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Below is a report submitted to Rev. Butch Yu (Regional Director for ASIA & Oceana)

"The Birth of WIN-Dallas, Texas"
Another Church Planting Effort By WIN-SQ Members
Reported by Jojo & Luz Santos

Hi Pastor Butch,

Sorry for this late update…been busy this week catching up with my work email….anyways, here’s our update.

We have about 19 adults and 12 kids who attended our Bible Study last June 20, 2008 and the venue was at Morning Star Montessori (MSM) in Allen, TX, this is about 3 miles from our home. Sis Avelene Sabaphaty, owner/director of MSM, asked us to conduct our June Bible study in their school to celebrate the June birthday celebrants in her clan and also to pray for the safety of kids enrolled in this school. We had a mini-worship service type program in which Bro. Rene Divina, one of our Elders from WIN-SQ who is now based in Houston, drove about 300 miles (one way) from their house in Houston, TX. We were blessed with the Message preached by Bro. Rene. Of course, Jojo and yours truly, lead the P&W.

Another key highlight was the attendance of Larry and Yvonne Busto and their 2 kids, (Kan and Keana) driving from Mansfield, about 50 miles (~1 hr drive) from us. They just relocated from WIN-Silicon Valley and was endorsed to us by Bro. Ed and Sis. Matet Dawa (who are formerly from WIN-SQ).

We can see the move of God in WIN-Dallas church planting…. God had put this desire in our hearts in Sept 2004, the time we relocated from CA to TX. We have learned to wait upon the Lord’s signal as there were moments of silence from God, waiting (long waiting), learning to be patient (Habakkuk 2:3), to acknowledge which one is God’s way and human effort (thanks to the counsel of Ate Christy Estanislao) Zech 4:6, and now we see God’s awesome work as he provides everything…. really, when God guides, God provides (Philippians 4:19).

LATEST UPDATE:
We have a very positive response from Sis Avelene about using the school for Sunday Church Service. Her husband, a Malaysian-Indian, working also in Texas Instruments agreed to this plan. God is good!....all the legalities about planting a church is now being handled and communicated by Bro. Rene Divina to our mother church and I’m sure he is seeking advice from you, Pastor Butch.

OUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT to WIN-Pastors around the US, and Singapore and our brief HISTORY

Pastor Gordon Apura (WIN-Houston)- he initially visited us in Nov 2004 and shared the word about church planting. I recall that I talked to Pastor Gordon in early Jan 2005 that we were joining a Filipino Church here in Dallas and that we will no longer can support the church planting. This time I gave birth to Richard, he was a preemie.

Pastor Mando Zacharias (WIN-New Jersey) and Pastor Ferdie Melendrez (WIN-New York) through phone has encouraged us in June 2007 when we visited my sister in NJ to plant a church in Dallas and this was the time that Jojo and I remembered that indeed, God has placed that burden in our hearts….it started there.

Pastor Butch and Sis Manju Yu (WIN-SQ)- For their words of encouragements and by talking to Bro Rene and asking him if he can pastor/support WIN-Dallas when they met in WIN-SD in June 2007. We are grateful to have spiritual leaders, like you, your support is always there!

Pastor Mark Briones (WIN-LA) – the first Pastor who visited us to kick-off the bible study in August of 2007. He shared the word about marriage since it was our 9th year wedding anniversary celebration.

Pastor Al and Ate Christy Estanislao (WIN-SD) – For every encouragement they shared to us, this couple has been our spiritual parents in Singapore and we love them so dearly.

Bro. Rene Divina and Family- for committing to this great commission of God. Thank you, Bro Rene for leading us and for your pastoral heart. It is our pleasure to partner with you in this ministry.

*Bro Rene started to commit to pastor this ministry in April 2008.

Profile: Jojo recently acquired the Certificate of Cullinary in CCCCD and now developing his own catering business (Café de Manila Catering) listed in Collin County, TX, US. He has a passion for Italian cooking and of course, our own Filipino Dish. Luz is working in Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX as Packaging Engineer. This couple is from WIN-SQ and has always been involved in the Music Ministry. Jojo plays guitar and Luz is a Songleader. They have 2 healthy kids- Pauline Beatrice (PB), 8 and Richard 3.