing why everybody looked happy and were having fun.
Eventually, people were drawn to participate in the small groups until
they came to know and receive Christ,” he said.
Indeed, Tarlac UMC has set a model for other United Methodist Churches to learn from.
As one of the forerunners of
Protestantism in the country, UMC in the Philippines has touched
countless lives and has helped people through the years. It has been a
respected institution which has trained, molded, and guided men and
women through the complexities of living. In taking the challenge to
become Purpose Driven and in knowing God’s Purpose for
one’s life, UMCP is simply living up to its revered reputation.
