SMO National Youth Conference 2019
Faith in God, Faithfulness to God is this year’s theme for the SMO National Youth Conference (SMONYC) held on May 1-3, 2019 at SMO Promised Land, Murcia. The conference which is being held every three years was attended by SMO missionaries, pastors, youth leaders, students, and alumni.
Here are the list of topics and the respective speakers:
Moses: A Risky Obedience of Faith that Abandons the World’s Comfort (Rev. Carlos Novisteros)
Noah: A Reverential Obedience of Faith that Rebukes the Sinful World (Pastor Darryl Roque)
Abraham: A Reliant Obedience of Faith that Follows God’s Leading (Pastor Ricky Benitez)
Faith that Saves: The Doctrine of Conversion (Rev. Tim Trumper)
Faith that Works: A Biblical Case for the Moral Law and Grace (Rev. Tim Trumper)
Faith that Perseveres: The Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints (Rev. Tim Trumper)
The Call of Faithfulness as We Follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. Carlos Novisteros)
The Challenge of Faithfulness in the Last Days (Rev. Tim Trumper)
The Consolation of Faithfulness as We Exit from this Temporal Life (Engr. Xerwin Ceballos)
Biblical Manhood (Rev. Tim Trumper)
Biblical Womanhood (Mrs. Brenda Trumper)
Setting a Discipleship Framework (Pastor Roland Tejada)
How to Start a Campus Ministry (Pastor Elmer Genol) A Challenge to Go Into Campus Ministry (Pastor Aeron Caldeo)
Prior to the conference, SMO missionaries, volunteers workers, and youth leaders had a Workers Enhancement Program (WEP) to evaluate and plan for future programs of SMO.
SMO-BTI’s 15th Commencement Ceremony
The Enabling Grace of God is the message preached during SMO Bible Training Institute’s 15th Commencement Ceremony held last April 1, 2019 at Ikthus East Equipping Center. Pastor Darryl Roque, a faculty of the school, gave the message.
SMO Director Nenita del Mundo, also the school’s Dean of Academics, and Pastor Elmer Genol, Dean of Students, officially presented the graduates and handed out certificates and awards.
Graduates for Bachelor of Theology in Youth Ministry were Aljake Belga, Arniel Camacho, Aleah Unice Claridad, and Elmharie Rabanal; for Certificate in Youth Ministry, Marty Limbaga. Awarded as Class Valedictorian is Claridad and Academic Scholar is second year student, Jake Kart Goza.
SMO-BTI offers 3-year and 4-year courses in theology with specific thrust in youth ministry. Tuition fees are affordable. The school also offers scholarships to qualified students.
Highlights: January-March, 2019
SINGAPORE MISSIONS TEAM VISIT. A new batch of youths from Zion Bible Presbyterian Church (Singapore) visited SMO for missions exposure last January 5-12, 2019. The team spearheaded by Sharon Quek visited schools and an orphanage for Bible studies and fellowships, experienced farm life at SMO Promised Land in Murcia, attended a singing workshop with Afterglow, spent time with students of SMO Bible Training Institute, and enjoyed a day of fun water games.
Zion BP Church is a ministry partner and is regularly sending youths and young professionals for missions exposure and also opportunities for them to serve through teaching and preaching of God’s Word.
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK. SMO and Alternative Learning System (ALS) students celebrated government-mandated National Bible Week last February 1, 2019 at the youth center. SMO Director Nenita del Mundo, in her opening remarks, stressed the importance of the Word of God in everyday life. Pastor Aeron Caldeo of Lifespring Christian Fellowship preached the Gospel. And ALS Coordinator Mark Philip Claridad and representatives from the Department of Education also gave encouraging words to the students enrolled in non-formal education.
DINNER FELLOWSHIP. Graduating students of SMO Bible Training Institute for school year 2018-2019 were treated with a special dinner together with faculty and staff last March 29, 2019. (Photo below)
Highlights: October-December, 2018
BACK-TO-BACK SEMINARS. A special seminar on The Five Solas of the Reformation and Biblical Covenant Theology was held on October 19-21, 2019 at The Lord’s Lampstand Christian Church, Bacolod City. Rev. Brian Golez Najapfour and Rev. Will Hesterberg were the lecturers during the seminar which was attended by 70 pastors, ministry workers, laypeople, Bible school teachers and students, and youths. The event was organized by SMO.
HOUSING PROJECT TURNOVER. In November, 2013, a Category 5 super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) slammed the Philippines, wrecking havoc to infrastructures and agricultural fields and leaving thousands of families homeless. Almost 6,500 people died, 5,800 of them were from Eastern Visayas.
In 2016, Word & Deed, an international Christian organization, partnered with Student Missionary Outreach in a housing project in Tanauan, one of the towns heavily affected by the typhoon in Leyte province. Word & Deed Project Management and Public Relations Officer, John Kottelenberg discussed with SMO Director Nenita del Mundo the dynamics of the partnership. SMO’s role is to help oversee the project, network with locals, interview candidates, and most importantly, bringing the Gospel to the recipients and provide them spiritual guidance. SMO sent its Bible students for two years there and help in some logistics.
Finally, after many challenges hurdled, ten families were formally awarded their new respective housing units on November 4, 2018 creating a new community where they could start rebuilding their lives. Present during the formal turnover of Alay Bahay, Alay Buhay (Build a House, Build a Life) housing project were SMO Director del Mundo; SMO Board Chair, Engr. Xerwin Ceballos; Tanuan City Mayor, Pelagion Tecson, Jr., Jesus Christ Transforms Community Pastor, Eduardo Gomez, and the ten families who were recipients of the project.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2018. Singaporean Calvin Murty treated SMO Staff, Bible students and faculty, alumni, and friends with a mini-concert and dinner during the Christmas Celebration Together at Christmas Again on December 14, 2018 at SMO Center. Murty has been a ministry partner for quite some time. His visit brought joy and encouragement to those who came.
CAMP FOREVER 24. The annual evangelistic Camp Forever was held on December 26-29, 2018 at SMO Promised Land, Murcia with the theme The Greatest Treasure. The camp which has reached it’s 24th year has introduced the Gospel to hundreds of young lives and challenged Christian youth attendees to be passionate in their love, service, and devotion to Jesus Christ.
Aside from faithful and solid preaching of the Word, Camp Forever is known to introduce new and original group games to the youths.
Camp Forever 24 speakers include Pastor Jake Quinosa, Engr. Xerwin Ceballos, Pastor Elmer Genol, Pastor Gerry Galarpe, Keano Rosales, and Mark Molines.
Highlights: July-September, 2018
IMPACT 3:16 MINISTRY VISITS SMO. Ministry partner, IMPACT 3:16 headed by Erwin Arevalo, visited SMO on July 5, 2018. They got to see firsthand the youth ministry SMO, and encouraged the board members, staff, Bible students with prayers, special dinner, and financial support for income generating projects of SMO.
BIBLE DISTRIBUTION. The local officers of Gideons International distributed New Testament Bibles to students of ALS (Alternative Learning System) on July 13, 2019 at SMO Youth Center.
SMO BIBLE TRAINING INSTITUTE’S 15TH FOUNDATION DAY. Students of SMO Bible Training Institute showcased their gift in singing during the school’s 15th Foundation Day on August 23, 2018. Several of the school’s alumni joined in the celebration together with current students, faculty, staff, and youths. SMO-BTI graduate Pastor Jaypee Erespe preached a message on Faith in God, Faithfulness to God.
The started in the year 2000 with only one student. Through the years it has trained youths who currently are serving different churches in leadership positions.
SMO’S 41ST ANNIVERSARY. Every year SMO remembers how faithful the Lord God is. Since its beginning in Manila in 1977, the ministry has seen different shades of God’s faithfulness through the lives of its past and and current staff, missionaries, youth leaders, youths, alumni, and partners.
With this year’s theme Faith in God, Faithfulness to God, SMO wanted to reaffirm its faith in God and to be reminded again that faithfulness in Him is crucial for the ministry to move forward.
The anniversary was held at SMO Youth Center on August 25, 2018 with SMO Board Chair, Engr. Xerwin Ceballos, as speaker.
Glory be to God!
Highlights: April-June, 2018
SMO BIBLE TRAINING INSTITUTE’S 14TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE. SMO-BTI honored thirteen students during the 14th Commencement Exercise on April 1, 2018. SMO Board Chair Engr. Xerwin Ceballos challenged the graduates to always serve for God’s glory. SMO Director Nenita del Mundo handed the certificates to eight students who finished a four-year Bachelor of Theology in Youth Ministry; they were: Wilmar Mariveles, Keniel Tonggoy, Primen Arzaga, Jonas Escobar, Mark Esparagoza, Ismael Agno, and Ellen Arzaga. Certificates were also given to five students who finished a three-year Certificate in Youth Ministry; they were: Aleah Eunice Claridad, Hope Antiquenio, and Kim Agno.
SMO-BTI was founded in 2000 and offers formal theological training with a thrust on youth ministry to young men and women who wants to be involved in full time youth ministry. The institute offers biblical quality education with affordable tuition fees. The school is located SMO Promised Land in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
BIBLICAL COUNSELING SEMINAR. SMO and ministry partner, Biblical Counseling Worldwide (BCW), visited churches in different parts of the country last April-May, 2019 for a seminar on Biblical Counseling with emphasis on Depression. Pastor David Meengs who heads BCW based in Michigan, USA has visited the country several times to conduct counseling seminar to pastors, church leaders and workers, and laypeople. His book, Climbing Out of Depression, is being distributed for free after the seminars. The book is also being used as a resource to those who are involved in jail ministry.
Highlights: February-March, 2018
SMO OFFICIALLY PARTNERS WITH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. SMO opens its doors to out-of-school youths and adults providing a learning center for them as they go through the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS). In the partnership with DepEd, SMO will provide its youth center as a learning center for their students at no cost. SMO will then provide spiritual instructions and guidance to the students. ALS Coordinator for Bacolod, Mark Philip Claridad, expressed its gratitude to SMO Director Nenita del Mundo for providing a good environment for their students at the youth center. On March 2, 2018, City Councilor and Education Committee Chairman, Atty Renecito Novero have a message during the first general assembly at SMO together with another city official.
SMO WATERGAMES 2018. SMO staff and Bible Training Institute students spend a day-off each year for some fun time. This was held at Caribbean Water Resort on March 19, 2018.
SMO BIBLE TRAINING INSTITUTE DINNER FELLOWSHIP. Graduating class for school year 2017-2018 of Bible Training Institute together with faculty, staff, and teachers were treated for dinner at a Chinese restaurant on March 27, 2018.
SMO Sports Day 2018
A whole day of different sports were played at the SMO Youth Center on February 17, 2018. High school students from various schools enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and chess.
Gift Giving to Kids
January 31, 2018 > Christmas gift giving came a little too late for these kids, however, it was better late than never for them. SMO facilitated gifts distribution to elementary students ages 9-12 years old of Pandanon-Silos Elementary School in Murcia. The gifts and snacks that were distributed came from mission partners abroad. SMO National Director Nenita del Mundo gave a message first before the gift giving. The kids were all smiles when they received school supplies, toys, and clothes.
Weekly Bible studies are held in this school spearheaded by Pastor Elmer Genol together with SMO Bible Training Institute students.
Student Missionary Outreach 