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.

       “Evangelism is not just proclamation, but also demonstration. Demonstration of the power of God through the supernatural accelerates evangelism”  This is only one among the major truths learned by the BSM students during a one week special course on the supernatural under Pastor-Evangelist Laurie Hennessey. Hennessey is a friend to the Calusays and have been to Roxas in many occasions in the past. After doing a 7-day crusade in Iloilo City, Hennessey proceeded to Roxas City with his team of musicians from his church in Australia. He taught in BSM during the day and conducted revival meetings at FARM in the evenings. The students had the chance to participate in the ministry of pastor Laurie and apply what they have learned from him.

        In addition to being trained in church planting through a very  focused training curriculum, the BSM students this schoolyear are receiving training in various ministry related  skills:  voice projection under Jireh Calusay,  organic acting under Joses Calusay and doing research  using Bible  computer programs. Another great addition to their training are special classes on Early Childhood Education. Through the voluntary service of Mrs. Glenda Marcelino, principal of Kinder Department of a university in Roxas City, the students can earn the  18 units in ECE  required to open an ECE learning center. Pastor and Mrs. Calusay is looking into the possibility that where  a new church will be planted, a learning center will also be started.

       Throughout the third week of June, 2010 students  arrived from different parts of the Philippines to enroll in BSM this SY 2010.  The process of admission included a personal interview with the PGCAG General Superintendent  Rev. Rey Calusay. A major part of  the interview is for the students to show ample proof  of genuine intention to be a church planter. Only those who truly intend to plant a church are admitted to the training in BSM. At the end of the week, 22 students  from 8 different districts were officially enrolled.  
   It is noteworthy that five students come from the home   of BSM, First Assembly Roxas Missions, Inc. and two of which are sons of the senior pastor.
1. ABELLANO, Daren S.- Dumarao, Capiz-NWVDC
2. ALIBUAS, Karl Kenneth G.-Roxas City-NWVDC
3. ANAR, Lerma M.- Ferrol, Romblon-NWVDC
4. BACLANGEN, Eve Ann S.- Vigan City, Ilocos Sur-NIDC
5. BERMEJO, Jesus Jr. A.- Roxas City- NWVDC
6. BUT, Ben T.- San Joaquin, Iloilo-WVDC
7. CALANG, Severo Jr. L.-Surigao City-NEMDC
8. CALUSAY, Ben Judah M.- Roxas City- NWVDC
9. CALUSAY, Joses M.- Roxas City- NWVDC
10. CONCEPCION, Clarisa C.- Camarines  Norte-BRDC
11. CORNELIO, Ever P. Camarines  Norte-BRDC
12. DURONIO, Juliet D.- Roxas City- NWVDC
13. FLORES, Janice D.-Lanao del Norte-LDC
14. LIGUIN, Helen Joyce P.-Davao City- SMDC
15. LOMUKSO, Julie Beth J.- Lanao del Norte-LDC
16. ONGON, Paquito Jr. C.-Ferrol, Romblon-NVWDC
17. PAULINO, Brigitte M.-Baguio City-SCCDC
18. RESURRECION, Jimer J.-Boracay Island- NWVDC
19. SAMONTE, Jennielyn S. .- San Joaquin, Iloilo-WVDC
20. TUMLOS, Jane D.- Roxas City- NWVDC
21. TUSCANO, Olive N.-Sinait, Ilocos Sur-NIDC
22. VALLES, Aquilles O.-Ivisan, Capiz-NWVDC

        Rev. Rey and Zeny Calusay, senior pastors of FARM,Inc.  has three boys. Jireh, the eldest  trained together with his wife Annah Belle in BSM last SY 2006 and are currently serving in the FARM pastoral team under their parents. This SY 2010 the other two Calusay boys have chosen to serve God with the family. Ben Judah, the second son  is graduating in BS in  Commerce major in Marketing but testifies that his heart is for the ministry, especially feeling great burden for the youth of today. Joses, the youngest finished his OJT in Singapore last June, also finishing his BS in Commerce major in Administration. Joses was already  positioned for a well-paying job in the company he had his OJT, but likewise felt he will be happier serving God with the family. The two are among the 22 fulltime   students enrolled in Berean School of Ministry for Church planters.

Rev. Rey Calusay, Benjie, Jireh, Joses