SMO Celebrates 32

Student Missionary Outreach celebrated 32 years of God’s faithfulness to the ministry with a series of month-long events which was started by the 9th Bible Training Institute Foundation Day, Don’t Waste your Life (Evangelistic) Campaign in schools, and an inter-church and inter-school Anniversary Fellowship last August, 2009.

Close to 300 youths and alumni gathered on August 30 for the Anniversary Fellowship held at Bacolod Alliance Church. Pastor Dave Albornos, once an SMO’er in Bicol and now pastors a church in Antipolo, gave the message which focused on the theme The Power of the Cross (1 Cor. 5:8). Rendering special song numbers were the Afterglow singers, sisters Phylla and Amanda Magallanes, and Paul Arcolas. Among the other highlights were the memorable pantomime presented by the SMO Bible students, a fun skit  by NOHS students, and a testimony given by a former SMO’er Jessie Divinagracia who now handles the adult ministry of the church he goes to.

SMO kicked-off its month-long celebration with the 9th Bible Training Institute Foundation Day on August 10, 2009. Events in competition during the day were Creative Storytelling, Extemporaneous Speech, Preaching, Duet Singing, Skit, Bible Quiz, and Extraordinary Talent.

And throughout the whole month SMO’ers trooped to different schools in Bacolod for the Don’t Waste your Life (Evangelistic) Campaign. SMO’ers held film showings, room-to-room campaigns, one-on-one evangelism, and tracts distribution. Schools that were visited were Domingo Lacson National High School, Emiliano Lizares National High School, and Medel National High School.

Also, “Ang Panong” (The Flock), SMO group in TUP-V (Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas) celebrated its 18th year last 13 August with Pastor Nilo Engada, an alumni of that school and an SMO’er gave the message.

Photoslides of the 32nd SMO Anniversary

Photoslides of SMO-BTI Foundation Day

Photoslides of the Don’t Waste your Life (Evangelistic) Campaign

Update: SMO Bible Training Institute

5TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE

SMO Bible Training Institute (BTI) recognized its six students who finished a three-year Certificate in Youth Ministry during the 5th Commencement Exercise held on March 30, 2009, at the SMO Youth Center in Bacolod.

They were: Roselyn E. Alcala, Hoppilen C. Cabaya, Raffy F. dela Peña, Jay Pee P. Erespe, Jesus A. Montille, and Regie S. Tibulan. Rev. Freddilo P. Jagorin, BTI Faculty and Pastor of City of Refuge Christian Church, gave the challenge to the graduates.

Three of the graduates now are actively involved in local churches during weekends while taking subjects at the Institute to pursue their Bachelor Degree in Theology in Youth and Church Ministry. Another graduate now works as a youth worker of a local church in Lucban, Quezon province.

ON INTERNSHIP

Third year students of SMO-BTI were commissioned to have their internship in different churches. Their designations were as follows: Michael John Agno in Fundamental Baptist Church of Agudo, Caloocan City, Jeric Otordos in Faith Christian Bible Community Church, Marikina City, Michael Jade Asplico in Christ’s Disciples Church, Naga City, and Jake Quiñosa in Pulupandan Community Church, Pulupandan.

Jake testifies that as early as now the students he’s meeting with regularly have shown a steady interest in the study of God’s Word; some of them have signified their intent to be baptized. On the other hand, Jeric said he finds it really exciting to meet with so many students in a week having interest in the study about God. He is also challenged to be given certain responsibilities in the local church in Marikina aside from being involved in youth ministry.

The 9-month internship program of the Institute will expose the interns to different church responsibilities with emphasis on youth ministry in a campus setting. This will be their last school year before they will receive their Certificate in Youth Ministry on March, 2010.

NEW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

SMO-BTI welcomed four First Year students in the opening of school year 2009-2010, bringing to total 14 full-time students of the Institute (2 students in the 2nd Year, 4 students in the 3rd Year, and 4 students in the 4th Year). Aside from this, there are 6 other part-time students (most of them are still studying in college).

The school also welcomed guest faculty members fort the first semester namely: Rev. Freddilo P. Jagorin, Pastor Gerry Galarpe, Pastor Elmer Aliñar, and Atty. Dennis Cortez.