Keeping a church thriving and faithful through decades is never easy, but all thanks to God, it became bearable.
As its quintessence, ICOC Cagayan de Oro (ICOC CDO)—which will be celebrating their 29th year—have been an inspiration to many. With its members and leaders’ collective efforts in strengthening the fellowship and faith of each other, God is continuously glorified.
Ronald Mendres, ICOC CDO’s church leader and overseer of our Mindanao Churches shared that the CDO church will be turning 29 this year. As they gear towards celebration, they have also started evangelical missions through the different Bible Talks they have.
A couple of weeks ago, they kicked off mission services in different places in Mindanao, one of which is in Bukidnon.
“Actually, per Bible Talks yung mission service [namin]. So per Bible Talk, they will find their own place to go. Meron ding pupunta ng Bukidnon. So kung saan yung may disciples n area, they go there; dun sila magse-service, magba-Bible Talk sa bahay with their families and friends.”
(Actually, our mission services are conducted per Bible Talk. So per Bibletalk, they will find their own place to go. There are also people who’ll go to Bukidnon.
Wherever there’s a disciple present, they’ll go there—they’ll have their worship services and Bible Talks with their family and friends.),
Ronald said.
Since the pandemic, their
Bukidnon Ministry already has 4 disciples—one of them being restored into faith, who, then reached out his wife, and the other 2 studied the Bible online and became baptized.
Another good news from ICOC CDO is their new church building that is located downtown.
.“Hindi namin ma-imagine na maumpisahan at matatapos namin ‘yung ground floor—actually 2 storeys siya [pero] di pa siya tapos, but nagagamit na namin siya, yung ground floor. Ako, naamaze lang ako dahil sa sacrifice, sa dreams, sa faith ng mga disciples. Kasi galing lahat siya sa disciples’ effort eh.”
(We couldn’t imagine that the building’s ground floor would be built—it is actually 2 storeys but it is not yet finished, however we are now able to use the 1st floor.
I am personally amazed by the disciples’ sacrifice, dreams, and faith; because every bit of this [building] is from their efforts.), Ronald shared.
It is through the people’s strong grip of faith in God that they were able to have this prayer answered: to have their own, permanent church building—the first ever to be built through their collective efforts and prayers.
Now, ICOC CDO has a physical church that they can call their own home, plus, it is accessible to most land transportations in Mindanao.
At this season, it’s about time for the next generation of disciples to step up. After twenty-nine years, finally, ICOC CDO held their first-ever Young Messenger’s Day (YMD) last February 26.
Given the name, the youth (teens and Envolve Ministry) led the whole worship service—from the songleading, ushering of people, to the segment preachings and testimony—each had a youth participating in.
“First [time] namin na nag-YM service kami. Nakaka-encourage lang dahil lahat ng mga YM nagkaroon ng part do’n sa line up, tapos do’n may nagsongleading may nag-ushering, tapos may nagtestimony at may nagresponse. Nakaka-encourage lang.” (This is the first time we had a YM service. It was just encouraging to see all of the youth become a part of the line up, songleading, ushering, and even the testimony and response sharing. It really is encouraging), Ronald Mendres recalled.
Through this event, the youth ministry was able to use their God-given skills and talents to serve the church, and was all the more inspired to give more of it. Moreover, together with the youth, the disciples from ICOC CDO are looking forward to the next youth-led services.
“Actually, most of them [youth] talaga shared na they were kinakabahan. Pero they were really happy na nagkaroon ng ganitong service. They were thankful na they were able to share ‘yung mga talents nila and gifts nila. At the same time, they are looking forward for the next YM service namin.”, Ronald shared.
Our brother Ronald Mendres also noted that this event provided an avenue for evangelism, given that the majority of the youth ministry are still yet to decide whether to study the Bible or is currently in the process. These services can also be a way of reaching out to their friends at school or at home.
Currently, there are about four (4) disciples in their Youth Ministry.
With the positive responses from the youth and other disciples, ICOC CDO’s Youth Ministry-led worship services are set to happen every last Sunday of each month.
Another fruit of their faith is Benedicto Oliquiano, or Ben, from CDO, who is the husband of Pilet, a disciple residing in Manila.
“Nagstart na siya mag-Word of God, then last week nag-Discipleship kami online. Then magsi-Sin [study] siya next week, actually tomorrow, I’ll be going there for face-to-face Sin study.”
(He already started studying the Word of God, then the Discipleship study online. Then he will now start his Sin study tomorrow where I’ll be meeting him for a face-to-face study.), Ronald said.
He was reached out by his wife, and was inspired to study the Bible after attending ICOC CDO’s worship services. After he decided to study the Bible, brothers from different Bible Talks and Churches in Mindanao have been travelling miles to join him in his studies.
Kuya Ben is excited and looking forward to continuing his studies, and prayerfully being baptised this year.
To date, there are five people who are studying the Bible to be disciples and restored in ICOC CDO.
“Cagayan de Oro is called the city of golden friendship—people are very welcoming, hospitable, and there are many places to go here”, Ronald Mendres shared when asked about the city.
Touring the whole city is made extra special because of the people that reside in it. Because of their friendly and warm atmosphere, your stay in the city will be enjoyable. The clusters of church buildings of other churches makes it inspiring for mission teams in ICOC CDO to spread their faith to the locals.
If you’re planning a trip to Cagayan de Oro, you should try authentic Cagayan dishes: Sinugba and Kinilaw, as well as their local vegetable dishes. And if you’re into water sports, CDO has the longest water rafting river, which makes it the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines.
Bottomline: Cagayan de Oro should be on your bucket list of places to visit this year. And while you’re there, grab the chance to enjoy the fellowship in ICOC CDO!
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