Three hundred eleven lay, clergy and guests from the eight annual conferences of the Baguio Episcopal Area, Philippines Central Conference of The United Methodist Church gathered on January 2-4 for this year’s Aldersgate Mission Conference themed, “Confirmation and Membership Anchored on Discipleship and Evangelism” at Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City.
The three-day conference consisted mainly of discussions about the theology of grace, confirmation, and membership. Rev. Dr. Pedro M. Torio Jr., Bishop of the Baguio Episcopal Area and Rev. Dr. Homer Wesley O. Refuerzo, President of Wesley Divinity School conducted these discussions.
Bishop Torio talked about the Theology of Grace and Rev. Refuerzo focused on Confirmation.
Meanwhile, Bishop Rudy Juan of Manila Episcopal Area and Bishop Ciriaco Francisco
preached on the first and second day morning worships respectively.
Dr. Elizabeth Tapia and husband, Rev. Alan Cogswell also graced the event. They are both serving in mission at John Wesley College.
“Confirmed about Christ, confirmed by Christ,” was the central theme of Bishop Torio’s homily during the Consecration Service, summing up the whole learning experience.
Bishop Pete Torio consecrated 41 lay persons to help the clergy in conducting Confirmation Classes in their respective churches during the Consecration Service of the 2016 Aldersgate Mission Conference. “Christ confirms you and me. When we go back to our churches, we stand strong and declare Jesus Christ who is the light of the world!” said Bishop Torio
This article originally appeared in the January 4, 2016 issue of the Bagiuo Episcopal Area Newsletter. For more information or to be added to the email list, please contact Mae Anne Lee Biasbas (malbiasbas@gmail.com).