Dear CTTP Family,

We’ve been praying for a deeper understanding of what it means to truly follow Christ, and God is faithfully answering! We’re excited to share some encouraging updates on how our church is growing in discipleship. Please continue to pray with us to be of one mind as we take our discipleship journey more intentionally.

What does discipleship look like?

If someone regularly attends Sunday services, joins church activities, and even leads a small group — would that be enough to depict discipleship?

For many church members, “discipleship” is a familiar word, often heard in preachings and conversations. Yet when it comes to daily living, the concept can be vague. Is discipleship only for leaders? Is it limited to one’s spiritual life? What does it truly mean to live as a disciple of Christ? To bring a clearer and more practical picture of this, theNational Discipleship Team of Christ to the Philippines, Inc. (CTTP) has been conducting Discipleship Resets and Retreats across its local churches.

As followers of Christ, discipleship is not optional. It is a command that Jesus Himself gave in what believers now call the Great Commission, “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” (Matthew 28:19–20).

The Discipleship Reset and Retreat is a weekend program designed to realign members' understanding of discipleship with what the Scripture teaches. It consists of two (2)parts: 1) Reset Cascade, and 2) Retreat.

The Reset Cascade walks churches through four (4) levels of reset that every believer has to experience: 1) personal, 2) discipleship, 3) church and 4) culture. It also touches on an introduction to HALO — Holiness, Accountability, Love, and Obedience — which form the foundation of the Christ Discipleship Roadmap (CDR), CTTP framework for living out the discipleship journey.

“Natuwa po ako na nabigyan ang mga mentors ng growth guide para ma-check ang spiritual life ng mga mentees nang sa gayon ay matugunan ng tama ang pangangailangan ng mga ito,” expressed Ptra. Jonelee Maquiñana who attended the cascade in CTTP Daraga.

(“I’m glad that mentors now have a growth guide to help assess the spiritual life of their mentees. This way, they can better address their needs.”)

This highlights that discipleship goes beyond programs or teachings. It is rooted in relationships, which, by nature, can be complex and sometimes messy. That’s why the second part of the program, the Retreat, plays such a crucial role. It offers a safe space for confession, restoration, and mutual encouragement, allowing discipleship to grow through genuine connection and grace.

As Elesio Maquiling, Jr. of CTTP Dauis shared, “The most impactful session is when we were asked to confess things that would hinder us in serving God. It made me realize that it does not only affect my relationship with God, but also the way I serve Him.”

In the same way, Lito Bulanun of CTTP Alas Asin was encouraged by the openness of the team, “Ako ay nahamon sa mga nag-testimony dahil ang naranasan nila ay nararanasan ko rin, at kung paano sila nagtagumpay ay magtatagumpay rin ako.”

(“I was challenged by the testimonies because I’ve experienced the same struggles. Seeing how they overcame gives me hope that I can too.”)

Elesio and Lito’s realizations illustrate how the body of Christ is interconnected — when one member falls into sin, the whole church feels the weight; when one member triumphs, the entire church rejoices.

These programs are anchored in the ultimate goal of discipleship, as described by the Apostle Paul, “Him [Jesus] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

Since its launch in 2024, 39 local churches have already benefited from the Reset and Retreat runs. Upcoming runs are scheduled in North and South Bicol District churches for the 3rd quarter of the year.

Sowing seeds through values education

CTTP Nagcarlan continues its partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) to bring Values Education to preschool and elementary students in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Since 2019, the church has sent out 24 volunteers to serve at Crisanto Guysayko Memorial Elementary School (CGMES) and at Living Hope Learning School, reaching children from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Dr. Erlinda Rapirap, Principal of CGMES, expressed her gratitude to CEF for their role in guiding the students, especially in the wake of the pandemic. She shared that the return to face-to-face classes has brought new behavioral challenges among students but the partnership between teachers and churches has made it easier to nurture biblical values in the classroom.

Teachers also observed that CEF’s weekly classes have introduced meaningful and enjoyable activities — such as singing, dancing, games, and verse memorization — offering students a refreshing break from their usual academic routines.

Through this initiative, CTTP Nagcarlan is not only teaching values — it is building relationships, planting seeds of faith, and nurturing the next generation in the love and truth of Christ.

Join Us

The CTTP National Convention is our annual gathering of pastors and ministers — a time for encouragement, equipping, and unity in the body of Christ. This year, the convention will beheld online via Zoom, making it accessible wherever you are!

• Zoom access is exclusive to registered participants

• All CTTP members are warmly invited to tune in via Facebook Live!

Thank you so much for all your labor. We appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to reach out to the Philippines and to the nations for God’s glory!

In Christ,

Rev. Voltaire Pablo P. Pablo III

National Director