Ready for the Mission Field

“We can only press on if we know the real value of our self in Jesus,” this is one of several important points in the message given to Batch 2012 of the SMO Bible Training Institute during the 8th Commencement Exercises held on March 25, 2012.

Pastor Ritchemar Macoy, Dean of Academics, proclaimed the students, graduates, in their respective levels. They were Saskia A. Antiquenio and Ryan Aries B. Montero for the four-year Bachelor of Theology in Youth and Church Ministry, and Mario H. Mag-aso and Rene T. Orbita for the three-year Youth Worker’s Certificate.
These students, who years ago have little knowledge of God and the Bible, entered the Institute with a desire to be of used by God in the ministry. Their time spent in the Institute equipped them with sound doctrines and honed their character to be effective ministers in the mission field.

Xerwin Ceballos, SMO Board Chair, preached a message on Philippians 3:14, where Apostle Paul said, “I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The speaker reminded the graduates of three things: First, to press on and pursue righteousness as we are purchased by the perfection of Christ; second, to press on and pursue the excellencies of the knowledge of Christ; and third, to press on and pursue the goal which is the prize, the call of God in Christ. Ceballos added, “At the end of it all may we finish the race strong.”

Nenita del Mundo, SMO National Director, urged the graduates to consider God’s calling seriously adding that “mediocrity has no place in the ministry.” In her closing remarks, she outlined four things the graduates should remember: to submit to God, to be  humble before Him, to obey His Word, and to preach and live out His Word in one’s life.

Each year the Institute welcomes students who show willingness to be trained in Christian ministry. Academic and work scholarships are made available to those who qualify.

MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATES from National Director Nenita S. del Mundo:

“Beloved graduates, congratulations!

“Today is your much-awaited time to shine. Now is your opportunity to share to the world what you have learned from your training here at SMO Bible Training Institute. This is now your moment of truth. I challenge you to boldly declare your God before men. How?

“I have four basic things I want you to remember in order for you to show to the world who our Master is. These things are in the acronym – S.H.O.W.

“S – Submission. At SMO-BTI, you have been taught that our sovereign and wise God gave school authorities to oversee and rule over you; this includes the rules and policies given to instruct and guide you. We know that nothing happens randomly apart from God’s will or plan. Rules and authorities are meant to teach us the art of true submission. To submit with the right heart is also submitting to our Master who is the giver of both laws and authorities. If you have learned this lesson well while you are here, then, it will not be hard for you to accept whenever and wherever the Lord would lead you, or whatever circumstances He would allow you to experience. Submission to God includes poverty or wealth, sickness or good health, even life or death. This is our call as followers of Christ, to deny ourselves by dying daily, so that we may live the life of Christ in us.

H – Humility.  This virtue is hard to achieve because when we thought we have it, we actually lose it. Graduates, as you go to the place where God will send you, remember to serve God with all humility of mind. If our Master chooses to bless your ministry with bountiful harvests of souls or prosper the works of your hands as you have prayed or hoped for, then, give Him back all the glory. After all, we are only His instruments, channels and vessels to bless others. It is God who causes all things to prosper and grow. There is no place for self-glory, self-sufficiency and self-dependency in the Lord’s ministry. Let us be careful not to rob God of the glory due only unto Him. If there is one thing that we can be proud of, it is that our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ gave up His life for the love of His servants like us.

O – Obedience.  This Institute taught you how to engage in spiritual and personal disciplines. You have been taught the value of time. Every second, every minute, and every hour is precious. As we all say, “We live and move by the bell.” You may have obeyed what was demanded of you to do, but the question is, “How did you accomplish it?” God requires complete obedience in doing the work you are tasked to do and accomplishing it at the right time, the right way, and with the right attitude. When we do the Lord’s ministry, we do it more than just a duty, but a delight; that is complete obedience.

W – Words. It is one of the best expressions we can show who our God is. We are tasked to teach and preach God’s message of salvation. Our words are so powerful that it could either mean life or death. This is the main reason why you have been taught theology and doctrines in this Institute. Ministers should spend time diligently studying the Scriptures in order to rightly divide the word of truth. Simply put, we cannot teach or preach what we have not studied or learned. Therefore, studying and learning the Word of God is a never-ending discipline among God’s ministers. And I must add, our talk must be consistent with our walk. If our words do not match our works, we lose the authority of our words.

Graduates, now my fellow workers, I urge you to treat God’s calling seriously. Mediocrity has no place in the ministry. By God’s grace, let us live, and die for the cause of our Master who willingly gave His life for us. Let us show the world what kind of Master we have through our Submission, Humility, Obedience and Words.

Congratulations, graduates!

 

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

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Photoslides of SMO-BTI Foundation Day

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

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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.