Happy New Year from Patnongon, Antique, Philippines

My dear Grace Chapel Partners,                                                                                 

I want to wish you all Happy New Year!

Pastor Alagos and I were busy the month of December 2011.

Besides our regular services at Grace Chapel and Tabernacle of Praise, we were the guest speakers for 6 churches for Thanks Giving/Christmas Celebrations, a Leadership Youth Camp, and 3 New Year celebrations.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Without you, this ministry would not be possible!

I will post a pictorial report in a few days when I go to a high speed Internet spot.

                                          

This picture is my laptop. This desktop picture serves as my daily reminder. It says, like Peter, I’ve gotten out of the boat. However, I could not do this ministry without my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus! Sometimes I miss this goal, but in spite of my faithfulness, the Lord is always faithful. I’m learning to walk and sometimes swim with the Lord!

2Corintians 8:3-4 I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could--far more than they could afford!-- pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians. NIV

My love and prayers are with you all,

Steve Bragg
Elder/Pastor
River Rock Church
& Grace Chapel Ministries
Serving in Patnongon Antique Philippines

Email: steve.bragg123@gmail.com
Grace Chapel Blog: http://gracechapelministries.blogspot.com/
Grace Chapel Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Chapel/207519629261717 
My Story http://youtu.be/6C2DRT2vtjs 
Birth of RRC Esparar: http://vimeo.com/31760794
GET UP! GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU! http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=140361 
Documentary: First Four Churches http://vimeo.com/33566496 

Donations: http://www.river-rock.org/giving.html

Merry Christmas Grace Chapel Partners!

Merry Christmas from the Philippines

My internet is too slow to send pictures or create something fancy. I have to travel to San Jose or La Parola to get a higher speed internet.

Many have asked, so I will let you all know that the flooding in the Philippines missed us. It was at an island south of us in Mindanao. Many are dead and displaced so please continue to pray for them.

For Steven and I this is our first Christmas in the Philippines. It feels more like summer. In fact, it is summer here. The Christmas spirit is excellent!

A lot of families are too poor to buy presents. The giving of gifts and Santa Clause seems to be less important.

Steven will only get one small gift this year. We have told him it is because we live in a different culture and explained the difference of his Filipino neighbors and family. Steven understands. Many times this past two weeks he has told me it is okay he only gets one gift. I believe he is genuinely happy to adjust.

The Christmas spirit here is more about Christ, it seems. Here is an example of what I mean. This is a quote from the Department of Education in San Jose. It reads in part, “To developing functionally literate and God loving Filipinos”.  All schools, including public school, celebrate with great activity Christmas.

My Christmas present from our Lord is being the guest speaker at 5 Churches the month of December. They are the San Rafael Christian Community Church, Hill of Zion Community Church, Buena Vista Christian Community Center, Tabernacle of Praise Community Church, and Gateway Church. For the November Thanksgiving Celebrations I spoke at Buena Vista Christian Community Center, Jesus is Lord Church, and Tabernacle of Praise Community Church.

I guess what amazes me most about speaking at these churches is preaching is not my gift. I believe the Lord blesses my passion and He is present with the Holy Spirit at these services. I have had the great honor of witnessing the Holy Spirit moving the hearts of these congregations.

I pray each of you have a Very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for your love and prayers for us,

Steve, Juliana & Steven

Documentary of our First Four Churches

This is a documentary of our first four churches in the Philippines. It’s only 15 minutes so enjoy!

Just click here and watch the video! http://vimeo.com/33566496

We establish the Lord Jesus Christ’s Church in the remote Barangays of the Philippines. Our goal is to plant a Christian Church in Barangays that have no church. Lord willing, we will plant 3 more churches this year in 2012!

Join and support us by contact me, Steve Bragg, at steve.bragg123@gmail.com You can also learn more about us at http://gracechapelministries.blogspot.com/

May the Lord continue to bless us all,

Steven Ray Bragg

My Testimony

GET UP! GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!

This is my story, my testimony, written for your encouragement of how I learned that not only I can get up after falling from the ministry, but also after getting up, how I can walk with God. To my amazement God is taking the broken pieces of my life and putting them together as a useful vessel for His glory and my joy.

Read my testimony on this link:

GET UP! GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU! http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=140361

Steve Bragg
Elder/Pastor
River Rock Church
& Grace Chapel Ministries

Serving in Patnongon Antique Philippines

Email: steve.bragg123@gmail.com
Grace Chapel Blog: http://gracechapelministries.blogspot.com/
Grace Chapel Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Chapel/207519629261717  
My Story http://youtu.be/6C2DRT2vtjs      
Birth of RRC Esparar: http://vimeo.com/31760794
GET UP! GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU! http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=140361  

Donations: http://www.river-rock.org/giving.html