Thank you 2009

To all the members and friends of River Rock Church

Greetings of peace to everyone

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your unending love and support to Grace Chapel.

May the Lord showers His bountiful blessings to everyone

Merry Christmas and advance Happy New Year.

Helen Baculna,
Volunteer Coordinator,
Grace Chapel, Patnongon, Antique, Philippines

I would like to add Grace Chapel is now at two weekly services. The second was added because we have many children that are now coming so we have a teaching service for them.

Thanks to your generosity we are continuing to support four students through school.

We also support a Christian radio broadcast that reaches about 175,000 Filipinos weekly with the Gospel of Christ. Thank you Lord! You are so good!!!

The gift we sent for the Christmas celebration was decided by Grace Chapel to be spent feeding those in need.

Thank you for your prayers and support. May the Lord bless your generosity and love for His children and our brothers and sisters in Patnongon, Philippines.

If you would like to support or gift the ministries at Grace Chapel you my give through River Rock Church.

http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtml

In Christ,

Steve Bragg

Encouragement - Praising God on Dry Land

Praising God on Dry Land
Encouragement Volume A-29
10/23/2009

Exodus 14:29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

I was looking for a good way to illustrate what is on my heart and how to communicate this Encouragement to you. Then last week Fox News illustrated a segment with a scene from Cecil B. DeMille’s movie the Ten Commandments. The scene is Moses, played by Charlton Heston, standing on the rock overlooking the Red Sea. The Israelites have been freed from the slavery and cruelty of Egypt and are on their way with all the spoil of Egypt to the “Promised Land” “full of milk and honey”. Little did they know that the Lord would lead them to the Promised Land through the Red Sea.

God had used many great miracles including saving them from the angel of death to free them. This last great miracle of saving them from death led to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go and they were finally freed not only from death but also the horrible condition of Pharaoh’s brutal slavery. So now having been saved from death by lamb’s blood and the terrible condition of slavery the Hebrew are joyfully on their way to the Promised Land. In like manor we are freed from death by the blood of our Lamb, Jesus, and the horrible condition of our slavery to sin and now on our way to our “Promised Land”, heaven.

With that back ground said, here is my encouragement.

The Hebrews knew the Lord well and were saved from Egypt but their faith had not yet been perfected, matured or realized. Now the Lord began His work of becoming their God. As you read through Exodus the “becoming their God”, as I call it, happened through many test and trials. But the first test was the Red Sea.

Now camped with their back to the Red Sea and no way of escape Pharaoh realizes the military advantage and leads his army against the seemingly helpless Hebrew. When the Egyptian army approached it scared the Hebrews so badly they begged Moses to release them back to Egyptian slavery in hopes Pharaoh would not kill them.

They even declared “Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?” Exodus 14:11

'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." Exodus 14:12

But the Moses said "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." Exodus 14:14

Moses opens the Red Sea and the Hebrews walked on dry land with the waters piled high on both sides. When they reach the shore on the other side the Lord drowned the entire Egyptian army, their enemy and trail, when He closed up the Red Sea behind them.

When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. Exodus 14:30.

My friends, sometimes trials or circumstances come upon us that cause great fear and the test or trial is so great that we even question our faith or the reality of our God. We may even become angry towards God.

But now I look back as one who is coming out of what I think was my scariest trial of the last two years unemployed. I see the dry ground on which I walked. Sometimes I even feared the way out by which the Lord took me and my family and sometimes trembled even at the high walls of the sea that surrounded us.

But for the most part of this trail our faith based upon our past experiences with our Lord sustained us. Although, sometimes, our older brothers and sisters had to come to our rescue and remind us “the Lord will fight for you today.”

And I have to say with all humility that the Lord’s dry ground which we walk on are your prayers for us and the many kind and loving things you all provide for us. Thank you my dear friends and family. Nothing was I able to do on my own power but only through the Lord’s strength and His provisions and through His loving servants are we able to survive.

I know that this trial is not over yet and more trials will come that test, strengthen and mature our faith. But these two things I know today:

My faith and my family’s faith in our Lord God are more real today than ever. Also our faith and love for each other, Juliana, Steven and I are greater and more intimate. Our intimacy with the Lord God Almighty and Creator of all is closer and more loving than we have ever known. It’s is hard to understand why the Lord God would care so intimately for me and my family but He does and I am basking in the reality and intimacy of Him and His love.

And secondly, although, I don’t invite more trails and the end of this one is not complete, I know the Lord is my provider and fear is only temporal but the Lords care and love are true and eternal.

And one more closing note. The Lord not only works through our trails for good for us but also as a witness to those who watch. The Lord works through our faith as a witness to the world.

"Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD” Exodus 14:18

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg

Latest News for Grace Chapel

Grace Chapel started weekly services about two months ago in anticipation of me getting there fulltime soon. Pastor Alagos started the services on Saturday afternoons because he does two services at the Mabasa Church on Sundays.

Juliana and Steven are living there now and waiting for me to get there or I will bring them back here for awhile. Please pray the Lord will make which to do clear to me.

Juliana gave her testimony two weeks ago at Grace Chapel. I would have loved to hear it. She is preparing to be my interpreter for the services. What’s that old saying about most people would rather die than speak publicly. Juliana will do well. She taught school for several years. The Lord will teach and empower her.

Steven is adjusting and doing well in school. He just finished a week of chapter tests and got 100% on all but one and on that one he got 61 out of 65. Not bad considering he has to speak three languages in school. The classes are taught in English, tests are in Tagolog, the national language, and his classmates speak Kinaray, the local dialect. WOW! Better him than me!

Juliana just informed me the services are growing fast. “Lots of new faces” she said. There are so many children they just started a service just for the kids. The regular service follows the children service. Juliana and her sisters, Alberta and Helen, are leading songs and helping with the kids.

It is amazing to me the Lord’s blessing for Grace Chapel. He has me here for some reason (hopefully not long) and continues to bless and grow the Grace Chapel ministries.

No new pictures yet. Juliana hasn’t mastered sending pictures. Soon I hope to share new pictures.

We are in the processes of buying another hector of farmland to contribute to our support there. This was made possible by your wonderful and generous support. Thank you. We are getting closer to the time for me to get there permanently. It is all about the Lord’s timing. He will get me there in His Sovereignty. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He will provide the financial means when He is ready.

Please continue to keep Grace Chapel Ministries in your prayers.
You can contribute to Grace Chapel Ministries at http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtml

May the Lord continue to bless us all,
Steve Bragg
Steve.bragg123@gmail.com

Thank You From Brother Mel Antique, Philippines

I'm praying the Lord will provide 12 Pastors for our 12 new Churches.. I'm praying Brother Mel will be one of the 12 new Pastors. This picture is his family and mine.

You can read about the vision for 12 new churches over the next three years in the last blog posted here, "THE NEXT STEP FOR GRACE CHAPEL"

May the Lord continue to bless us all!

Steve Bragg

steve.bragg123@gmail.com

12 NEW CHURCHES IN 3 YEARS

• As I share the prayers and visions for Grace Chapel Ministries I want to say that I believe The Lord has prepared someone or ones with the “silver” or “talents” to answer these prayers. This pattern of prayer, vision, ministries and the provisions of “Silver” or “talents” has been the beginning and continuing pattern of Grace from our Lord and Savior in this ministry. We have the privilege to be a part of the Lord’s wonderful blessings and be a part of His harvest. We thank you Lord for this wonderful privilege and honor to work in Your Kingdom, amen.

• February of this year 2009 Juliana, Steven and I started praying the Lord would send us to Grace Chapel for a visit. Our daily prayer is to be serving at Grace Chapel full time but the Lord has not provided the opportunity yet. So we administer the Grace Chapel Ministries from here in Vancouver, WA along with the help of Juliana’s sister, Helen. It was Helen prayed for The Lord to provide Grace Chapel. As I said before Pastor Kelly started the “bag of Silver” and many are contributing. In the last blog “The Lord Provides Many Wonderful Blessings” the ministries listed are just a glimpse of the increase so far. Only the Lord knows the full extent of the increase of our faithfulness in this effort. I know in my heart and from talking to the local Pastors in Patnongon many people have been saved, many families have been preserved and many of the faithful have been strengthened.

• So, because we can’t be there at Grace Chapel full time as of yet we began asking the Lord for a visit. As a family we asked the Lord in secret. We had no finances to make it happen but we also knew that if the Lord wanted us there He could and would make it happen. About two weeks later Pastor Kelly suggested River Rock Church send us and the board approved to use the money in the Grace Chapel funds to finance the trip.

• Pastor Kelly and the board wanted us to go and be refreshed in the Grace Chapel Ministry and see if the Lord had a vision for what the next step for Grace Chapel would be for us as a family, Juliana, Steven and I and also all of us who make up the international supporters of Grace Chapel, those who support Grace Chapel with prayers and resources.

YES THE LORD GAVE ME A VISION AND HERE IT IS!

Growing the Grace Chapel Congregation and Ministries

These pictures were taken April 2009 at a Grace Chapel Prayer Service

o I will become their full time Evangelist/Pastor

o Grow them by example

o “ambassador for Christ” 2 Corinthians 5:13-21

o One on One Evangelizing

o Evangelism Rallies

o Participate in the festivals and church rallies

o Meeting Pastoral Needs of the Community

o Weekly Services

o Weekly Bible Studies

o Both in my home and creating “Small Groups”

o Discipleship

o Ongoing Ministries of Grace

o Teach Grace Chapel the heart of ministry – “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” And “love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:37-39

Continue Outreach Ministries

o Scholarships – We currently support 4 students at $20 each student per month over a 10 month school year. These 4 students currently have sponsors that support them through River Rock donations to Grace Chapel. Four students over the next 3 years is $2400 pledged

Start Twelve New Churches over the Next
Three Years

Start Four New Churches Per Year over the Next Three Years

Assist 3 current Pastors/Evangelist that are ready to settle down into their own communities and Pastor full time with their own local Church

Encourage and help these Pastors to multiply themselves

Continue to use the local Christian Radio Broadcast “The intercessors Hour of Prayer”. There are many request to start new Churches through this broadcast ministry

This very productive outreach needs to be financial supported to stay on the air. $60 per month sponsorship will accomplish this. $2,16o for the three years of starting churches

When we broadcast live from a barangay this becomes the outreach catalyst to start a church there. We invite local Pastors, have an evangelism rally with preaching, prayers, bible studies, conversions, baptisms and a new fledgling congregation is started. $60 per broadcast and 4 per year is $720 for the start of 12 Churches

I will encourage, empower, train and help new Pastors

Build a small bamboo Church building with an attached bamboo parsonage in each Barangay

Each bamboo church with an attached bamboo parsonage is $1100 each or $4,400 each year or $13,200 total for all 12 churches

Provide a small supplemental salary for one year to help support each Pastor’s family

Each Pastor will receive a supplemental income of $50 per month for a period of one year as he teaches the local church its responsibility to support the Pastor and his family.

$7,200 for 12 new Pastors


FINANCING

Here is what I need to get there and sustain my family

$20,000 to build our home. Juliana’s family has donated the land – this would be a small modest home of about 1100 SF. It would be brick and cement with and indoor kitchen, bathroom and two small bedrooms. A larger living room area for home studies.

This land is donated for our home and our home will look something like this

Invest in small businesses for our continuing support

These will help support us over the remainder of our lives there and help establish financial stability.

There are four business models that work well there and Juliana’s family has experience with. Also with diversity of incomes comes a deeper level of stability

Providing private loans to farmers
See the Ministry Plan for details

Purchase 3 more hectors of farmland and live off the products.
This is our 1st hector of farmland – Thank you Lord

Purchase a used Air Condition van that would hire out - $5000

Purchase a used small motorcycle with a side car – $2000 - This would be our family transportation and we can also hire it out for public transportation

For a Ministry Plan and Financial Report please email me at steve.bragg123@gmail.com

The Lord Provides Many Wonderful Blessings

A LITTLE BACK GROUND

About August 2005 Pastor Kelly Backstrom of River Rock Church now in Camas, Washington offered a challenge based on one the parables Jesus used to illustrate the “Kingdom of Heaven”. This parable is about a man going on the journey and gave out "bags of silver" or "talents" to his servants to invest for him and when he returned how the servants used the gifts of money. All the servants increased the wealth but one. This parable is a good illustration of what we do with the resources God has blessed us with. We are the Lords servants and we are to invest our silver for the “Kingdom of Heaven”.

As a further illustration of the parable Pastor Kelly gave 10 of us $100 each and a challenge to use the $100 for the Kingdom. At the same time my sister-in-law Helen was praying for a Worship Chapel in her Barangay, Padang, in the city of Patnongon, Philippines. They had no place to congregate for worship in her Barangay.

Well, The Lord seems to work this way. We, I and others, were given the silver, by the Grace of the Lord, and 7000 miles away a prayer was offered up to the Lord for Him to provide a place of worship. One year later in August 2006 we were at the dedication of Grace Chapel in Patnongon Philippines.

MINISTRIES OF GRACE WERE BORN
“WE” - Ministries are provided by those who support Grace Chapel with prayers and resources

We support 4 students with Scholarships for school ($20.00 per month each)

Seed money to help start 6 small family businesses (teach a man to fish idea- $250.00 each) (4 of the 6 were local Pastors)

Help poorer famers with fertilizer and insecticides (increase the productivity of a small family farm)

Helping with medical needs ( many times families will show up with desperate and immediate medical needs) (no money no health care in the Philippines)

Helped provide a lady losing her sight with a surgery and now she sees

A teen boy was going to lose his foot and it was saved. We now provide his scholarship for school

A teen mother needed a c-section or she and the baby may have died

A dwarf mother needed a c-section to save her life and the baby’s

Many show up hungry and we provide rice

Transportation expenses for local Pastors

Snacks and refreshments after the Grace Chapel Worship Service (many travel great distances to attend)

Outreach Through Community Evangelism Rallies

Keyboard, Keyboard lessons and uniforms for a Gospel Choir

Christian Radio Ministry “The Intercessor’s Hour of Prayer”

• 
  
  We saved this ministry with need finances and we are also a monthly sponsor
  This Christian Radio Broadcast Ministry grew from reaching 8000 weekly in the beginning to now 150,000 to 200,000 weekly listeners
  Multitudes have been saved through this ministry including a community leader during the broadcast


• 
  
  
  3 Churches have been started through this radio ministry
  

Grace Chapel has 1 to 2 Worship and Prayer services per month with about 70 in attendance

We provided a guitar for a blind man that sings for food (he now attends Grace Chapel and provides songs of praise)

We provided money for 4 teen youths to attended a Church Leadership Training Camp

Home medical kits for the poorer families

Helping local Pastors and their families

If you would like to be apart of Grace Chapel Ministries you can contribute through River Rock Church

online: http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtmi

mail to: River Rock Church 2008 SE 8th Ave. Camas, WA 98607

Just designate Grace Chapel

If you would like to receive my Grace Chapel news letters and Encouragement thoughts please email me at steve.bragg123@gmail.com

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg

Grace Chapel Mission Trip - Pastor Alagos

Pastor Alagos was one of the Pastors that came to the Grace Chapel Dedication in August 2006. He gave a dedication message and prayed for God’s blessing for Grace Chapel and it’s usefulness for the Lord in the Patnongon community.

After the dedication Pastor Alagos shared he had recently started radio ministry in Patnongon and was going to shut it down because he had no money to continue to operate. He had not been able to find enough sponsors. Grace Chapel gave Pastor Alagos enough money to operate for a few months and then became one of his sponsors. At that time, the operating cost was $20.00 per week. The radio ministry has grown to reach 150,000 to 200,000 residents in the Antique Province weekly. The radio station is in Mabasa a Barangay in Patnongon a city in the Antique Province.

An additional fruit of this radio ministry is the starting of three new Churches in Antique. Pastor Alagos has become very well known through the radio ministry and has many requests to visit Antique communities. Some of these are in the mountain farm areas that are hard to reach. One of these new churches is a three hour walk into the mountains.

When Pastor Alagos has the money he will arrange to broadcast “The Intercessors Hour of Prayer” from a community that has requested him to come. He arranges permission from the Barangay “community” leaders and asks the Pastors of the area to come. It’s a “Big Event”! One of the Barangay leaders was lead to the Lord at the event during the broadcast. Thank You Lord for the power of Your Word, Your Gospel.

It’s this Barangay; Mabasa, that Pastor Alagos now lives. Someone donated a plot of land to build a Church in Mabasa Barangay. Pastor Alagos with the help of the Barangay built a small bamboo church with a small bamboo parsonage attached in the back.

The Mabasa Tabernacle of Praise Community Church has four services weekly. The Mabasa Church also has an alternative school program for those struggling in the school system. Pastor Alagos is a school teacher.

Someone has now donated a parcel of land on the main road. This land is in Mabasa and the main road is the east coast highway for the Island. This land has the vision and prayers to become the new Mabasa church building and Antique’s first Nondenominational Bible College. It would also be the only Bible College in the Antique Province. Mabasa is at the center and heart of Antique.

Pastor Alagos helped me while on this Grace Chapel Mission Trip. He arranged two services at Grace Chapel and two at the Mabasa Church for me to share the Lord and he was my interpreter. He is now teaching my wife, Juliana, to be my interpreter when I return. Thank You Lord!!!

Pastor Alagos also allowed me to talk to about 175,000 listeners on his radio program the night before I left for home. Wow again, thank You Lord!!! Pastor Alagos said most who listen are not saved and I shared the Gospel of Christ with them.

As with most ministries it is financially accomplished through the Lord’s people, His Church. If the Lord is moving you to be a part of this ministry here are the needs:

• 
  The radio station has raised the program cost from $20.00 per week to $35.00



• They need money to build the new church building on the main road and the Bible College.



• They need money to do the radio programs in the other Barangays. God has blessed each community program with a new Community Church start.
  
  

You may give on line through River Rock Church.

• Please let me know that you are giving and what ministry you are supporting so I can administer it.

http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtml

2008 SE 8th Ave.Camas, WA 98607
Office phone number 360-885-9000

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg
steve.bragg123@gmail.com

Praise God we are heading for the Philippines

Has you know the Lord has answered our prayers and we are on our way for almost 3 weeks to the Philippines to minister to Grace Chapel.

We will leave 4/16/09 and arrive back 5/4/09. Thank you Lord!

Please continue to pray.

• 
  Please pray that the Lord will give me opportunity to share His powerful message of love, salvation and care for them.
• 
  Please pray that the Lord will open their hearts to hear and respond to His magnificent love and grace. That He will continue to prepare me and call them. That the Lord God will by the power and ministry of His Holy Spirit convict me and them of sin and righteousness and that I may be His messenger.
• 
  Please pray that God will bless this God given opportunity beyond even what we can imagine.
• 
  Please pray the Lord God Almighty and His wonderful Son and our Savior Jesus the Christ, will in the power and ministry of His Holy Spirit not only begin with a miracle of sending us in answer to our prayer but will continue His blessing and this ministry for now and the harvest for everlasting.

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg

The Lord Hears Prayers!!!

As you know we, like many others, are struggling with loss of jobs and hard financial times. But our commitment and desire for the Philippine Grace Chapel Ministries has not waned but the Lord has actually intensified it in our hearts. And I will add the Lord has increased the desire in your hearts for the Filipino people in Antique Province also. Thank you Lord! Thank you God for the opportunity of love provided by Little Mother. Isn’t God blessing us all through the privilege of a love gift from our hearts for mother and child?

Juliana, Steven and I began praying awhile back that the Lord would provide a way for us to go and visit Grace Chapel. That we could join at least for a short while with family and ministries that are all closely intertwined. Juliana’s sister Helen voluntarily administers the Grace Chapel ministries. Juliana’s family and many area Pastor’s, also voluntarily, help and provide the hands, feet, eyes, ears, wisdom and loving hearts to accomplish the Lords work there.

As I prayed I knew this could only come from God as I saw no way possible in this economic hardship for God to accomplish our request. We did not share this request with anyone but the Lord. I thought many times there is no way this prayer could be answered but I was compelled to ask. After all, He is the Lord God Almighty and He can do whatever He pleases. I just was not sure this would be His pleasure.

Sooooo… last week Pastor Kelly called me and said he had been thinking… it’s been almost three years since you have been to the Philippines. I answered yes we were last there at the dedication of Grace Chapel August of 2006. So Pastor Kelly suggested that since the Lords people have been very generous in filling the Grace Chapel support funds and it may be awhile before we actually go there full time that it would be good to send us there for renewal and to reconnect with the ministries… to come back recharged and recharge you all… bring back lots of pictures, movies, stories and new ministry opportunities.

So the River Rock board voted unanimously last night to make it so and they are also contributing to make it so. Oh thank you God and you all, His wonderful loving servants.

Now I will ask for your prayers

God has given me a wonderful message of His love for the Filipino people. I have rehearsed it over and over in my mind. I asked the Lord, awhile back, is this message only for You and me to hear?

• 
  Please pray that the Lord will give me opportunity to share His powerful message of love, salvation and care for them.


• 
  Please pray that the Lord will open their hearts to hear and respond to His magnificent love and grace. That He will prepare me and call them. That the Lord God will by the power and ministry of His Holy Spirit convict me and them of sin and righteousness and that I may be His messenger.


• 
  Please pray that God will bless this God given opportunity beyond even what we can imagine.


• 
  Please pray the Lord God Almighty and His wonderful Son and our Savior Jesus the Christ, will in the power and ministry of His Holy Spirit not only begin with a miracle of sending us in answer to our prayer but will continue His blessing and this ministry for now and the harvest for everlasting.

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg

Thank You for 2008

This is the thank you letter written to all who support Grace Chapel Ministries financially and with prayers. The top of the letter was cropped for privacy as it had many names of supporters.

Helen, was praying for a worship chapel for her community, Patnongon, Philippines, at the same time we were looking for a ministry.

The Lord provides,

Steve Bragg

If I had 100 Dollars

Scholarships for School Kids

For the past two years we have provided scholarships for children that could not attend school without our help. Not everyone can attend school in the Philippines. Filipinos know, as we do, education is the key to helping their children have a better life. Even public schools have costs for tuition, uniforms, books, supplies, transportation and food during school. Parents must pay these costs and if they cannot provide then the child works and help support the family. Grace Chapel is located in a rural farming community and many families cannot provide for school without help.

With the exception of Salvation this investment has the greatest return. When the child graduates they can get a good career and typically in return they provide school for their brothers, sisters and other family members. They often help their parents in providing seed money for business, helping the family farm, etc. Providing education to one… multiplies the quality of life for many.

It’s only $20.00 per month to help with Middle School, High School and College. We provide biographies, reports and pictures of the students for their supporters. These kids are extremely humble and appreciative. They work very hard as they understand the tremendous opportunity provided. Their families are appreciative that their child will have a better life.

Besides the wonderful opportunity to “love your neighbor as yourself”… you will receive their love and prayers for you.

How many kids can you help?

And please continue to pray for this ministry. Pick a child and family and add them in your family prayers.

You may give through River Rock Church http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtml

100% of all donations are used for the intended ministry.

Joel Baculna

We helped him with his last year high school and this year in first year college. Joel is studying for a BS on Electrical Technology.

“Once again I am asking your generous heart if you can help me finance my studies even for my allowance in order to lessen the burden of my parents. Thank you. I hope and pray you have a big heart for my request. God bless you and your family. Praying for you, Joel Baculna.”

Edward Noga

His father only makes enough money to feed their family. Edward is a self supporting second year high school student. Edward works weekends on a fishing boat or in the rice fields to help support himself through school. He also serves the Lord singing in the El Shaddai Choir.

“You are God’s gift for me. God is really good for you are an instrument for my financial needs as a student. I am self supporting because my mother died and my father has no stable job… I pray God will give you long life so that many could benefit your charitable heart. God bless us!”

Maria Pamela Estaris

Maria is a second year high school student. She and her family are active in Church.

“I thank God for making you an instrument to support my needs as a student. You’re such a nice person for you have concern to help the indigent.”

Melody Lagen




We helped melody with her last year of High School and she graduated.




“Thank you very much for sponsoring me and giving your support and for your kind consideration. And I will always remember for your sponsoring me to my studies and I promise forever that I never forget you.”

Justine Ryan Argnuelles



We helped Justin with first year High School and now also with his second year.










May The Lord Jesus continue to bless us all,

Steve Bragg

If you would liketo be a part of Grace Chapel Ministries you may contribute

Online: http://www.river-rock.org/index.shtml

Mail: River Rock Church 2008 SE 8th Ave. Camas, WA 98607

If you would like to receive Grace Chapel news letters or my Encouragement blogs please let me know at steve.bragg123@gamil.com

How Grace Chapel Started

It’s funny how the Lord works. You’re sitting in church on a Sunday morning, minding your own business – and then your world is turned upside down, in slow motion.

Let me tell you how this happened to me.

Pastor Kelly Backstrom of River Rock Church in Vancouver, Washington, issued a challenge to several of us one Sunday morning to take $100.00 each that he gave us, use it for God, and see what God could do with it. Kelly was trying to teach us the wonderful blessing of giving.

The next Sunday Jordan, age 10, and his mother Tracy, gave a presentation on how they had purchased donuts, set up a stand, and traded donuts for donations for Hurricane Katrina victims. They raised hundreds of dollars and then his Dad, Chris, matched the donations. Wow, a few donuts became about $700 for those in desperate need. They stepped out by faith that God would bless and add the increase.

I was struck by the thought that if God could use Jordan’s faith like that, maybe He could use me also. So I began to pray that God would help me to use the money wisely for Him. (It’s His money, after all.) I just wanted to be a part of seeing it used – to be a part of God’s blessing. I hoped that God would hear my prayers. I carried the $100.00 in my pocket so that when God showed me how to use it, I would be ready.

Soon thereafter my wife Juliana was talking to one of her sisters in the Philippines. Juliana is from the Philippines, and there a dollar was worth 55 pesos at the time. There was a 55-to-1 increase right there! I ask Juliana to ask her sisters if they had an idea how to use the $100.00 there.

I should tell you that the island of Panay, Antique Province, in the city of Patnongon, barangay Padag is where Juliana’s sisters live. It is made up mostly of rural farms and some fishing villages. Rice and fruit are the main crops. There are families who own small farms that provide for themselves, and those who own larger farms that employ workers. The Filipino people are rich in both faith and family. In fact, they count their relatives to the 3rd and 4th cousins. Juliana’s family is just that way. Her sisters, like Juliana, have a strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and are involved in the church there.


I had asked if Juliana’s sisters could think of a way to invest the Lord’s $100.00. As it turned out, her older sister, Alberta, came up with a wonderful idea. She used the $100- which became 5500 pesos - to put little packs of household medicines together. Juliana’s family asked God to bless this sharing by providing opportunities to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with those who received them. These medical supplies were then given to the poorer families. As a result, hundreds of families were blessed and evangelized.



At the same time this was happening, Juliana’s younger sister, Helen, had been praying for a chapel for worship. Patnongon had no chapel.


Providentially, another family, Rick and Bianca Streif, were moved to donate $400.00 toward the chapel. At first Helen was going to build a small bamboo chapel, but a structure of bamboo would have to be rebuilt each year. What to do? The Lord answered this need, as well, by moving Juliana and I and many others of God family to send money each month, by God’s blessing, until the little chapel was built. It’s nothing fancy, and not quite finished, but God is certainly blessing it.

Fast forward: just one year later, in August of 2006, we visited Patnongon, Philippines, for the Grace Chapel dedication service. There was a preacher from El Shaddai and one from the Assembly of God. I gave my testimony, and there was a lot of praising worship that lasted for almost three hours. There were about 50 people who turned out for this special worship service. It was an enormous blessing!There was also a big party, with a lot of the town’s people in attendance. The list of guests included a town councilman, the local policeman, the tax collector, the local veterinarian, the department of Agriculture, many teachers, those who hands had built the chapel and, of course, family members who were there to say “thank you!”

The Lord always seems to be reminding me of how Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed 5,000 people. That humble but powerful miracle was seen again with the $100.00 that my brother Kelly had challenged me with. Juliana and I and God's people continue to give what little we have, and God uses it to continue to bless multitudes.

Most of all, He blesses us all, as those who now have become a part of His blessings to the Philippines.

Your Brother in Christ,

Steve Bragg