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

RRCP End of Year Report 2017

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 200 active youth (high school & college) that shows up for camp just on this island. Palawan youth camp was more than 100. Our VBS kids were about 2000. Seventy baptisms this year. 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 50 teachers, so our influence is innumerable. (We can teach about God in schools). Each of the 30 churches has good working relationships with their local governing councils and schools.

1. New Churches

• We added two more House Churches this year for thirty new churches established since 2006.
• 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

• Youth Church Leaders - Judy Grace - Nico – Edney – JB – Ron Ron – John – Shanine – John Mark – Lalaine – Charmaine - (College students)
• These youth are leading churches through preaching, teaching, and worship.

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

5. Youth Camp Panay– There was nearly 200 youth who attended including five youth visitors From the Pacific Island Bible Church, HI. – 14 Baptisms

6. Youth Camp Palawan – 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

Coming Up in 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.

• 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. Teacher yet to be determined.

8. Finances

• Our supporters came through with all ministries funded and an extra amount to start next year. Thank you, everyone, and thank you, Lord!

9.  My third book is almost finished – It’s at the editor now – 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.  I hope to be published before Easter.

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! Our ministry is a BIG SUCCESS!

This year 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.

Thank You, Everyone, For Your Partnership 

in Our Lord’s Kingdom.

Sincerely and humbly,

Steve Bragg

Feeling Blessed!

God Is Good!

I am sorry for my desperate plea. Please forgive me. Sometimes God test my faith and my knees shake. Even though I’m kneeling, they can sake.

SOMEONE’S HAVE COME TO OUR AID.

THE NEED FOR THE $1,200 IS MET.

Thank you! Thank you all for your prayers! 

THANK YOU, LORD!

Thank you RRCP partners!

Steve