July, 2006

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 It has been quite a while since you have last heard from us. But every time we pray for you we pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped us in the work that God has ordained us to do, being confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the Day of Jesus Christ.

The last semester was a challenge to us, SHARE Program students. We have spent sleepless nights doing thorough researches and tedious school papers. We were tested, and we passed. We were challenged, and we survived! I am proud to inform you that one of us has been hailed as one of the two Academic Excellence Awardees last ASCM graduation! He is none other than the very diligent Rodrigo C. Garcia. His achievement posed an extra challenge to the rest of us students to strive hard to excel as our expression of our gratitude to God and to you who have never failed to support to us.   

Last June 01,  we are once again given the opportunity to enroll at ASCM; thus, prepare and equip ourselves to become faithful servants who will further the Kingdom of the living God. We have experienced the faithful providence of God last semester and we are certain that He will remain faithful to us as we do our best to honor Him.  

In behalf of the SHARE program students, I thank you for allowing God to use you in fulfilling His plan for our lives. It would be our pleasure if you would also encourage other people to take their part and SHARE by handing over the enclose commitment form. May God richly bless you and keep you.

 Yours in Christ’s service,

 Almelyn B. Alejado

Share Program Director                                                  Noted by:

                                                                       Samuel C. Bontilao

                                                                       Asst. Senior Pastor – CSAFMI

After eight months of silence, we are finally back in circulation. Praying that this time, there will be no holding back. We are already in the middle of the year and a lot of things have already taken place. So we hope to keep all of you updated with the latest progress in our ministry. A lot of developments have taken place since the start of this year and now, we are entering the second half of the year 2006, the year without fear.        

Our current theme is “We Should No Longer Be Afraid Nor Terrified”. It’s a challenging theme but one that can draw the line between those who are called and those who are just passing by. A theme that will define every aspect of the ministry, its leaders and its flock. CSAFMI has been taking and overcoming  challenges long before I even got here.

And this year, we are prepared to take on more because we know that God has called this ministry for a purpose and He shall bring it to pass. This is really a year without fear, not because there is nothing to fear but because by God’s grace, we will conquer fear.  So no matter what lies ahead of us, CSAFMI won’t swerve out of its direction. Like a cannonball from God’s artillery, we’ll just keep on coming, unwavering and unafraid, all for God’s glory! 

Jumpin’, praisin’ and shoutin’. Members of CSAFMI’s family  just can’t have enough of these  during the celebration of its 4^th Foundation Day last January 11. The celebration was held at CSAFMI’s local church in Bicutan. This blissful event started at 9:00 am and lasted almost the whole day. Joining CSAFMI in this wonderful celebration were some of the SHARE Program supporters and several closest friends and relatives who enjoyed the joyful celebration as well as the warm presence of God.

Everybody felt the excitement and momentum as Pastor Arnold Requierro shared the Word of God and launched this year’s theme: “We should no longer be afraid nor terrified.” He strengthened the members’ faith through the assurance of the great blessings that awaits the church as God has promised. After the service, CSAFMI’s Directors once again proved their selfless service by functioning as the caterers and waiters during the reception.

The celebration has three major highlights. First, the TKO : Todo Knock Out game hosted by Ptr. Marvin Pascua, CSAFMI- Sucat’s local pastor and Bro. Rendell Salgado, one of CSAFMI’s directors, which aims to refresh the members’ grasp of  the history of the church. Second, the video presentations. Lastly,  the mini-concert of CSAFMI Music led by Ptr. Sam Bontilao. It highlighted the songs that were included in our very own praise and worship album entitled TODO na’to!

                Everybody went home with a painted smile on their faces and a  renewed faith in their hearts!

More than a decade ago, an incoming senior high student was brought to the Lord through table tennis and badminton. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow youths. Later, his happiness from sports and friendship turned to joy in Christ. However, his joy was not complete. He had his own struggles as a Christian. His relationship with the Lord was erratic. He is Rodrigo C. Garcia, and God has a great plan for him.

                During a Mission Trip to Mindoro, God impressed in his heart the desire to further his studies. As he preached, he said, “Next year, I will study.” And so he did. Through CSAFMI’s SHARE Program, he found a way to answer the call of God to prepare and equip himself as the Lord’s servant. God has given him the opportunity, and he made the most out of it.

                Truly, his diligence led him to excellence. And on the 31^st of March 2006, ASCM proudly acknowledged him as one of the “Academic Excellence Awardees”.

               With the intense desire to produce equipped workers, CSAFMI started the program, Pastures Keepers whose aim is to train and develop workers who will serve the local churches. Under this program, CSAFMI launches its very own Bible school, Christ’s Shepherds Institute (CSI). CSI offers its first course, Diploma in Ministerial Studies. DMS is a three-year course designed to fulfill the objective of the program. 

               With no allotted funding but with great dreams, CSI opened for enrollment last December 2005. With enough optimism (or should we say “faith”) to carry us through by the guidance and grace of our Lord, it started its first semester last January with a pioneering class of 11 students.

As of now, CSI is running on its second semester (May-July). CSI is looking good with already two semesters on its notch. Yet, challenges and trials are always on the way, so prayers are still the biggest need for the success of this program. The directorship is hoping that as the weeks go by, CSI’s operation will further develop and become more effective in improving the quality of our workforce.

One of the products of sheep is their wool; well-nourished sheep produces the best wool. Shearing is how this wool is removed from the sheep. They are stripped off of their coverings which are used for a number of useful end-products. When sheep are sheared it means a lot of things; they are well-groomed, they are exposed and are considered useful. We used the word ‘Sheared’ because it exactly expresses our desired purpose for this newsletter, to be a shearing tool for grooming and exposing our sheep that others may witness and rejoice with the growth of our flock, and Glorify God with us. So, read the pages and read between the lines as we have ourselves SHEARED                                                                                                        - The Editor

OUR VISION

A multitude of Spirit-filled, equipped and faithful shepherds are gathering, tending, caring and protecting the Lord's flock  as they grow, bear fruit and increase in number for God's glory.

OUR MISSION

To prepare, equip and reproduce Spirit-filled and faithful servants of God  who will stand ready to answer the call of the Lord Jesus Christ  to shepherd over the flock that He gathers, making certain  that none of them are found needy and are missing.

I am encouraged about the SHARE PROGRAM. And I have prayerfully considered sharing in the responsibility of providing the needed resources of these ordained shepherds of the Lord in their preparation, training, and equipping in formal Bible Schools, Christian Seminaries, and accredited Training Institutions. Henceforth, consider me among the Lord’s chosen partners in this sacred endeavor, committing myself to support this program financially and in prayer.  

Below are the details of my personal commitment:

¤   Amount of my monthly commitment:  ________________

¤   Duration of my monthly commitment:  from ___to ___

¤   others (please specify): _____________________________

Name: ___________________________________ Nickname: ________________________________ Birthday: __________________________________ Wedding Anniversary (for married): ___________________________________________ Mailing Address:  ___________________________ ____________________________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________ Mobile: ____________________________________ Office Tel. No.  :  ____________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________

Note: The SHARE Program issues cash receipt for all monies received. We highly appreciate having your complete mailing address. Thank you and be blessed.

             1. Mail it directly with the check made out to:

v     Rev. Arnulfo B. Requierro v     Mr. Samuel C. Bontilao v     Ms. Almelyn B. Alejado v     Pay to cash

And send it to the address printed on the envelope. The persons listed above are the key persons of Share Program. Please bear with us as we are still working on the church’s personal bank account.

2.  Place your deposit to Banco Filipino, Paseo Branch

                     Account Number:    20-043-011076-8               Account Name:     Arnulfo B. Requierro

          3. Or through Bank ATM Remittance

                    Bank Name:   Wells Fargo Bank            Account Name: Cesar Bontilao             Account Number: 3979185919

CHRIST’S SHEPHERDS AND FLOCK MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

 Block 17 , Lot 6 , Zone 3 Upper Bicutan, Taguig, M.M.  I   csafmi@yahoo.com  I  0919 874 8395