Praise and Prayer

August 2009

Dear IVCF Prayer Partners,

We are a fellowship of prayer. This is one of IVCF’s distinctives. We know IVCF was born in a student prayer meeting and we still believe that it will move forward only on its knees.

Yes, effective prayer is not easy, but for IVCF to be used by God mightily, we need groups of people who will live out the reality and power of prayer.

This month we are sharing with you five pages of praise and prayer items, two more pages than our usually offering. It will be very challenging to pray for all these concerns.  However, we really need your prayers for all our regional units and ministry departments. You will have about 3 weeks to go through this prayer bulletin.  You may also share it to other prayer warriors.  Better yet, bring it to your local church’s prayer meetings.  We would really appreciate being prayed for.

Please pray for our Annual Corporation Meeting on August 22, 2009 at the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) Chapel, from 8am to 1pm.  Pray for the staff who are preparing for this important national event.

We are also busy preparing for our National Conference on December 27-30, 2009.  There are so many needs that we need to lift to the Lord in prayer: speakers, funds, volunteers, promotions, student and graduate delegates, and other logistics and administrative concerns.

Thank you very much.  Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Erickson Velardo,
IVCF National Director

Southern Mindanao Regional Unit

1. Praise God for the reopening of the student ministry in Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and in the University of Mindanao (UM) in Matina, Davao City last July.   After several years of non-existence, IVCF is starting to repioneer these two strategic schools through the energetic help of our Grad Team (GT) volunteers and some faculty members of UM Matina.   Please pray that our 5 new IVCF members in AdDU (who were former ISCF members ) and our more than 15 new recruits at UM Matina will grow in their Christian life and be trained as faithful student leaders.
2. Praise God for the newly reconstructed IV Home in Kabacan, North Cotabato that serves as a fellowship center for University of Southern Mindanao students and a few from other schools. It accommodates many ministry events such as the Thursday evening Large Group which averages from 50 to 80 students. Thanks to the vigorous prayer and hard work of our student leaders there. Pray for the deepening of faith and attitude centered on the Lord and his Word for all these students and the graduates who faithfully support them.
3. Thank God for the success of two separate workshops last August 1, 2009: Evangelism at the University of Southern Mindanao- Kidapawan, North Cotabato, and How to Lead Cell Groups at the University of Southern Philippines in Tagum, Davao Del Norte.  Pray that the Lord will equip those student leaders who attended either of the two workshops, as they lead others to Jesus and as they grow in their Christian walk through small group activities.
4. Thank God for Glen and Grace Ayala who will again allow IVCF to use their campsite in Malaybalay for free.  May God’s powerful presence and mercy come upon us as we conduct our Mindanao staff retreat  on August 7-10.
5. Pray for spiritual strength from God for Ate Elsie Calalang as she meets with the grads and some students in Southern Mindanao this August 11-15.  Pray for good health for SMRU staff team and for meaningful fellowships when we travel around with Ate Elsie.
6. Thank God for Jeremie Probadora’s (our SMRU collector and staff representative) contribution to the ministry during the past two months. Pray for his wedding on August 25 and for his married life, and adjustment back to ministry in September.
7. Thank God for the enthusiasm of student leaders, new GTs as well as the old GTs across the region, seen in the different activities in June, July and the coming months.  We are encouraged and we thank God for their lives.
8. Pray for our efforts to link the grads to IVCF through our SM Review, monthly praise and prayer from the National Office, and our planned dinner in November 2009.

Inter School Christian Fellowship Department

• Praise God for the ISCF volunteers this year. Praise God, too, for the Counselors’ Training & Consultation held last July 6 for UP Diliman and UP Los Banos ISCF Teams.
• Please pray for Di Fernandez as she works on a ministry approach to strengthen ISCF campuses. Pray that she will finish the information and communication plan for it this month.
• Please pray for Di’s visit to Baguio and Pangasinan this August to conduct trainings and to consult with the staff.
• Please pray for Di’s BS group in PSHS, for the students and counselors to form deepening relationships, and for the students to hunger for God and want to be more involved in His kingdom work.

Metro Manila Regional Unit

1. Praise the Lord for the well-attended Regional Assembly (RA) last July 18, 2009. Thank God for the active support of students and young graduates alike. Pray for sustained vision and engagement.
2. Thank God for the 37 individuals who pledged to give for the region’s operational needs. Pledges during the RA accounted for about 33% of the annual budget.
3. Praise God for the members of the Manila Leaders’ Council. Their enthusiasm and willingness to serve are inspiring. Pray for wisdom, unity and favor as they work together and rally campus chapters in different projects and endeavors they plan to do this year (e.g. Voter’s Education, LCDC, Fund-raising scheme, sports fest, etc)
4. We have started with our bi-monthly GT training in MMRU. Thank God for the fruitful session we had last July 24 with Di Fernandez as our resource person. Pray for the upcoming trainings. May the Lord continue to inspire and strengthen our GT members as they meet and work with students.
5. Pray for the members of the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) – Mr. Eric Sabacan, Ptr. Teddy Presnedi, Ms. Jam Esteban, Ptr. Jonathan Dolotallas and Mr. Jeff Boja – as they seek to help establish MMRU. Pray for the Spirit’s enabling grace and wisdom.
6. Pray for more volunteers to help us out in re-pioneering work in FEU and UE. We have been waiting and praying for contacts and graduates who could help us re-establish a group in these universities.
7. Praise God for the recently held Missions Training Program in PUP Maragondon. Members of the Missions team conducted the event. Pray for the 20 students and graduates who participated- may the vision that the Lord has given them find expression in their day-to-day walk. Pray for the Missions Team as they encourage more campuses to conduct MTP. May they never get tired of doing good for God’s greater glory.
8. Please pray for the field staff- for protection against illnesses and provision of needs. Pray, too, for faithfulness in their walk with God and commitment to the work entrusted to each of them.

Resource Development Department

Rejoice with us

• We had our department evaluation, planning and budgeting session last July 22 and 24, 2009.
• Department regular meetings every Wednesday for devotion and work updates.
• We did our annual plan, goals and strategies. Praise the Lord for guidance on what steps to take.

Pray with us

• As we develop and update the database, and implement a user-friendly and maximized website.
• Implementation of strategies and plans.  Pray for the participation of alumni and students in these.
• As we develop our system in donor care, publications and promotions.
• We hope to come up with a handbook for the department.
• We are about to raise 12M annual general fund .

Central and Eastern Visayas Regional Unit

We praise the Lord for…

• The successful joint back-to-school program of the College Department on July 4, 2009
• The additional volunteers Edward Sampaga, Clinton Amaro (ANS), Kaye Espinosa (Sci-Hi), and Simon Reroma (ISCF Cebu)
• Being able to start meeting with the students in their campuses
• Availability and consistency of the student contacts and volunteer counselors
• Implementation of evangelistic Bible Study plans
• Continued ISCF work in Tagbilaran City, Bohol with Ate Faith Verano
• Planned re-opening of ISCF in Dumaguete
• The successful Large Group (LG) meeting every other Thursday
• How the students are able to relate to the series of LG topics

Please pray with us for …

• our ISCF Counselors’ Training Course (CTC) this August. Pray for availability of prospective attendees and resource trainors/speakers.
• Implementation of our one-year plan in the campuses
• Availability, consistency, and teachability of the student contacts
• Joy and excitement of the volunteers in the campus
• Wisdom and availability for the ISCF summer evangelistic camp planning.
• The hearts of the Bible Study participants will be “stirred” by God’s Word.
• Excitement, more passion and love for Jesus in the part of the counselors.
• our Mission Exposure this August 29-30, which we plan to have in a mountainous area in Cebu
• That we will be able to start small group in other campuses; pray for students’ common time for this new campus.

1. Staff & Grad Team (GT) meeting on August 11 – fruitful sharing of plans for the semester.
2. August 14 Follow-up planning for Leadership Camp/Discipleship Camp (LCDC).
3. August 15 Regional Advisry Council meeting (RAC)
4. August 20-23 New Staff Training (NST)

Western Visayas Regional Unit

1. Praise God for the Iloilo Area Assembly last July 17, 2009.  Our very own National Director (ND) Erickson Velardo was the speaker.  Thirty-five students & graduates attended the said event. Praise God also for the Roxas Area Assembly last August 1, 2009. Former ND Rizaldy Harder served as our speaker in that occasion attended by around 70 students & graduates.  Both assemblies were times of hearing how the Lord has worked here in Western Visayas and everyone had a closer look at the IVCF-WVRU ministry.
2. Pray for the coming Bacolod Area Assembly this August 8, 2009.  Pray for a good attendance.  Mr. Gary Celis will be our speaker.  May it be a blessed time for all.
3. Pray for Roxas Area. New Grad Team volunteers were recruited this school year.  They will start in a number of schools and colleges in the area. Pray that the Lord will give them wisdom and strength in this endeavor.  Pray, too, as they tap graduates and even students to start a donor base in their area.  May they respond positively and give towards this need.
4. Pray for the preparation for the October semestral camp.  We are still in the process of choosing student leaders who will serve as the executive committee for the camp.  Students cannot yet commit because the schedule of semestral breaks are uncertain. Some schools might extend to make up for periods of suspension due to the A(H1N1) outbreak.

Bicol Regional Unit

PRAISE GOD FOR:

1. The success of the Freshmen Treats conducted last July in Naga City, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC), and Bicol University (NU) in Legaspi. Sixty-three students (old & new) jampacked the IV Center in Naga City and about fifteen students accepted the Lord Jesus as their Lord and personal Savior. One hundred-thirty students and  70 students came to know the Lord and Savior in the BU Freshmen Treat. Many of the invited students became members and are now attending the daily prayer meetings and cell groups. God is indeed at work in our campuses in Bicol.
2. For the diligent students and officers who consistently attend the daily prayer meeting every 4:30 PM at the IV Centers in Naga and Iriga. In Legaspi City, an average of  25 to 35 students regularly attend the weekly Monday night of prayer.
3. The consistency of the growing number of attendance of students in CSSAC; for the students who have already started small group meetings and Bible study in their dormitory.
4. Certificate of Recognition and Accreditation awarded by the school administration last July 28, 2009 to the fellowship at IVCF-PSU (Partido State University). The students can now conduct fellowships and activities inside the campus. Praise the Lord! Praise God for the officers who have already started their regular meetings during lunch break every Thursday.
5. Praise God for the IVCF Rinconada joint overnight retreat held last July 10 at IV Home-Iriga.  Instead of discussing the usual boy-girl relationship issues, this time we discussed parent-child relationships.  It was a time of asking and releasing forgiveness, a time of grappling with God’s command to honor parents and also to seek His divine help in difficult situations at home. Please pray that the students will continue to be the light in their families especially those who came from non-believing homes.
6. Praise God for the ISCF officers and new members in University of Saint Anthony (USAnt). We thank the Lord for their enthusiasm, growing faith and eagerness to share Jesus in the campus.  May they continue to serve as a positive influence and be bold in their witness.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

1. The First Freshmen Treat Fellowship on the 4th week of August 2009 at Partido State University. Pray for wisdom, preparation and financial provisions for the event.
2. More committed and available leaders who will handle additional cell groups in our campuses together with additional Grad Team (GT) volunteers in many campuses in the region.
3. God’s leading to begin ISCF work in three high schools in the key cities. Pray for more GT volunteers and ISCF counselors who will commit for thid school year.
4. The midterm exams of the students. Pray for excellence in their academic performance.
5. Wisdom for the students because of difficulty in meeting together due to conflict in schedules.
6. Our Bicol Regional Unit Executive Committee meeting and LCDC meeting on Aug 7 and 8, 2009. Please pray for provisions to our students and graduates who will attend.

Human Resource Department

• Praise God for the healing of our staff family: Lala Pla (operation), Zyla Tagarino (Dengue), and Nika Perez, Jj Roaring, Isidro Lagarto, Eden Gay Malait and Emma Lozano (Flu).
• In times when weather changes crazily within a day, health is wealth indeed! Please pray for the health and safety of our staffworkers as they go full blast into campus visits this rainy season.
• Please continually pray for our staff family who have lost their loved ones. Princess Chua (father) and Pastor Jun Singson (Son).
• Congratulations to Staffworker  Joanne Hurtada, now Mrs. Dolotallas. Just recently married to Pastor Jonathan Dolotallas.
• Please pray for the New Staff Training to be held on August 20-        23, 2009. May our new staff be welcomed, trained and equipped.

Northern Mindanao Regional Unit

1. Praise God for His work in campuses in Bukidnon, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Small group meetings have started and many new and first year students are attending. Please pray for wisdom, passion for SG leaders and new Grad Team (GT) volunteers as they lead their small groups.
2. Praise Him for healing the students and IV homers in Iligan who were sick last month. Please pray for good health for everyone and for the fast recovery of the leaders who were diagnosed with pneumonia and respiratory infection (Princess, Germary, and Precious).
3. Thank God for His help and guidance towards regionalization.  Continue to pray for direction, wisdom, and unity, and for the RAC as we start operating, planning for events and activities for the ministry. Pray for persevering commitment, love and joy for the graduates as they continue to support the student ministry.
4. Pray for opportunities and contacts in high school campuses, revival of some college chapters and strengthening of developed campus chapters. Pray for Jonah and Joy Morito as they again visit Liceo de Cagayan.
5. Pray for passion, for staff, graduates and student leaders, passion to study the Word, preach the Gospel, and prioritize the ministry at all times.

Northern Luzon Regional Unit

1. Praise God for the new Regional Advisory Council: Mr. Solano Gamo, Ptr. Norman Florendo, Ptr. Adonis Caguioa, and Mrs. Roselle de Guzman. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they help the regional staff.
2. Praise God for our Evangelism Training Series held every Friday last July. Pray that we will be challenged and be obedient to God’s call to go and make disciples.
3. Praise God for providing the financial needs of the Region. We thank the Lord for our financial supporters. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless them and use them as channels of blessings. Please continue praying for the financial needs of the region.
4. Our student leaders are God’s gift to us, they are essential to the ministry. Therefore, we praise God for them. Pray for the Baguio Leaders Council and Pangasinan Leaders Council as they start planning for the LCDC 2009. Pray for wisdom and teamwork. Pray that student leaders will arise in the campuses. Pray that they will capture the vision and mission of the movement, and be committed and actively involved. Pray that the student leaders will be able to lead their campuses well. Pray for spiritual and emotional growth. Pray that they will be good examples in their academics as well.
5. Praise God for our new full-time staff, Ms. Arabelle Morales, who will be based in Baguio. Pray for smooth transition and adjustment to the work. Pray for her partners in the ministry (Philippian Connection.)
6. The Grad Team (GT) Ministry is a big help to the staff. Right now the region is in need of more Grad Team volunteers. Please pray for more Grad Team volunteers. May the Lord touch their hearts and lead them to serve as GTs. May they be willing to obey. At the same time, may they be able to find appropriate jobs that will help them financially as they serve as tentmakers. Pray to for parental consent for some of them.
7. On August 29, the region will be having a big event. Pray that many students and graduates will be able to come and attend. Pray for a good weather. Pray for preparation, financial provision and for the event itself. May our good Lord be glorified.

My Name is Rein

Me at LCDC 2007

Once in my college life I thought of being a staff worker but I stopped thinking about it afterward. “I don’t want to be a staff worker. I just want to support a staff in the future when I become an engineer”, I said to a staff when I was still a student leader in Campus Christian Fellowship (IVCF Chapter in TIP). But I failed to stop thinking about it.

I like adventures. I like to travel and to walk on far places and I believe that God is with me everywhere I go. On that perfect time when God called me to be an IVCF Staff Worker, I still don’t want to go. Yes, I am afraid to go on this kind of ministry. But much scary is to walk alone, away from what God is leading me. And I don’t want to worn myself hiding from Him because I know that I can’t run away from Him.

God is reigning in my life. He called me. I just followed.

Praise and Prayer

Praise God for unlocking this brand new chapter in my life. To be a staff worker is not my dream before. But God called me to be, so I did.

Praise God for my two campus assignments. Growling Tigers Christian Fellowship of University of Santo Tomas and Kalasag Christian Fellowship of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa. Truly God is working through the lives of the students in these campuses. Please pray that God will continue to mold them and that the student leaders will deeply understand and hold on to the vision He had given us.

Praise God for giving me an opportunity to prepare for the ECE board exam. Apart from my campus work, I am attending a review class every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Please pray that God may use me to show His glory as I face the test on October 26 to 27, 2009.

Contact Information:

Email: reinstary.arlegui@ivcfphil.org
reinstary@yahoo.com
FS: reinstary@yahoo.com
FB: www.facebook.com/reinstary
0915.655.54.34

Reinstary Joseph G. Arlegui
Staff Worker
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Equipping Servant Leaders for Christ

You can download the IFES East Asia Praise & Prayer items for the month of August & September 2009.

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IFES East Asia Praise & Prayer - IFES East Asia