Ilocos Norte Churches United Towards World Missions
Written by Pastor Nathaniel Ramos (ACM Angeles Training Coordinator)

"Truly, this is God's end time call for the Harvest, The seminar is relevant. There's a need 2 strengthen our commitment to the Great Commission. I was inspired & recharged by the Holy Ghost to have compassion for the lost! I believe these coming days are the days of harvest of souls & blessings in Ilocos Norte!" (Ptr. Rudy Sadang, Senior Pastor of The Way of Salvation Church in Sarrat Ilocos Norte)

This is just one of the many testimonies of the pastors from different denominations who attended Asian Center for Missions (ACM) Missions Awareness Seminar held in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The Mission Awareness Seminar was held at Northwestern University. The hall was filled with delegates and church leaders from all age levels. Ptr. Oji Bumanglag (Administrator, Christ the Lord Community Church of Northern Luzon) welcomed everyone expressing gratitude for the ACM team who traveled for 10 hours to visit and minister to them. The worship was so lively with The Way of Salvation Youth leading the congregation.

There was no dull moment! Pastor Ramon Morante's (ACM Makati Training Coordinator) lecture on "Bakit Misyon?" (Why Missions?) became an eye-opener. Many pastors' definition of missions was corrected. Before they thought that going abroad and starting a Filipino church is already missions. Others finally understood the meaning of the 10/40 window.

Mam Elsie Reyes' (VP and COO of ACM) 10 point lecture entitled "Bakit Pinoy?" (Why Filipinos?) added more fire to the gathering. An appreciation on being a Filipino was emphasized to the point that it is all for the purpose of becoming a world class missionary. The crowd listened and absorbed everything by writing down insights and important points. I remember Pastor Ojie's words, "The Ilokanos are very good students, when they are silent they absorb what you are teaching them." There were even pastors who approached Mam Elsie because of their burden to visit and encourage Pinoy missionaries in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia next year.

In the afternoon, divided sessions were held. I (Pastor Nat) taught the "Goers Group", Aida Gutierrez (ACM Makati graduate missionary to China) lead the "Intercessors Group", Dolly Santos (ACM Resource Development Officer) empowered the "Givers Group" and Eleanor Sul-lim (ACM Bagiuo graduate missionary to China) equipped the "Senders Group." The climax of the MAS was Eleanor's testimony and Mam Elsie's challenge. Both touched a sensitive child in their hearts. This led the pastors and leaders to surrender their lives to God weeping and on bent knees. Then the pastors prayed for their members who attended and it was an outpouring of spiritual blessing, there was joy, healing, forgiveness and new purpose- missions! An unforgettable experience!

We were so thankful to Pastora Mae and her family who opened their doors for us. And for those who worked hard to have more than 200 people attend the MAS. We went home so encouraged! We went home with Ilocano pasalubongs, tupig, vinegar, garlic, rice cakes, bangus etc. compliments of the Ilocano brethren!

ACM just begun in Laoag, the best is yet to come for Ilokanos towards missions below is a letter with some of the testimonies of the different Pastors who were blessed during the seminar. | Read More...		Know how ilocanos talk less and work more as Ilocos Norte churches organized a missions movement beyond the walls of their denominations through Asian Center for Missions' Mission Awareness Seminar, click the link to get the background of this story. | Read More...