Good morning brothers and sisters!

First of all, I would like to apologize for not being able to join you in person as you celebrate this momentous occasion of your 25th founding anniversary. However I am definitely with you in spirit as you continue to demonstrate your faithfulness to the Lord’s calling to spread His Gospel in the marketplace. As you gather today to celebrate this important milestone in your chapter’s life, let me quote from this Sunday’s gospel from Matthew 28:18-20,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

These words were the personal instructions given by Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection and Christians through generations have embraced this command.

We as members of the BCBP are also called to heed this mission of evangelization although in a very specific manner, and that is to bring Christ to the marketplace and to win the marketplace for Christ. This very specific mission demands from us to put our faith into action through our service in this community.

Definitely, Kalibo Chapter through your members has faithfully fulfilled this very difficult task as God’s workers in his vineyard during your twenty five years of existence.

Your collective work, labor and endurance in sustaining our mission is truly inspired by your faith, hope and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

To your Governance team, headed by Bro. Gerome Quimpo, our utmost gratitude to you for all the selfless service and dedication you have shown to the community. You are surely leading the way for Kalibo Chapter as it stays true to its new tagline of “Kalibo Rising”. Of course, to the members of Kalibo Chapter, thank you for being steadfast in your commitment to serve the Lord through this community with your time, talent and treasure.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, I would like to exhort all of you to continue with this mission to help more businessmen and professionals get to know Jesus Christ and to help them in their spiritual journey to develop a personal relationship with Him.  The spirit of mission and Christian service that they will learn from you is what they will also bring to their own workplaces and allow more people to be inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Again, I am one with you in celebrating your anniversary today and I fervently pray for the continued success of your Chapter.

Congratulations and God bless us all.

Dr. Apol Chan – BCBP Area Managing Director for Western Visayas