July 2015 Photo Gallery

June 2015 Photo Gallery

This gallery contains visual updates of the Every Nation Building Phase 2’s third floor construction.

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One of the seven classrooms on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.20150619_100604
A view of the main hallway on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2. 20150619_100630
One of the seven classrooms on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.20150619_100646
The incomplete Students’ Lounge on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.20150619_100724
One of the seven classrooms on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.

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One of the seven classrooms on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2. 20150619_100921
The main hallway on the third floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.20150619_101155
Construction is ongoing on the function hall on the second floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.
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Another angle of the 900-seater function hall on the second floor of the Every Nation Building Phase 2.

GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS: A Testimony of Provision

The Deen FamilyAs a member of Every Nation Philippines’ Communications Department, it is my privilege to communicate with our partners, providing regular updates on the Every Nation Building Phase 2 project. Like you, my wife, Catherine, and I committed to monthly gifts to the building, believing that God would use this building to help build strong men and women who would work with us to disciple the next generation, including our children, Nathan and Nicki.

In June 2014, our family was shocked to learn that Nathan was diagnosed with profound hearing loss in his left ear. Follow-up tests, including an audiotory brainstem response (ABR) test, confirmed that 80% of his left ear’s hearing capacity was gone.

Nathan’s EENT recommended we get a hearing aid. Upon further inquiry, we learned that the hearing aid apparently best suited to his needs, costs Php170,000, certainly not a small amount.

IMG_9883Caths and I prayed about our situation. While we still held on fast to our faith that God would heal Nathan, we were knew we needed to prepare for the worst, and start allocating a portion of our income for the hearing aid. Every peso counted, and over the past few months, we’d set aside a little bit to go towards buying the hearing aid.

One thing we both agreed to do was not stop giving to the building project. In early November, we decided to pay off the remaining balance of our pledge by December. Shortly after we made that decision, to our surprise, we received a call from a hearing aid supplier, who offered us a hearing aid that was 50% cheaper than the original hearing aid! We were also so blessed by a few people, including Cathy’s father, who gave seed money to help us buy Nathan’s hearing aid. If all goes well, we hope to buy the device next week.

God has been so faithful to our family. There was never any doubt in our minds that we wanted to put His plans first, which is why giving to the building project was one of our family’s priorities for the past two years. (It was also a blessing that our daughter, Nicola, was featured in the November 2014 building video.) Our son might have a hard time hearing, but God has clearly shown that He hears us perfectly, and is ready to answer our prayers in His perfect time.

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Do you have a testimony to share of God’s goodness after giving to our building project? Please email us at comm@victory.org.ph. Thank you!

Richly Blessed

blas and dynes magnoIn October 2013, Blas and Dynes Magno of Victory Pioneer were invited to attend a banquet for the Every Nation Building Phase 2 Project. Dynes shares their testimony and how God made Himself known to them.

When we first got an invite for the EN Building Phase 2 Building Banquet, we had no idea what the event was all about—but of curiosity and excitement, we responded to the invitation.

At the banquet, we learned the value of building a facility for the next generation of leaders. It was an ongoing project, and we felt privileged to see the building plans, designs, perspectives and blueprints. Doc Jun Aguilar, our senior pastor, made the presentation and we became interested. At the end of the event, we were offered the opportunity to be part of the project.

We were excited to be part of the great endeavor that the church was going to have. My husband and I spent time praying for the amount we were to give for the entire year, in spite of the financial challenges that we were facing. Our budget was so stretched because of our usual monthly house amortizations, utility bills, and other financial obligations that we had—and we didn’t know where to get the pledge amount we committed.

A week after we accepted Doc Jun’s challenge to give to the building, Blas was called into his boss’s office. Ever since he was hired, Blas had not been given any increases, and when he was called in, he initially thought had done something wrong. To his surprise, his boss offered him a promotion then and there, guaranteeing him a salary increase, a monthly gas allowance, and a rise up the company’s corporate ladder! It was the first time in 30 years that a mid-year promotion was given to any employee at that company, and he was stunned.

When Blas arrived at home, we both marveled at God’s faithfulness to us when we decided to do our part in building His kingdom through this building partnership. Blas’ promotion and salary increase was a reminder that He listens to his children’s prayers, sees their hearts, and makes things possible even in the midst of trials.

We have received countless blessings from the Lord and continue to receive more.  Every blessing has its own unique story to tell. For us, it is a reminder that He is faithful and generous. That is why we always endeavor to give whatever is due Him. All praises and glory to Him!

Unshakeable Faith

My family and I have been based in Tacloban since 2009. My then-fiancé (now my wife) and I decided to help plant the church in the city. I knew God had a plan for us, so we built our lives and our livelihood in the region.

We had a good living in the city, until typhoon Yolanda hit the region. By then, my wife and I had two children, aged 4 and 2. All our belongings were submerged in floodwater. In the middle of looking through the items in our home, we discovered the Every Nation building bank I had gotten for my children. It was all we had left.

To be honest, it was tempting to empty its contents and make use of the money we’d put inside it, but something was holding me back from actually doing so. I resolved in my heart that the money in that coin bank was not mine to keep and use for my family’s survival.  It was for the church—specifically, to help advance God’s kingdom.

COMM8945Before the storm, we’d been putting coins in the bank for some time. Each time I came home from work, I’d give my children a few coins that they could put inside the bank. I wanted to teach my children about giving generously—that what God entrusts to us is not just ours to keep, but ours to give away. I wanted my children to have hearts that give joyfully, and without reservation.

God, in His faithfulness, has blessed us over and beyond what we can ever imagine. After the storm, work was unstable, but my wife and I were given capital to start a new business. We’d also receive unexpected blessings here and there.

God is a lavish and generous God, but He can bless us as He so pleases. One of the biggest lessons I have learned, one that I also want to impart to my children, is to not seek rewards from Him. As we are faithful in the small things, God is honored and glorified. The starting point of giving is in your heart, and I consider it an honor and privilege to give to His kingdom.

 

Today, John Louie and his family are based in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Aside from helping jumpstart the Victory church to be planted in the area, they have started a business and have plans to set up a music school in the city.

Every Nation Building Phase 2 project topping off ceremony held

Every Nation Philippines held a topping ceremony for the Every Nation Building Phase 2 last March 28, 2014, at 4:00 PM, at the fourth floor of the rising facility.

After a time of worship, Every Nation Building Phase 2 project director Pastor Joey Bonifacio welcomed the guests, who included guest of honor Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, to the ceremony, and introduced Pastor Steve Murrell, who delivered a short message on how our movement’s emphasis on training and development has impacted the nations into which we have sent missionaries.

The topping ceremony then commenced, with representatives of the Every Nation Executive, Apostolic, and Construction teams, as well as Victory Fort’s Executive team, in attendance.

God-given Ability: A Story of Provision

lougokianIn 2012, I received my back pay from my former employer. After tithing from that amount, I felt that God wanted me to give the remainder towards the Every Nation Building Phase 2 Project. I prayed through it, and consulted my wife about the matter. We gave the full amount towards the Building Project, and remained in faith for what God would do.

Aside from what God wanted us to do as a family, I wanted to leave a legacy to my future children. I wanted to show them that we had a part to play as a family in advancing God’s kingdom. I was holding on to God’s promise that as I embrace my role in helping build His kingdom, He will build my household.

My wife and I did not experience any kind of lack thereafter. Just as always, God provided for our needs. What was different, on the other hand, were the side projects I did aside from my regular work. God blessed us with an additional stream of income through steady and consistent side projects.

Because of this, I was able to save up to buy a new laptop. Now, I am better able to produce better-quality output for my regular work and my clients.

Through this giving journey, I realized that God does not merely bless us with our needs and wants–His Word says that He gives us the ability to produce wealth. God provides us with skills, strength, and good health, not just to work hard, but also to be a blessing to others.

Lou Gokian is a Motion Graphic Designer for Every Nation Philippines. He is married to Sarah, a Fund Marketing Officer for the Every Nation Philippines’s Development Department.

"Be Bold Enough to Ask!": A Story of Provision & Promotion

When Honey Gee Cruzada-Carr prayed and fasted in January 2013, she lifted several things in her life up to God, but one particular faith goal weighed heavily and persistently on her heart.

thecarrs“One of my faith goals was to be able to give to the building fund,” she says today. When asked what fuels her desire to support the building, she replies, “My daughter. I look at my daughter and I know that the building will benefit her and the next generation.”

At the time, however, Honey Gee’s situation was less than ideal. She was eager to move on from her workplace at the time.

“One of my faith goals was to be able to look for a better job,” she says, “as I was very unhappy with all the injustice happening in our workplace.”

Despite her problems at work, Honey Gee pledged in faith to the building project. A month after the start-of-the-year 2013 Prayer & Fasting, her situation came to a head, and she was offered a redundancy package equivalent to four tax-free months of pay.

“I gladly accepted it,” she says, “And soon gave the amount I pledged to the building fund in full.”

God had an even bigger surprise in store for Honey Gee.

“A week after, I received a job offer with a 35% salary increase! Only God could do that!”

“I have no problems about giving,” Honey Gee says. “The talent and resources that God is giving us is His. It is our duty to make sure we are faithful stewards by using our talent and resources to His cause – make disciples.”

“People need to believe God for a big amount that they can give to this cause,” she adds. “This is God’s building; He owns it and all the resources. He will use you to be able to give, but only if you are willing and bold enough to ask!”

Gallery: School of World Missions

Last October 2, twenty-four men and women from twelve different nations graduated from the Every Nation School of World Missions at the Assembly Hall of the Every Nation Building.

During the ceremony, Pastor Jahja Gani, senior pastor of Morning Star Indonesia, shared an inspiring message on making disciples. He exhorted the graduates, “God sent His son to be a missionary. In the same way, it is He who makes you a missionary.” Indeed, it is God who calls His children to serve Him and make disciples in all the nations!

As of this writing, three Sri Lankans are on their way back to their home nation to jumpstart missions work and start a fresh church plant. Sri Lanka is currently one of the nations in which Every Nation does not have a church yet. We are excited to hear and receive good reports from these students, as they go back to their country of origin to share the gospel and make disciples in the campuses.

The Bluebird of Happiness: A Colorful Musical Spectacle [Review]

by Karess Rubrico

The children are reunited with their grandparents, if only for a moment.

The children are reunited with their grandparents, if only for a moment.

On Saturday, October 5, the 3 PM production of Trumpets’ new musicale “The Bluebird of Happiness,” will be staged at the Meralco Theater for the benefit of the Every Nation Building Project Phase 2.

Written and directed by Jaime del Mundo from a play by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck, “The Bluebird of Happiness” tells the story of Mytyl and Tyltyl, two siblings looking for the Bluebird of Happiness to give them their hearts’ desires and never-ending peace and joy. Their quest takes them on a journey that teaches them about appreciating what life really has to offer.

Catching a preview of “The Bluebird of Happiness” last night, I can say I enjoyed this production very much. For three hours, I was transported into a magical world of make-believe and child-like wonder. Children of all ages will certainly enjoy this story of hope, love, and joy, and older audiences will appreciate the lessons that this musical imparts with whimsical joy.

Mytyl and Tyltyl share a moment together.

Mytyl and Tyltyl share a moment together.

For starters, the production on “The Bluebird of Happiness” was remarkable, and will delight young and older audiences alike. Bold, brilliant colors accentuate the rainbow world that Mytyl and Tyltyl journey through, and the specific sequences in the dark forest and the land of luxury are visually stunning.

The music certainly creates a captivating atmosphere for this fantasy world. The meticulously arranged score by Rony Fortich accomplishes two very key points: 1) It sets the tone for Mytyl and Tyltyl’s journey, and 2) It tells us the story in a lush musical landscape. Particularly noteworthy are the title track and the chorus playing the Dark Forest.

Do the children know what goes in the minds of their faithful pets?

Do the children know what goes in the minds of their faithful pets?

And it in this musical landscape that the actors really shine. In particular, actors Joel Trinidad, who played the villain Night, and Lyn Sherman, who essayed the role of Tylette the Cat, delivered solid scene-stealing performances. The kids who essayed the roles of Mytyl and Tyltyl were particular special too, as were grandparent-playing thespians Steve Cadd and Joy Virata.

I would recommend “The Bluebird of Happiness” to families with children because of its visual appeal, musical impact, and timeless message. The fact that the 3 PM showing on October 5 is for the benefit of the Every Nation Building Phase 2 is a cherry on this sundae; the musical itself is a treat and a great opportunity for families to enjoy quality time together watching a quality show.

Please invite your family and friends to join us at our special run of “The Bluebird of Happiness.” Together, let’s make an impact in the next generation through training leaders and transforming nations.

Click here to know where to buy tickets to The Bluebird of Happiness.

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Karess Rubrico is a copywriter and social media manager working in Victory Philippines. She believes that God has an awesome purpose for the next generation. She is part of the Victory Fort congregation.