A guest instructor was in Berean School of Ministry – that’s Sir Alvin Tud, a young pastor  pastoring a   50 year old church in Binangonan Rizal. He’s a PK (pastor’s kid) who accepted Jesus at the age of 6 but made a turning point in his Christian life while in college. He was discipled  through Campus Ministry. He graduated from the University of Philippines, Diliman Quezon City with a degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Asian history. Currently he is taking Master of Arts in Ministry at APTS   and also a part time instructor in the STDC District bible school and in a local college in Montalban Rizal.
      Sir Alvin taught on the Doctrine of God giving emphasis that knowledge about God should not become a hindrance to the knowledge of God. He said longevity is not a determinant of maturity but rather, the quality of training and equipping. He admitted that he also learned while teaching in BSM. He said he gained a deeper appreciation of SOS and described it as  scriptural, simple and systematic. He is already applyting the SOS principles in his local church and he is looking forward for more zeal among his members in church planting
      He ended the course with an exhortation found in Psalm chapter 8 that the works of creation and providence  proclaim to the entire world that there is God, the Fountain of all being, power and perfection, the Sovereign Ruler, Powerful Protector and Bountiful Benefactor of all creatures. How great, how illustrious, how magnificent is His name in all the earth.
Insights from the students:
I grew up in a devout catholic environment and I was  convinced that the idols that we regularly gave homage to in our house are gods.  But I had a   turning point in my life when our house caught fire and I was trapped inside. I asked  the `gods’    to save me but then there before my eyes they were slowly eaten by fire. Then I heard a voice teling me to get out. I didn’t know how I got through but I believe it was  the true God  revealing Himself to me. As we studied the Doctrine of God,  my simple knowledge of God leveled up, and my  appreciation of  the existence of an  all powerful Infinite  Being deepened. I stand in awe of His reality!  – Lerma Anar
He is the unfathomable God but as my knowledge of Him increases so does  my faith. This study challenged me to seek Him more and more. – Jane Tumlos 

I believe there is God but there are many unsettled issues in my mind concerning Him. Why are thereso much suffering and poverty? Does he know all these? I also used to believe that God is like a policeman who punishes us when we make mistakes. Our study of the  characteristics of God answered many of my questions. My unsettled issues were settled, and my doubts turned to faith.    Knowing who God is gives me zeal and excitement to tell others of this God whom I believe.-Daren Abellano

      Participants in the theatrix workshop with Joses Calusay are finding the sessions both fun and hardwork. They have started to make some serious effort to put up something that could serve as ministry tools. Below is sample video of what happens in the workshops. Joses will still welcome new comers to  the workshops next Saturday. Current participants are BSM students and some Movers.
 

       After 14 months from the time construction of the left wing of the FARM building was resumed last July 2009, major construction work has now reached the rooftop. The wing is actually mainly  the facility for the Berean School of Ministry for church planters.

  In the second floor, the   new classroom for BSM was completed and furnished in time for the opening of classes last June of 2010.  In the same floor are the administrator’s office, audio-visual room  and the original senior pastor’s office that was renovated.

      In the third floor, the ladies dorm is now housing the nine students that are non-residents of Roxas City. The ladies are also enjoying their new bath and laundry area.  In the same floor are two guest rooms for BSM guest teachers and other FARM guests. Guests are provided with their own kitchen and dining area that became fully functional last month of August. Mrs. Zeny Calusay furnished the kitchen out of her surplus dining and kitchen wares. Missionary Sheree Moon and CED National Director Adeline Ladera were the first guests who used the kitchen and dining area.

        At the other end of the third floor is the dining area and kitchen for the students, currently being finished. A stairway from there leads to the rooftop where construction is now going on for the boys’ domitory, bath and laundry area. Meanwhile, the boys are occupying one of the Sunday school rooms situated in the right wing of the rooftop.

      Joses Calusay, youngest son of Rev. Rey Calusay and currently enrolled in BSM conducts workshop on `Organic Acting’  every Saturday at 2 0’clock in the afternoon.  The BSM students are in the workshop along with other young people of FARM. The attendace of the BSM students in the workshops  are  valuable to the development of their communication skills and self-confidence.
      First Assembly as a church in a city, is using creative arts to reach the young generation.  The workshops provide precious opportunity for the development of the God-given talents of many young people.
      Joses has been a natural actor since he was a young boy. His talents has been developed through his high school and college years through training and participation in many creative arts events.   Now he is sharing what he has learned to his generation of young leaders.
 

The 23rd day od September, 2010 marked   a great day for Church Planting. The PCGAG-envisioned “Church Planting Club” was born today.   The organization of Church Planting Clubs in  Bible Schools of  the AoG Philippines has long been encouraged by   the PGCAG General Superintended Rev. Rey A. Calusay.  The Berean students SY 2010 acted on this directive and as  students in a training school for church planters, they  are fit pioneers in organizing a church planting club. The CPC was organized for the following purposes:
1. Motivate. To inspire , stir up the flame of Bible school students for church planting.
2. Research. To create atmosphere  of continuing studies and exchange of information on church planting.
3. Recruit. To encourage enrolment and enlistment of church planters and church planting volunteers (to SOS)
4. Targeting. To start and develop a data base of needy and strategic cities and towns as probable church planting projects.
     The assembled student  body elected the set of officers listed below under the club adviser, no other than the General Superintendent himslef, Rev. Rey A. Calusay.
                             President – Ben Judah Calusay from Roxas City, Capiz
                            Vice-President – Brigitte Paulino from Benguet, Mountain Province
                             Secretary – Eve Ann Baclangen from Vigan, Ilocos Norte
                            Treasurer – Lerma Anar from Romblon, Romblon
                            Press Relations Officer – Joses Calusay from RoxaS City, Capiz

      Foresight led the curriculum planners of Berean School of Ministry headed by Rev. Rey and Zeny Calusay   to include   a special course on Early Childhood Education. They see the possibility of starting an early childhood education learning center alongside every new church to be planted through SOS nationwide. A decent facility can be rented that will serve as school during the weekdays, and as place of gathering for the new congregation on week-ends. The facility can likewise provide housing for the pioneer pastor/s.  Running a learning center is a service to the community and will therefore lift the image of the new church plant in the eyes of the people in the community.
       A great stimulus to this thought is the 4-14 Window campaign that calls Christian leaders from around the world to consider the strategic importance and potential of the 1.2 Billion children and youth in the 4/14 window. It is a plea to accept the idea of reaching and raising up a new generation from within this vast group – a generation that can experience personal transformation and can be mobilized as agents for transformation.
     

       The students found the ECE class sessions enjoyable. The class  activities serve like a break from their heavier regular academic load. The classes are taught by an ECE accredited teacher and evaluator   Mrs. Glenda Marcelino. Later during the scholyear, the students will have on the job training in the FARM-based learning  center, the Quiver Kinder School.

      After two months of classes and a week long vacation, the students in BSM for Church planters returned to tackle the next quarter of their training, At 8:30 in the morning of August 31, 2010, students and teachers/mentors alike gathered for worship. Pastor Jireh Calusay, FARM youth pastor delivered an apt message on God molding our lives as a potter would mold clay.  Every inch of the BSM classroom resounded with the passionate singing of the gathered group, commiting   their lives to the Potter’s Hands for Him to make them and mold them.

      Do church planters  know how to have a vacation? After  the examination days, the whole BSM class along with the FARM pastoral staff were invited by Mr.  Jojie and Mrs. Nicah Avelino to their farm  at Pontevedra, Capiz. Pontevedra is a neighbor town, 20 –minute drive from Roxas City. Even the Mums and Grand mums who are part-time students excitedly joined the trip. A festive lunch was prepared for them by the host couple. However,   the group who are mostly SOS veterans, just by instinct  decided not to eat lunch until they have filled up their IPR forms. That’s because they are by nature church planters and have knocked on doors for Bible study contacts   earlier that day.
      The vacation that turned into an outreach resulted to 36  appointments for Bible Study that they turned over to the local pastor in Pontevedra –  Pastor Edie Sucgang. So, do church planters know how to have a real vacation?

       The 22 fulltime students made it through the first quarter of the BSM training program, which started June 15 and ended August 20. Within this period that lasted for just a little over two months, they have taken up the following courses: 
 (9) Major Courses:  Basic Study Skills, Servant hood, Prayer and Intercession, Philosophy of
       Ministry, Early Biblical History, Spiritual Warfare, Practice of Gifts, Character
        Development, Man,Sin and Salvation
 (4) Supplementary Courses: Devotional Life, Research and Information Management, Voice
       Projection Lesson, Basic Computing
      The students also started to attend special classes in  Early Childhood Education towards earning  18 units in ECE. They have also finished the Basic Track in the discipleship program of FARM,Inc. and have  undergone pre-service training for their first ministry assignments  within the FARM church life and ministry.
      The quarter ended with two days of examination. But the students’ efforts were duly rewarded when they each received a brand new NIV Study Bible. The Bibles were   gifts from  the team that came with Pastor-Evangelist  and BSM guest teacher Pastor  Laurie Hennessey from Cornerstone, Sydney, Australia.

       As adopted members of the FARM, Inc. BSM students this SY 2010-2011 had to finish the Moving Experience discipleship classes. This is part of their required ministry exposures at FARM. Going through the whole discipleship process themselves is also a learning experience   that will be valuable for them as church planters.
       After completing the process, the students were given ministry assignments to involve them in varied functions in FARM church life under the umbrella of the Magnet Team. They will be serving in this area if ministry for a couple of months. Wearing their uniforms last August 22, 2010, they started to serve during the  FARM Sunday celebrations as: Greeters, Ushers, Welcome Lounge Crew, New People Pastors, Altar Workers, Traffic/Parking Crew, Service Get Setters, and one as Senior Pastor’s PA.