By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

CPBC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerson Narciso and Dr. Ann Colinco unveiling the logo at CHG.

The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC) held a dedication service for the new facilities of Camp Higher Ground (CHG) on December 21, 2020.

The new facilities at Camp Higher Ground are the newly constructed Stairway to the Cross, Cottage, CPBC Logo, and a comfort room.

The dedication service started with a Ribbon Cutting led by CPBC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerson Narciso, Camp Higher Ground Committee Chairperson Rev. Job A. Santiago, CPBC President Rev. Samuel Talha, Iloilo Mission Hospital Director Dr. Elmer Pedrogosa, Central Philippine University President Dr. Teodoro Robles, and Filamer Christian University President Dr. George Cortel.

It was then followed by the singing of praise songs led by Pastor Jec Dan Borlado. Pastor Deborah Tan, the liturgist, led the Call to Worship.The words of greetings were given by Dr. Robles, Dr. Cortel, Rev. Talha and Dr. Pedregosa.

CPU Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on leading the Act of Consecration.

Dr. Robles said that CPU will continue to help the income-generating project of Camp Higher ground. Filamer has also pledged to support future endeavors of CHG.

Rev. Dr. Narciso’s message focused on thanking God despite the pandemic. He also expressed his gratitude that even though we are facing unfavorable circumstances, the Lord has used donors and generous people to help improve Camp Higher Ground.

Rev. Santiago led the Presentation of the New Facilities. Before the Act of Consecration, Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on gave a short history of the new facilities which started with a group chat called CHG Dreamers and Doers by Easter Arora and Nora Gierza, both alumni of the CPU College of Nursing who had a lot of memorable camping experience there. The two invited Rev. Jalando-on and Rev. Dr. Narciso, and last July they started the campaign for the Stairway to the Cross with the slogan “Let us help Camp Higher Ground one STEP at a time.”

“This truly started with a spark. To those of you who were sparked and who fanned the flames to keep the fire going, Thank you. Let us keep the fire glowing as there are more to do”, said Easter Arora in her message read by Rev. Jalando-on.

University Church Senior Minister Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian, Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA) National President Rev. Mark Vergara, CBMA-Iloilo Chapter President Pastor Rick Bata-anon, and Good Hope Baptist Church Minister Pastor RD Celeste gave the prayer of dedication for the New Facilities.

Camp Higher Ground is a 54-hectare campsite of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches. (CPBC)

Founded by the American Baptist missionaries, Central Philippine University is a member institution of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC).