Two hundred fifty (250) delegates representing 69 denominations and 168 para-church and mission organizations attended the 29th PCEC National Assembly (NA), making it the best-attended NA so far in PCEC history.

Held at Hotel Vida, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga on July 12-15, the 29th NA focused on the theme “Churches Transforming Communities” based on Ephesians 3:10, with the sub-theme, “Working Together Towards National Transformation”.

The gathering sought to strengthen one another as leaders in the Body of Christ and deepen their solidarity in the goal of discipling the nation for Jesus Christ.

Messages and workshops

The PCEC Board of Directors led messages on leadership. Bishop Reniel Nebab discussed the theme “Churches Transforming Communities”; Dr. Nomer Bernardino on Humility; Ms. Nora Lucero on Sustinability; Bishop Cesar Punzalan on Succession Planning; Dr. Glenn Obligacion on Social Intelligence; and Dr. Andrew Liuson on Worship.

Bible Expositions for three mornings about Transformation, Community, Working Together and Worship were discussed respectively by Pastor Ancho Buenaventura of Life Renewal Ministries in Palawan, Bishop Manny Carlos of Victory Christian Fellowship, and Bishop Rey Calusay of the Assemblies of God.

Five of PCEC’s partners also led the workshops in the afternoon on Church Growth, Leadership Development, Missions Mobilization, Peace & Reconciliation, and Integral Missions.

Ratification of new members

The 29th NA in a unanimous decision ratified the application for membership of 38 groups to the Council, during a plenary session on July 13, 2011. This is the largest batch of new PCEC members since its founding in 1967. They are composed of two denominations, 16 local churches and 20 Christian service organizations (engaged in social development ministries, seminary education, student ministry, church planting and Christian literature). With the new groups, PCEC membership now stands at 419 organizations.

New PCEC Board of Directors Elected

The National Assembly elected five Christian leaders as incoming members of the PCEC Board of Directors. They will serve for four years, from 2011 to 2015. Four of them were actually reelected for second terms, while the other one was also a previous board member. In a secret balloting held July 14, 2011, the delegates voted for three board members to represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively: Dr. Nomer Bernardino (Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines), Bishop Rey Calusay (Assemblies of God), and Bishop Reniel Nebab (CAMACOP); while two were elected as members-at-large: Dr. Andrew Liuson (Makati Hope Christian Church) and Ms. Nora Lucero (Philippine Bible Society). Ms. Lucero served as board member from 2005-2009. Incumbent board member Bishop Alberto Patacsil (Wesleyan Church of the Philippines) was no longer eligible for nomination since he was in his second term. The other members of the PCEC Board, who are serving until 2013, are: Bishops Manny Carlos, Chito Ramos, Eduardo Cajes, Edgardo Bantigue and Noel Pantoja.

Pres. Aquino’s Vision for the Nation

President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the PCEC National Assembly on July 14 and spoke to the delegates about his achievements in his one year of office. He also expressed his profound thanks to the PCEC leadership for praying for him and for supporting his administration amid the myriad concerns and enormous pressure inherent in the job. He also listed priority measures of his presidency, like reducing unemployment by encouraging private enterprises and increasing government projects; various anti-poverty programs that are implemented at the grassroots level, like the conditional cash transfer (CCT), Kalahi-CIDSS and SEA-K, which are cash and livelihood assistance administered by DSWD; reduction of government deficit, and transparency and accountability in government transactions. He also reiterated his commitment to hold responsible those who misused government funds and pursue corruption cases against them until convictions are made.

P-Noy, as he called informally, thanked PCEC and organizations under it for helping the government address poverty and governance issues and cited specifically the housing and relief programs of PHILRADS and the CCT monitoring partnership of iHELP with DSWD.

Bishop Efraim Tendero for his part thanked the President for his commitment to weed out corruption in the government and to promote the ‘straight’ path in managing the affairs of the state. He also cited President Aquino’s willingness to cooperate with the private sector to achieve development goals. He also presented to him areas that PCEC has cooperated with the government (and possible expansion of cooperation under his administration), namely: poverty alleviation, peace and reconciliation, values formation and good governance. Prior to the President’s speech, Bishop Tendero also showed to him a multi-media presentation on the PCEC ministry.

The 29th NA delegates also released their declaration of commitment (see p. 34) during the culminating ceremonies.