Praise to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ and greetings to the precious saints of AIM!
It has been a busy couple of weeks since returning to the USA from attending our very first AIM National Youth Camp in December. This trip was the fastest and shortest trip to the Philippines since first coming in the spring of 2011, but I was blessed to have Marla, my youngest child and only daughter, traveling alongside me. She certainly felt like it was a life inspiring experience to meet all of you and see the beauty of the Philippines.
What a blessing to see again many of our brothers and sisters who remain so faithful to the cause of Christ in the Philippines. We will not take time to name all the names of those we appreciate so much, but we were so grateful to enjoy the warm fellowship of our AIM leadership, Pastors Jerry Bohol, Canesio Lingo, Ronnie Rodriguez, and Reynaldo Munez.
A quick note of our arrival and travels in the Philippines: Wednesday morning the 18th of December we were greeted, at the airport, by the smiling face of Pastor Lingo who transported us to AIM headquarters where we were so very impressed by the cleanliness and beauty of the property and the skillfully painted sanctuary and buildings. Our thanks to our headquarters caretaker Bro Fernando Berondo and his family for their continued diligence and faithful service to AIM.
Services at the AIM headquarters with the Timpoloc congregation were tremendous both Wednesday night and Sunday. Our thanks to Pastor Lingo and the church family for the loan of their PA equipment for the youth camp and their work and investment of time and talent.
On Friday and Saturday we enjoyed a wonderful time of church and fellowship with Bro Arturo Guillana on the island of Bantayan, along with my daughter Marla, Pastor Lingo, his son and daughter-in-law, Bro. Jerry Franquiles.
Our anticipation grew as we begin to see the many arrivals beginning over the weekend and continuing on into Monday and Tuesday. A number were hindered by a strong storm which impacted travel plans, but on Monday night, the AIM National Youth & Conference, Absolutely Apostolic – Living Out Our Faith kicked off with much enthusiasm and a glorious touch of the Holy Ghost! Though we were only able to be in youth camp Monday night and Tuesday, due to scheduled commitments back in America, we were blessed by the response of the precious youth of AIM and their guests who joined with us. To watch their passionate worship and ready reception of our preaching and teaching was a blessing beyond words.
I also want to recognize Bro. Anthony Contridas, and those who worked with him for many months leading up to our Youth Convention, for all their sacrifice of time and effort. Well done! Bro Anthony reported that the National Youth Camp 2019 was a successful gathering with an approximately 200 registered youths, 15-25 unregistered who attended only night services because of their jobs, 15 pastors, and approximately 50 parents and kids under 12 years old, for a total estimate of near 300 attendees.
Our prayers have been with Elder Slage since his trip to the Philippines was cut short due to pressing problems and pastoral duties at his home church in Ohio. How we missed the fellowship and ministry of our beloved brother and friend and appreciate so very much his continued burden for the work of AIM. But Elder Slage has already purchased tickets for our National Convention in April, as have I, and we are excited about bringing with us the largest number of USA delegates since I begin my trips to the Philippines!
We have already selected our theme for National Convention 2020:
2020 VISION: Focus, Plan & Action!
Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18
The Hebrew word used here for vision is oracle or inspired or prophetic vision. The word for perish means to loosen or go back. So we understand the meaning of Proverbs 29:18 as a people without an inspired vision or word from God will loosen or turn backwards, and God has told us in Hebrews 10:38 that He takes no pleasure in those who draw back. But those obedient to the forward vision and direction from God will be blessed. We concur with the writer of Hebrews 10:39, But we are not of them who draw back unto; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. So forward we go with renewed vision into the New Year of 2020. I want to repeat that the best is yet to come as we look ahead with 2020 Vision!
Love and prayers,
Bishop M R Couch – General Director AIM
