MEANS Partners with Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church on HIV–Aids Workshop

The “Overcoming Stigma and Responding Biblically to People with HiV and AIDS,” workshop was held on July 5-6, 2011 in Bacolod City under the initiative and leadership of Pastor Godfrey Serfino of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Bacolod City, Philippines.
Pastor Serfino reported that “The workshop exceeded the expectations of Rev.  Dwayne Thielke,  a missionary of the Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines.”  The workshop, was facilitated by Rev. Roy Berkenbosch, theological adviser for Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and a board member of Micah Challenge – Canada. The two-day event  was participated by 55 individuals, 45 of whom are MEANS ministry partners from Ebenezer CRC,  Jerry Basiao from FIG Tree group,  The Lord’s Lampstand Christian Church,  Bacolod CRC, and Villamonte Reformed Christian School.  Bacolod organizers prepared, cooked, and bought lunches for 60 people.
At the end of the workshop, the group all formed a big circle and almost everyone gave a testimony of how the Lord has blessed him/her on new biblical learning and changed attitude/concern to people with HIV & AIDS.  Expressions of thankfulness and desire to participate again in another workshop were said.
At least two TLLCC leaders are thankful that this interchurch biblical workshop was held at their worship center and hoped to have another similar seminar or conference held there in the near future.  Ebenezer CRC group also told TLLCC leaders their gratitude for welcoming all the workshop people at their clean hall.