eLamdag BCBP Mandaue's ePublication June 2020 Issue

eLamdag
An e-publication of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and
Professionals, Mandaue Chapter <> June 2020
Our community stays together
“…nothing can ever separate us from God’s
Page 1 of 20
love…”

Editorial
Kuya Roel Bernales, Director of Programs and Services
This maiden issue of our electronic publication (E-
Lamdag)– as momentous as it is -- serves as another
small mark of the “new normal” engendered by the
COVID -19 pandemic. The need for social distancing,
community quarantine, and other strict health protocols prevents any physical
interaction with the usual glossy pages of our newsletter – and even with our fellow
brothers and sisters in the BCBP.
However, our connectivity as an community has in no way deterred. With the
COVID-19 weakening humanity in aspects that go beyond the physical, there is an
ever growing need to attain emotional and spiritual comfort in our respective homes.
In these months of quarantine, this is when spreading the light of Christ has to go
online, just like this eLamdag.
The broad scope of the Internet offers us in the BCBP a chance to resume a
semblance of our usual activities as a community from a distance. Thanks to the
likes of Zoom and Messenger, video calls allow for online gatherings of our Saturday
Breakfast Fellowships and regular Action Group Meetings. Maintaining the
interpersonal relationships we have with the rest of our community — albeit now
virtually — is crucial in strengthening the personal relationships that we have with
God individually, especially when it is becoming easier to succumb to feelings of
dread, isolation, and faithlessness in these times. Amidst the struggles we face in
getting past this crisis, it is always important to acknowledge the strength that we
can gain from our reliable fellowship with others and with God. Indeed, He does
make a way — especially when this is now attainable with simple clicks on our
smartphones.
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered many things in our routine, with the
absence of many forms of physical connection further exacerbating the bleakness
of adjusting to a life we have yet to become used to. But, rest assured, with smiles
and words of friendship being literally one call away, we will be able to continue
coping and growing through this crisis as one BCBP community, in a way that
remains safe and ever genuine.
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In this issue…
Editorial
Kuya Roel Bernales introduces the revival of eLamdag. 2
Reflection on Service
Kuya Egay thinks back on three years of service, shares the
lessons he learned and his hopes for the future of BCBP Mandaue.
The BCBP Mandaue Governance Team
Get to know our servant-leaders and their assignments. 4
Never Too Young: A Window into the Christ Youth Circle
Aidan Reuel Bernales explains wha the Christ Youth Circle is all
about.
Activities of the Life Formation Directorate
Kuya Noel Cabahug on the work of the Life Formation Directorate. 67
Team Effort can do its Best for the Lord
Kuya Jun Tagalog looks back on how we started online breakfasts. 9
Zooming to the Most High
Kuya Cezar Villacampa reflects on the use of technology for the
Intercessory Ministry and his Action Group.
The Family Life Directorate
Kuya Noel Alonzo writes about the mission of the Family Life
Directorate.
Just Starting out with BCBP
Kuya Marcelino and ate Rosvic Canitan share the viewpoint of new
BCBP members.
A Gift Called Talamban Mission
Kuya Paul Lerio recalls the journey of Talamban mission, and
reflects on the lessons he learned.
God’s Change Agents
Kuya Ren Sanapo discusses three ways we can serve as God's
change agents.
This issue was laid out by Kuya Rene Sanapo using contributions from cited authors.
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Reflections on Service
Kuya Edgar Nicolas, Chapter Head, BCBP Mandaue Chapter
In your three years
of service as
Chapter Head of
Mandaue Chapter,
what experiences
stand out for you?
There were so many
experiences that
really stand out and
its quite difficult to
specify which is
weightier than the
others. In general
terms, I believe that
the most significant
are the harassments
experienced by the
governance team
members. We had a
very very good start
and so many of our
activities have been
exceptionally
successful. The
governance team as
a group hurdled many challenges and came
up with very good results until the evil one
harassed the team. Despite the difficulties,
with a lot of prayers, decisions were made,
actions taken and eventually the Lord
allowed us to learn and see the positive side
of things. The learnings I got from our elders
in the many years I was with them
confirmed that in service, there is no place
for complacency, something will always
come out and it will not always be good.
Many are challenges in disguise. We were
tested in fire. We matured from those hard
experiences. We turned up stronger than
ever.
What do you consider to be the most
important accomplishments of your
service as Chapter Head?
The inseparable couple-servants of God, Kuya Edgardo “Egay” G. Nicolas
and ate Marilyn P. Nicolas. They have been BCBP members since 1994,
graduates of BCLP 2 Mactan, and BCMR 1. Kuya Egay started his term
as Chapter Head in 2018 and will complete his service by end of 2020. The
couple is looking forward to their 0th wedding anniversary on December 7,
2020.
The main responsibility of the Chapter head
I believe is to be the “good shepherd” so I
should consider that as my basis of
accomplishment, or a greater part of it.
What keeps me awake at night is thinking
how to keep the flock engaged, well-led,
and united. The latter is difficult. The
community is made up of people with
different upbringing, culture, level of
spirituality, education and spirituality. It is a
big challenge to unify all and at all times.
To measure the accomplishment, we go
back to some numbers because “you
cannot argue with numbers”. Shepherding
can be demonstrated by the attendance of
members in our activities specially in
breakfasts where we see many first timers,
graduates and eventually BCLP participants
until their elevation to members in formation.
We are successful there.
Page 4 of 20

The chapter head alone cannot manage the
whole group, so the need for many and
qualified leaders. We’ve proven that we
have a robust pool of current leaders and
leaders in the future long after I’m done as
chapter head and the next. As the leader, I
made it a point that the chapter will have
more than enough leaders that will be ready
to take the helm in the next several years.
As a group, I believe the important measure
of accomplishment is that everything we
envision will happen in the three years. I
think we even exceeded ourselves.
What have been the most challenging
aspects of leading BCBP Mandaue?
As I mentioned earlier, unity is most
challenging, I can say that in all
organizations and in all locations I’ve been
in the past, and present this is something
we cannot not see. At times I have to just
remind myself that we cannot please
everybody. There’s this saying I feel is very
true – I do not know the key to success but
the key to failure is to try to please
everybody. Maybe I am too naïve to think
that it will be different in a charismatic
community like the BCBP.
If it is any consolation, majority of our
members work as a team even with their
differences. Many can set aside personal
differences and work for the success of
tasks assigned.
As you pass the leadership to a new set
of servants, what are your hopes and
prayers for the Chapter and its
members?
Being with the community for 25 years, I
saw for myself the growth of BCBP and
how the community changed, reformed and
at times saved the lives of others. It is my
prayer that the community will continue to
do so with the same if not more vigor and
passion. I hope to see more young people
having that zeal to serve with humility ever
present in their hearts and minds.
We have a treasure trove of talents and
resources, I hope they can be tapped of
their full potential and be generous in their
time and resources to serve and contribute
to the mission and vision of the BCBP.
The BCBP Mandaue Governance Team
Chapter Head- Kuya Egay and Ate Arlene Nicolas
Mission Director- Kuya Jun and Ate Inday Tagalog
Life and Formation Director - Kuya Noel and Ate Wena Cabahug
Program and Services Director- Kuya Roel and Ate Cheekie Bernales
Family Life Director - Kuya Noel and Ate Dinah Alonzo
Unit Leaders:
Unit A - Kuya Dong and Ate Cyd Josol
Unit B - Kuya Julius and Ate Felma Soliban
Unit C - Kuya Ding and Ate Liclac Seismundo
Unit D -Kuya Shoti and Ate Mines Dorado
Chapter Treasurer
Kuya Ernest and Ate Jo Bareno
Page 5 of 20

Never Too Young: A Window into the Christ
Youth Circle
Aidan Reuel Bernales
One thing
Christians
often
associate with
Jeremiah is his
youth. When God
called him, he was
only 17 years old.
He doubted his
ability to do the
Lord’s will. He said
he didn’t even
know how to speak
as the prophets did.
He was not
confident enough to
preach to a group
of people, be brave
enough to stand against a king. The Lord
replied, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You
must go to everyone I send you to and
say whatever I command you. Do not be
afraid of them, for I am with you and will
rescue you,”
We never expected how fun this CYC experience would be. We had
enjoyable games and activities which helped us understand how to become
better Christians. Not only did it guide us in our spiritual journey, it also
created a friendship and companionship among all the CYC kids present.
morality and ability to know right from
wrong. CYC desires to input appropriate
values to children through the teachings
of the Church and Bible lessons. CYC
encourages children to grow knowing
they have the aid of a loving Father who
will guide and rescue them.
This quotation is the foundation of
BCBP’s Christ Youth Circle (CYC). The
BCBP community is not limited to grownups.
It also trains young people to
become good and faithful Christians.
Faith is best developed at a young age.
Childhood and adolescence are vital
stages that make or break a child’s belief
in religious doctrines and dogmas. In
these stages a child develops a sense of
They do this through methods that are
valuable and fun. They seek out venues
for sing-alongs to Gospel music. They
watch movies depicting life of characters
in the Bible. Parents are highly
encouraged to bring their children with
them to masses and plant different
activities fitted for the youth in their BCBP
programs. They host different game
nights, sleepovers, and camp activities
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that allow the children to experience the
different walks and struggles of life with
each other. These activities are not only
fun, memorable, and picture-worthy, but
they also carry deeper meanings with
them, no matter how light or short the
activity is. Every single one is special
and handpicked to perfection by the CYC
community so children will get the best
experience with the Lord.
Looking at the bigger picture, however,
CYC isn’t just an avenue for young ones
to confront their Christianity, but it is a
community. It is a gathering of children of
all types and allows them to make
friends with each other and create bonds
that transcend their regular meetings in
school and at home. CYC is a group that
connects children together in a spiritual
journey that no other group can replicate.
CYC teaches children that they are
never too young for anything. It is a
community that trains the youth not to be
afraid for their Lord is with them and will
rescue them.
Activities of the Life Formation
Directorate
Kuya Noel+Ate Wen, Life Formation Directorate
Breathe in me O Holy
Spirit, that my thoughts may all
be holy. ... Draw my heart O Holy
Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend
all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy
Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Much of the activities of BCBP
Mandaue Chapter Life
Formation Directorate (LFD),
which covers the Music Ministry,
Liturgical and Intercessory Ministry has
been put into a virtual standstill due to
the Community Quarantine protocols
that requires social distancing and
avoidance of mass gatherings.
Significantly affected are the formation
activities for graduates of our Christian
Life Program (CLP) which are;
1. Brotherhood Free to Follow the Lord
Weekend
2. Brotherhood Christian Marriage
Retreat
3. Brotherhood Christian Business
Retreat
4. Brotherhood Way of Life Weekend
Primarily the recent graduates of
BCLP#21 who had their graduation last
November 9, 2019 are our greatest
concerns. We also have residual
graduates from the previous CLPs who
have not yet completed their required
formation programs.
Page 7 of 20

MUSIC MINISTRY
The Music Ministry is involved in almost
all of the Chapter activities from the First
Friday Mass & Teachings Nights,
Chapter Assembly, Breakfast
Fellowships, and in all other activities
where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is
celebrated.
Currently, the Music Ministry is assisting
in our Virtual Saturday Breakfast
Fellowships taking charge for the
selection and the singing of the opening
song, gathering songs, response song
and closing song.
Before the Covid19 Community
Quarantine, the BCBP Mandaue Choir
serves during the 9:00 a.m. Mass on the
first Sunday of each and every month.
The BCBP Mandaue Chapter Music
Ministry is presently working on
producing its own compilation of Praise
& Worship Songs songs that it can use
anytime during virtual/on-line Chapter
activities.
INTERCESSORY MINISTRY
mighty prayer warriors in the chapter, a
blend of the veterans and new members.
We are happy to announce that they
continue to accept prayer petitions as
they continue to gather and pray for all of
us in their regular Intercessory Meetings
via Zoom technology. Let us also pray for
our Intercessory Ministry.
LITURGY MINISTRY
With the avoidance of large gatherings,
there has been no recent activity for our
Liturgy Ministry since the First Friday
Mass for February of this year.
For future celebration of the Holy
Eucharist (First Friday Mass), we are
thinking of physically attending the Mass
with the members of the Liturgy Ministry
and just enough other members to
comply with the social distancing
limitations.
This will be broadcasted in the chapter's
FaceBook page so that all other
members can attend virtually.
BCBP Mandaue Intercessory Ministry is
composed of the most dedicated &
Want to be part of the BCBP Mandaue Virtual Choir?
The Music Ministry is looking for members who want to contribute their beautiful
voices and faces to a virtual choir. The objective is to create a short album of songs
that we can play online, during our Breakfasts, Action Group Meetings, Teaching
Night, or Chapter Assemblies. Please contact Kuya Bimbo Plasus (Bimbo Soco
Plasus on FB Messenger) or Ate Wen Cabahug (NoelWen Sustento Cabahug on FB
Messenger).
Page 8 of 20

Team Effort can do its Best for the Lord
Kuya Jun Tagalog, Mission Directorate
My knowledge of
the internet is
limited to surfing
for work-related news. I
have been active Facebook and other
social media, but I did not know much
about online meetings - until recently.
our first ever virtual Breakfast Fellowship
last March 28, 2020.
Our utmost appreciation to Kuya Egay
for agreeing right away to be our Sharer.
He had just two days to prepare his
sharing to make it relevant to our current
situation and yet it was powerful. Our
thanks too to Kuya Noel & Ate Wen
for always helping us as singer,
sharer, and emcees. And of course
to Kuya Sim for reviewing and
advising on the sharings.
When lockdown was imposed in
Cebu in the middle of March,
gathering of people was prohibited.
I worried about our Breakfast
Fellowships on Saturdays at BIG
Hotel. As Head of the Mission
Directorate, this is my primordial
responsibility. It is the community’s main
tool of realizing its vision of “Bringing
Christ into the Marketplace and Winning
the Marketplace for Christ.”
True enough, we were not able to have a
Breakfast Fellowship last March 21,
2020. But just three days later, Kuya
Ren suggested that we stage a virtual
Breakfast Fellowship. With the help of
Kuya Gary, Kuya Shoti, Kuya Bimbo and
Kuya Arlonne, we were able to try the
not-so-famous Zoom App. Then we had
Yes, we had our technical glitches but we
kept on improving every Saturday for the
Lord. Research and innovation never
stopped amongst our technical team.
So when our Regional Council Director,
Tatang Marvin Soco, asked us to host
the first BCBP North Region Breakfast
Fellowship last March 23, 2020, we said
yes.
Thank you Lord for the great opportunity
to be of service to you. May these things
we do be pleasing to you. All glory to
you, O Lord God!
Page 9 of 20

Zooming to the Most High
by Kuya Cezar Villacampa
This Covid-19
pandemic has
brought out the
best of humanity. It has
become a perfect storm that enables us to
realize that life is beau=ful and precious but
ephemeral. The lockdown was an
awakening as it provided us ample =me to
reflect on things we hold dear given the
reali=es of our aBachments to this material
world. All wealthy na=ons were caught offguard
and were shaken to the core as their
much vaunted superior and advanced health
care systems were no match to the havoc
wreaked by the virus. A new normal has
emerged with people recognizing that even
the collec=ve collabora=on of the brilliant
minds in the medical fields, the search for an
an=dote is far from over. And indeed,
amidst this crisis is man’s realiza=on that
there is a God up there who takes control of
everything.
Fear of the unknown ini=ally got into my
system as I felt paranoid. But then I
recognized how blessed I am to know more
of my God through BCBCP. The community
through its spiritually-enriching ac=vi=es
such as the breakfast mee=ngs, ac=on group
mee=ngs, chapter assemblies and teaching
nights have become an effec=ve support
system… a way of life in my journey towards
becoming a beBer Chris=an. And just like
water which seeks its own level, I also felt
the “spiritual dryness” in the early weeks of
the ECQ period as I sorely missed these
regular BCBP ac=vi=es. The on-line masses I
aBended encouraged me to invest on a
video conferencing tool so I could reconnect
with my brothers and sisters in the
community - Zoom. I surmised that my
monthly subscrip=on would be a worthwhile
investment that yields las=ng return,
perhaps not on the financial side, but
certainly on the spiritual and social
dimension of my being.
My Zoom journey has been a rewarding
experience which started off with the online
Sta=ons of the Cross hosted by our Unit D.
on April 8, 2020. The posi=ve feedback
inspired me to do even more for my Ac=on
Group and for the Intercessory Ministry, of
which I am an ac=ve member. It is true that
technology has become an enabler, an
effec=ve pla[orm in this period of lockdown,
S=ll, the movers and users behind our online
ac=vi=es were the ones who made these
successful. They gave their =me unselfishly,
humbly accepted the roles they were given,
and given, and cooperated fully. Kudos then
to all Unit D members!
I could not be much prouder of my Kuyas
and Ates in D2 Ac=on Group. The on-line
AGMs allows us to become more open to
each other during the ECQ period. The BCBP
teachings and mission of bringing Christ to
the marketplace, I believe, was the driving
force that prompted us to share our
blessings with those who were affected by
the lockdown. We have discerned that it is
not about how much we have but what we
do with it that maBers most. My special
thanks to Kuya Rolando and Kuya Mars who
unselfishly braved the loca=on of the
iden=fied recipients.
The on-line AGM also brought us closer to
one of our sister working outside the
country, Ate Fe, who joins every ac=on
group mee=ng. Truly the world is ge`ng
flaBer each day and we thank our Lord for
this gib of technology.
Page 10 of 20

What keeps me and my wife Vangie secure
and at peace in this =me of pandemic is our
firm belief of the power of prayer. The Lord
has been our constant source of strength
and refuge as we grappled on the day-to-day
challenges of being in a lockdown. As a
zoom subscriber I volunteered to do the
hos=ng of our regular intercessory prayer
every Saturday morning and with God’s
grace we just recently completed our
seventh straight week from the =me we
started last April 25, 2020. Praying
unceasingly for the pe==ons and inten=ons
of our brothers and sisters in the community
is an an=dote by itself as we are also soaked
and immersed in the struggles, challenges
and the pain they are suffering, thus,
realizing that our worries and concerns far
pales in comparison. The triumph of the
human spirit in situa=on that seems so
hopeless is always God’s manifesta=on of his
abundant mercy and love. The challenges in
the connec=vity and the familiarity of the
technology did not deter our seasoned
prayer warriors. Unknowingly, they have
imparted to me the real values of pa=ence
and commitment in the service of the Lord.
In closing, allow me to quote Mother Teresa
when she said, “God shapes the world by
prayer. The more praying there is in the
world, the beBer the world will be and the
migh=er the forces will be against evil.”
Indeed to get us all back to our feet aber this
pandemic, we need to realize the power of
ge`ng down to our knees. Technology is
God’s gib to mankind, how we will use it is
our gib to Him. Come and go up to the
mountain of the Lord and with bended
knees, let’s con=nue zooming to the Most
High!
Page 11 of 20

The Family Life Directorate
by Kuya Noel Alonzo
The basic
pastoral
development
framework we
adopted in this
ministry is “HIM”.
It’s a memory aid
that helps us remember that the BCBP
member must find a Home in BCBP;
together with peers they have an Initial
experience of Christ, and with the Holy
Spirit they are given a sense of Mission.
So the vision of the Family Life
Directorate is a BCBP that is a Spirit-filled
and evangelistic Family of Families living
in the grace of God’s Order and Harmony.
As the National Service Coordinating
Team for Family Life observed the
different BCBP Chapters, being aware of
the movement of the Spirit in BCBP, they
saw that the Lord wanted us not to be just
a community of couples but a "family of
families".
At first this might seem like veering away
from the main BCBP mission
of Evangelizing the Market Place. In fact,
BCBP member couples become better
evangelizers when they are able to fulfill
their primary responsibility and vocation
of being family men and women, and their
family is in God's order and harmony.
Pope John Paul II prophesied that "the
Christian family would play a vital role in
the new springtime of evangelization".
Inspired by this, the BCBP leadership
decided that the Brotherhood shall play a
role in bringing the family together and
presenting the family to Jesus; in the
process, preparing the members and their
families to be at the forefront of the New
Evangelization.
The Family Life Directorate was thus
integrated and installed in all Chapters of
the Community. Its task is to promote
strong family ties and relationships
among all couple members and their
children. Through its activities, all
centered on teaching Jesus Christ as our
Lord and savior, the Directorate aims to
make all family members feel at home in
the community.
Today members’ children are involved in
various BCBP community activities. The
children ate grouped by age - those
between 1 and 12 years old are in the
“Kids’ Group”, while those between 13
and 19 are in the Christ Youth Circle.
Older children are in the Young
Professionals.
The Family Life Directorate’s annual
annual activities include Family Day (all
members with their families), Summer
Sports/Outing and for Teens, and the
Leadership Training in Cool Camp/Camp
Courage during summer, and a retreat
called Fuego in November. A monthly
Teen Action Group (TAG) Meeting allows
members to reflect on messages from the
Bible, and how Jesus Christ has touched
their personal, family, and school
activities.
All these activities were initiated and
facilitated by our dedicated and very
active servants of Christ, Kuya Rhine and
Ate Shaun Acre.
Our fervent prayers are for a Bible Study
for kids while their parents are having our
regular breakfasts on Saturdays, and for
more Coffee Talks with Young
Professionals - in God’s own time, when
this covid threat is gone.
Page 12 of 20

Just Starting out with BCBP
by Kuya Marcelino and ate Rosvic Canitan
After
finishing
CLP21,
we experienced
an overflowing
GRACE. The gift of community, new
friends and acquaintances but more to
that is the acceptance of God as our
savior, protector, and provider and that
knowing and understanding that we are
but his stewards here on earth.
We are always excited and look forward
for the BCBP breakfast every weekend,
to hear the stories of the sharers. It is
through their sharing that we felt that
God is talking to us and it also serves as
our reminder and encouragement to
move forward in life. The BCBP
Breakfast every Saturday feels like a
reset button for us for the busy days we
spent over the week. It is for these
reasons that we felt the urge to spread
the grace we received after joining BCBP
by inviting people we know to join our
BCBP Breakfast every Saturday.
Moreover, by being active in our Action
Group Meetings we were able to learn
more about the community’s perspective
and teachings. The personalized
discussions and insights we share in our
AGM help us nurture our relationship
with God. Through our AGM we were
able to foster a closer bond with our
group mates that feels more like our
extended family.
In the midst of this pandemic that is
currently “disconnecting” the world, our
being with BCBP and being active to
AGM became more valuable and
significant to us. As we prayed and
worship together, we never felt the
disconnect. We treat each other as
Family and for us this is the major factor
that could help a new member, like us,
feel at home with the community.
Sincerity, humility, patience and
understanding are the values that BCBP
can extend towards its new members
that could improve their experience. The
sincerity, humility, patience and
understanding of the DGLs and AGLs to
their new members spells a lot of
difference towards our experience; for
this inspires
us more to
be active
with the
community.
We are
looking
forward to
inviting
more
members to
join the
community.
We pray
that they will
be touched
in the way
God,
through
BCBP,
touched our
lives. We
also look
The Canitan couple with
their children. Jun
Rafael (11), Merle
Ysabelle (9), Maria Sofia
(7).
forward to learn more from our Ates and
Kuyas and become better Christians
through BCBP.
Page 13 of 20

A Gift Called Talamban Mission
Kuya Paul Lerio
Sometime in year
2016, I and Isabel
were invited by
our then Chapter Head of Mandaue,
Kuya Bing Sarigumba and Ate Annie
over a cup of coffee. Kuya Bing shared
to us his idea of starting a Mission in
Talamban. At that same moment, we
were asked if we were willing to serve as
coordinator for a planned mission in
Talamban. Said meeting turned out to
be brief and fruitful for it did not take a
minute before we said yes to the service.
No fear or worry set in. We put our trust
to Kuya Bing and Ate Annie and most of
all to our God who takes care of
everything.
We knew fully well our incapability and
limitations but our faith was stronger
than our fears. After all, God has always
kept his promise in all the services he
entrusted to us in our 14 years with the
Brotherhood.
From the words of Kuya Bing back then,
Talamban Mission was Mandaue
Chapter’s special offering to God . A
way to “give back” for He has been so
kind and generous to Mandaue Chapter.
He blessed Mandaue Chapter with very
hardworking, commited and passionate
leaders and members. Furthermore,
Mandaue Chapter was also identified as
one of the chapters with very high tithing
percentage.
How it Started
We began by doing research about
Talamban, its population and business
centers, as required We tried to identify
possible Breakfast venues. Result of
the study was forwarded to BCBP
National for review and approval . It was
a very smooth start and we felt God was
putting everything in order.
Talamban Mission started with few
servants doing multi-tasking. During
Breakfast Meetings, everybody helped in
every task that needs to be done from
the setting up of tarps, registration, food,
music. Some members were meant to
just be there, as greeters, and
intercessors whose presence was very
crucial in every Breakfast to manifest the
sense of community . There was no
governance team yet, no hierarchy.
The first Breakfast Meeting on June 10,
2017, held at Talamban Leisure Center
was supposed to be a very small
gathering, for we only anticipated a few
people to respond to our invitation. If
God will give us 10 first timers, that
would be enough to inspire us. But God
did not only inspire us, he awed us by
giving us 31 First Timers.
Not an easy Journey after all
Talamban Mission, with the approval of
the Mother Chapter Governance,
decided to hold Breakfast every
Saturday to maintain the momentum of
the Breakfasters. However, one very
pressing problem we encountered was
the attendance of the regular members.
There were instances when we only had
26 Breakfasters. We lacked 14 heads to
meet the requirement of the venue. The
problem was raised to the Mother
Chapter who immediately acted to
resolve the concern. Members of
Mandaue Chapter, who live in areas
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close to Talamban were added. From
the original 40, membership became 60.
Inviting First Timers at Breakfast became
harder and if ever we do have, very few
met the qualifications set for a BCLP
participant. Week after, week, our
prayers were centered on having First
Timers. We understood even more what
it meant when we say “A Breakfast
without a first timer is a failed Breakfast”,
Talamban as a Mission needs to work
doubly hard to invite First Timers, in
order to be true to its reason for being.
members. For one to feel left out or
unimportant was the least we want them
to feel.
With all these issues and concerns
emerging, the governance of Mandaue
Chapter, headed by Kuya Egay Nicolas
was there all along, giving full support
and prayers for Talamban Mission.
Amidst issues and concerns, there was
no stopping at all. Eventually, Talamban
Mission started with its very First BCLP
in 2018 with Kuya Jun Tagalog as the
Course Leader with 17 graduates. This
was followed a year after by BCLP2, with
Talamban Mission was determined to
shepherd the new recruits, that they may
always feel they belong. Nurturing new
members was the priority. We thought,
everyone in the mission spoke the same
language. However, we realized that not
all of us were looking at the same page,
some members needed equal nurturing
and sense of importance. This has led
the mission team to feel the heaviness of
the service even more; on how we can
effectively handle the emotions of all the
Kuya Julius Soliban as course leader
with 19 graduates. Seeing our BCLP
graduates actively serving and hearing
their personal encounter with God truly
inspire us all and simply make us realize
how it was all worth it.
Last April 13, 2019, Talamban Mission
was installed as an Outreach with its
own Governance Team and this year
2020 has been set as installation year for
chapter hood.
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Definitely starting a mission is not a walk
in the park. It is a test of courage,
determination, and humility, of how far
can you go embracing the cross of
Christ. Looking back, on how it all
started, we cannot help but look up and
say thank you to our great God for the
beautiful journey. The pain and the joys
made everything fascinating. We now
understand perfectly why a Mission has
to be initiated. We cannot just confine
Jesus and his greatness in our hearts.
We are His witnesses and we need to
spread His truth. We now understand
the plight of the apostles, their struggles
and
victories when they were sent to Judea,
Samaria for a mission.
The Mission also enabled us to realize
and appreciate the sincerity and
genuineness of each servant. On how
they took themselves out of their comfort
zones and rise above for the love of the
mission. Serving has become a way of
life. We could honestly say, all of us,
servants of Talamban, that we have been
nurtured and purified by the mission and
if we shall be asked over and over again
if we are willing to bring the Mission to
where God wants it to be, we’d
courageously say yes…
Reflections
This writing is inspired from the letters of
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the
world to shame the wise; God chose the
weak things of the world to shame the
strong. God chose the lowly things of
this world and the despised things—and
the things that are not—to nullify the
things that are, so that no one may boast
before him, and Isaiah 14:31, “Those
who trust in the Lord will find new
strength”.
Jesus chose 12 common people to be
HIS apostles and instructed to go to all
the nations and make disciples. The task
seems impossible? In human
perspective yes, but the Lord made
everything possible because He is there
with them every step of the way and the
twelve chose to follow Him. When the
Lord gives us a task, the only thing that
makes it difficult to do is our doubt, our
hesitation and rebelliousness. All these
things can only be attained by
completely submitting our trust in HIM
through the strength that He provides to
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us His servants. God chooses common
people with the willingness to be used by
Him.
I was attending a BCBP meeting then
when our former Chapter Head Kuya
Bing Sarigumba approached me during
the session break and without hesitation
asked me if I and my wife can lead the
Talamban Mission. I was not able to
reply to him at that moment, I was a bit
dumfounded, trying to process what our
CH is trying to convey to me. And the
Holy Spirit whispered in my heart to
accept the task.
This was 2017. I have this fear and
doubt in my heart, I am reluctant
knowing the huge task I am about to
face.
But God thru the Holy Spirit assured me
of His promise that He will be with me
every step of the way. After all, this was
a God-given opportunity and who am I to
say no to HIM.
It took only 1 year of the Mission when it
was elevated to Outreach. Even more, I
feel the loads are getting heavier. But,
one thing is certain I will never give up
the task handed to me whatever it cost
me.
It is in this service that I encounter
continues rubbing and purification. I
honestly felt my unworthiness for this
service in terms of maturity, faith and
leadership I have made decisions that
have hurt the members of the mission
and have led others to shy away
because I failed to do what I should do.
In prayer, I lift up to God the Outreach,
for it to remain cohesive and forceful for
the Lord despite my weakness. In my
inadequacy, I develop a sense of
humility, I learned to be patient, and I
learned to place everything in God’s
hands, for Him to fill-up whatever I lack.
And true enough, God has placed his
mighty hands over the Outreach by
blessing it with very cooperative,
dedicated and empowered servants. To
me they are the hands of God working,
supplying what I lack. I may have felt
unqualified but God qualifies me by
giving me a very supportive team and
great mentors in the form of the
governance and elders.
My main qualifications when I accepted
the headship of the Mission was my faith
in the Lord, and my availability and
willingness to serve him. I believed that
GOD doesn’t give us what we can
handle; God helps us handle what we
are given.
Leadership in the community was not an
easy task, as outreach head I must
juggle between my work activities and
my BCBP duties. Again, with the strength
the Lord has given me, no amount of
stressor can let me down in doing God’s
work by spreading the community’s
evangelistic mission to the Market place
where we belong.
When I encountered obstacles, trials and
concerns, I immersed myself deeply in
prayer, asking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom
and guidance. For prayer is my only
refuge and where I can find strength and
assurance from God offering all our
plans most especially those concerning
our members. I also enhanced and
deepened my scriptural readings hoping
to find answers to my quandary.
Spending time with God, puts everything
in perspective. Proverbs 3:5 -6 gave me
a clue. “Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own
understanding, in all your ways
Page 17 of 20

acknowledged Him, and He shall direct
your path.”
Events such as these t lifted up my spirit
and heart. It reminds me that everything
happens in accordance to God’s will.
From these experience, I learned the
following lessons.
First, there are those who join
covenanted community such as BCBP
for varied reasons that can benefit them
like friendship, fellowship activities, boast
personal appreciation etc. But this
should not be the primary. True
conversion to Christ is the beginning and
end of community life. If a member has
not had this genuine conversion then his
first focus will not be the Lord but the
self-interest he has and the personalities,
the programs of the community which
are just tools to genuine conversion to
Christ. Communities are but tools to
Christ.
Second, I learned that true obedience
needs the following:
Total Humility because as leaders we
are not in total command but God is;
Deepening of Faith, as a true follower of
Jesus Christ one should learn to “submit
to authority” because we cannot follow
God’s delegated leaders without faith in
God Himself.
Patience, this will encapsulate all of the
above virtues in order to become a true
leader. Patience bears love…. Love for
neighbor (members) and love of Self
(GOD). Sometimes God will put Goliath
in your life, for you to find the David
within you.
I can say with all sincerity that I am a
now a practicing Christian. And that I am
God’s work-in-progress. I have
surrendered myself to God and
submitted myself to the authority that
runs the BCBP.
I did not plan all these. But God did
organize. He is arrange everything for
me and I am sure He has more plans for
me in the future, but whatever it will be, I
will accept them and embrace them. As I
rely on the promise In Isaiah 14:31,
“Those who trust in the Lord will find new
strength”. To God all be the Glory. May
God bless us all!
We Want You!
To share your time and talent to put together the next issue of eLamdag!
This issue came to be by the grace of God, who touched the hearts of contributors to
write their articles and share their pictures. In the next issues, we will still rely on God’s
help. We also asked him to send brothers and sisters in BCBP Mandaue and
Talamban to help.
To put together the next issues, we will need a team to plan the stories, engage
writers, write some of the stories, get pictures, lay out the e-newsletter. No experience
needed, only a willingness to serve the Lord through this publication.
Please contact kuya Roel Bernales on Facebook Messenger. Thanks!
Page 18 of 20

God’s Change Agents
Kuya Ren Sanapo
The first two
paragraphs of
BCBP’s
mission statement
says a lot about to
say about change:
- we are committed to being change
agents in the market place
- our first goal in pursuing changes in
the marketplace is to “assure more
and more” that business dealings and
practices in the companies we work in
are “imbued with justice, honesty, and
integrity”
- our second goal is to “being about
genuine development of our country
that will benefit all”
- we accomplish this by, among others,
a process of on-going personal
conversion
- and by evangelization of business
people and professionals.
There are three ways we can work as
agents of change.
First, we can continue to change
ourselves. Can you remember how you
changed when you first accepted Jesus
Christ as your savior, and committed to
follow him? Many of us were passionate
about our conversion, and started
showing changes in our behavior right
away. We became less irritable, more
organized, kinder, or spent more time
with our families, etc. For others, the
changes showed only after some time.
In all of us, these changes happened
with the inspiration and help of the Holy
Spirit.
Are you continuing your efforts to
become more like Jesus? If so, what
changes have you made in your
behavior lately? Do you hear the Holy
Spirit guiding you, in your prayers, Bible
reading, circumstances, or through other
people, towards the changes that God
wants you to make?
Let me tell you one of the recent
changes I had to make, lately. I have
been working from home, depending on
electronics to connect with the office. I
got irritated every time my daughter
interrupted me. Once while I was
working late, a Bible app brought up the
verse of the day - about laying down
one’s life. I read it, then continued
working. But a part of my mind
processed that verse. Suddenly, it hit
me: if I could not even lay down my work
for my daughter, how could I lay down
my life? Since then I have set aside
time for my little girl.
The changes we have to make in our
personal life and behavior are part of our
continuing repentance - our turning away
from sinful ways to God’s ways. St Paul
said we should “put away the old self of
your former way of life, corrupted
through deceitful desires, and be
renewed in the spirit of your minds, and
put on the new self, created in God’s
way in righteousness and holiness of
truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24). And so we
discern and make the changes that God
wants us to make in ourselves, now and
for the rest of our lives - this is what our
mission statement calls“on-going
personal conversion”.
Page 19 of 20

An important point to remember: on our
own we can’t make many of these
changes. It is only with the help of the
Holy Spirit that we are able to replace
our ingrained undesirable attitudes and
behavior.
The second way we can be an agent of
change for Christ is to bring other
professionals and business people to
him. We do this when we invite them to
breakfast - even to our online breakfasts.
However, the more powerful way is by
living our lives according to our faith.
This, of course, is closely related to the
changes we are making in our daily
lives. When our own lives reflect Jesus’
kindness and love, and we invite people
to BCBP, they will probably think, “That
explains why this person is kind/fair/
etc… he is a follower of Christ.”
When we have brought others to Christ,
we need all the more to make the
changes that God wants us to do in our
lives. Paul says that obedience to Christ
is like being in a race: we have to do it
as if we are competing for a price. We
have to discipline ourselves. Otherwise,
after having preached God to others, we
ourselves might be disqualified (1
Corinthians 9:24-27).
The third way we can serve as Christian
agents for change is by initiating or
supporting changes in our businesses so
that our practices will be “more and
more” consistent with God’s will. If we
notice something in our practices that
violates God’s commands, we should do
what we can to stop it.
And if we notice that our customers or
colleagues are being treated unfairly or
given a hard time, it would not be
enough to wish them well and say we’ll
pray for them. As the apostle James
said, “If one of you tells him, “Go in
peace; stay warm and well fed,” but
does not provide for his physical needs,
what good is that? So too, faith by itself,
if it is not complemented by action, is
dead (James 2:16-17).”
When we decide to pursue change in
our business or place of work, we must
first examine our motives. If our
intention is to “seek the good of the
other”, then we should proceed. When
our change efforts are inspired by love
for others, we can say, like Jesus, that
we seek not our own glory, but he glory
of Him who sent us (John 8:50).
In the course of pursuing change, we will
encounter setbacks and problems.
People who want to block our efforts
may use the “ways of the world” to stop
us, like accusing us of things that are not
true. Let’s not be dismayed when that
happens - Jesus already told us that
since they did those things to Him, they
can easily do the same to us.
And let us not respond with evil thoughts
or actions. Instead, let’s remember that
people who oppose the changes that
we’re working for are also loved by God.
So let’s find ways to respond with love,
and overcome with good.
Then when our change efforts bear fruit,
let us remember that it is only with God’s
help that we have accomplished
anything.
Changes in our personal lives, work and
enterprises will continue as we journey
with God and seek to give more glory to
Him.
What change does God want you to
make today?
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