At first, I thought it was near to impossible. When I was informed by my friends to be the 24-Hours worship event co-organizer with Pastor Alvin Lagasca with only three weeks to work it out, it was a crucial decision. Is this for real? Is this a really going to happen?
I remember quickly the preparation of BANSAMBA 2007, a twelve-hour non-stop worship on the 12th of June in honor to God as the ultimate giver of freedom. It took us almost (more than, is should say) six months to prepare. It was then that the church leaders and pastors of the Benguet region was not that united—at least from my own personal observation and point of view. Through the years, I noticed that most bickering and splits are not really doctrinal in nature; they are personal and power struggles among leaders. It was, of course, a hard lesson to understand as many are in denial stage. Thus, to organize comprehensive worship event that encompasses many local churches and organizations in unity is almost superficial even if the participating groups are called evangelicals. In short, we have had tough time doing it. By God’s grace, it did happen with the indigenous Cordilleran Christian way of worship in primary spot. With pastor-leader Vio Moncada (GNCC) as the event-coordinator with me and the rest of the working team headed by Pastor Dan Orencia (OIJCC), overseeing the twelve-hour ministry of continuous worship was highly successful.
On the other hand, by this time, I have better hopes that the 24-Hours united worship is, indeed, possible.
First, just a few hours after I came back from the US embassy, key spiritual leaders of Baguio and La Trinidad made a historic impact (and I would confirm it also as an answer to many intercessors’ prayers and fasting). May 9, 2008 at the UCCP church hall, a moral crisis in the city of Baguio concerning the Small Town Lottery (STL) led the spiritual leaders of the Body of Christ to stand in united opposition to it. In cognizance to this “lesser evil” to have full swing and birth to more evils, it only require for good men in the government and religious sectors to do nothing, but Baguio’s evangelical leaders refused to be apathetic, lethargic, and indifferent. It was a turning point to some extent knowing that the impact of the evangelical churches in the cities is very minimal—almost amounting to ground zero—because of factions and disunity. The subtle strategy of “divide and conquer” in the art of warfare is almost a spiritual principle here. But now, will the church people who voted for public officials willing to be led with some individuals who have no moral ascendancy and whose greed knows no bounds? Transformation is a must.
This transformation, however, is not based upon self-help or the capacity to do something based upon human power. History proves, those who fight against monsters—if they are not careful, and often even in the midst of it—become monsters themselves. This hyperbole, at least in a community level, can teach us and lead us that the more we fight evils, e.g. corruption, jueteng, greed, and the like, the more it will grow strong. (Remember that the root of evil is not money itself, it’s the misguided desire for it.) Because of the deceptiveness of human heart/nature, people refuse to acknowledge the difference between what is right from wrong, good and evil. Thus, the call to do what’s right is timely.
What is the right thing to do then? Shall God’s people rally in huge pack, conspire to create crisis, disturbing the streets, make noise, fight with the law with marching bands on the beachhead? Real transformation can hardly take place in the streets (besides, it will only make people more antagonistic, opposing, intimidating, and hardened). Highlighting the negative barely produces the desired positive transformation. What shall we do then?
Rally the band and march for the ultimate good, the highest ideal, and fight in a different realm that dictates the natural world. The old book tells us that we fight not against flesh and blood (or human battles), but against principalities, rulers of darkness and spiritual forces (Eph 6:12). But it is interesting that the context of this warfare strategy is in the macro-context of unity in the body (see chap 4). The church of Christ is the force to be reckoned with in the community on one condition: unite first and conquer.
Second, I have better hopes for the 24-Hour non-stop worship because of the watchmen who “conspired” ahead in setting the battle for victory. I was hesitant to know why is there a rush with three weeks ahead at exactly May 30 (9 AM ) to 31 (9 AM). With the desire for the City Council as a vessel of blessings and welfare to its constituents, there are spiritual watchmen who, in reality, have positive influence to help in building a better city that does not rely on the crooked ways to run a government. The Philippines as a whole is already famous for its corrupt political and institutional leaders. Patriotism is almost a derogatory ideal among Filipino young professionals, youth, and children (just ask them about what they want after schooling). If there is one reason why majority of Filipinos are at the losing end in the Philippines, it is because in many ways they sold their “birthright” to possess the land for their children; then they allow individuals without moral ascendancy to lead them and their children six feet under in a deluge of debt even up to the fourth generation.
Yes, I understand that May 30-31 is the Day of Pentecost in the Hebrew calendar. But what made me more hopeful as a Filipino Christian is the fact that on that day—just one day before, I facilitated and heard in our Cordillera Prayer Network that—spiritual leaders, pastors and intercessors in the lowlands, especially in Pozzorubio, ended their 40 to 60 days of prayer and fasting for spiritual revival to begin in Baguio City or uplands and flow to the towns and cities of island (and mind you, these leaders are not Cordillerans, but they have been fervently praying for the Cordilleras). Was it coincidental? In the church history, there was no revival, no not one revival, that occurred without intercessors who set ahead and establish the spiritual beachhead. I’m just thankful that God united first the intercessors of the Cordilleras—then the spiritual leaders, and, who knows, worship leaders-ministers next.
Thirdly, I’m more hopeful this time because of the manifest unity of the key spiritual leaders of BLIST (it stands for Baguio City, La Trinidad City, Itogon, Sablan, and Tuba—key cities and towns of Benguet in the northern Philippines). That day of May 9, 2008 was a landmark for the greater body of Christ in the Cordilleras as these leaders re-affirmed their binding relationship in Christ as brothers and sisters, not competitors or enemies. For those who participated, the presence of repentance, forgiveness and freedom dwelled among them as the spirit of Christ prevailed. Inspired by Chief Justice Reynaldo Puno’s life-changing journey to God, pastors and community leaders alike found greater assurance for a better nation. With Bishop Oscar Magallanes as the vision-keeper, the prophesied revival that will flow from the mountain is escalating. He stressed the evangelical Christians, comprising ten percent (10%) of the city population, to be passionate for the transformation of the city of Baguio, then the Philippines as a whole. This vision for transformation is “TO HAVE A GOD-FEARING CITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN PURSUE THEIR DREAMS AND LIVE A PEACEFUL LIFE.”
30-31 March 2008. And for the first time, the united, continuous twenty-four hour straight worship exploded in the very heart of Baguio; the purpose is focused on changing the spiritual atmosphere of the Cordilleras, Philippines. The goal was storming heaven for righteousness to prevail in Baguio City. The motif of “Doing What’s Right” goes beyond doing it right. Participating pastors and leaders came from various associations and denominations: the Assemblies of God, Association of Metro Baguio Christian Ministers, Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group, Cordillera Prayer Network, Cordillera Southern Baptist Churches, Free Believers in Christ, Good News Community Churches. Worship teams and intercessors from key local churches led the 24-hours praise and worship: Baguio Assemblies Community Church (Assemblies of God, Baguio), Cordillera Prayer Network (Baguio, La Trinidad), Free Believers in Christ (Baguio), Glorious Savior (Baguio), Good News Community Churches (Baguio), Guiding Light Ministries (Baguio), Four-Square Gospel Church (Loakan), Mt. Moriah (Baguio), One in Jesus Christ Church (Baguio), Rainbow Missions’ Dwelling Praise (La Trinidad), and United Church of Christ in the Philippines (Baguio).
Despite of my health challenges, I wanted to be part of this history in the making. Before they take the center stage for two hour slot, encouraging worship leaders, worship singers, and musicians to be facilitators in leading God’s people to worship in spirit and in truth was an honor. It is also a joy to see worship teams teaming up with fellows in order to make the ministry successful. As a leader, I found greater joy in seeing worship ministers maturing in their ministry as they learn to work with colleagues to achieve common purpose—the ultimate purpose: to glorify God in our lives.
Towards the end of the event, pastors from different local churches and denominations re-affirmed their unity and brotherhood in a meaningful, sacred communion. Vowing to each other, never again will indifferent spirit prevail. During the whole preparation, I was adamantly reminded that pride is the most vicious shadow in the heart of every leader; thus, only the way of Christ, his path of humility, can overpower such violent enemy from within.
IF WE WANT REAL TRANSFORMATION OF CITIES AND NATIONS, IT STARTS FROM GOD ABOVE AND FLOWS WITHIN US.
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