PURR
Ikthus Iloilo: A place to belong, a place to become
Ikthus Iloilo, Ikthus Bacolod and Grayslake Faith Church of Ilinois.
In a world that is hungry for grace, one church has set its sights in transforming the community by offering the timeless message of the Word of God in a way that is enjoyable to the Ilonggos.
Ikthus was launched in Iloilo City last November 2007. It was followed by another gathering last Feb. 9, 2008 at Emilion Restaurant General Luna, that aimed to introduce Ikthus to a wider number of people.
Ikthus is the Greek word for fish, which holds a secret code, Jesus Christ God's Son and Saviour.
Ikthus Iloilo is another church of Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod. BCCB is a local body of Christ comprised of people from all walks of life and different sectors of society. What binds these people together is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and the desire to worship Him. The church operates through 5 departments namely Membership, Maturity, Ministry, Missions and Magnification. BCCB believes in reaching out to people by leading them to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, counseling the troubled, praying for the sick, and helping them grow into spiritual maturity.
During the launching, Pastor Cirilo Doguiles, director of Decade of Change, USA/Team Philippines, said, "The launching of Ikthus Iloilo sets the forward motion of the Decade of Change in the Philippines. The Baptist Conference of the Philippines is excited to see the fruit of Filipino workers' labor of starting 60 churches in key city churches in the Philippines in the next 10 years."
The symbolic forging of partnership of Faith Church of
Grayslake Illinois, Ikthus Bacolod and Ikthus Iloilo.
Pastor Zack Turner, pastor of Faith Church Grayslake, Illinois, said that they were excited about coming to Iloilo. "We are excited with the convergence of our stories and with connecting with people here. God is in this relationship."
Pastor Joe Ascalon, pastor of Ikthus Bacolod, said that Ikthus aims to empower the ministry through prayer and to encourage each other as well as exalt good through praise and worship. "Giving birth is always exciting and brings along so much joy in knowing of the many possibilities that God will do in the future. That is Ikthus Iloilo," he said. He also introduced Ikthus Bacolod, which has 13 worship services in five locations in the said city.
Pastor Normandy Notes, pastor of Ikthus Iloilo, promises that Ikthus is going to be a church that will not be boring.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, also present, said, "With the help of Ikthus Iloilo and other churches that preach the Gospel, I am certain that our people will be able to draw their main inspiration and strength from the words and promises of the Lord Almighty," he said.
Ikthus Iloilo holds service every Sunday, 9am at the Castle Hotel. Its Youth service is also on Sunday at 1:30 pm.
Pastor Joe Ascalon hands a plaque of appreciation to Mayor
Jerry Treñas.
The service includes praise and worship, meditation of the Word, offertory, closing song and coffee time. Through the latter, worshippers are given the chance to connect with each other, thereby forging more friendships in Christ.
Feedbacks about Ikthus have been good. "This church is not boring and the preaching is very relevant"; "It addresses life's issues and problems," and "It's dynamic and relational," were among the many comments that The News today has gathered.
Purr was lucky to have attended the Youth Service last Sunday. The praise and worship music was contemporary (pop and samba beats were notable) and the meditation on God's word was relevant to the youth. Pastor Giovanni "Boyet" Punzalan, who handles the youth ministry, was able to capture the attention of those present. After the service, the worshippers shared stories and laughs while having snacks.
Ikthus is indeed a church that's not boring.