The dates are September 25, 26 and 27, 2009. These three days shall be phenomenal days for whoever will go to be a delegate in this upcoming September “Encounter”.

The target number is at least 15 delegates and they shall be coming from the Solid Rock Bible Congregation and other churches which want to join the Solid Rock’s “Encounter”.

Please pray that this month’s Encounter shall be a resounding success again and that the delegates shall come, all of them and not one shall be missing out on this.

Kindly pray, too, for the preparation of the staff. They are well aware that they cannot rely on their own strength but only by the Spirit of God.

The teacher is now a pastor.  That’s Jessie S. Paragas, long time professor of college English at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City and now the new Head Pastor of the Solid Rock Bible Congregation.

He was officially sworn in as head pastor by Rev. Joy Gabasa, the former Executive Director of the FIFCOP Mission and now the Head Pastor of Munoz Christian Church in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

With the able support of the Board of Trustees of the SRBC and the congregation as a whole, Pastor Jess was installed as head pastor last June 28, 2009 at the SRBC sanctuary.

Please pray that Pastor Jess shall be able to bring the SRBC to its higher calling.

The Solid Rock Bible Congregation (SRBC) celebrated its 32nd anniversary last Sunday, June 7, 2009.  With its theme “Building up groups of affection; bringing on God’s redemption”, the Solid Rock promises to stick to its vision of establishing itself from a traditional church into a cell church.

Rev. Jonel Taopo, head pastor of the Jesus Reigns Ministries International in City of San Fernando, La Union graced the celebration as God’s messenger.

Rev. Jun Panlilio, head pastor of SRBC’s daughter church in Bauang, La Union was also in attendance together with a horde of their young people.  A couple of pastors and some of their members were also present during the celebration.

In another development, Jessie S. Paragas, a college professor and a lay pastor of the church has decided to go into full time ministry.  He announced his decision to go full time during the anniversary celebration.  If things will go their way, Jessie S. Paragas will be the new head pastor of Solid Rock.

The Solid Rock Bible Congregation is turning 31 on June 7, 2009.  After going through some tough times this year, the flock of Solid Rock rose above the storms so to speak.

Some situations almost literally made the church run and run the church did without feeling weary; it walked but did not faint.  The challenges came like storms but with eagle’s wings, it rose above the waves and came out victorious.

This means that the church has every great reason to celebrate with a vibrant atmosphere its coming anniversary.

Thirty years ago, an American couple left the comforts of their home in the US to feel the rough rural life in the Philippines specifically the place called Bugallon, Pangasinan.  They are Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Adkins.

They were then American missionaries who pioneered a work in Samat, Bugallon.  Thanks to them because that missionary work is now the Solid Rock Bible Congregation (SRBC).  They initially named the church as Samat Bible Church.

Mr. Adkins has joined his Master but Dorothy, his wife, is still alive and in ripe old age.  Last April 26, this Postman was awed to receive a blessing for the church coming from Mrs. Dorothy Adkins.

It was a very much welcome but unexpected blessing!   And what makes it more astounding is that it came from this faithful widow.  I remember the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4, whom the Lord Jesus Christ referred to as the most generous giver among those who gave their offerings in the temple.  Mrs. Adkins gave to the Solid Rock a small financial amount (PhP2,500 for the church’s building project) but she gave it in her widowhood and during these trying times in her homeland.

How I wish I could talk to her so that I can tell her how deeply grateful and blessed the Solid Rock church is for her concern.  I pray that God will bless her more in her remaining years here on earth; and I look forward to seeing her, if not here on earth,  in heaven.

Special thanks go to Rev. Leandro Danganan who is instrumental in updating Mrs. Adkins of the latest developments in SRBC.

March 30, 31 and April 1, 2009. Those were the three days in which 20 students from the University of Pangasinan, Colegio de Dagupan and high schoolers from various high schools went through an incubation with the Almighty God.

They were housed for the 3-day Encounter at the Living Faith Christian Ministry (LVCM) located at Arellano St., Dagupan City. Five delegates actually are from the LVCM. Many thanks go to Pastor Jun Vinluan and the LVCM church for welcoming the Encounter into their church.

Preparation began in the evening of February 20 when the youth leaders spent the night in the house of Ptr. Jess Paragas.  The group planned their activities and prepared the things including the food for the outing.

At around 4:00 a.m. the youth leaders started the important task of preparing the food for the day, a typical Filipino dish cooked through the faithful and loving hearts of the young Christians whose dedication to the Lord’s service is unquestionably great.

When the clock struck 7:oo a.m., the youngsters who are the main subject of the trip started arriving and before the clock pointed to 8:00 a.m., the entire horde of hot spring trippers were already on the road.

The trip was an hour long and tiring considering the rugged interior road leading to the mountainous terrain of the hot spring.  But once there, the excited girls and boys started to show their anxiously waiting face to the Manleluag Hot Spring.

The kids had a treat of some games, swimming, of course, and a dose of evangelism for them to accept the Lord Jesus Christ in their hearts.

Here are the names of the Manleluag trippers:

1. KRYSANTHUS DAVID A. TANDOC

2. MICHAEL P. MALICDEM

3. KIMBERLY ROSE F. ESPINO

4. LUIELA C. PEREZ

5. JEZELLEA. LAGUERTA

6. JOANNA BETH L. RODRIGUEZ

7. CASEY M. ABARABAR

8. BEVERLY JOY L. RODRIGUEZ

9. PHILIP ARON P. LAGANAS

10. ALMIRA C. OMBAC

11. EDELIZA N. VALENCERINA

12. RICHARDSON P. GARCIA

13. MARLON V. TINDONGAN

14. YANEL ROI B. CRUZ

15. RUBY ROSE C. DE GUZMAN

16. JESSAN C. VALENCERINA

17. KAREN A. MEJIA

18. SHEENA GRACE M. AYSON

19. ELYSA JANE M. FERNANDEZ

20. ELOISE M. FERNANDEZ

21. CHRISTOPHER CERVANTES

22. FIONA JOYCE M. AYSON

23. BABY RUTH A. GARCIA

24. JERGENS CARANI

25. CATHERINE M. ABARABAR

26. MARK MARLON P. DE VERA

27. SERVIA P. DELA CRUZ

28. SHARMINE MANECLANG

29. KRISTINE MAE CERVANTES

30. HADASSAH N. PARAGAS

31. JAELA KAE M. MANECLANG

32. RONALD BRYAN M. AYSON

33. DOLLIE ANNE S. MALICDEM

34. KIMBERLY E. MALICDEM

35. GECEL CASTRO

36. VINCE IRWIN VALENCERINA

37. RICHIEBELLE P. GARCIA

38. MARIELLE MAE B. BALAGTAS

39. ELLISTER PARAGAS

40. SHEKINAH PARAGAS

41. JAMELA PARAGAS

42. CHARISSE PEARL D. FAJARDO

43. RANDOLF D. FAJARDO

44. JASON P. LOPEZ

The Solid Rock Bible Congregation (SRBC), formerly Samat Bible Church, welcomed its former worker and one of its more accomplished sons, Rev. Leandro Danganan.

Fondly called Pastor Leandro by his contemporaries in the church, Rev. Danganan presented a powerpoint presentation of God’s message in yesterday’s worship service.

After the service, Pastor Leandro paid visits to the homes of some brethren and relatives and enjoyed nostalgic conversations with them.

The Manleluag Hot Spring in Mangatarem, Pangasinan is one of the province’s tourist attractions and it is the venue of the forthcoming SRBC Young People Outing on February 21, 2009.

The group which includes high schoolers from Polong National High School and students from the Colegio de Dagupan and the University of Pangasinan will meet at the SRBC compound at around 7:oo a.m. and is expected to arrive at the venue by 9:00 a.m.

It will be a whole day affair and it promises to be one unforgetable experience for the youngsters who are mostly first timers in the venue.

The group is spearheaded by Ptr. Jess Paragas who is ably supported by a group of committed youth leaders which include Jason Lopez, Randolf Fajardo, Charisse Pearl Fajardo, Christine Cervantes, Aisa Fernandez, and Fiona Joyce Ayson.

Days after the resignation of Rev. Charlie Loranza as head pastor, the Solid Rock Bible Congregation (SRBC) was thinking whether it should continue with the G12 Vision. The initial plan was to continue with the vision but the church did not have a person to be called the vision carrier.

In a planning retreat held January 25, 2009, Ptr. Jessie Paragas took on the cudgels to carry the vision and got the support of SRBC Administrator Pastor Joel Maneclang and the rest of the members of the Board of Trustees.

Last Monday, February 16, 2009, the SRBC sent Pastor Jess to attend the G12 Conference in Caloocan City in Manila. He got to have a chat with the G12 Philippines caretaker, Pastor Ritz Witmer.

Pastor Ritz encouraged Pastor Jess to take on the challenge like how Joshua committed himself to leading Israel after the death of Moses.

It is requested of those who have an attachment with SRBC to pray for the continued growth of the church in the G12 Vision.