Santos 1207

EL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Ministry Updates end of 2007

Dear Ministry Partners,

Loving greetings in the most precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Once again, we would like to update you and share with you what the Lord is doing in our ministry here in the Philippines for the past 2 months. Since it is rainy reason in our country, most of our programs and church affairs were confined indoors. First of all, we would like to thank our loving God for your partnership, earnest prayers and kind support to our ministry. With you around, we feel great and strong as we face various challenges in the ministry. The family of EL Ministries will continue to pray that God's abundant blessings be upon you and your family.

Precious Heritage Children’s Home, Inc. (Orphanage Ministry)

We thank the Lord for helping us in the purchase of a small house in Barangay Baseco Manila. This house is being used by Pastor Roberto Magdaluyo, who has started a house church ministry in the place. There are 7 families who attend bible studies and prayer meeting every week. Last July 14, the ELMI pastors headed by Rev. Wilfredo Asumen dedicated the said house to the Lord. Baseco is one of the known inhabitants of the poorest families in Manila and the source of many vagabonds, snatchers and hold-uppers because of limited source of income. It is hoped that EL Ministries will be used by the Lord to empower the people through gospel proclamation and various empowerment programs.

We also praise God for giving us the opportunity to serve another batch of children in Antipolo as recipients of our Sponsor-A-Child program in partnership with Mission Community Services (MICOS). Together with the old batch, the additional 7 children will receive milk and educational cash allowance. These children belong to the poorest families in the place who can not afford to support their children’s education and basic needs. We also thank God also for the sponsors who pledged to donate some supplies for the children in our orphanage. Special thanks is being given to Bro. James Simpson who pledge regular support for the children’s ministry of April in the slum area of Tondo, Manila.

Precious Heritage Christian School

We thank the Lord for His continuous support and guidance to our pupils in Precious Heritage Christian School in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Secular subjects particularly Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are taught formally by my wife Levy who has a government license to teach. This school year, we have fifteen pupils and will still accept enrollees (since pre-school curriculum is not a ladderized program) whenever donors/supporters are available. Most of the children are from squatter’s area and it is a burden for them to produce things they need in school like school supplies, uniforms and snack allowance.

Christian Basketball Association

Last August 4, Christian Basketball Association (CBA) was formally launched EL Ministries International at Barangay Holy Spirit Covered Court in Quezon City. Rev. Wilfredo Asumen pointed out on his gospel preaching why the program carried the word “I believe”. The more than 100 players who attended the launching were blest by God through the power of His word and the activities conducted by the organizers. The CBA program is headed by Pastor Ramil Flores, who was elected as CBA Commissioner, Pastor Roberto Abella as CBA Adviser, and Pastor Wilfredo Asumen, Spiritual Adviser.

EL Ministries uses CBA ministry to reach-out unbelievers who are fond of playing basketball game. Aside from regular basketball tournament, CBA has the following programs: Basketball Evangelistic Camp, Basketball and Discipleship Camp, Basketball and Missions, Crime- and Drug-Watch Seminar, Seminar on Nation Building, Basketball Clinic and Summer Basketball League.

You can know more about the whole concept of CBA and more photos of the ministry by visiting this webpage: http://www.angelfire.com/home/eccmanila/cba.html.

Open Arms Bible Institute and Seminary

We praise the Lord for the on-going program of Open Arms Bible Institute and Seminary. The first trimester was completed last August 25, 2007. We are grateful to God for the volunteer instructors who are more than willing to sacrifice their time, talents and finances in teaching the new generation of leaders within our group to become effective servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. These gifted instructors of OABIS Philippines are scheduled to visit Mindoro province on October 20-24, 2007 with our International President Dr. Jeffrey Hoglen and company for a comprehensive training course offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degree subjects.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. House building for Children
Please pray for our plan to build a small building for the children in Antipolo. We are raising fund amounting to $2,000 for a small building made of light materials or $3,500 for concrete building. The old house being used is already dilapidated and not safety for the children. We are looking for partners who will help us in this great endeavor. Please pray only that God will provide sponsors for our 7 children who have no sponsor yet. The minimum support of $30 dollars per child is a great help which is good for the food and educational allowance per month.

2. Comprehensive Course in Mindoro
Please pray for upcoming OABIS Comprehensive Course to be conducted in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro this coming October 20-24, 2007. This is the second time that our school instructors are the ones going to student’s place to train them become effective servant-leader of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this time, the team will also conduct house church training and will visit the Mangyan (native people) tribe on the mountain. Please also pray for our financial needs.

3. Christian Basketball Association
Please pray for our Christian Basketball Association (CBA) program. This basketball ministry is being used by our churches to win young people to Christ. We are very grateful that God bless this ministry and many unbelievers who are part of this program are now attending our church services. We are in need financially for our administrative expenses.

4. Guitars (ordinary)
for our house church leaders in Metro Manila areas amounting to $50 each. Our house church leaders are requesting guitars to be used during their worship and fellowship meetings.

5. Two bicycles ($80 each) for our Pastors in Tondo and Baseco to be their means of transportation in conducting Bible Studies in the neighborhood and other barangays.

6. Please pray for the leadership and workers of EL Ministries who labor hard to serve the Lord. We need people who will pray for us in order to advance the Kingdom of God in our country.

7. Please pray also for our friends and ministry partners who help us in this endeavor. They indeed play a vital role in our mission in the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Their prayers, moral and financial support really boost us to do our best in serving God. They are always in our thoughts and prayers.

May the Lord richly bless you and keep you in His loving care. To God be the glory!

Pastor Joel B. Santos
Ministry Director