D ormwatch

Issue 2 2011-2012

UP-DORMITORIES CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

August

CCM holds first fellowship

Whats Inside? ---- DCF Band CCM opening Ladies night August GA UPCC ACLE Lunch with alumni Spiritual Retreat -----

By John Dhaeyvid Laserna Therefore, since through Gods mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. This passage from 2 Corinthians jump-started the budding ministry in the university s newest dorm as it served as the very first challenge to the members of the Centennial Christian Movement (CCM). DCF staff worker Frederick Paulo Kuya Pao Tomacder centered on this particular verse when he spoke to six Christian dormers in CCMs inaugural fellowship on Aug. 23 The CCMers faithfully gathered in one of the vacant stalls of the dorms ground floor. Two former dormers, who now live in KNL (a densely populated

area beside the Centennial dormitory), also joined the fellowship. Interestingly, the fellowship consisted of Christians from various Christian orgs such as Navigators, KKB, Lifebox and DCF making it a Christian community in the making. Kuya Paos message on 2 Corinthians 4:1 became a great encouragement to CCM because of the fact that all effort, strength and wisdom that are present in the ministry are from God and not from man. With this in mind and in heart, CCM may continue to draw all of these from an eternal source, one that is also unchanging. CCM was also reminded to rely on God alone in order to pursue its goal of proclaiming Gods name in the four corTURN TO PAGE 6

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DCF joins Oplan UPCAT

By Frederick Paulo Tomacder Members of the Dormitories Christian Fellowship (UPDCF) partnered with over 20 Bible-believing churches and Christian organizations to share the Gospel during this years UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) on August 6. Stationed in the Public Administration and Labor and Industrial Relations testing centers, DCFers gave out Gospel tracts and packed snacks to both parents and UPCAT takers. They also offered prayers for those taking the exams. These kind gestures opened the opportunity for spiritual conversations and full Gospel presentations. Parents who were waiting for their children were mostly the ones who entertained the volunteers. Because of the occasion, parents and guardians were very receptive to Gospel presentations. I personally found it easier to share the Gospel, said Maynard Pastoril, an alumnus of Ipil Christian Fellowship to strangers. The team also set up several service tents complete with monoblock chairs which they opened to waiting guardians. The tents gave them shade from the sun around noon and a drizzle late in the day. They also distributed free Christian magazines and devotionals to the people in the tents. Its a great honor and privilege to serve the Lord of lords and King of kings

CC ACLE: Upholding the Creationist view

By John Maynard Pasoril

DCFers Mark , Elaine , and Jimyl entertain parents of several UPCAT takers beside the UP-NCPAG testing center.

http://theelusiveguanaco.blogspot.com

and joy to offer saved souls to Him, said Gay Arabit, the current corehead of the Kamia Christian Fellowship. Kazel Duran, another DCFer who joined added, The sight of Christians in the campus and in different churches working together is empowering. Their differences did not hinder the Holy Spirit to guide them to minister to their neighbors. I had joy serving God together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Two batches manned the testing centers-- one early in the morning and the second in the afternoon. Several lay people from the Greenhills Christian Fellowship Marikina helped out in the area. The UP Christian Community initiated Oplan UPCAT the previous year. This year, however, the movement was spearheaded by the Church of the Risen Lord (CRL) after seeing the potential gospel reach of the project. Through the church network, several local congregations in and around UP were tapped to help. Eight Christian Organizations and 13 churches worked together in the event.

Tsamba ka ba? The UP Christian Community answered this long-disputed question in the the recently-concluded Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) it conducted last Aug. 18, 2011 at the P&G Room, College of Engineering. The event aimed to present the controversial Creationist-Evolutionist arguments and provide support for the Creationist view. Speaker Dr. Victor De Paz from the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) led the controversial and longstanding debate on the origin of man. He used to be a researcher from UP Los Baos and was involved with coconut culturing. Mr. De Paz gave numerous points against evolution, aiming to show knowledge gaps and inconsistencies in the field: There are no Transitional fossils: Evolution theory proposes that between two evolutionary forms, there is the transitional fossil (also known as the infamous missing link) which shows the change between one form to another. Mr. De Paz proposes that they do not exist. The Earth is young: Evolution implies that the Earth is billions of years old. Mr. De Paz comments that basing on biblical time-

lines, the Earth cannot be more than a few thousand years old. Fossil evidence points to a worldwide flood: While fossil evidence is used to provide support for evolution theory, Mr. De Paz showed that fossils show signs of being buried rapidly. Lucy is a fake: Mr. De Paz explained that the seeming human footprints beside the discovery site of Lucy proposed that Lucy was someones pet. For those who attended and listened to the speaker, I urge you to research many of his points (not just the ones above) on the Internet. Read about both the creationist and evolutionist arguments about specific claims. I guarantee you that it will be well worth your time. As a reminder, we Christians must not base our faith and belief in the Bible on supposed scientific knowledge or archaeological discoveries. As the writer of Hebrews tells us: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.(Disclaimer: The author does not necessarily reflect the views of Mr. De Paz)

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August GA: The urgency to share Gods word

DCFers bond with alumni over lunch

By Elaine Battung and Paulo Tomacder It was on a sunny day of Aug. 20 when six members of the current DCF executive committee, Kuya Caloy and Kuya Pau had lunch with four core members of the DCF Alumni Association (DCF-AA) at the home of two more DCF alumni, Kuya Marlon and Ate Elaine Clemente. Over a delicious meal served by Ate Elaine, a former KCFer, the DCF-AA core through Kuya Rex, Kuya Luther, Kuya Jed and Kuya Marrick presented the mission of the DCF-AA and shared some anecdotes of their DCF days. Most of the alumni we met that day were new to our acquaintance. Still, they initiated the introductions and eagerly asked us about the state of the dorms today. The DCF-AA core said they were willing to extend help and spiritual guidance, should we need them. They even added that they were eager and looking forward to meet more members of DCFs current roster. Though a generation gap may seem to separate us, we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, have a common thing that we value: fellowship. Likewise, longing for this fellowship gives them enough reason and motivation to want to meet and mingle with us. It was certainly a blessed afternoon

Current DCF Exec committee and DCF alumni met at the home of Kuya Marlon to bond and ecnourage each other. we spent with the DCF alumni. There was no formal bible study or devotion. There were only warm conversations and delightful kamustahan. Yet, encouragement oozed from our Ates and Kuyas words. Their very lives cheered us on to continue faithfully. Staff workers note Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses... let us run with patience the race that is set before us, the Bible says in Hebrews 12:1. While the author is referring to those he previously mentioned in what we know as the hall of faith, this verse can be easily applied to us, todays DCFers. Seeing Gods grace and faithfulness to DCFs first members, and even to the fellowship itself, truly encouraged us to persevere in our ministries. It is very heartening to know that the trials we are going through- be it in our ministries or in our academics- are not unique. TURN TO PAGE 9

By Fredrick Paulo Tomacder The urgency to share the Gospel is a reality in light of lifes unpredictability. Gods Word is clear; anyone who does not turn from sin to God through repentance and faith has no chance of ever being in His presence at the appointed time. But because we do not know each persons lifespan or the exact day of Jesus Second Coming, complacency has no room in the Great Commission. These truths are behind DCFs decision to hold a series on Evangelism in its General Assemblies throughout the semester. There is a longing for each member to actively share the Gospel to their friends and dormmates. This means living out ones Christianity, being sensitive to Gospel openings brought by the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaiming the Good News to all creation. This August, Kuya Caloy Novisteros kicked off the series with his challenge to evaluate ones evangelism in light of Scripture. There is a need today to ensure that the message we preach and the methods we use adhere to the examples and teachings of the Bible. The danger of the fast food culture is the unhealthy emphasis on increasing the number of believers in as short a time as possible. Using numbers as a measure for ministry success unwittingly attracts evangelists to easy believism, decisionism in evangelism, prosperity and man-centered gospels. To safeguard our message and motives, Kuya Caloy gave six points which can guide us young ambassadors of the Good News. We must have the right passion. If we are not truly concerned for the lost, we will never be effective evangelists. Paul has set the example. He went from town to town preaching salvation in Jesus because he loved his fellow Jews and even the Gentiles. Paul is so dedicated in his mission that he even wrote, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel TURN TO PAGE 7

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DCFers carry out spiritual retreat despite bad weather

By Mark Christian Manalang Despite the heavy rains and strong winds, five DCFers met for the August Spiritual Retreat along the main library entrance. The eager participants meditated on the passage of Psalm 25, which illustrated Davids prayer for relief from his troubles. It was a wonderful reminder of dependence, trust and hope in the Lord, said Paulo Tomacder on Davids prayer. Moreover, Davids psalm proved to be a testament of Gods never-ending assurance. In the face of trials, conflicts, pain and affliction, Davids Psalm stands as a testament to Gods unfailing love, added Tomacder. The invitation to lay down everything at the foot of Jesus cross is a sure source of peace for our Redeemer is faithful. Davids heart-felt prayer highlighted these key points: In times of distress, we must continue to trust in God (v. 1) and put our hope in Him (v. 5, 21) Gods mercy and love is great and He is ready to forgive a humble heart (v. 7) God shows and teaches his ways to the sinners (v.8), to the humble (v.9), to those who keep the demands of his covenant (v.10) and to those who fear him (v.12, 14). We must be willing to hand to God our own troubles, anguish, affliction, distress, sins and enemies because our hope is in Him (v. 16-21). We must be receptive and sensitive to Gods leading and plan for us (v. 4-5).

Fleshing out favorable fellowship

By Jimyl Arabit

August GA. . .
(from page 4) (1 Cor 9:16). We must have the right priority. In Acts 15:36, we read about Paul expressing his desire to go back and visit the churches that they have planted. He wanted to ensure that the young Christians there receive proper nourishment from the Word. His priority was to build up the believers that they may mature in faith by the Word of God. Right personnel. God doesnt call the equipped. Instead, HE equips those whom He calls. One can never be prepared enough for ministry apart from the grace of God. And the key characteristics that one should possess include obedience, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and dependence on God. Right precaution. When we preach the Gospel, we have to be sensitive to our audiences needs and backgrounds for us to know the best ways of presenting the Gospel. We are not just preaching the Gospel in thin air but to people with different cultures and background. We need to be aware of these things to effectively convey the Message, preventing unpleasant incidents for the evangelists. Right presentation. Needless to say, salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. We do not smuggle in foreign teachings like health, wealth and prosperity promises just to entice people. We preach Jesus and not our churches or organizations. They were in the right place. In Acts 16:7, we discover Pauls overall director in his missionary journeysthe Holy Spirit. God was leading him to places where He wanted him to be, and he was sensitive enough to realize this.

CCM holds first. . .

(from page 1) ners of our newfound home. Though still in its infancy, CCM is aiming big to share to all the dormers the Good News and have fellowship with them, all by Gods enabling grace. I know that all of Gods ministries that touched peoples lives started out small, said Kuya Pau. We [CCM] are still small and Im unsure how long before we can establish the fellowship. But though we are a minority, I remember Pastor Bel who Walways emphasized that we can be the overwhelming minority, added Kuya Pao. CCM intends to have regular fellowship every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 pm. Let us all join in prayer for the budding of this ministry in Centennial Dormitory.

Life is like a race. In a marathon, there are runners, race officials, volunteers to offer water, emergency medical technician, and the audience cheering for the runners. But, in life, we are all runners and at the same time cheerers of our co-runners helping one another to run. There may be times we are running very fast but we have to slow down to accompany those who are growing tired and weary. In the same way, that is what fellowship is about. This was the message instilled to the dormers from Ilang-Ilang, Kamia, Molave, and Sampaguita Residence Halls who attended the first ladies fellowship for the year on Aug. 24 at the Kamia steps. Fellowship is more than just an activity or a ritual of gathering. It is a Christian community who encourages one another, nurtures each other in the faith, rejoices with those who rejoice, mourns with those who mourn, lives in harmony with one another, and is rooted and established in love. It is the prayer of the ladies fellowship that each one of us really become accountable to help one another mature in the knowledge and relationship with the Lord. It is our desire that with sense of urgency, we will be bold to share the Gospel to our dormmates. We long to see our dormitories a community of true worshippers of Christ.

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rDCF Tidbits
At long last: DCF band in full motion DCF Missions Trip: the Bondoc Peninsula in WWWQuezon Province
This year's missions trip will bring the joint DCF-LWCF mission team to the Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon Province, primarily in Catanauan, Quezon. After several visits to the area and consultations with concerned locals, the team will reach out to the residents of the peninsulas surrounding towns like Macalelon. October 21-27 is the tentative schedule set for the week-long trip The trips theme verse is Colossians 4:3, And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Kalayaan Christian Fellowship: "Encounters with Jesus" series

Last Aug. 25, the Kalayaan Christian Fellowship tackled the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman.

DCFers lunch with alumni. . .

(from page 5) I was really amazed by how the alumni managed to maintain their fellowship even after all these years. How much more should we in the fellowship today express love and concern for one another? Moreover, it was equally fortifying to see their willingness to help the DCF today. They claimed that DCF had made a big impact in their lives. Shouldnt we who are currently experiencing Gods blessings through DCF be even more eager to serve? I think I speak for all of us when I say that I stepped out of Ate Elaine and Kuya Marlons home encouraged and excited to continue serving the Lord through DCF. It was probably rewarding for the alumni to see us as proof that their labors were not in vain. At the same time, seeing them vindicates our efforts today. We persevere not out of a sense of duty and obligation. We toil on not only for the prize. We continue to run the race also for the future DCFers we hope to meet someday. As Steve Greens song goes, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Finally, the musically-gifted members of DCF, led by Jayvee Camiling, formally organized DCFs first official band. The band, who has yet to finalize its official name, met on Aug. 15 to discuss the bands vision and objectives as well as to practice for their performance in the August DCF GA Fellowship. The DCF band is currently comprised of eight DCFers who have committed to use their God-given talents to glorify God through music. The band currently has a pool of vocalists and musicians who play the guitar and the violin. For its first official gig outside DCF, the band performed at Yakals Buwan ng Wika Culminating event on Sept. 1. Vocalist Marko Monsalud sang Bayan Ko as he was accompanied by sweet sounds of guitar and violin.

This is the fifth installment of their "Encounters with Jesus" series. The speaker reminded the attendees that there is a deep longing in every person and this emptiness can only be filled by Jesus, the Living Water. This is the message of the Gospel which every Christian needs to share-- that there is spiritual peace and reconciliation in Christ.

The Bondoc Peninsula

WANTED: PubcorE MEMbErs ----The Publicity Committee is still praying for members. You dont have to be a writer, an artist or a communicator, you just need to have time and commitment. -----

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rTHIS IS MY STORY:
I lived a good life, went to a good school and grew up in a loving family. We were sheltered, fed, clothed and taken cared of by our parents and by our grandparents, uncles and aunts on both sides. Such is the blessing of an extended family. When I was a child, we went to mass early every Sunday. I experienced serving as a sacristan, a passage reader and a commentator for our school mass. I often wrote and delivered the introduction of the mass being among the top writers and orators of our school. We prayed the rosary, joined padasal (prayer vigils), libot (religious processions), gave atang (offerings) to images and the like. But interspersed with these was a mixture of superstitious and eastern beliefs. In the eyes of my teachers and classmates, I was a good student, responsible and trustworthy. Campus politics was also my turf. My life, then, revolved around my studies, contests, achievements, grades, fame and image. I looked highly on my self and looked down on others. I was popular in school but my academics eroded my relationship with my parents and family. I was always busy with requirements. With a proud heart drowned by all my achievements, I felt that I never really needed God except when I prayed to Him to help me get a perfect score in the exam or to win in a contest. I had faith, yes, but only intellectual assent. I believed because it was the only way to top my religion class. Though I was immersed in acads, however, God allowed a girl to break my heart to get me interested in the Catholic group, Youth for Christ. I was looking for activi-

Paus testimony. . .
(from page 10) I decided to just give it a try. I attended the fellowship and the first thing that struck me was the praise and worship. I was attracted to the songs and the manner of worship. I thought, It wasnt too bad after all. At least I enjoy the songs. I also listened to the message and even took down notes. In the first meetings felt that nothing was different with the teachings. They prayed to the same God, preached the same Jesus and did not attack the teachings of the Catholic Church. I got comfortable with the group and kept coming back. One afternoon, just being curious about the difference between a Christian and a Catholic, I asked one Baptist friend, What exactly differentiates you from us, Catholics? He pulled a booklet entitled Four Spiritual Laws and shared the Gospel to me. He emphasized that the major difference was on salvation. He said the Bible taught that salvation is wholly by the grace of God that enables us to put our faith in Jesus and to turn from a life of sin through repentance. Good works cannot save. By explaining that good works were products, it became clearer that having faith

ties to divert my attention when a long-time friend invited me to one of their camps. I passed UPCAT and studied BA Journalism in UP Diliman. As in high school, I was consumed by academics in college. I even promised myself I would graduate Summa cum Laude, enter GMA7 or the Philippine Daily Inquirer, be a famous journalist and finally win a Pulitzer Award or a Nobel Prize. My older sister was also in UP then, and unknown to me, she heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. She and her Christian friends had been praying for my salvation long before I entered the university. She invited me often to join a fellowship while I was still in Kalayaan Residence Hall. I was reluctant at first because I thought my sister got involved with a cult. In fact, the first time she shared the Gospel to me, we ended up debating. I could not accept that salvation was by grace through faith in Jesus alone and not by good works. But she did not give up on me. During the first meeting of the Kalayaan Christian Fellowship, she invited me to join, and said that if I felt like leaving, she could accompany me back to the dorm. I did not want to join, but because I have no fool-proof alibi, TURN TO PAGE 11

in Jesus didnt mean being passive. Instead, Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone for a life of good works for the glory of God. I prayed the prayer of acceptance after the conversation, but it was still a hollow prayer. I wasnt willing to submit to the Lordship of Christ. My acads, my pride, lust and my self were still the gods of my life. I continued to attend the fellowship, go to my Bible Studies but still Im consumed by the world. It was becoming monotonous and boring. But what ultimately changed my attitude? Its difficult to explain, I believe it could not even be explained. Its Gods grace. In a camp in my second year, I finally faced the issues raging inside me. I confronted myself saying, If you truly want to follow Jesus, you have to give up all the other gods in your life. It cant go on like this. Your faith in Christ is not just a lip service; it is a lifestyle. With much difficulty, I submitted everything to Jesus, asked Him to forgive me for being stubborn and for continuously cherishing sin. With tears in my eyes, I submitted to Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. Nothing grand happened. There was just me and Gods Word. But I know that the Holy Spirit was present too, convicting me of sin and giving me the grace to believe and accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. From that day on, Jesus occupied the throne of my life. This did not mean that I neglected my studies. Instead, Christ changed my perspective in many things. I continued to take my acads seriously but no longer for my glory. Instead, I offered all my achievements to God. I gave Him all the praises and the glory. I am Fredrick Paulo Tomacder. This is my story

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rPHOTOS:

Psalm 133:1

Oh, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.