Expanding the Ministries

In 1994 Compassion Ministry was modified into a “student center” from being a “family helper” in 1978. It is a special project of the church in partnership with Compassion  International based in Colorado USA thru Compassion Philippines.

LTAG is the only Assembly of God Church in Northern Luzon to have and maintain such ministry since 1978. Its first director was Rev. Alejandro Esperanza continued by Ptr. Walter Caput from 1979 to 1980’s, then Sis. Anita Mauting was appointed by Ptr. W. Caput to handle the ministry. It caters to the spiritual, mental and physical development of children who are qualified to enter the program.

In 1996, the CARE (Christ Ambassadors Reaching out and Evangelizing) group was organized headed by Sis. Maria Teresa Pinas-Manuel. They were involved mainly in outreaches and medical and dental mission activities.

In 1997, EPIMELEOMAI Multipurpose cooperative was established by the CARE group. It was registered in 1999 and became fully operational in 2003. It caters to the financial needs of the members and it is one source of fund for mission activities.

Church pioneering works were done in several places. In 1997, a medical dental outreach mission was conducted in Alab, Bontoc. Doctors, medical auxiliaries and other church volunteers from the Philippine Health Care Ministries based in Manila cooperated with the LTAG Church.

Apart from this, a Vacation Bible School (VBS) was conducted – the only VBS conducted in December. Simultaneous with the VBS in Alab, the other group of young people ministered in Mankayan then traveled to Alab.

The youth ministered to the community through songs, stage plays or drama, testimonies and exhortations.  Other places where pioneering works were done were at Sagada, Mt. Province in 1990; Caponga, Tublay in 1992; Tuba in 1993; Longlong in April 19, 1998 and Bineng and Japos in September 13, 1998.

Sunday afternoon services were held to accommodate those who were not able to attend the morning services. In 1996 Bible studies were conducted at the residence of Mrs. Banda-ay at Km 6 La Trinidad until it eventually evolved into Sunday afternoon services. The space was also used as a bookstore and canteen. This was sustained for a year.

In 2003 a space at Gibson building at Km. 5 was rented to use as an extension or satellite church where Sunday afternoon services could be held. To maximize the space, this was also used as a bookstore. This was sustained for only a year after thoroughly evaluating its practicality – that the rent of  P 11,000.00 per month for the space could be used instead for the expansion project of the  multipurpose building.

Several Pastoral staff members were able to help in the church ministries. In the 80’s were pastors Alex Simeon, Eduardo “Bodie” Nagum and Joven Encarnacion. In the 90’s were pastors Erlinda Alam-am Dante, Virgie Palangdan Ket-eng, Allen Dante, Joseph Awal,  Cristopher Bestoca and Julius Palpeg. In 2000 are pastors Frederick Catawe, Antonio Caput Jr., Arthur Luboa, Mario Dayaoen Jr. and Precy Alingbas.

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