2008 JMFI Philippine Convention Report
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I departed from Tampa on April 28 and
flew to Dallas and then got a plane to Los Angeles. After a couple
hours layover I was seated comfortably on Cathay Pacific Airlines for the
15 hour flight to Hong Kong. This is a very long and tiring flight.
I used part of my time to think though the things that would face me
for the convention. I made lists of things I needed to do. Landing
in Hong Kong, a very large airport, I had three hours before my next flight.
Being a frequent flyer and also membership in the Marco Polo club I was given
access to the rest lounge where there is free food, drink, nice chairs to
relax in, and even free internet connection. I went to the food bar
and there was this awesome looking beef in a gravy with cooked onions. Now
I hate oriental fixed Chinese kind of food. So I took only a sliver
of the beef to taste test it. To my surprise it was delicious. I scooped
up a bowl full and searched down the bar for some bread. Find some french
rolls I picked up a soft drink and found a comfortable chair. I ate
and a guy came around and collected all my dishes and empty can. I
sat back and fell asleep. I awoke with someone nudging my shoulder
and asking me what flight I was on. I came quickly to my right mind
and looked at the clock and saw I had 45 minutes before loading. I
grabbed my things and rushed for the elevator and up to my gate. Just
as I arrived they were calling for everyone to line up. Since I am
Marco Polo and have over 50,000 miles to my credit, I was given the privilege
to board with the first class and business class passengers. I boarded
and found my seat for the two hours to Cebu, Philippines.
I arrived in Cebu and quickly went to the immigration check point. I was fourth in line and so went through rapidly. The guy welcomed me back to the Philippines. I went to retrieve my luggage on the belt. To my surprise it was about the tenth one coming down the belt. I grabbed it and headed to customs to have it checked. The Philipino looked at me and took my slip and just waved me on through. Outside the terminal there was what looked like a million people are crowed around trying to get the arrivals to take their taxi or other vehicles into town. I looked across the street that there was Pastor Randy Dela Rita and his wife and daughter. The guard let them pass through the security gate and they came to greet and welcome me. They took my bags and then we walked down the way and up some stairs to the second level where the taxi stand was located.
We arrived at the Mercedez hotel and when the taxi door opened there stood one of my old faith bell-hops. He smiled and came out and said welcome back Bishop. He took my things into the hotel where the female clerk also greeted me. We got our rooms and our things safely inside. I was hungry and tired. It was 12 noon here and at home in the USA it was 12 midnight (exactly 12 hours different). I was so tired I told the Pastor I was going to bed even if it was noon. He said he would check back on me at 5pm and went to his room. I awoke about 5 but still didn't feel like going out for food down in the restaurant. So, I opened my suitcase and got out a stick of peperoni and some bread I had packed. I ate my fill and then opened my suit case to lay out my travel clothes because we were to leave on the 4am bus to the next island. Pastor Randy came knocking with his wife and daughter and announced that the bus with air condition did not leave until 6am but we had to be there early to get a front row seat. We fellowshipped awhile and then he departed and I laid back down. I woke up several times that night all stressed out because of the up-coming convention. Soon I heard a knock and it was time to collect things and head on down to get a taxi to the south bus terminal. We got there at 5:30am and the bus had not arrived. So we put our things so we would be first on board when it pulled in. I went down the shops that were selling their wares and there was a donut shop. Bought some donuts and went back ready to board. The bus arrived and we boarded. It pulled out on time and we traveled the next 3.5 hours to a boat dock on the south end of the island at Bato where the bus was loaded on a ship. We got aboard the ship with the bus and had a nice sailing across today. The waters were so calm. They are usually rough and high waves with a strong wind. We docked on the other side after the hour ship ride and they unloaded the bus. We boarded again and within half hour we were in the Dumagete bus terminal where we had to wait for an hour before departure. We departed and arrived our destination in Bayawan, Negros Oriental around 2:30pm. There to meet me was the host pastor for the convention, Pastor Cadiel Baldoza ,his wife Lorna, daughter Lordiel, and little son Jullian.
I went to my little hotel there where an aircondition room cost only $10 a night. We discussed come convention details and about food for arriving delegates. I took account of the needs and gave the appropriate money for the expenses. The Pastor and his wife went shopping. I settled down for a rest. I hate 8 + hour bus rides. My lower back was not feeling good sitting on old worn out seats. I twisted and turned on that long ride. Now it was time to rest again because the convention schedule and welcome of the delegates would be hectic.
The Pastor came back to the hotel after food shopping and I inquired about the banners we would need and who could finish them in time for the opening service of the convention. The Pastors went out searching and found a sign painter. When they told me his fee for two banners I was not happy. The man wanted $40 each. Well, they ordered them and I had to pay that but I announced I was not going to pay that price for the rest of the banners we needed. The next day we took care of some additional convention issues and began a search for another sign painter. We were riding on motorcycles down a street where some men were working on a Catholic chapel. We stopped at this huddle of workers and asked if they knew of a sign painter. One of the men separated from the rest and agreed to lead us to a man who painted signs. We departed and soon was talking to the sign painter. I told him of the signs I wanted and he looked at my sketches and dimensions. He then told me he would do them all for 1500 pesos. I was overjoyed they found a man who was reasonable. I ordered two signs a yard wide and 5 yards long. This was to hang down vertically in the main sanctuary of the Headquarters Church. On it was the words: LORD OF LORDS. Another one like it for the other side of the Church had on it KING OF KINGS. He made another banner with Acts 2:38 written out on it. And another banner with "Hallelu-Yeh" on it. And another banner that had the names of convention supporters. In all there were five banners. The man finished them quickly and the Brethren installed them in the Church. It really made the Church come alive from the bare walls. Arriving delegates were awe struck at the beautiful new building and were speechless when the came in the doors and saw the banners. They remarked again and again, how beautiful the JMFI Headquarters building was. They never expected this first class building.
Brother Michael, Sister Donna, and
their daughter Eliana Holt arrived with their traveling party on Monday
afternoon. They were met in Cebu at the airport by Brother Boyette Dela Rita,
his wife Jhane and son McKenzie. Also in the welcome party was Sister
Rowena Dela Rita along with Nancy and Christeea Onde. These made it
comfortable for Brother and Sister Holt on the same bus and ship ride I had
to take. Brother Michael and Sister Donna were a great help in many
ways at the convention. When there were not enough chairs for the delegates
they bought 50 more. Sister Donna worked with the Sisters in the food area
going shopping. She also was a genius when we ran out of water in our
two wells and we need water. She came up on a way to dam up our gutter
system and get water as well as getting water from the creek behind the Church.
She went down the muddy creek bank to get some water and slipped. O
well, a muddy gene skirt on her backside was all the damage done (grin).
Eliana was a little treat for many of the young girls who wanted to always
be her helper and show her things and do things. She was a little star
there, most of the children there never seeing an America white child like
her before in their life. She loved them as much as they loved
her.
The convention started on Tuesday night with a special welcome of all the delegates and several of the Ministers speaking to the attendees. It was a wonderful start off service.
The next morning early we planned the dedication. But the altar was not finished and installed in the Church and I would not dedicated it until this was completed. A Church without an altar is like is nothing more then a house with a stage. All things were in place and the dedication began. I gave a brief explanation of the event. I then had all persons to leave the building until it was compleletly empty. I walked to the open doorway and stood there with microphone in hand. I then prayed for the Lord's blessing upon this dedication ceremony. I had Brother Michael Holt and Host Pastor Cadiel Baldoza to take dedicated oil and go anoint (pour out a few drops of oil) at all corners of the property in Jesus name. When they returned I then dedicated all the land whereon the Church was built. I then anointed the sides of the entry door way and dedicated the entry asking God to bless all who come in and go out these doors. I then proceeded back to the plat form and anointed on the right and on the left the seats and ask God to bless all who would come and sit in them. I arrived at the altar and there anointed it and dedicated it and asked God to bless and honor all the prayers offered here. The Host Pastor's Bible was open on the altar where I instructed him to put it. I anointed his Bible and ask God to use him and the words of these Covenants to bless the people. I then took the step to the platform and anointed it and prayed God bless all who came here to minister in song,. testimony, and the Word. I then anointed the pulpit and dedicated it for the preaching of the Word of Truth. I then went to the one side doorway and anointed it and ask God to bless all who came in and went out. I then returned to the doorway of the Church. Keep in mind the whole building is completely empty. There in the doorway I anointed the Host Pastor, his wife, his daughter, and his little son. I then stepped aside and invited them to enter the dedicated house of God. They came in and went to their places. I then anointed the musicians and worship leaders and they came in and went to the platform and began to play music and worship. I then anointed my board of directors of JMFI and they came in and took their place on the platform. I then invited all the delegates, visitors, and guests to come into the sanctuary. The worship was sweet and beautiful and heavily anointed. After a very beautiful time of worship I preached the dedication message. It was entitled "ONE CHURCH WILL NOT FALL" taking my text from Matthew 16:18. As long as the Rock remains under this Church it will NEVER fall. I threatened that just as God warned the Jews if they defiled the temple in Jerusalem he would tear it down, even so, if I ever discovered this Church had been apostated I would send men to tear it down. They looked at me in amazement that I would threaten to do this. And they know I would keep my word about it. I preached on this House of God stands for holiness because it is dedicated to a holy God who demands holiness. I will not here relate all my message but suffice it to say I dedicated it right. At the very end, I brought the host Pastor and his wife and children back to the front. Pastor Baldoza worked so hard on this building and to see it completed for the Convention. He and his wife donated half the land that is under it. They sacrificed a lot to see it completed. And now it was time for him to give it to God. As he stood there before the nearly 200 in attendance, he raised his hands to God and gave it to him with tears running down his cheeks. It was awesome to see God getting the glory from the work of men. The place was filled with the mighty presence of the Lord God. I could feel waves of tremors and chills going over my body. I lifted my hands to feel the mighty power of God.
In the afternoon we had a seminar on holiness. Pastor Bohol from the island of Naro, Masbate was the speaker. My what an awesome job he did. He taught that when the blood of Jesus washed away our sins we became holy and our first holiness begins at the time of water baptism. From this foundation he taught a great lesson on how the Apostolic people are to be holy before the world. He dealt with all the normal things and standards of holiness that JMFI stands for. The people rejoiced to hear that certain sound, that clear note.
The evening service was great with tremendous worship. After the preaching we had Holy Ghost time and the altar filled up on each side with men and women, young men and young girls crying out to God. It was an awesome experience as I moved through the crowd laying on hands and seeing the power of God hit them. My board of directors do not let me labor alone. They also followed me and were going among those praying and lay on hands. The power of God was there in a mighty way. How many received the Holy Ghost I do not know. I do not keep a head count any more because in the past I was criticized for this by some novices. But many testified they received the Holy Ghost. Afterward the delegates were served a snack and I returned to my hotel as they prepared to get ready their sleeping places. Many of the delegates slept in the Church moving back the chairs and laying cardboard on the concrete, a mat they brought, or a piece of plywood. There are pictures to show this.
We had seminars on
the Lord's Passover and the name of Jesus, the name above all names. These
two seminars affected the delegates and visitors in a great way. Some
came forward and said they wanted rebaptized because the men who baptized
them they found out were committing adultery when they did. They wanted
a baptism by real holy men of God. Their faith was reaching out for
more of God and we did not deny them. Others came and said they wanted
baptized. So Pastor Cadiel sought out some transportation to bring
the candidates to the ocean where they would be baptized. He could
find only a dump truck. The candidates did not care about this and all loaded
up. Just as we were leaving to go to the ocean a dark storm swept over
us and a torrent of cold rain fell from the sky. We found out latter
this was a feeder band from a typhoon that was crossing the Philippines.
The rain was heavy and the candidates did not turn back. I could
hear some of them singing. We arrived at the ocean where I baptized
three persons. One of my new board members, another Pastor and is wife. I
organized the other candidates according to their pastors and then two at
a time began baptising. Before I knew it all the ministers were nearly
in the water assisting candidates to come out. The reason for this
was the storm had made the ocean waves high and it was not easy to baptize
with waves crashing through. When it was all over, 33 souls had been
buried in the beautiful name of Jesus. One other Pastor was rebaptized early
that morning around 6am before I was even awake at the hotel. Pastor
Cadiel texted me about this baptism and that he was the one who did it. I
was so happy the spirit of holiness was sweeping over the delegates. This
baptism was awesome, 12 pastors in the picture delivered souls from their
sins. One of the most awesome baptisms I have ever participated
in.
Following the baptism we had song contest and long hair contest. These were both great. I have been criticized and mocked about the long hair contest. But it serves its purpose. Many of the young girls are tempted by the standards of other Jesus name groups to trim their hair. Other groups in the Philippines such as the Pentecostal Ministerial Association (PMA), Pentecostal Assembly of the World (PAW), United Pentecostal Church (UPC), Jesus Miracle Crusade(JMCIM), Apostolic Ministers for Christ (AMC) allow and say there is nothing wrong if a girl or woman trims off her hair. They make no issue about it. So far as I know, the only two groups in the Philippines who teach strongly about uncut long hair is Apostolic Independent Missions (AIM) and Jesus Messieh Fellowship International (JMFI). If there are others they are of no significance since their influence is not known on a national scale. Since our first long hair contest we have been able to bring attention to the true doctrine on long hair and correct many young girls and women against cutting their hair. One of our winners this year was disqualified last year because she had trimmed her hair straight across. She let it grow out this past year and because she already had beautiful long hair, it was nicely shaped like a real veil this year. We encouraged this because the long hair on a woman is her prayer veil. Who ever heard of a girl or woman trimming a veil before she put it on or after she put it on. In any case, the long hair contest is working for us and if others think it foolish, devilish, and carnal; it's ok with me. We will continue to use this contest for the glory of God. Next year it will be even a geater even before the entire village as we have a parade complete with marching drums.
Our last service was one of worship and praise and testimony. Next year this will be our miracle day. All day we will seek God for his might miracle working power and have teaching and preaching about faith and God's promises. Then at the night service after I preach we will have miracle time. We will seek God for a mighty move of his healing and delivering power.
The convention ended with great success spiritually. The over all cost this year was $7,000.00. The delegates brought rice, chickens, donated also two pigs and one goat. The churches contributed together nearly 14,000 pesos in cash and these other donations. While that is a small amount considering the over all cost was 280,000 pesos, it was a beginning of sacrifice for these poor people. They are already planning for next year where they are pledging to raise 140,000 pesos. May God grant them not only the ability but the means to do so.
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