Lawaan Building Repairs Completed

We had the privilege of visiting the Lawaan church in November, 2014.  The church was full of people eager to worship God.

Jesus Finds a Lonely Man:

God continues to soften people’s hearts on the islands of Leyte and Samar in the Philippines. I received this text message yesterday from Lawaan:

My name is Benjamin. I live two kilometers from the church. I am married, but have been separated for five years. I have one son who lives with me. My life was a mess and I did not have joy or peace. Two times, I tried to commit suicide, because I thought this to be the best solution.
Then I came to know the Lord thru Pastor Jun [Romawac]’s house-to-house visitation ministry. He introduced me to Jesus and told me that He is the only One who can give true joy and peace. I listened to Pastor Jun expounded God’s word. I came to understand that God loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for me. I repented of my sins and praise God for his forgiveness through Jesus Christ. I have found that real joy in life is in Christ alone. After one month of baptismal class, I followed the Lord in water baptism. Right now I am actively attending Sunday services.

Repair Begins on Lawaan Building

The Lawaan church sustained damage on November 8, 2014, due to Typhoon Haiyan.  Pastor Jun Romawac and his sister hid behind a block wall and pushed, as the typhoon attempted to topple it over on them.  The church piano was blown tumbling across the floor by the force of the wind.  Walls were damaged, and the roof was completely removed, but the framing of the building stood secure.

Construction has begun.  The damaged roof and walls are being repaired, and the 2nd phase of the church building is being completed.  This church has an average attendance of more than 120 per Sunday, and their services are standing room only.

Answered Prayer

By Marilyn Aralar

A year ago, Pastor Jun Romawac asked for prayers for the church building project of Lawaan Fundamental Baptist Church.  Now a church stands as an answer. Praise God! Praise God for working in the hearts of the members to give sacrificially. Praise God for the members of New Life Baptist Church of Tacloban who lovingly gave to the building project. Praise God also for friends in other countries who extended financial help.

The building is partially finished, and more funds are needed to complete the project. The members of Lawaan church are confident that God will take care of the rest in His time.

 

 

 

Growing the Church By
Teaching the Word of God

Conducting Home Bible Studies has been Pastor Jun’s major way of evangelizing and discipling the people of Lawaan. A number of individuals and families have been added to the church because of Bible studies. Pastor Jun is encouraged to see some men whom he has evangelized and discipled now teaching Bible studies also. These men teach Bible studies in their outreach in Guinub-an, a village near Lawaan.

Ms. Vanessa Romawac, Jun’s sister and the Bible woman of the church, reaches out to the children of those families with the help of some young people of the church. They teach two Children’s Bible Classes every Saturday and Sunday School classes every Sunday. With more children faithfully joining the church, Vanessa is very excited to form a Kids’ Choir.

 

 

 

 

 

In August this year, a new Bible study group was formed. This time, Pastor Jun is teaching not in a house but in the Lawaan police station. Under the Philippine National Police Moral and Spiritual Transformation (PNP-MOST) Program, all policemen are mandated to undergo moral training. The Purpose-Driven Life (PDL) Seminar is used for this purpose. With the help of Pastor Ging Aliposa, PNP-MOST Coordinator, Pastor Jun was able to start these seminars with the policemen of Lawaan. He teaches three sessions per month to a group of 15 policemen. Mr. Billy Elcarde and Jose Maglente, two deacons of the church, accompany Pastor Jun in teaching.

Through the PDL Seminar, Pastor Jun was able to build friendships with the members of Lawaan PNP. One of them started to attend church services but later stopped due to persecution. Police Inspector Jomar Medil, a Christian who is new in Lawaan as Chief of Police, found the church of Lawaan as his new church while away from home.

Keeping the Heart Aflame

Pastor Jun often mentions in his preaching, “The thing that I fear the most is spiritual dryness in my life.” He has been labeled by most Christians who know him as a “Joyful Pastor”. He often preaches about joy, and you can see that joy evident in his service to Christ.

As a young Pastor in a church where older people outnumber the young, Pastor Jun went through various trials. When he started working in Lawaan in 2005 at the age of 26, Jun felt intimidated. He thought of leaving the church. He doubted his calling and thought he would never be effective in Lawaan. However, God worked in that situation and Pastor Jun is now confident that Lawaan is the place God wants him to be.

Pastor Jun believes that a Christian has a role to play in keeping himself encouraged and enthusiastic in the ministry. He believes that praying, reading the Word of God and other Christian books, and getting advice from mature Christian friends are essential to keep oneself on fire for the work of the Lord. In times of trials, Pastor Jun chooses to remember the salvation he and his family found in the Lord. For him that is enough reason to rejoice and continue in the ministry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Pray:

• For the spiritual growth of every believer
• For the remaining financial needs for the church building project, which is estimated to 1.3 million pesos ($31,000)
• For Pastor Jun’s six Bible studies each week
• For the Purpose Driven Life Seminar with the policemen
• For the Adult outreach in Guinub-an & Children’s outreaches in two other villages
• For Vanessa as she forms a Children’s choir