May 2011

•DCF: God’s Ministry

to the Dorms (p. 2)
•Photos Galore (p. 3)
•A Day in Pansol (p. 4)
•Praise and Prayer (p. 4)

Monthly Newsletter of Paulo Tomacder • UP Dormitories Christian Fellowship Staffworker • f.paulotomacder@gmail.com

When God Calls You into the Ministry

We were cramped inside the Ipil Residence UP life passed by quickly and I soon found
Hall study room one fellowship night when our myself serving in a non-government organiza-
speaker asked, “What may prevent you from go- tion called GreenEarth Heritage Foundation.
ing fulltime for the Lord?” I was attracted to the ministry because of its
There was dead silence while each thought Christian pillars and values. I was their Public
of the question. I also paused to think, but an- Information Officer slash Executive Assistant all
other question entered my mind, “Do I want to in one.
go fulltime in the ministry?” The adjustment was difficult because I felt
I was second year then when I began con- that I wasn’t in the right place, that God wanted
sidering ministry work. But during that time, I to use me somewhere else. Every evening after
did not imagine myself actually spending a life- office, I would rush back to UP from Makati to
time ministering to students and communities join the fellowships and to lead Bible Studies.
for Christ. Yes I started to enjoy the Bible Studies There were times when I couldn’t wait for
and the fellowships at DCF, but I wasn’t ready to the end of office hours because I wanted so much
give up my passion for journalism and the media to concentrate with my ministry in the dorms. I
industry. felt like my real work started the moment I fin-
Kuya Dave Griffiths, a missionary from ished my office work.
Wales, started calling us one by one, eliciting an- This went on for almost four months, until I
swers. We were sitting in a circle so it was easy to prayerfully decided to resign, asking Kuya Caloy
predict who would be called next. When it was Novisteros to help me into the fulltime ministry.
my turn, I said, “I want to go fulltime but I’m not During this time, I was meditating on Phi-
sure if I’m ready and if my family is ready for it.” lippians and I heard God speak to me through
much involved in the lives of people.
I looked at Kuya Dave’s face and immedi- His Word in my Quiet Times. When I was afraid
I saw how the Holy Spirit worked in count-
ately I knew he was thinking, perhaps digesting with the uncertainty of my future, He said I lift it
less occasions—in Bible Studies, fellowships,
what I said. I was waiting for a comment but it all in prayer and He will give me peace (Philip-
fund raisings, camps and the Missions Trip. I
never came. Instead, with a heavy British accent, pians 4:6-7). When I felt I wasn’t worthy to go
particularly enjoyed the weekly BS I had with the
he blurted his usual, “Good! Alright lovely boy, fulltime, God said “I can do everything through
DCF boys. I learned more when I started teach-
good.” Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).” I
ing the Bible, and it became a joy to watch the
Whatever that meant I never really found also thought of my provisions. Where will I get
younger ones grow in faith.
out. But I know for a fact that that night marked my daily living? Philippians 4:19 was God’s swift
By God’s grace, I finished my last year in UP
the beginning of my journey into the ministry. answer, “And my God will meet all your needs
and was blessed with the opportunity to address
In the next two years of my stay in Ipil, I got according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
the graduates at the College of Mass Commu-
more involved with the dorms ministry. I took He was really talking to me. To cap His
nication. That was a high point in my spiritual
charge of its publication, The Dormwatch, dur- call, God drew me to Philippians 3:7-8. Here He
walk. The Spirit impressed in my heart not to
ing my junior year. Then on my last year in the showed me my heart’s desire, “But whatever was
waste the opportunity but to use it to advance
University, I lent my service as chairperson of the to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of
the Gospel. So with much prayer, I included the
fellowship. Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss
Good News in my speech.
It wasn’t easy juggling my time between aca- compared to the surpassing greatness of know-
I will never forget when, coming down from
demics and ministry. There were times when I ing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have
the stage, I was greeted by a complete stranger—
really felt tired, but I could not give up what I lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I
he looked like a pastor to me—who said, “God is
was doing simply because I loved my work for may gain Christ...”
pleased with your boldness! All praises to Him!
the Lord. Undoubtedly, my senior year intensi- I will never regret the day I gave myself up
Congratulations.”
fied my desire to go fulltime because I was very to God for fulltime ministry at DCF.

It was the year 1990 when several dorm fel-
lowships formally organized to become what is
now known as the Dormitories Christian Fellow-
ship. DCF, in a sense, is a product of unity not
only among independent dorm-based fellow-
ships but also among Christian Organizations in
UP Diliman.
DCF did not start the fellowships in the
dorms; it was the other way around. The dorm
fellowships gave birth to the organization. Such
nature and network gave rise to DCF’s long-
standing tagline, “The Christian Community in
the Dormitories.”
This is true in many ways and, perhaps, most
evident in the vibrant relationship it has with
other Christian orgs. It partners with the State
Varsity Christian Fellowship, The Navigators,
Campus Crusade for Christ, Christ on Campus,
Students for Christ, UP Christian Youth Move-
ment, Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan,
Lifebox (Every Nation Christian Ministries) and
the Students of Destiny.
Through the years, DCF committed itself
in obeying both the Great Commission and the
Greatest Commandment. It currently ministers to
six dormitories in the University—Kalayaan, Mo-
lave, Ilang-ilang, Kamia, Sampaguita and Yakal—
and plans to start one in the newly-built Centen-
nial Dormitory.
Its leaders held on to sound Biblical Teach-
ings, putting God’s Word above all in matters of
faith and life. Strong ties with the Diliman Cam-
pus Bible Church and the InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship gave its members much-needed train-
ings in leadership, Biblical hermeneutics and
apologetics.
The organization ministers on campus
through evangelism and discipleship. DCFers
make it a point to leave Gospel tracts room-to-
room during open house celebrations. They also
share to residents who are open, inviting them in
weekly fellowships and Bible Studies. There are
also one-on-one witnessing in the Sunken Garden
and the Academic Oval.
The monthly General Assemblies and dorm
joint-fellowships strengthen the ties among mem-
bers. Aside from this, the events are avenues to
spread the Gospel and build bridges with other
organizations.
2 May 2011
DCF: God’s Ministry
to the Dorms
Perhaps, the most-awaited event each year
is the Missions Exposure Trip every October.
The activity gives DCFers the opportunity to ex-
perience the mission field firsthand as they reach
out to far-flung provinces to share Jesus, assist in
church planting and equip the youth of Christian
Churches.
The mission starts even before October
when the fellowships gather together in prayer to
commit the people and the places to be visited to
the Lord. Those who consider joining spend the
month prior to the trip discerning God’s will and
preparing their hearts for the rigorous tasks ahead.
God has always been faithful to His ministry.
Members of the fellowship have witnessed how
He provides to make the different programs possi-
ble. Every academic year is a testing of faith as the
leaders depend on God, offering every activity at
the foot of His throne, praying hard that they be-
come a pleasing aroma before the King of Kings.
The ministry is also faced with pressing chal-
lenges from different fronts. Within the Chris-
tian Community, DCF struggles to enjoin fellow
Christians to be deeply rooted in the Word. It de-
sires to initiate packets of conversation on impor-
tant spiritual issues like the prosperity and pop-
Gospel, unity in the body and false teachings.
In the UP Community, the organization is
challenged to reach out to students with differ-
ing involvements and backgrounds residing in
the dorms. If UP is a microcosm of the Philippine
society, the dorms reflect the UP Community just
as well. DCFers regularly interact with student
activists, leaders of academic and provincial orgs,
student leaders from the different college councils,
and varsities among others. Thus, members watch
their testimonies as they prayerfully win them
through lifestyle evangelism.
Ever since religious gatherings were banned
inside the dorms, the greatest challenge for the
ministry has been the venue of its activities. The
dorm fellowships had to meet outside the halls,
sometimes as far as the Church of the Risen Lord
grounds, just to have proper lighting. The other
fellowships resort to emergency lamps and mats
on grassy areas infront of the dorms for their
meetings.
Despite these challenges, DCFers are encour-
aged by the support and prayers of their alumni.
Though the network is no longer as extensive, a
number of them continue to volunteer to speak,
especially the younger graduates. The organiza-
tion is in the process of expanding its alumni di-
rectory and linkages through the Internet (Face-
bok) and via SMS to better disseminate updates,
prayer requests and information on events.
In October last year, DCF also had its first
ever staffworker in the person of Frederick Pau-
lo Tomacder. Pau served as the chairperson of
DCF in 2009-2010. He took up Journalism and
graduated Magna cum Laude and the Valedic-
torian of his batch in the College of Mass Com-
munication.
He currently serves in the organization as
a regular speaker, Bible Study leader, and train-
er for evangelism and hermeneutics. He also
spearheads the start of a new fellowship in the
newly-built Centennial Dormitory.
Aside from these, he volunteers to help
in an outreach in Infanta, Quezon in a satellite
campus of the Southern Luzon State University.
He works with the Living Word Christian Fel-
lowship based in the area.
No one knew that DCF will last this long—
more than two decades and counting. No one
will also claim credit for its success because its
humble beginnings and continuous survival all
depended on the grace of the Almighty. As its
alumni take a bold step of incorporating a DCF
Alumni Association with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, everyone is excited to
witness the unfolding of a new chapter for the
organization.
The possibilities are limitless. And as long
as DCF continues faithfully with the Lord, it will
be used by God as He works mightily, impact-
ing the lives of people from different parts of the
country and even the world.
All glory, honor and praise belong to God!
 DCF held six
fellowships
during the
Summer Term,
culminating in
three Evange-
listic Meetings.
Prior to that,
DCFers were
immersed in
discussions
on the Gospel
and stranger
evangelism.

DCFers
Jayvee (in pray over
stripes) the new
leads the leaders
Execu- during the
tive Com- kick-off
mittee in General
devotions Assembly
during the in March.
Summer Kuya
Evaluation Dave
meeting. leads the
ceremony.

DCFers UPCLOSE: (from left to right) Gay, Kit, Dan, Marko, Marvee, Shine and Charm.

May 2011 3

“Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
-praise God for the growing passion for
evangelism in DCF
-praise God for the Evangelism Trainings
and activities throughout the Summer
Term
-praise God for the financial provisions from
our dear alumni
-praise God for the opportunity to speak in
an Evangelistic Event in Pampanga, in a
True Love Waits Seminar in Quezon and
in the graduation of DCBC’s Children’s
Summer Bible School in Pansol.
-praise God for the plan to start a DCF
Alumni Association, Inc.
-praise God for Kuya Caloy’s continuing sup-
port and mentoring
-praise God for DCBC’s monthly allowance
and support from a number of Alumni
-pray that my family will also come to a sav-
ing relationship with Jesus Christ
-pray that God will help the leaders of DCF
to mature in their faith
-pray for our evangelistic freshmen treat on
June 30
-pray that the Lord will make us bold in
inviting people that they may hear the
Gospel
-pray for provisions as we raise 10K for the
event
-pray also for the Discovery Meetings, an
apologetics ministry of DCBC where
DCF is involved
-pray for the speakers that they will be filled
with the Holy Spirit as they speak
-pray for me as I continue to minister to the
students on campus
-pray for strength, wisdom and health as
I prepare my Bible Study Materials for
young and mature Christians for next
Academic Year
-Pray for continuing provision as I raise 9K
each month for my ministry and provi-
sions
4 May 2011
One day in
Pansol
I noticed him looking at me from the corner
of my eyes. He held a cane with his left hand as he
sat alone on the foundation of one of the iron pil-
lars of the covered court. His hair had turned gray
with age, and his face was lined with wrinkles.
He seemed detached from the world around
him. The noisy teens playing basketball and the
sweltering environment did not affect him the
least. He was still and quiet but had a piercing
glance.
The first time I passed by Lolo Elias, I felt a tug
in my heart. I had been scanning the area earlier
for bystanders who might have the time to listen “Are you familiar with the story of Jesus?” I
opened.
to the Gospel. So far I could not find the perfect
person because everyone was on the move. “I’m already old and I’ve forgotten many
things,” came Lolo Elias’ answer.
The teens were playing in the court. The moth-
ers were busy chatting near the Sangguniang Ka- This took me aback because I had never per-
sonally met a person who didn’t know the story
bataan Hall, waiting with their sons who enlisted
in the free circumcision program of our church. of Jesus.
“God came as a man in Jesus Christ to die as
“If only I could muster enough courage to share to
a big group,” I thought to myself. a sacrifice for our sins,” I continued, “Because all
men are sinful, we are supposed to die as punish-
I tried sharing to the boys waiting in line but
they were not in the mood to listen to spiritual ment for our sins. But in God’s grace and love, He
took the punishment upon Himself, giving us the
talks. My guess is they are nervous of the opera-
tion. gift of eternal life instead.”
I paused and waited for any response. In my
This brought me to the covered court, looking
for someone to talk to. I walked past Lolo Elias heart I’m not sure if Lolo Elias understood what I
said. Aside from failing eyesight, he also could no
the first time as I went for a drink at Ate Linette’s
house. When I came back, he was still there talk- longer hear well. After a minute or two of silence,
I continued my explanation.
ing to no one and sitting as still as he was the first
time I saw him. “Jesus is giving us the gift of salvation, of for-
giveness of sins and cleansing for free. We receive
This time, however, I could no longer resist
the tug in my heart. As I approached Lolo Elias, all these by putting our faith in Him.”
At this point, I’m not sure if he heard what
I could feel the familiar pounding starting to grip
my chest. I don’t deny that I’m afraid of witness- I said. I wanted to continue explaining but I felt
that he would be able to understand the Gospel
ing to strangers, but when I feel like not doing it,
I remember the Great Commission and how Jesus better if he could find time to review the tract I
was giving him. I pulled a copy of the Gospel of
left us with the privilege to “go and make disciples
of all nations…” John from my bag. I inserted the tract and gave it
to Lolo Elias.
After uttering a shot prayer, I sat beside him
and said, “Lolo, I’m giving away free reading mate- “Lolo, if you have time, you can review what
I said about Jesus in this tract. You can also ask
rials from our church. Do you have time to read?”
“I’m already hard up in reading,” he said, “In your grandchildren to read this booklet for you.
It’s the Gospel of John and it tells us the story of
fact, my left eye has gone blind.”
“Do you have cataract lolo?” I inquired. Jesus’ life,” I said.
I bid Lolo Elias farewell and in my heart I
“No. This is not just cataract. The doctors said
it’s caused by something else,” Lolo Elias added. prayed that the Lord would supply what was
lacking in what I shared. I wanted to be able to
At this point, the Lord gave me an opening to
share the Gospel. Because he might not be able to follow him up, and so I agreed to come in the
post-circumcision check up next week, praying
read the tract I was giving out, I offered to tell Lolo
Elias the story of Jesus’ gift of salvation, to which that God will give me the chance to meet Lolo
Elias one more time.
he agreed.