THE PYROS TORCH

A quarterly publication of The Pyros Youth Ministry of Word International Ministries Los Angeles.

I S S U E

XIII
FIRST QUARTER
O F 2 0 1 0

WIN National Youth Pastors & Leaders Conference

A Firm Foundation for the Next Decade
By Paolo Manuel

On January 15, 2010, something historical consisting of Southwest Houston, Northwest

happened for Word International Ministries. For
the first time ever, key workers of the youth
ministries of the WIN churches in North America
gathered in Houston, Texas for the first youth
pastors and youth leaders conference entitled “A
Firm Foundation for the Next Decade.”
WIN US National Youth Coordinator Pastor Mark
Briones saw that it was necessary for the forerunners
of the WIN youth ministries to come together and
discuss the future of the church, as well as to unite
the body of young believers. Though there has been
a growing cohesion between the network of WIN
youth groups in the US, mainly through Soul Anchor,
the annual youth summer camp in California, there
was still a need to bring the leaders of the individual
ministries together to forge a stronger bond with one
another as well as to capture a unified vision.
Houston, Northeast Houston, and Dallas stepped up
to the challenge of hosting these delegates and key
workers in the ministry for this unprecedented event
that took place at the WIN Southwest Houston
worship center.
The conference began on Friday afternoon with
Pastor Mark Briones of WIN Los Angeles outlining the
importance of the conference. With the growing
number of youth groups in North America, it is
imperative that each ministry catch the same global
vision that emphasizes on the development of
discipleship within the youth ministry.
The first session was led by Pastor Jong Duterte, the
International Youth Coordinator, who also pastors the
church in Toronto. He spoke on the topic of “The
Process and Development of Youth Ministry” where

The dream of gathering the workers of the youth

ministry was first realized six years ago, and after
much prayer and planning, the conference finally
came together in January of 2010, just in time to
begin the new decade. California delegates from
Artesia, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
and Silicon Valley, met with our brethren from the
East, consisting of New Jersey and Toronto, Canada,
as well as with our distant WIN family from the Delegates listen in during a session at the first youth conference.
islands of Hawaii. The network of churches in Texas
continued on page 2 
 he outlined the
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inner workings of
the ministry and
emphasized the
dedication each
youth leader must
deliver to see
success in its
endeavors. Pastor
Pastor Jong Duterte, International
Youth Coordinator, speaking on Jong asserted the
“The Process and Development of importance of self-
Youth Ministry.”
assessment in
order to see what
changes need to be made to better carry out the
ministry’s purposes and goals. Delegates were
taught about carefully laying down the foundations
of the ministry, investing in emerging leaders to
strengthen the commitment within the team, and
the multiplication and delegation of leadership for
growth.
In the evening, a signature Crosspoint youth rally
was held at the WIN SW Houston church which
attracted 90 people, the largest turnout for a youth
rally yet. Following the anointed praise and worship
led by the Sheena Silguera of WIN NE Houston and
Ron Apura of WIN SW Houston was the message
delivered by Pastor Perry Escalera of WIN Silicon
Valley, who drilled into the receptive audience to
stop hesitating God’s call. Like a successful
advertising tag line, “Just do it!” became the motto
of the rest of conference among the youth,
delegates, and pastors alike.
Day two of the conference began with ministry
reports and updates from the various WIN churches
represented in the conference. Following the
reports was the second session led again by Pastor
Jong Duterte, who at this time shared on the topic
of “The Person God Can Use in Youth Ministry.”
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The next two sessions were delivered by Pastor
Mark Briones, on the topics of “Principles of
Discipleship in the Youth Ministry” and “Planning for
Youth Ministry.” In his first session, he discussed
the importance of a strong discipleship program in
the ministry. He challenged leaders to follow the
example of Christ by investing in the lives of those
in the ministry, training them to be effective leaders
for the future. In his second session, Pastor Mark
shared about being a purpose-driven and goal-
oriented ministry. He also reminded the delegates
that the youth ministry should build bridges
between other ministries in the church and to
partner up with them for support.
In addition to the sessions were two practical
workshops: “Sensory Pleasures: How Much Do You
Indulge?” and “Balancing Family, School, and
Ministry.” The first workshop was shared by Pastor
Erwin Tanjuaquio of WIN San Francisco/Bridgepoint
who gave a fresh look on the youth culture’s media
and technology consumption, while the latter was
led by Sis. Fedelyn Rapinan, Youth Ministry Head of
Pyros of Los Angeles, who gave treasured insight
on time management for the youth leaders who are
often not only dedicated in the youth ministry but
often in other ministries, as well as being engrossed
in school work.
The conference would not have been successful
without the hard work and dedication of the WIN
family in Texas. They accepted the challenge of
hosting the conference and did a great job in
executing every detail of the event from the logistics
to entertainment. Though comprised of four
different churches, the youth of WIN Texas did not
fail to exemplify the type of relationship that each of
the WIN churches should have with one another.
They all came together to deliver the best possible
first conference the delegates could have asked for.
Because of their collaborative efforts, thirst for
continued on page 3 
 excellence, and commitment to carrying out the
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work for the youth ministries of WIN, the conference
was undoubtedly a great success. Additionally, the
hospitality of the families that hosted the delegates
cannot go unnoticed, as they displayed a genuine
compassion towards their guests. It was a blessing
to see the support of our WIN family in action.
This first-ever youth pastors and youth leaders
conference is only the beginning of bigger plans to
come. There is still much to be done, but the bold
vision for the youth ministries of Word International
Ministries is strong, and the drive to carry out that
vision is even stronger.
Typhoon Ondoy:
By Joanna Cordero
In a span of 38 days, the Philippines was hit by a
series of typhoons. On September 26, 2009,
Typhoon Ondoy made landfall and swept through
Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon, causing
devastating destruction. Soon after, Typhoon
Pepeng struck Northern and Central Luzon and was
then followed by typhoons Oedan, Ramil, Santi, and
Tino.
Fourteen WIN pastors living in Metro Manila,
Laguna, and Cagayan, were affected by the
typhoon. A total of thirteen WIN churches were
affected: five in Metro Manila, four in Laguna, one
each in Bulacan, Ilocos, Pangasinan, and Cagayan.
As of the report release, 1046 families from WIN
churches in Metro Manila and 1,189 families from
churches in Laguna/Quezon, Cavite and Central
Luzon were affected by the typhoon.
Along with monetary donations from WIN churches
worldwide, local churches in the Philippines
mobilized to provide help to members affected by
the typhoons.
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Let us together enter this new decade with a
renewed support of the endeavors of our youth, the
future of our church.
This first-ever youth pastors and youth
leaders conference is only the beginning of
bigger plans to come. There is still much to
be done, but the bold vision for the youth
ministries of Word International Ministries
is strong, and the drive to carry out that
vision is even stronger.
Victims of Typhoon
Ondoy (Ketsana)
flee for help as
their town
immerses in heavy
rainfall.
WIN Family Helps Members
Affected by Ondoy Tragedy.
Responding immediately, the churches launched
relief operations within two days after Ondoy. WIN
Makati was able to distribute relief goods in
squatter areas in Makati where they have feeding
centers to the poor children. WIN Manila was able
to distribute goods as far as Montalban where we
have an outreach and a church. Marikina was able
to mobilize their workers to provide help to their
members. WIN Alabang rushed to help their
members living on stilt houses by the waters and
brought them food & clothing. Due to monetary
donations, WIN was also able to help thirty-three
Laguna pastors and workers fix their homes, and
hundreds of members to receive relief goods.
Full recovery is still on the way as many have lost
their homes, crops, and livelihood, but through
support and prayer, hope is not lost.
To help our brethren in the Philippines recover,
please mail cash or checks to Sis. Nickie Paulate at
7101 58th St. CT. W University Place, WA 98466.
 WIN LA Celebrates Its 19th Year
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 Boldness & Blessings

By Pauline Guiuan

Word International Ministries - Los Angeles celebrated

its 19th anniversary with a simple but intense service Let us then approach the throne
that ushered in the beginning of a new season of of grace with confidence,
boldness and blessings. WIN LA celebrated its 19th
year with a special Sunday service on October 11,
so that we may receive mercy
2009, a culmination of the year-long theme “Come and find grace to help us
Boldly Before The Throne of Grace,” based on Hebrews in our time of need.
4:16.
Hebrews 4:16

After an amazing time of praise and worship, the .

children’s ministry did a special dance number, with Pyros Youth
Leader, Angelica
several of its adorable little members dressed as Pons, lifts her
cowboys singing and dancing to three Western-inspired hand during the
amazing time of
songs. The couples’ ministry, Gideon’s Sword, led by praise and
worship.
Paloo and Alma Guiuan also gave their own choral
rendition of a song entitled “We Will Stand” by Avalon.

Pastor Chito Cordero’s message that day was titled

“Key Indicators of Church Health” and served as a
reminder to the congregation about the factors and
characteristics that make a church powerful and
effective. The sermon served as an encouragement to
the church to seek God with more fervor as a united
body. In line with the theme, Pastor Chito also
reminded the congregation to continue to step boldly
into their inheritance as God’s children, claiming their
blessings and influencing the world around them as a
strong, united, and proactive community of believers.

The anniversary service was the highlight of the month;

.
previous and subsequent Sundays in October also
The little cowboys and cowgirls
featured video presentations from the different church of the children’s ministry
ministries, such as Pyros and Deborah's Fire, as a part perform western-style dances.

of the month-long anniversary celebration.

Members of the couples’

ministry, Gideon’s
Sword, sing “We Will
Stand” by Avalon.

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 WIN LA Hosts
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International
Prayer Congress
By Rizza Aldaba
“There before me was a great multitude that no one
could count, from every nation, tribe, people and
language, standing before the throne and in front of
the Lamb.” Revelations 7:9
United Nations Day, October 24, marks another
unprecedented event in WIN Los Angeles history
as they host this year’s International Day of Prayer.
Spearheaded by WIN LA’s Intercessory Prayer
Ministry led by Pastor Harun Kimani, it was
certainly a timely occasion that was much needed
in the church and in the globe as a whole.
The prayer service started off with a time of
worship ushered in by WIN LA’s main worship
team. Members of the different WIN LA ministries
and a number of Pyros attended the event; various
members of churches from different ethnicities
also came as a sign of support. Pastors from
other churches were also in the congregation and
were asked to exhort in between prayer sessions.
Pastors of WIN LA and guests exhorted and
interceded over the needs of the hour, such as
praying for our respective families, our churches,
our nation, and the world.
After a brief, satisfying lunch, the Pyros praise
team led the congregation into a time of praise
before entering into another phase of the prayer
conference. Pastor Lyndon Aldaba of WIN LA
shared a video by David Wilkerson on the heeding
the call to anguish. Subsequently, the Messianic
Sisters sang Israel’s anthem and interceded for
their broken country as well.
Concluding this world-changing event is Pastor
Harun Kimani, who fervently encouraged those
who came to seek out the glory of God in their
own relevant lives. It certainly intensifies the need
of the church to stand in the gap and be a force
that will touch heaven to change the earth, as well
as be representatives of our own churches,
people, and our nations.
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Seeds of Hope
By Verna Abante
In an effort to reach out to those in need, the
Pyros Youth Ministry sought Seeds of Hope,
a sponsorship founded by Word
International Ministries that help
underprivileged school children and their
families in the Philippines. Seeds of Hope
was first introduced by Sis. Cynthia de
Castro of WIN LA and became the perfect
outreach opportunity for Pyros. By fall 2009,
Pyros started donating money to the
organization, splitting the pledges amongst
the different bible study groups in the Los
Angeles, Glendale, and Cerritos areas. A
total of $90 a month is mailed by Pyros
youth pastor, Mark Briones to the Seeds of
Hope director of the US, Sis. Nickie Paulate.
Additionally, a portion of the donation goes
to the Marinduque Feeding Program.
In December, Pyros was able to successfully
raise money from their annual Christmas
party to give to Seeds of Hope; with their
donation, the children of the program were
able to enjoy their very own Jollibee
Christmas Party in the Philippines.
Prayerfully, Pyros intends to continue its
donations this year and even begin adopting
three individual profiles by March 2010. As it is
written, “He has distributed freely, he has given
to the poor; his righteousness endures
forever” (2 Corinthians 9:9). It’s not too late to
give and help those who need.
If you would like to donate to Seeds of Hope, please
contact Pauline Guiuan (Glendale), Rizza Aldaba (LA),
or Verna Abante (Cerritos).
For more information, please contact Sis. Cynthia de
Castro at cynthiadec@yahoo.com.
ISSUETHIRTEEN
Young Adults from
Glendale, Los Angeles,
and Orange County hike
up a 5-mile trail to see
the famous Hollywood
sign!

Young Adults Ministry

YAM Hike Up the Hollywood Sign!
By Rizza Aldaba

On a warm November morning,

young adults from both Los Angeles and Orange
County groups, supervised by Pastor Mark Briones,
came together to hike up the trail towards the world
famous Hollywood sign. Rain or shine, and with their
hiking shoes ready, the young adults persevered and
trekked five miles of rock-strewn terrain. It was the
opportune time to connect and reconnect with fellow
YAMmers as they climb up, even taking pictures
along the way.
There were much sighs of relief as everyone finally
and successfully reached the end of the trail. Upon
arriving at their destination, the group ate their
packed lunches, consisting of rice and entrees in
zipper bags, trail mix and sandwiches, off the route
while enjoying the Los Angeles skyline and the
fellowship. After a much-deserved break, they
headed back into the trail under the beaming sun,
continuing to converse and walk along with each
other.
It was truly a memorable bonding experience for
everyone who came. Not only did they gain a
physically fulfilling experience, they were able to
reestablish ties with one other and share an
adventurous, enjoyable time amidst God’s creation.

upcoming events
February 14 Valentines Luncheon & Dance March 19 Crosspoint Youth Rally at WIN LA
February 21 Pyros goes to WIN San Diego May 20 - 21 Solace Conference
March 5 - 7 WIN New Jersey Trip June 28 - July 2 Soul Anchor 2010

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ISSUETHIRTEEN
Pyros Youth Ministry
celebrate with one
another in a time of
fellowship, food, and
faith, while remembering
that Jesus is the reason
for the season!
PYROS Christmas Party
An Annual Celebration in Honor of Jesus
By Sandra Cordero
The annual Pyros Christmas party took place on
December 19. The party, hosted at WIN Los Angeles’
Victory Hall, was attended by Pyros youth and friends
from WIN Inland Empire’s youth ministry. Guests
feasted on a buffet of roast beef, fried chicken,
spaghetti, mashed potatoes, and other holiday treats.
When the meal was over, Pastor Mark Briones shared
about where the true focus of Christmas lay. He
reminded the group that Christmas should be
centered around Christ, the gift of salvation that God
freely gave, despite the busyness of the season. The
group was then asked to reflect on how God has
moved within each individual’s life in the past year
and to start looking forward to the new things in store
for 2010.
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Stephanie Bautista and
Pastor Mark Briones of
WIN LA and Kristy Guiuan
of WIN OC engage in some
rather amusing game,
telephone charades.
Afterwards, there was a budget-conscious white
elephant gift exchange. Each participating guest
brought a slightly used item from home to exchange
with someone else. The fun continued as the group
played games such as “The Ship is Sinking”—Twelve
Days of Christmas style, where guests broke out into
the different groups mentioned in the carol, and
Telephone Charades, where group members acted
out the title of a Christmas song for their team to
guess. The day ended with a few intense rounds of
candy cane relay races. Guests headed home with
happy hearts, full stomachs, and plenty of Christmas
cheer.
As you celebrate with your friends and family,
remember: Jesus is the reason of the season!
ISSUETHIRTEEN

 FIRESIDE
And David came to Baal-perazim, and he smote them there, and said,
The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters.
So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through].
2 Samuel 5:20 (Amplified Bible)

Breakthrough — an act or instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction,

overcoming of a stalemate; any significant or sudden advance, achievement or increase.

Just 15 days into the New Year, we convened the 1st WIN National Youth Pastors and Leaders
Conference in Houston, Texas. It was a wonderful sight to behold, seeing more than 30 youth
pastors and leaders from all over the US converge in one place to learn and be equipped to
minister to the youth of this generation. This was a major breakthrough for our youth ministries
here in the US, and I am really excited as to what the Lord has in store for us.

I believe 2010 will be a year of BREAKTHROUGH for the youth ministry of WIN here in the US
region. Regional youth camps are being set up for the summer with the goal of reaching out to
more young people in their cities and regions; mission trips are being planned, more extensive
discipleship programs are being done, greater awareness for the needs of the poor and needy
in the third world nations are being looked on and the training of new leaders are being put into
place. These are just some of the programs and thrust that the youth ministers will be focusing
on as we press on for the breakthrough that the Lord has in store for us. God is taking each
one of us to our Baal-perazim, the place of Breakthrough. 

As we all have started a new year and new decade, we all have our own share of challenges
and obstacles before us, but as we continue to seek and inquire of the Lord just as David did
when the Philistines heard that he was appointed King and challenged his authority,
BREAKTHROUGH will take place. 

Press through for your Breakthrough!

— Pastor Mark Briones

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THESTAFF
WRITERS DESIGN & LAYOUT
verna abante verna abante
rizza aldaba paolo manuel
joanna cordero
sandra cordero
pauline guiuan ADVISOR
paolo manuel pastor mark briones

THEPYROSTORCH
530 s. benton way
los angeles, california

www.pyros.rocks.it