A Christian Study Center in the Heart of Pasig

Mars Hill Study Center whose primary task is to provide free resources to pastors, elders and church workers will open its doors to the public on July 15, 2008. The place is conveniently located in Ortigas Avenue Extension near Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City. Resources that are accessible through the center covers “biblical, theological and ministerial disciplines to help pastors to develop intellectually and spiritually as leaders”. Other men and women who desire to serve the church, for the glory of God, are also welcome.

Its mission is to assist churches in preparing and training their pastors for leadership and ministry by providing substantive resources and curriculum. It seeks to develop in its students a balanced combination of knowledge (scholarship) and zeal (Christ-like piety) by expanding their Biblical knowledge, stimulate analytical and critical thinking, and challenge them to cultivate godly and righteous lives in order to present a credible testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Free resources includes:

• Printed and electronic media such as books, commentaries, journals, magazines and periodicals;
• Audiovisual electronic media such as DVDs, CDs, and tapes;
• Seminars and workshops on various topics necessary to be effective in church ministry; and
• Internet resources.

Its complete address is: RCJ Building Room 305, Ortigas Ave. Ext. corner Countryside Ave., Pasig City, Metro Manila. See location map on the right.

Wonder What’s In The Name?

Upon his arrival in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) on his second missionary journey, one of Paul’s first destinations was the Areopagus, the “Hill of Ares,” the Greek god of war, known by Romans as Mars. Proud of their great artists, writers and thinkers, Athens was also the cradle of democracy and the center of learning. It was in the Areopagus where the best philosophers of the civilized world – Stoics and Epicureans – discussed their “latest and greatest” ideas.

Sensing that Paul was bringing some new “philosophy” and “a preacher of foreign divinities,” the Athenians asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” And day by day, as in the synagogue and in the marketplace, Paul reasoned with them, using their own poets and philosophers to preach the gospel of the risen Christ against their many idols.

* Some texts and images were adapted from The MalaBLOG.