A Man Named Sam ~ Pastor Sam Lacanienta

"Come and listen to my story about a man named Sam.  .  .  .  The kinfolk said 'Sam, move away from there.  Californy is the place you ought to be'"  

Okay, so I borrowed that from the Beverly Hillbillies theme song, but I do want to tell you the true story of a man named Sam - Pastor Sam Lacanienta - a man who made an eternal difference in my life. 

Pastor Sam was raised in a Christian family and became a pastor in the Philippines as a young man.  He attended the Far Eastern Bible Institute and Seminary (FEBIAS), founded in 1948 as an interdenominational Bible school and later changed to FEBIAS College of Bible.  He was ordained and pastored a church in the Philippines

During that time he met and fell in love with a young lady named Ida.   Since it was a unilateral love, he had to chase Ida for seven years before she caught him.  They migrated to America where Sam became an associate pastor at a small Southern Baptist church in Santa Ana, California.

Eventually Pastor Sam moved, becoming an associate pastor at Woodbridge Community Church in Irvine, California, which is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference (home organization behind Bethel University, a Baptist seminary founded in 1871).  After he met and started a Fil-Am Bible study in the home of Fred & Nattie Almeda, more Filipinos began attending Woodbridge leading Pastor Sam and Fred Almeda to form the new Fil-Am Church of Irvine (FACI) as a daughter church under Woodbridge.

In 1987 I met Pastor Sam Lacanienta at a Saturday evening social at the home of Lolita Mueller.  That evening when I met Pastor Sam & Ida Lacanienta at the Mueller home changed my life forever.  I was not a believer then - but I could see and feel the love of God in this pastoral couple.  The next day my wife, Dory, and I attended the Fil-Am Church of Irvine (CA) worship service - and I could feel the love of God flowing through Pastor Sam, permeating the whole congregation, and I was caught up in it. 

The next Friday we attended their Family Bible Study at the home of Ed & Ligaya Nibut - and found the same Godly love there.  Because of the love we experienced, we continued to attend their worship services and their Friday Evening Family Bible Studies.  And after about six months, I gave my life to the Lord.  I cannot give you a definite day and hour when I believed, for my salvation was a six month process. 

The more I learned about Jesus Christ - the more I knew that I needed Him.  Most of that was learned in our Bible studies - even though Pastor Sam's sermons and Sunday School classes were also a big part of my maturing process.  So you can see why I place such importance on interactive, dialogue style Family Bible Studies - I saw their effectiveness in the process of bringing me to the Lord.

In the early 1990s, a young man from the Philippines, Leto Carag, was attending our FACI services while preparing to attend Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California.  Through Pastor Sam, our church arranged to give a used car to Leto so that he would have transportation while attending Westminster Seminary.  Today that young man is Dr. Anacleto S. Carag,  M.Div and D. Min., president/director of FEBIAS College of Bible, Pastor Sam's alma mater.

Pastor Sam Lacanienta became Director of Church Planting for Filipino churches for the Southwest District of the Baptist General Conference.  In that role, he began working to plant new Filipino-American churches in California and other western states.  

One of the first he planted was the Fil-Am Church of Long Beach.  One of the young couples in our College/Professional Group at FACI was Charles Patam and May Egenias who would soon marry while Charles was attending Talbot Seminary at Biola University.  Pastor Sam commissioned (a pastor cannot be ordained until graduation from seminary) Charles as the pastor of the Fil-Am Church of Long Beach.

In 1988-89 I was working for computer company in Irvine and on a sunny day I decided to walk to a Food Court a few blocks away for lunch.  Walking back to work I had an encounter with an earth worm.  As I said, it was a sunny day and walking along I saw an earth worm crawling across the hot sidewalk. I could see many other worms who had taken that perilous journey - only to be cooked on the hot sidewalk or squashed by cars on the street.

I decided to save my little earth worm and put him back into the lush green grass.  But when I tried to pick it up, the worm began to wiggle and fight against me.  Eventually I did accomplish my task of saving that one earth worm - and went back to work. 

At work I began to think about that worm and how he was much like we humans.  We are headed on a perilous journey to an eternity we will regret.  But God sent His Son to pick us up and put us back into His lush garden, His Christian church fellowship.  But most of us fight against all His efforts - just as that worm fought against me.  However, if we will only listen to Him, He will save us - as I saved that worm.

That evening at Bible study when I shared my worm story, Pastor Sam suggested, "Bill, you should write it to share with others."  And, that, my Friends, is how Bill Gray began a Christian writing ministry.   So, if you don't like my writings, blame Pastor Sam, for he got me started.  And I thank God often for his continued encouragement.

About 2005, Pastor Sam and Ida decided to return to the Philippines to do ministry in their homeland.  I remember Ida telling us that when they told their family, their young granddaughter, Bethany, asked her, "Will you still be my Lola?"  In a way I could have asked a similar question, for this Godly couple was my spiritual parents.

In the Philippines, they began to operate the Word of Life Seaside Bible Camp for young people, accept speaking invitations, lead home Bible studies, counsel and disciple, and pastor a new church, the Talakag Church on the Solid Rock - a sister church of Church on the Solid Rock in Lake Forest, California, where Pastor Sam was pastor before making the decision to return home to the Philippines.  Also, because of Ida's teaching credentials, they were working on accreditation with the Philippine Department of Education for a pre-school they currently were operating for the young children in their area.

Each year, they returned to Southern California to spend the holidays with their family.  The day after Thanksgiving 2012, during their visit to Southern California, Ida became ill and went into the hospital.  At about 1:00 AM on the morning of December 10th, she went home to be with her precious Lord.  Pastor Sam returned to the Philippines to continue pastoring the church which Ida and her friends were instrumental in founding, the Talakag Church on the Solid Rock.  And today, in his mid-80s, Pastor Sam Lacanienta is still serving the Lord in these activities he and Ida established.

I am just one of many whom this Godly man, in his quiet, sincere way - has led to saving faith in Jesus Christ.  I pray that this ongoing story of "A Man Named Sam" has been edifying and encouraging to you - and that it will make you want to mine the Biblical knowledge found in Pastor Sam's Playlist of short videos.  They may be short in length, 15 to 20 minutes - but they full of the solid food, meat, of Scriptural knowledge (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

During the current worldwide Covid-19 Shutdown, Pastor Sam began posting short teaching videos about the person and names of God, and sharing the Gospel of Salvation to reach those who have not yet made that eternal decision to follow Christ.  I have compiled his 15 t0 20 minute teaching videos into a YouTube playlist and each week I will add the latest to the top of the list.  I know that his messages are still helping me continue to grow in my knowledge of God's Word, the meaning of Sanctification, as I eagerly await each new video.

So, whether you are a new Christian, a mature Christian, or a person who feels called to know more about our Lord and Savior and feel that you want to become a believer yourself - you will find solid spiritual meat in Pastor Sam Lacanienta's videos.  View his videos and share them with your FRANs (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors) for their edification.

Pastor Sam Lacanienta Gospel Message Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMVYSeWOEUc&list=PL_YT3RttutrjP4_ws1dHh8bO_CvVYWkPi

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Click on the image to enlarge:

Let's Examine The Two Ordinances!

Christ Gave Us Two Commandments And Two Ordinances!  ~  Our response to those is the difference between Christian Faith and World Religions.

Two Ordinances:  He left these Two Ordinances for us to follow as Christian believers:

(1)  Baptism  ~  "Go - Make disciples -  Baptize them - Teach them."  (Matthew 28:19-20)  ~  Only done once.

(2)  Communion / Lord's Supper  ~  "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  (Luke 22:19)  ~  To be done as often as Your Church Fellowship chooses to Remember Him and what He has done for us.

Most often when I share the Great Commission, I will quote it as:  "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."  (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Why do I leave out Baptism?  It is not that I do not believe Baptism is important.  Instead I believe that Baptism is so personal, so important - that it should be shared with your closest, most intimate friends and loved ones.  So I will suggest, "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."  

When is a person saved?  The moment he receives and confesses Christ as Lord and Savior?  Or when he is baptized?  The latter would be Baptismal Regeneration, i.e, salvation through baptism - which is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches salvation, i.e., justification, the moment we believe and receive Christ (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13). 

Baptism follows as an outward manifestation of our salvation.  Some do it right away, others at later time, often when a group of fellow believers can gather and make a joint declaration of our joy in following Christ in baptism.  In the Bible we see the two extremes:   In Acts 8:26-40 the eunuch from Ethiopia was baptized by Philip immediately after believing.  But the thief on the cross was never baptized.  Yet both were equally saved and today are sharing eternity in the presence of God.

When a person believes and receives Christ as Lord and Savior - that person should be encouraged to immediately become involved in a local Bible-teaching, Christ-centered Christian fellowship, i.e., church.  When the new believer is connected with his new local fellowship, he/she should then be baptized in the presence of his/her new Christian fellowship family.  Baptism is that personal and that important - that it should be shared with the entire fellowship family.

A Christian believer need only be baptized one time, as we follow Him in Baptism.  Just as He died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven only once - we follow Him in baptism only once.  Baptism reflects a believer's relationship with Christ, NOT his relationship with a particular church or denomination.

What if a person has been baptized in another church before coming to your local church fellowship?  Is it necessary for that person to be baptized again in your church?  I have heard the reasoning, "But what if the baptism was not done correctly?  We only want to make sure it is done OUR way."    Is there really a right and a wrong way to be baptized? 

I agree that the Bible speaks of baptism by immersion - but if, for whatever reason, a person was baptized by sprinkling - is that person not baptized in your eyes?  That would be wrong, for baptism reflects an inner, spiritual commitment, our personal relationship with Christ.  It is not an event done only to satisfy the whims or doctrines of man.  That said, baptism should be practiced by immersion in water - for that is what the Bible tells us.  Keep in mind that the thief was not baptized at all.  But we have the word of Christ Himself that this man was indeed saved.

Luke 23:43, "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' "

If a person comes to your church fellowship after becoming a believer and being baptized in another Christian church - that person "IS" baptized and should not be required to do it "your way."

That covers the first Ordinance, Baptism.  Now let's talk about the second Ordinance which is equally important and equally intimate, the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event.  Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).  How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life?   That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?

Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper?  Either is correct, but let's examine both.  Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning.  What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family? 

Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me."  That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table.  That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family.  It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table.

Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:

A.  Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries.  In his shorter version of the same book, "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:

The Lord Jesus instituted two ordinances (or sacraments) to be observed by the church.  The previous chapter discussed "baptism," an ordinance that is only observed once by each person, as a sign of the beginning of his or her Christian life.  This chapter discusses "the Lord’s Supper," an ordinance that is to be observed repeatedly throughout our Christian lives as a sign of continuing in fellowship with Christ. .  .  .

The meaning of the Lord’s Supper is complex, rich, and full.  Several things are symbolized and affirmed in the Lord’s Supper.

1. Christ’s Death:  When we participate in the Lord’s Supper we symbolize the death of Christ because our actions give a picture of his death for us. .  .  . “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

2. Our Participation in the Benefits of Christ’s Death:  Jesus commanded his disciples, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).  As we individually reach out and take the cup for ourselves, each one of us is, by that action, proclaiming, “I am taking the benefits of Christ’s death to myself.” .  .  . 

3. Spiritual Nourishment:  Just as ordinary food nourishes our physical bodies, so the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper give nourishment to us.  But they also picture the fact that there is spiritual nourishment and refreshment that Christ is giving to our souls; the ceremony that Jesus instituted is, in its very nature, designed to teach us this.  

4. The Unity of Believers:  When Christians participate in the Lord’s Supper together they also give a clear sign of their unity with one another.  In fact, Paul says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

B.  Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:

Who Should Participate in the Lord’s Supper?

Despite differences over some aspects of the Lord’s Supper, most Protestants would agree, first, that only those who believe in Christ should participate in it, because it is a sign of being a Christian and continuing in the Christian life. .  .  .

Second, many Protestants would argue from the meaning of baptism and the meaning of the Lord’s Supper that, ordinarily, only those who have been baptized should participate in the Lord’s Supper. .  .  .

But others, including the present author (Dr. Grudem), would object to such a restriction as follows:  A different problem arises if someone who is a genuine believer, but not yet baptized, is not allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper when Christians get together.

In that case the person’s non-participation symbolizes that he or she is not a member of the body of Christ which is coming together to observe the Lord’s Supper in a unified fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 10:17: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread”).

Bill Gray Note:  Personally I believe the question of who should participate in the Lord's Supper falls upon the individual person.  For you and I cannot tell a person he or she is not saved, not a believer in Christ.  Such a decision falls upon the individual to do a self-examination such as:

1. "Have I truly received the Lord?"  Keep in mind that the thief on the cross was not baptized. 

2. "Am I currently harboring an unrepentant sin which would prevent me from participating in the Lord's Supper?" 

Neither I, nor you, nor any pastor, can answer those questions for this individual.  That is between the individual and God.

C.  Dr. Ron Rhodes, president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," author, adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), Veritas Evangelical Seminary, etc., tells us in "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:

What are the different views of the Lord’s Supper?

There are four primary views:

The Roman Catholic view is known as transubstantiation.  The advocates of this view say that the elements (unleavened wafers and wine/grape juice) actually change into, become, the body (and blood) of Jesus Christ.

The Lutheran view is labeled consubstantiation.  According to this view, Christ is present in, with, and under the bread and wine.  Christ is truly present, but no change occurs in the elements.

The Reformed view is that Christ is spiritually present at the Lord’s Supper.  It is a means of grace.  The proponents of this view say that the elements contain a dynamic presence of Jesus, and it is made effective in the believer as he partakes.

The memorial view (my view) is that the elements do not change.  The ordinance is not intended as a means of communicating grace to the participant.  The bread and wine are (only) symbols and reminders of Jesus in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often.  Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service. 

The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world.  Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation. 

As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.

Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself.  That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience.  Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior. 

He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call.  For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration.  What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.

1 Corinthians 11:23-24, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" 

At this time, all believers then, together, eat the wafer symbolizing His body broken for us.

1 Corinthians 11:25-26, "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."  

Then, all believers, together, drink of the grape juice symbolizing His blood spilled for us.

How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"?  ~  Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never?  Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor.  Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.

Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me."   I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"

What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years? 

As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair.   It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month.  It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.

Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.

In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically.  By the same token, when a church avoids celebrating the Lord's Supper because they feel they have to make it an "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground" event - instead of a reverent ending of their Sunday worship service - that is doing a disservice to the church fellowship - and definitely NOT reverently "remembering Jesus Christ until He comes again."

Now please do not misunderstand.  Being a "born and bred" Southerner I love the "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground."   Growing up in Alabama in the 1940s and 50s, it was fun to go with my step-dad to the small church in the rural farming community near Russellville, Alabama, where he grew up and where most of his family still lived, or were buried, for Memorial Day. 

That was a day to decorate the graves, gather in their church for lots of good Baptist hymn singing, and to pig out on country cuisine that still makes my mouth water just to think of it.  I have often touted the food fellowship we have in our Filipino-American Baptist churches and Bible studies.  As great as that is, it cannot hold a candle to our Southern Dinner On The Ground cuisine from those days. 

Before you turn up your nose at "Dinner On The Ground" - it wasn't really on the ground.  The ladies would bring their fancy table clothes, spread them on wagons, truck beds, temporary tables brought out of the church, etc..  And every rural family took pride in preparing their very best culinary dishes, brought in their best dinnerware, and laid out on every available surface.  We just walked from one neighbor's table (truck, or wagon) to another, enjoying fellowship and sampling Southern Cuisine at its best.

But that said, that type of elaborate feasting and party/dinner atmosphere is what drew the apostle Paul's ire toward the church at Corinth.  There is a well known acronym today:  KISS, meaning "Keep It Simple Stupid!"   And that was, and is, Jesus' intent when inviting us to His Supper Table, the Lord's Supper.  Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table.  That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him"  (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).

Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate.  Food for thought?  I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.

While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship.  And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?

The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper. 

The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:

What Is The Importance Of The Lord's Supper / Christian Communion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfB23DmeWWw

The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine."  This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries.  There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999. 

A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry.  And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format.  So I can study from both.

In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper.  Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:

"The Lord’s Supper looks forward to a greater feast (Matthew 26:29, Revelation 19:9).  From Genesis to Revelation, God’s aim has been to bring His people into fellowship with Himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord."

You can view this PowerPoint based video at:

"Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine" by Dr Wayne Grudem, Chapters 48, 49, 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLMu7xI2Wg&list=PL_YT3RttutrgBgasKH52cypQO_ADjr5ns

I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

 

 

 

 

Four Pastors - Four Churches - September 13, 2020

Our FOUR PASTORS AND FOUR CHURCHES videos this week take on special significance.  In Pastor Sergio's message at IBBC-Riverside this week we have the joyful Dedication Celebration and Prayer for infant John Glenn Hankins.  Let us join with the Hankins family in dedicating their beautiful new son to the Lord.

While Pastor Freddy's message begins with a sincere prayer for infant baby Bethany who was born with a terminal disorder.  Let us keep Bethany and her parents in prayer, that it be His will that this beautiful young child's life will be extended for years to come.

Pastor Freddy also asks our prayers for his daughter, Alex, who is experiencing unexplained and extreme pain.  Let us all join him in lifting prayers of healing for both both Bethany and Alex, that they experience God's merciful healing.

In his video message this week, Pastor Ed Dacio reminds us of the significance of the recent anniversary on Friday, September 11 - as we remember those 3000 people killed in the World Trade Center in New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001.  I am sure that each of us can recall vividly that September morning and the shock of seeing the Terrorist attack on our homeland, reminiscent of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Pastor Sam Lacanienta continues his wonderful teaching videos on the names and nature of God.  Each of His names, as Pastor Sam explains so well, has great significance for all believers - and a call to faith for all who are not yet believers.

While we continue in this politically motivated, I am convinced, Covid-19 lock down of America - I pray that our Gospel video messages shared on social media and shared via my Friends Ministries eNewsletters will reach many unchurched and/or unsaved people around the world, making the Matthew 24:14 message a reality, "And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

While the Covid-19 Panic has us shut down, in our daily lives and in our worship services ~ I have been sharing Gospel messages taught by these four pastors whom I trust to give you the true Biblical Gospel.  These four pastors, four churches - I personally know and I am proud to share their teachings with you.  I have chosen them because they are Conservative Theology pastors whom I have known for years - and in whose Worship Services, Sunday School Classes, and Bible Studies I have participated over the years. 

That is why I want to share their online messages of hope, assurance, and peace found only in God's Word with you on through my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and Facebook.  All four pastors and churches are Dispensational, i.e., they believe in and teach a PreTribulation Rapture of the Church and a PreMillennial Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.

And most important, all four believe in and teach "Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, alone" and Eternal Security of all believers.

What I am sharing with you is a YouTube Playlist for each of the four pastors/churches, and I will keep adding their latest message videos on top of the stacks each week.  That way you can view their latest videos, and you can also browse their playlist to find other videos which may address issues you want to study. 

I pray these video messages will help you during this time of isolation and trial, and even after we are back to fully having open church services again - with assurances that with God's help we will all get through the valleys and we will come out stronger on the other side.

PASTOR SAM LACANIENTA - Talakag Church on the Solid Rock, Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmrKOj62WY&list=PL_YT3RttutrjP4_ws1dHh8bO_CvVYWkPi

PASTOR FREDDY CORTEZ - Church of Hope, Aliso Viejo, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRui7NnK6Ak&list=PL_YT3RttutrjNG8vXg20iPm0FNhfwZImX

PASTOR SERGIO NOLASCO - International Bible Baptist Church, Riverside, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lEL7dbxQj4&list=PL_YT3RttutrjJ0P_7W-3MKVGI9Rbwnekp

PASTOR ED DACIO - Corona International Christian Fellowship, Corona, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmcpyqTzXqk&list=PL_YT3Rttutri2x3a9teQBvznVAO4IjUEt

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

Bill & Dory Gray ~ Our 43 Year Journey Of Firsts

I INVITE YOU TO TAKE A JOURNEY WITH US, a journey which began 43 years ago and will never end, an eternal journey.

Tuesday, September 2, 2020, Dory And I Celebrated A Journey Of "FIRSTS" Which Began 43 Years Ago!

In the Spring of 1977, two lives came together for the first time.  Real Estate Agent, Dory Daludado, was attending a Red Carpet Realty weekly sales meeting at the Saddleback Inn Hotel and Conference Center ~  and Bill Gray was at the Saddleback Inn Hotel to join friends for an evening of entertainment.  At that time, while Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center were the hub for national and international business and visitors - ten miles away, the Saddleback Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Santa Ana, California, was the hub for local business meetings and entertainment.

Looking back, I can see how God orchestrated a meeting between those two unlikely participants, Bill and Dory, which would eventually fulfill His eternal plan for our lives.

Our "First" meeting was in the Saddleback Inn Hotel lobby after her Wednesday evening sales meeting and before my evening of entertainment began - and unknown to us, that meeting began our eternal journey of "Firsts."

But, rather than tell you the whole story here, I invite you to share our journey in this short video tribute I made to celebrate our 43rd Wedding Anniversary on September 2, 2020.

BILL & DORY GRAY ~ "Our 43 Years Of FIRSTS"
https://youtu.be/U4GHYO9Qgto

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you, my many Friends and Christian brethren.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill

Click on the image to enlarge: 

Four Pastors - Four Churches - Nanay Virgie Memorial Service, September 6, 2020

MY "FOUR PASTORS AND FOUR CHURCHES PLAYLISTS" Friends Ministry eNewsletter takes on a special significance today.  In the past week we at IBBC-Riverside have learned of the passing of a very special and dear Christian sister and Friend, Nanay  Virginia "Virgie" Advincula.   So our service today was a special Memorial Service for our Christian sister, Nanay Virgie.  She was promoted into the presence of God this past week and we will miss her dearly.  Yet while we join her family in their period of mourning, we also join them in celebrating her Life and her HomeGoing.

In our daily Christian walk, we meet and are blessed by many with whom we worship and fellowship along the way.  Then there are those who are very special, who touch our lives in a very special way.  Nanay Virgie was one of those for me.  In my thirty-three years as a believer, two Christian sisters always will come to mind when I think of inspiration.  Why these two?  Both had a smile and a Christian spirit that, when I entered a home or sanctuary where they were - their smiling faces seemed to illuminate the room.

About 20 years ago, we had a lady, Connie Quintans, whose family brought her to our Corona International Christian Fellowship.  I will never forget the Friday Night Bible Study that evening at her son, Jun's, home when Dory and I first met Connie.  On the way home I said to Dory, "Did you notice what a beautiful smile Connie has, it seemed to light the whole room?"  And Dory agreed with me. Connie became a believer in our church - and a year later, because of cancer, she went into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ.

Several years ago, when Nanay Virgie Advincula came to our IBBC-Riverside fellowship - immediately her smile made me think of Connie Quintans.  Nanay has been a great blessing in our church and especially to Dory and me. 

I pray that you will find our "Nanay Virgie Memorial Program" inspirational, comforting, and if there is anyone reading this message and watching our video who has not yet made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, now is a great time to make that eternal decision.  I know that would be very pleasing to Nanay Virgie and her family, to know that her memorial service help even one person make the eternal decision today.

My long time Friend and mentor, the man who led me to the Lord in 1987, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, always tells us at such services, and if he were at Nanay Virgie's service today he would have said, similar to what Pastor Sergio did, "If you are a believer today, you do not say 'Goodbye' to Nanay Virgie, you say, 'Good night, I will see you on that glorious Resurrection Morn when we will be together again.'  But if you are not a believer, you must say 'Goodbye' to Nanay Virgie today."

Memorial Services are a great time for sharing the Gospel, for at such times we all feel our vulnerability.  There is no greater way to honor Nanay Virgie than to believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of her Memorial Service.

After you have joined us in our IBBC-Riverside Memorial Service video today, please take the time to review the great Gospel messages in Pastor Sam's, Pastor Freddy's, and Pastor Ed's playlists.   Maybe one of them has that special message you were seeking, but maybe did not know it, yet.

PASTOR SERGIO NOLASCO - International Bible Baptist Church, Riverside, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hHeBEuxNkk&list=PL_YT3RttutrjJ0P_7W-3MKVGI9Rbwnekp

PASTOR SAM LACANIENTA - Talakag Church on the Solid Rock, Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNKxCW-etMY&list=PL_YT3RttutrjP4_ws1dHh8bO_CvVYWkPi

PASTOR FREDDY CORTEZ - Church of Hope, Aliso Viejo, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNvTNeJr53M&list=PL_YT3RttutrjNG8vXg20iPm0FNhfwZImX

PASTOR ED DACIO - Corona International Christian Fellowship, Corona, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NESYvKPhClM&list=PL_YT3Rttutri2x3a9teQBvznVAO4IjUEt

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: