A lot of work—a lot of time—a lot of joy

A work week in the Philippines

District Apostle Edy Isnugroho took an entire week to visit the Philippines, but it was anything but a week of vacation—more like a work week. It began with a divine service on 24 August 2019 in the congregation of Makati, the largest congregation in the island archipelago. For this divine service he was accompanied by all the Apostles of the Philippines. The day’s agenda also included a youth meeting after the service.

The reason for this gathering: over the preceding days, all the Apostles and several employees were given an introductory course in the use of some new software. This was also the week of the National Council Philippines Meeting.

The week was filled with visits, divine services, pastoral discussions, and meetings. On Friday, 30 August 2019, there was also a youth convention in Butuan Central. It was captioned by the motto: “Put Christ first and everything else will follow”.

A new church in Príncipe

On 21 August 2019, District Apostle Rainer Storck (Western Germany) dedicated a new church building on the island of Príncipe in Àgua Crioula. Construction had begun in September 2018. The Church had invested 45,000 Euros here. The District Apostle—together with Apostle Tuku—festively cut the obligatory ribbon in front of the door. For the second door, he sought the help of the congregation’s children. The dedication service was based on a Bible passage from Habakkuk 2: 20: “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

The simple building offered seating for 190 participants. On the same evening, the local television network broadcast excerpts from the service, as well as an interview with District Apostle Storck.

New year, new plans

The Apostles and Bishops from the District Apostle District of Southern Africa took an entire week to discuss plans for the coming year 2020. There is to be a national rectors’ conference, a “Young People in Christ” soccer championship in Port Elizabeth, and a calendar chock full of special congregational activities. At the end of their six days of deliberations, two special gifts were also presented to Apostles Peter Lambert and Terence Nene in appreciation of their 30 years and 20 years of faithful service, respectively.

Along with this, District Apostle John Kriel expressed some thoughts on the activity of a minister: “I am first and foremost a servant of God,” he stated. He went on to explain that his duties included supporting the members in their faith, celebrating divine services, offering pastoral care to all—that is, to families, children, youth, the seniors, the handicapped, the sick, and even those who no longer attend church. For this reason, he explained, it is necessary for the ministers to be equipped accordingly for their numerous and multifaceted duties. Apostle Robert Worship presented just such an “Interim Guide for Ministers” to the ministers in attendance, and handed each one of them a copy.

District Apostle Kriel also presented several of the contents from this meeting in an information evening, which was broadcast on 29 August 2019 at 7:00 PM by the Church’s own television station, known as “NAC-TV”.