The church planting students in BSM have just tackled the 8th block of courses for this SY 2010-2011. Three BSM alumni availed themselves to teach. MS. Jean dela cruz taught Life Management, Rev. Pat Martinex taught Bibliology and Rev. Warren Aragona taught Cross culture Missions along with his wife Dr. Victoria Aragona.
         The three are among the graduates of BSM when BSM was in its pioneering years as a training school. Pat Martinez was among the 18 pioneer students when BSM was offccially started in 1986. Warren’s batch of 26 students came in next. Jean belongs to the 4th batch of 21 students. All three planted churches after their training in BSM and the rest is now history. Pat is now pastoring a flourishing church in Panay, Capiz and is the sectional presbyter of the Eastern Capiz Section in the North Western Visayan District. Warren, among many other exploits for God’s kingdom has been an exemplary missionary to Cambodia. Jean returned later to her profession as a Math instructor but has continued to be a market place pastor. Recently, she has expressed the undying joy of being in the harvest field and is corrrently making preparations to plant a church again in an urban setting.
          Therefore, what the current students had during this block are not just teachers who teach from a set of notes, but mentors who have the field experience and the consistent and undying passion for the work of God. The three radiate through their lives and words the spirit of the pioneer that is chatracteristic of BSM philosophy of training.

     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

      Living in the last days shouldn’t be taken for granted. This was the overall message being communicated in the Movers Overnight last October 1, 2010. The night’s program was designed to inform, remind and warn the young people about the Second Coming. The program kicked off with praise and worship time with a surprise. In the middle of the third song in the line up, a blasting sound and screams echoed throughout the hall and the lights went out. When the lights were back, only one among the music team on stage was left. It was Joses Calusay, who acted how it would be if one is left behind during the rapture.     
       FARM Youth Pastor Jireh Calusay and FARM Senior Pastor Rey Calusay delivered complementary messages on how to live in the last days. Later the night, the Movers viewed a video presentation on the end times. The Movers became aware of the numerous proofs pointing to the return of Jesus Christ: wars, rumors of wars, natural calamities, false prophets, unreasonable government laws, and many others. The rapture was explained, how it will happen and how to be included in it. The Movers crowded at the front, crying and dedicating themselves to God during the altar call. The BSM students, serving as co-counselors with the FARM Youth leaders ministered to the movers during the altar call.

       School organizations are a big part of students’ lives. Students of  ACLC, Roxas  City (Ama Computer Learning Center) started a school organization with the guidance of  Mr.  Alexis Gaylan, ACLC  faculty member and  a   member  of the FARM family. The name of the organization is Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, hereinafter called “Chi Alpha” or simply “XA.” ‘Chi Alpha’ are terms from  the Greek words ‘Christi Apostoloi’ which mean  ‘Christ’s Ambassadors.’   
      A month earlier, the Street Signs Band of  FARM held a concert at ACLC as per request of the school.  Consequently, FARM was granted permission to  minister  to the students through the Chi Alpa Ministries. FARM acted on  this opportunity by mobilizing the church planting students of Berean School of Ministry.
      Eight selected BSM students led by  Percival Navarro (BSM Ministry Development Director) conducted  the initial meeting with the students. Coincidently, Mark Sullivan,  youngest son of former missionaries based in Roxas City, Steve and Jacque Sullivan is spending a week with the Calusays and he  gladly joined the team. 
      An interesting  skit was presented by the BSM students to promote Chi Alpha meetings.   With Mark Sullivan as anchor man, the BSM students entered in the room one after the other as if each came from different places and each  had to overcome some  obstacle  just to be at ACLC that day. Joses Calusay for example came in wet and said he had to swim across the ocean just to be  in time for the meeting. Benjie Calusay came in with tattered and bloody shirts (catsup of course) as if he had just been from a fight against wild animals. Eve Baclangen came in clad in operating room attire with hands wrapped in gloves  and said she had to leave the hospital just to be in time for the meeting. Another came covered with leaves and grasses and said had to cross the mountains and jungles to be there. Karl Alibuas came in with a pillow and   a blanket as if he just woke up.  Afterwards, fun questions were asked to make the student’s actively participate. 

      The Berean School of Ministry is concerned that the students being trained to be future pastors are developed in every area of their lives. Personality Development is offered as part of the curriculum and included in the course is personal grooming. Ms. Clay Dalid, another volunteer teacher from among the members of FARM, Inc. was invited to teach. Ms. Clay Dalid is a style designer and consultant, an artist-painter, a business woman, and currently a student studying law. She did four sessions to teach and demonstrate to the students how to express personality in the way they dress. Bringing along with her a huge bag of different fabric and accessories , she guided the students how to bring out their inner moods through colors and styles. She shared tips for choosing the dress style that fits, which color shouts one’s personality, and even what hair style is best for ones physical features.
       Basically, Ms. Clay teaches style, not fashion. She differentiated fashion and style and emphasized that one should have style, not just follow fashion. She said that style is who you are, while fashion is a compromise with other’s style, such as that of a designer. Fashion is wearing the style of others. Fashion fades after a week or two, while style lasts as long as a person.
       The fourth day was time for the BSM students to put their knowledge to practice and to show their individual styles. Ms. Clay helped the students put up a style (not fashion) show.  She even invited a few of her law classmates to witness the show. The majority of the ladies wore little black dresses accented by colorful shiny accessories. Others wore eye- catching colored dresses with scarves and shawls. The Calusay brothers stunned us with their tuxedos while the others made us wonder with elegance in simplicity. And of course, a show isn’t complete without a finale. A couple out of the BSM students, Mr. Ben But and Ms. Janice Flores, were fairly selected to wear the finale attire of a bride and groom. Janice wore a wedding gown designed by Ms. Clay herself.
       The brief class with Ms. Clay has initiated the students in discovering and developing their individual styles that will best express their personalities. Now they’ve known that style is that which speaks out who you are, and should not be compromised with fashion.You’re not speaking who you are if you’re wearing fashion and not your style. It doesn’t matter if your style doesn’t look nice to others; the idea is that you tell them who you are. Style is being truthful to who you are.

        The students are enjoying the rich teaching times under Mrs. Minnie Panaguiton – Chan, a holder of doctorate degree in education. She is also  currently the head of the education department of Filamer Christian University, a leading and historic teaching institution  in Roxas City.  Mrs. Panaguiton is one among the skilled educators who  are members of  First Assembly  and  have volunteered  to teach in BSM courses that are within their areas of expertise.  Mrs.  Chan is teaching the course on Personality development.

 As church planting students, it was good for them to hear from a BSM Alumni who have done it. The `start of the week’ devotional message was delivered by Mrs. Lili Mae Ambrosio Navarro. Lili Mae is the oldest daughter of a faithful couple serving in FARM. As a young girl, she was brought by her parents to their Bible studies. She responded to God’s call when she was starting college and finished as one of the graduates of BSM Batch 4. Then she served in FARM as OIC for the children’s Department for 7 years. After that, she joined another BSM graduate to pioneer a church in Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte. Ramil Epi, a student that trained in BSM and pioneered the church in Batad, Iloilo is a product of Magsaysay church. Currently, two students enrolled in BSM, namely Julie Beth Lomuksu and Janice Flores are also from Magsaysay. After 7 years of pastoring in Magsaysay, Lilli Mae returned to Roxas City and served for a year in FARM. Again, however she left to pioneer a church in Sto. Tomas, La Union together with her husband Percival Navarro who is from La Union. They pastored the church for four years. The past year, circumstances led Lili Mae and Percival to go home to Roxas City. Both are now part of the team in First Assembly under Pastor Rey Calusay. Lili Mae is the main teacher of the FARM-based Quiver Kinder School.

       Classes in Berean  run through the week from Tuesday to Friday. On a regular day,   three courses are taught, each  lasting for  at least one and a half hours: 1st period is 8:30-10:00 am, 2nd period is 10:30-12:00 am  and the third is 3:30-5:00pm.    Two hours between lunch  and the afternoon session is library time. On Wednesday nights, the students take a course together with the serving disciples of First Assembly. Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00-7:30  are for Early Childhood Education classes. 
The weekly schedule of the BSM students may be pretty full, but they enjoy what they do. And they manage to mix fun with study. See the pictures.

      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.
 

We, Berean students have  our  own version of the line that  goes: `Wake me up, as September begins…’ Indeed we have been spiritually awakened as Annah Belle Calusay led us in our devotional at the start of the first week of September.  Using 2 Peter 3:17 as her text, she left us with the challenge of (1) Being Strong & (2) Growing Up.
As ministers in training, our level of faith must consistently grow.   Our time calls for  discipline and accountability is a must- a lasting ordinance. Throughout the week, with the air-conditioner tweaks, issues about meal budgets, and  other personal needs, God showed Himself to be faithful and  powerful in dealing with us in every area of our lives.   In humility, through prayer & thanksgiving, presenting ourselves and  our concerns to God   resulted to that peace that surpasses understanding. We find security in  knowing that God indeed speaks to people of destiny.
We have been blessed with the decision of a part-time student, Jean Tumlos  to do  full time schooling with us. Along with a new roommate for the ladies, the men also welcomed a new upbeat part-time student, “kuya Antonio”, as we call Him. Our generation is destined for acceleration, as more people are drawn to be disciplers. Let us continue to believe and  partner with God in this race of ours. Walking in the supernatural has never been surprisingly rewarding as in the last days. . . Full speed ahead church planters!