Exciting ministry partnership

What an exciting time to be writing to you. We apologize for the space of time since our last update, but we have been researching some things and wanted to make sure we could provide you with accurate information. We are excited to bring you some news today.

You may remember a couple of weeks ago we brought you the story of Bro. Clemente Gumapit, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Salug. If you're new to Homegrown Harvesters, let me remind you of our purpose. We are a prayer ministry lifting up the needs of the Shiloh Bible Baptist family of churches in the Philippines. We pray that we will one day be able to raise support and provide substantial help, but right now, we are primarily a prayer ministry. Thus, we offer prayer requests and ask you to pray for these our brethren in the Philippines.

One of the churches we want to help is the one we mention here, that of Bro. Clemente. He contacted us with an urgent need about the church's property. The owner of the land where SBBC Salug meets has told them they must buy the property or move. They currently rent the property. The land owner is charging them 120,000 Philippine Pesos, which is a little less than $3,000, to buy the property. But the church has no way of providing that money itself.

Today we are happy to report that God has brought us a partnering ministry. Love in Action Ministries has agreed to raise the funds for us for this need. Since we at Homegrown Harvesters are not able to offer tax exemptions for any gifts, we are so grateful to LIA for their willingness to help us. Our goal is to raise the $3,000 by the end of March. So, we ask you, if you feel led at all to help us, please contact Love in Action Ministries. When you do, specify in your gift that you want to give toward Bro. Clemente's church building. Love in Action has promised to direct 100 percent of designated gifts to the church's need.

At this time, we would like to also ask you to pray for and consider supporting Love in Action as well. If you are not familiar with them, they are a ministry devoted to helping the homeless, with whom they also share the gospel. They have seen fruit from their ministry among the homeless and those in prison. We would be wrong if we did not thank them and encourage you to support them in your prayers and with your giving as well. We are truly thankful for their willingness to help out.

The need in the Philippines is urgent. Bro. Clemente was thankful for our good news, but now he is asking us to pray that God would protect the gift. Let us join with him in his prayers.

But if you're able, we urge you to consider helping out financially. We in America are blessed so greatly. Please pray and ask God if you can share some of your wealth with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Philippines. (If you live in the United States, you are wealthier than most of the world's population; any amount will help tremendously.) Imagine if you faced the threat of losing your place of worship. We have a chance to help some fellow believers. Please seek God and let Him lead you in what you should do.

Many thanks for your prayers and your support.

Now I must give a personal note. We are a fledgling ministry now, but we have already come under attack. It is no coincidence that as God starts moving, Satan wants to attack the people who are trying to participate in this ministry. So, we ask for your prayers as we battle the spiritual side of things as well.

Blessings and grace to you all.