Blessed Family of Jesus the Nazarene (BFJN)

And A brief history of Jeshua Septuagint School

The Blessed Family of Jesus the Nazarene also known as Nazarenes traces its anniversary
date to 1991. It is a contemplative, ecumenical and active religious community of men and
women which was founded by Rev. Mo. Rowena P. Hallazgo. Its organization as an expression
of the holiness and its emphasis on the life with deepest devotion to Jesus the Nazarene and
faith in the Holy Trinity.

Mother/Sister Rowena is already married when God called her. Inspired by the life of the
Holy Mary and Saint Rita of Cascia a widow and nun, she celibates and obeyed the Great
Commission. Despite the fact that the Mother Foundress is married, the BFJN Bishops, priest
and deacons are not allowed to marry.

The BFJN priest accepts and baptizes the followers of various religions. It is the fulfillment of
Gods purpose which were written in Ephesians 4:4-5 There is one body, and one Spirit,
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism There
is no religious conversion.

The Nazarenes uphold the Christian Catholic Faith. They responded the calling of God
because God chooses people from among His people. They ministered the despaired, sick,
unfortunate hopeless and lead the people back to the Great Physician.
Without support from any religion, the holiness movement arose in 2000 to promote the
deepest devotion to Jesus the Nazarene, their church went forth to become an ecclesia of
many religion.

The BFJN has thousands adherents in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte,
Lanao del Norte, Camiguin Island and other provinces and cities across the country. The
main church, Jesus the Nazarene Stone Church located in Purok 3 Lunao, Gingoog City.

As the religious organization grew, the Foundress established the Formation Center for the
Nazarene Seminarians and Missionaries and one (1) Mission School, the Jeshua Septuagint
School (JSS).

A brief history of Jeshua Septuagint School (JSS)

The Setting

It was Advent of 2006. The place was the coastal area of Purok 3 Lunao, Gingoog City.
The 31 years old Mother/Sister Rowena was on her way to next the Purok. Day after day she
had walked from one house to another preaching and praying for the sick. People would give
her little donation to feed the Missionaries.

The Promise

One night on her way home she saw plenty of sexy young girls on the street and then tried
to seduce sailors from a ship docked at the nearby APTCO port. Mother Rowena wanted to
redirect their lives. She prayed for Gods guidance. She told God if somebody would give her
amakan and coco lumber she promised to build a place for boys and girls so she could
personally teach and discipline them well in Gods Truth.

Mother. Rowena received so many positive response and many more.

After some very rough beginnings, she built a makeshift house that catered for small group
(5-10 children.)

Fulfilling the Promise

After one year when Mother Rowena went out for her missionary work, she noticed again
the young girls and now much younger! Then she remembered her promise. She immediately
visited a missionary friend in Davao, who taught her how to apply the DepEds Permit to
Operate Preschool. The BFJN Youth President and Elementary Teacher, Jayson T. Abao
helped Mother Rowena completed the necessary paperwork for starting Jesus the Nazarene
Tutorial Center, which later became Jeshua Septuagint School.
Mother Rowena brought a BFJN Devotee, Mrs. Teresita Ebardo out of retirement at Public
Elementary School in Iligan City. Mrs. Ebardo became Jeshua Septuagint Schools first
Principal. She set up the educational system of the school. Seminarians and Missionaries
served as the Faculty and Staff. They dont received a salary for teaching and caring the
children. They received regular support from sponsors help provide daily food, clothing,
shelter, Bible and learning materials. To comply the DepEds requirement, Mother Rowena
hired the two teachers Mrs. Melisa N. Precillas and Mrs. Carmelita M. Abao. Due to
membership being often small in numbers; 95% are scholar students; having an inadequate
income and students from average income families didnt pay in full, the institution unable
to pay the full support of a teacher eventhough the teacher was less than paid so the BFJN
Jeshua Septuagint School had try to supplement the salary from other resources such as
gardening; selling food products, candles, food supplements and medicinal herbs and ample
income from the solicitation.

At the end of the day, however, all Faculty and Staff are dependent upon God to provide the
resources that they need to do what God has called them to do.

Mother Rowena is so thankful for the individuals that provide our support and trust God to
raise up new supporters at the right time when current supporters are no longer able to give
or when needs increase.

JSS Today

It is estimated that more than 1,000 children have received care and discipline at JSS since
its founding in 2007.

The school first consisted of one amakan building and now semi-concrete. There are 10+
staff member. All students from kindergarten through Elementary are academically
equipped and computer literate. In fact JSS was the 2 time Top 1 in National Achievement
Test in Gingoog city Private Elementary Schools and won multiple awards both in the DepEd
and government sponsored contests.

More than 80% of JSS students are competent and well disciplined!