I salute these men

I got lost last Saturday. This morning I made it a point to attend its breakfast fellowship at the Mandaya Hotel.

I am happy to share with you that I finally attended the meeting of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International Davao chapter.

I learned that this is the first chapter in the country established here in 1973.

The FGBMFI is not a church. It is a trans-denominational fellowship. Its members, all men, come from different countries, cultures, denominations, classes and occupations. This morning there were more than 70 of us coming from Davao, Tagum, Bislig, Korea, Indonesia, US and Jamaica.

The fellowship was started in 1951 by Demos Shakarian, a dairy farmer of Armenian parentage living in California. He was concerned about the lack of men in churches. So, believing it was his calling, he started to bring men in hotels and restaurants to hear the testimonies of other businessmen who have embraced Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Today, FGBMFI has thousands of chapters in about 160 countries all over the world. Last April 19-22, it held its Asian convention in Manila. The Davao chapter again topped all 40 chapters in the country in attendance. There were about 40 members and their guests who were present along with about 500 from other Philippine chapters and delegates from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria and the Bahamas/Caribbean.

This morning I heard many sharings about how the Lord God and Jesus Christ touched their lives. I also witnessed the acceptance of four new members.

Mindanao Regional VP Rodrigo Guiang leads the acceptance of four new FGBMFI members with their sponsors.

When I left after the meeting, many members still stayed to plan the arrival here of a mercy ship m/v Hannah II on June 17. Others started to find their way to Men Seng Hotel where a leadership seminar will also take place.

I salute this group of men, a number whom are my friends and acquitances. In spite of their busy work as businesspersons and professionals, they have devoted this day, and their lives, for the Lord's service. They are God's gifts!

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