Christmas Newsletter

Christmas Newsletter

Well, it is Christmas time once again. This is the first Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the states with family and friends in eight years. Thank you, Lord. But I must say, I miss my home and church in the Philippines.

Because we serve the Lord Jesus, we serve where He leads us, and we move in His timing. We solely serve in His providence. All the earth is willed by His sovereignty. Thank you, Lord!

The Bible says, “before the foundation of the world” God chose us to be saved by His Son Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Before God created, He knew the cost. He knew we would reject Him as God and Creator. He knew that because of our rejection (sin) we would die. He knew the second person of Himself, The Word, would need to become flesh. Jesus Christ the Messiah would need to pay the price of our sin, death so that we might live despite ourselves.

Well, knowing the cost, He created us in love. And amazing to me, He created us with the unique gift of His image and likeness. He created us eternal and willing to forgive us through His love demonstrated on the Cross paying for our sin.

God chose the day He would create us and then chose the day He would fulfill His promise – The day of His birth arrived. It was the day to become a man so He could die for our sins on the cross. He took on humanity to save us.

For me, Christmas is the day Jesus became flesh to die so I might live. I think this passage explains it best. The ISV puts it in poetic verse. It is beautiful to read and wonderful to contemplate.

Philippians 2 International Standard Version (ISV)

⁶ In God’s own form existed he,
    and shared with God equality,
        deemed nothing needed grasping.
⁷ Instead, poured out in emptiness,
    a servant’s form did he possess,
        a mortal man becoming.
In human form he chose to be,
⁸ and lived in all humility,
        death on a cross obeying.
⁹ Now lifted up by God to heaven,
    a name above all others given,
        this matchless name possessing.
¹⁰ And so, when Jesus’ name is called,
    the knees of everyone should fall,
        wherever they’re residing.
¹¹ Then every tongue in one accord,
    will say that Jesus the Messiah is Lord,
        while God the Father praising.

Maybe this is why Christians have such loving hearts and enjoy giving. Truly we are created in His image and likeness.

Here is a Filipino story of giving. It comes from my new book THE ENEMY IS ROARING AND THE LORD IS BLESSING.

"Short Stories of Faith and Encouragement

EXPERIENCING POVERTY

“When they saw us coming, they had hope.”

One day, we went to pray for a family that had a miscarriage in the seventh month. The baby was a boy. Two of our Grace Chapel youth were from this family. Just a few days before, these two youth were recipients of clothes and school supplies sent from our home church in the USA.

It was rainy season. We walked into the mountainous part of Dacutan, where Grace Chapel is. Juliana, six of our Grace Chapel ladies, and Pastor Jojo and I went to pray for them and give a love offering. Our travel was a muddy footpath, wading across a river, and walking an old bamboo hanging bridge.

I am a large American and the Filipinos who walk this bridge weigh considerably less. It was faith that God would protect me that caused me to step out on the bridge. Thanks to Him, I made it to the other side. The mud path had sugarcane stalks and sticks covering it so our feet would not sink too deep. I had seen school children come from this area carrying their shoes to keep the mud from them.

As we walked the path to their home, many people joined us. Some of the community members and the family said that when they saw us coming, they had hope. We finally arrived at the bamboo home. You could see easily through the walls, and it was leaning and in need of repair.

A few of us stepped inside. The mother was sitting on the bamboo floor, also with many missing pieces. You could see she was very weak, her eyes full of tears at our sight. Beside her was a cardboard box with the dead baby boy wrapped in a blanket inside. His small face was showing. Near the box, on the floor, was a single small candle lit as a symbol of mourning. The father was off preparing the grave at the local public cemetery.

The ladies were quick to make sure the mother was okay, offer words of sympathy and check to see that she and the children were safe. The family had no money for a doctor or medicine. We prayed for her healing. 

I observed several of the children were malnourished. Four of their children come to the Grace Chapel feeding program on Saturdays. Sometimes they show up at our home, and we feed them.

The mother was 38, and this was her tenth child. The father helped deliver the already dead baby. He had to push the baby out. If he had not been brave, maybe the mother would have died during delivery. We prayed she would have no infection. Pastor Jojo offered a prayer of healing and comfort. The ladies continued to speak with the mother and tried to help with the words from their hearts.

As I walked home, my thoughts were about how blessed my family and I are. I thanked God for our health, our home, and the means He has given us to care for ourselves and others.

Also in my heart, I was trying to understand the helplessness they must feel. It is their daily life. In spite of their poverty, the Filipinos are an enduring people. When I see the children, they are smiling, clean and well mannered.

Oh Lord, help us to bring hope and love to the Filipino people wherever You establish us.

Post Script

The mother went to the medical clinic. They used our love offering for medication. She is now in good health. Thank you, Lord!

The oldest of their children, a teenage girl Hanny, has since come to live with us. She is a blessing to Juliana, helping around the house. With the money she earns from us she can continue in school and help her family.

There are too many like this in the Philippines. I have been told 30% of Filipino children are malnourished. There is so very much more we can do. 

The Good Shepherd says "I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD. "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment” (Ezekiel 34:15, 16)."

As Paul Harvey would say – “page two” of the story next

"Short Stories of Faith and Encouragement

I CALL HER HANERS

This story is about Hanny Mae Saturnino, the girl mentioned in the story above. Juliana calls her Annie or Ann. I call her Haners.

Several years ago, I wrestled with the fact that I cannot help everyone. The poverty and suffering around me is harsh and breaks my heart continuously. As I have said before, so many times I have to walk away so I can clear away my tears. I pray I never become accustomed to it or stop seeing the suffering.

Someone shared with me that I could not help everyone. That is true. However, there are some, with the Lord’s help, I can. So I focus on those the Lord brings into my path and into my heart. There are many. Thank you, Lord Jesus. The story of Haners is about one the Lord brought into my path and into my heart.

Haners is the oldest child of the family mentioned in the previous story. When her mother miscarried, Haners had already been coming to Grace Chapel. When we approached the home to pray for her mother and family, I could see her sitting in her bedroom through the missing pieces of outside walls as we approached.

Our first year here in 2011, I was preaching at Grace Chapel. Haners and some of her siblings also attended. At that time, we fed the children and adults who came to church nutritious meals. She was thirteen at the time and was hard to miss. She is pretty, with a big smile and eyes that look directly at you. Shortly thereafter, I discovered she is intelligent, determined and willing to work hard to accomplish something with her life. One of the things I like most about her is she is always helping her family.

Not only was I noticing her at church, but she and a girl friend were showing up on the weekends doing chores around our house. They came looking for food. Juliana would have them do cleaning in exchange. Soon it was just Haners showing up. Juliana not only provided food for Haners, but also some to take home for her family, plus a little allowance as well. Haners was a hard-working, honest girl. 

Soon we needed her to come on Friday nights. Not long after, she would stay with us a night or two. Haners was also active with the Grace Chapel youth. Eventually, Haners was staying with us every weeknight and visiting her family on the weekends. Juliana pays her an allowance and also helps with the cost of school projects, transportation to school, lunch and uniforms. She is a member of the family and a big help and blessing to us, especially Juliana.

Am I singing her praises? I guess I am. Not everyone we try to help is a success story. We have had our hearts broken many times trying to help, only to find they do not appreciate it or even dislike us later. I will not let those discourage me. There are also the ones whose lives we have made a positive difference in both spiritually and in quality of life.

I also noticed her dedication to her schoolwork. Almost two years ago, I asked Haners how her school grades were doing. As usual, she said okay. I began asking to see her grades at the end of each semester. In the beginning, her grades were around 81-83. Not bad. One day I asked her what she wanted to do with her life. She said she wanted to take hotel & restaurant management at the local university.

I was pleased she wanted to go to college but disappointed in the degree program she chose. It made sense though, because it is the least expensive for a four-year degree. As I have observed, many students choose that one. I estimate that maybe 5,000 students per year graduate with that degree but cannot find a job. After all, how many motels are there in the Philippines: a third world country? Certainly not enough to fill all those jobs. Most colleges have the course.

I asked Haners what she would want to study if she had the money for whatever she wanted. Her answer was nursing. That makes sense as she doctors our pets and cleans wounds for us and others. She also helps take care of Tatay, Juliana’s father. He is 93 years old and needs complete care. She loves it.

Therefore, I told her she needs to bring her grades up and I will see if there is a sponsor or sponsors for her. Every semester she has improved her grades. The last report card her average was 92.44. She is ending her senior year and excited for college."

I told Haners’ story to a few potential sponsors and their responses were favorable.

The Enemy Roaring

            The enemy roaring was poverty. Haners thought her only option would be the cheapest college degree. Actually, she probably thought she had no chance at college due to finances. 

The Lord Is Blessing

·         Haners as a young girl, although she did not really believe in God at the time, still prayed for a good life, including college.

·         The Lord put in her a determination to work hard.

·         He put in her the hope for a better life.

·         The Lord created her with honesty and self-determination.

·         The Lord brought us to the Philippines.

·         The Lord put Haners in my and Juliana’s heart.

·         Although she is a little shy, the Lord put a light in her for others to see.

Haners found our Lord and was baptized. She knows He is real now. A Bible sits by her bed, and she is reading it. She now has hope and faith. I believe our Lord will follow through with Haners and she will shine His light in her life.

Thank you, Lord, that we have been able to help hundreds. And thank you, Lord, that we can help Haners. Thank you, Lord, that she has brightened our lives, and we have seen you work in her. You are an awesome God!

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).

Merry Christmas to you all. May our Lord continue to bless you richly with His continued love, mercy, and grace.

Your partner serving Filipinos in Jesus name.

The Bragg Family 

WE ARE GROWING

Hello RRCP Partners,

This year we have added – Thank you, Lord!

• Two more churches
• Four full-time pastors
• Four part-time church workers
• Five more feeding programs

As a result, our monthly expenses have grown proportionately.

All donations are tremendously appreciated. We are also in great need of monthly donors.

Please join our partnership of planting churches and ministering to the Filipino people.

YOU CAN DONATE HERE:

ONLINE DONATIONS: https://actscamas.breezechms.com/give/online   

Create an account if you have not already.
Use the Philippines drop down and proceed.

BY MAIL:

Acts Church - 4824 NW 38th Ave Camas, WA 98607.

Make the check to River Rock Church Philippines.

“The King will answer and say to them,
‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them,
you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:45).

Severe Flooding

Hello, my dear RRCP partners,

As you may know, the flooding in the Philippines is extreme. Typically, in our area, we don’t experience the severe flooding.

However, in one of our new house churches in Binanoan the flooding was indeed cruel. Nineteen families were affected by home losses. Also, two children lost their lives in a mudslide, and the mother is still in the hospital. Families are just now being released from the evacuation centers to return home.

I have directed $500 for food aid that will arrive in about a week. We are estimating with the need for more food and rebuilding some houses an additional $1000.

Please help with this need. It is our opportunity to be a blessing in our Lord’s name. This is a chance for them to see God’s church in action.

Thank you for your prayers and generosity.

May our Lord bless you richly.

Your partner in this ministry,

Steve Bragg

News Letter - Prayers Needed

Hello Dear RRCP Partners

Steven and College

As most of you know, Steven and I are in Nampa Idaho, getting him ready for College - Bose Bible College. He passed his GED and took the ACT exam last week. We are praying for good scores. He only had two weeks to prepare (lots of pressure on him and me).

As a result, he started late for his BBC introduction class called Access. It’s a four-week course, and he has less than two weeks to complete. So, it has been cram – cram – cram ever since he got here May 1. The phrase tossed around now is “welcome to college.”

One of the best news is he got his first flight lesson a few days ago. He actually got to fly the plane some. Dad was a little nervous riding in the back seat. But Steven was all smiles and continued to fly even while his feet were on the ground the remainder of the day. There is a three-month waiting list to start the flight school. This will give Steven enough time to see how his studies go at BBC before we put a plan together to get his private pilot license. This is the first step toward his commercial license that will take several years to acquire. He has many options with the Bible degree and a commercial license in hand. One option is the MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) https://www.maf.org/about . They support missions by flying missionaries and supplies into remote areas all over the world. They just opened an office in the Philippines.

About Juliana and Me

It is unsure how long we will be here in the states supporting Steven’s transition from Filipino high school to an American college. BBC requires the first, and second-year students live on campus. The staff and professors are dedicated to helping the students achieve their goals of knowing God through His word. Their motto is “Boise Bible College glorifies God by equipping servant leaders who build up the church to advance the gospel worldwide, under the lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.” It is a great goal that requires lots of shaping and personal guidance from the professors. As a result, we feel good about him there learning about God, how his life fits with God and being safe in His pursuit of God.

In our pursuit of wisdom on how to help Steven in his transition, the common advice to us is we need to be with him or close by a minimum of two years. We are not sure what that looks like with the ministry in the Philippines and/or ministry here. I am confident the Lord is in control. We are prayerfully waiting on Him. Please be in prayer with us.

Philippines News

The churches are doing well and growing. God is blessing us. After all, this is His Church, not ours. The Lord has brought us many good people of God to grow and mature His church. Even from afar I am in awe of how God orchestrates events and people.

Its rainy season there now so flooding, and landslides are in full swing. One village where our house church is recently established, two children lost their lives in a landslide. We also repaired several leaks in our roof because of the relentless heavy rain.

Coming Events

RRCP Eight Annual Convention will be October 25-28. The theme is Growing Together to Maturity. The speakers and teachers will be our own Filipino pastors and teachers.

RRCP Second Annual Biblical Education Seminar will be January 24-27, 2019. Our guest speakers will be Teaching Pastor David C. Robinson and Elder Dr. David W. Robinson from our home church, Acts Church in Camas, WA. The Theme is Apologetics: Defending our God, Bible, and Faith. - “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

Fifth International Summer Youth Camp 2019 the end of April 2019. The exact date, theme, and speakers are yet to be determined. Two weeks before the youth camp a mission’s team from the USA will remodel elementary schools and end with attending the camp.

This is a time when we need your sincere prayers for wisdom, guidance, and blessings as we continue to expand RRCP with new churches and grow the church to maturity.

Thank you for your awesome generosity to support God’s Church in the Philippines.

^“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV).  

DONATE

Your partner n this ministry,

Pastor Steve Bragg

Hello USA

I would love to come to your church and share what God is doing the Philippines. It is a beautiful story of faith and the power of God.
Thank you & blessings!

Steve Bragg
steve.bragg123@gmail.com  

THE ENEMY IS ROARING AND THE LORD IS BLESSINGS

WOW!

My new book THE ENEMY IS ROARING AND THE LORD IS BLESSINGS

IS AVAILABLE to order at Xulon Press & Amazon

It is about our ministry in the Philippines

RRCP Status Report 2017-April 2018

The Status of River Rock Church Philippines (RRCP)

The Year of 2017 through April 2018

Thirty Churches Church Nationwide – Thank you, Lord

Summary

All churches combined, our average weekly attendance is approximately 700. However, if everyone showed up at once or for a special event, the count would be more than 1400. We have about 250 active youth (high school & college) that shows up for camp just on Panay Island. Palawan Island youth camp was more than 100. Our VBS kids were about 2000. Seventy baptisms for 2017 and 40 so far for 2018. Therefore, with adults, youth, kids, and families, we minister to 3000-4000 Filipinos. Also, some of our pastors are teachers, an elementary school Principal, and Pastor Alagos is teaching master level classes to 51 teachers, so our influence is innumerable. (We can teach about God in public schools). Each of the 30 churches has good working relationships with their local governing councils and schools.

In 2017/2018 we grew into new communities, people were saved for eternity, families were healed, seven marriages were conducted, youths were guided, and our Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself with majesty and glory.

1. New Churches

We added two more House Churches this year for thirty new churches established since 2006. We are praying for four more churches this year, 2018.

·         We have fifteen churches on the island Panay and fifteen churches on the island of Palawan.

• ·         Of the thirty churches, seventeen have new church buildings to worship in, and thirteen are house churches with weekly worship services.

2. Leaders for 2017 – We are growing with both adult and youth leaders

·         9 Ordained Pastors – (1 added this year)

·         6 Appointed Elders – (4 added this year)

·         7 Acting Pastors

·         6 pastors in discipleship

3. Future Leaders Today

·         Ten Youth Church Leaders (high school and college) are leading churches through preaching, teaching, and worship.

4. New Church Building Construction Completed – Jumpal Christian Church – at Kalibo, Aklan

5. Youth Camp Panay 2018 – There was more than 250 youth who attended including four visitors from the Pacific Island Bible Church, HI. – 24 Baptisms

6. Youth Camp Palawan 2017 – 100 youth participated – 7 baptisms

7. RRCP Convention 2017 – Attended by almost 200 church leaders – 17 Baptisms

EQUIPPING THE CHURCH

The 2017-2018 RRCP Goal Is To Equip The Church To Carry On Generationally.

We are doing this through Leadership Conventions and Training Seminars.

·         RRCP Annual Convention October 2017 – Leadership Training – Homiletics – How to preach and teach from the Bible – Teaching Pastor Joshua Williamson – From the Pacific Island Bible Church, HI. - 190 in attendance – 17 Baptisms

Update for 2018

·         RRCP Teaching Seminar January 2018 – Biblical Interpretation – Hermeneutics – Theme: How To Read The Bible Well (for Others) – Our teacher is Dr. Derek Voorhees President of Boise Bible College, Boise, ID – Guest speakers Pastor Tony Williamson and Missionary Paul Wilson. Attendance was more than 200 of which 60-70% were high school and college. Two baptisms.

·         Youth Camp March 2018 – Leadership Training – A study of the life of Joseph – Pastor Dana Williamson.

·         RRCP Annual Convention October 2018 – Are the Christian Faith and Bible Reliable? –Apologetics – How to defend the Christian Faith – three key areas; Bible, Creation, and Modern Philosophy. The guest teacher is Teaching Pastor David C. Robinson of Acts Church, Camas Washington.

Theological Education by Extension – T.E.E.

By Bob Sheffler

Grassroots Inc.

www.grassrootsld.org

Our churches are studying the programed learning series of books on leadership development.

Bob Sheffler and the T.E.E. doctrine are Church of Christ

8. Finances

·         Our supporters came through with all ministries funded and we have extra to start the year 2018. Thank you, everyone, and thank you, Lord!

9.  My second book is completed and will be published May 2018 – THE ENEMY IS ROARING AND THE LORD IS BLESSING.

• ·         It tells the stories of our church planting with the emphases on how God works with us establishing His churches.

Thank you!

This ministry to the Filipinos is a partnership. Pastor Alagos and I and our many pastors, elders, and youths are the feet and hands on the ground. However, we can do little without your financial support. Equally important are your continuous prayers for us – Thank you! Thanks to you and our Lord, this ministry is a BIG SUCCESS!

Thank You, Everyone, For Your Partnership in Our

Lord’s Kingdom.

Sincerely and humbly,

Steve Bragg