This update is from Eugene Guzon, GCI’s national director in the Philippines. He writes concerning the steps being taken in GCI Philippines following the death of Area Superintendent Captain Jessup Bahinting.
July and August have been quite a challenge as we recover from the shock and grief following the tragedy of the plane crash that took the life of GCI Advisory Council Member and Visayas Area Superintendent, Captain Jessup Bahinting.
Pastor Jessup was laid to rest on Monday, August 27 in Ginatilan, Cebu. The Bahinting family sends their deep appreciation for the support extended to them by members in the Philippines and overseas. Jessup’s wife, Margarita said, “We praise God for giving us a big family who continues to be a source of overwhelming support and encouragement during our time of loss.” I talked with her over the phone and she sounds well but exhausted from the series of meetings with the students and stockholders of Jessup’s flying school and in coping with the loss at the same time.
Pastor Terence Santibanez who is Assistant Area Superintendent of Western Visayas will now be serving as the Acting Area Superintendent for the whole of Visayas, assuming the role filled by Pastor Jessup. We thank and appreciate Pastor Terence for his willingness to assume broader responsibilities at this difficult time. He will be a great blessing to the churches in the Visayas in this new role.
Pastor Levi Yuson of Maramag church suffered a mild stroke while visiting Cebu for Pastor Jessup’s wake last week. He safely returned to Maramag after a few days of rest and is doing better. Let us pray for his full and speedy recovery.
Because of the growing need for ministers, we are committed to developing new and younger leaders to serve our churches. We are confident that God will continue to sustain us in our journey of faith. We thank our pastors, leaders and members for their continuing faith in God and love for our church family, as we serve with zeal and dedication in various ways.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS COMFORT AND STRENGTH AT TIMES LIKE THESE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR GOD TO PROVIDE ALL YOUR NEEDS AND SHOW FORTH HIS COMFORT AT ALL TIMES WHILE YOU ADJUST TO THIS TREMENDOUS LOSS. HIS LOVE IS STRONGER AND DEEPER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE AND WE KNOW HIS LOVE FOR YOU WILL BE MANISFESTED IN MANY WAYS AS TIME GOES BY. LOVE AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
We have been praying for Pastor Jessup’s family for the last two weeks at church. One of his former members Brenda De Los Reyes called me immediately after she heard the news. I followed all the news reports on the local newspapers the interview with his wife on TV. We thank God for Jessup’s dedication and the strong faith and hope of Margie,Jemma,Dan and Sarah. God bless the new leadership in the area.