Sometimes, you just hear some good news and want to share it. Here's what one of our pastors wrote to us this week, about an event that happened during last Sunday's service.
We will simply quote from what our pastor said, and let him tell the story.
"To God be the glory, I am so happy sharing the good news to you. Yesterday, on our Sunday service, a certain walk in visitor came to join the church service. I don't know whether he is a christian or was an unbeliever, so I decided to share him the gospel of salvation to verify his status. I was so struck because upon introduction, he informs that he is an ex-convict, a paroled juvenile from prison. He was on bars for about 2 years and he is just 21 years old. After the service we talk and we fellowship and he was able to received Christ as his Personal Savior and immediately decided for water baptism. I am just so happy and thankful to God for leading such poor soul to walk by the church yesterday morning. I see the greater blessing of soul winning because what if I were not able to share him Christ, his life would still be in a mess.That was perfectly a miracle from God. I am so happy that God, one step at a time has answered my longings and prayers for souls saved."
This is why we do what we do. Because of stories like this. This particular church is situated on a key thoroughfare in its city.
The sad part of this story, though, is this man and others like him would have to wait months to get a Bible, if he got one at all. But we are happy to report that through the generosity of a particular couple, we will be able to help this church supply its flock with Bibles.
But that's not enough for us. All across this ministry, churches are planted and new people are converted. But because these churches are mission churches, the funds are often lacking. My own fiancee had to wait two months before she could get a Bible.
How many times is this story repeated across the island? How many churches see a new convert but can't get him or her a Bible? What are we doing about it?
Well, if you would like to help us, you may.
As always, you can give through Love in Action Ministries. They are our ministry partner, and their passion for reaching the world with the gospel is a feature for which we are most thankful.
If you would like to give toward this particular need of buying Bibles and tracts for the churches, or if you wish to give a general gift to the ministry in the Philippines, or if you wish to give to their needs as they minister to the homeless in Dothan, Ala., you may contact Love in Action Ministries through the information below, or through the recurring hyperlink.
Love In Action International Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302
To contact us by phone, call:
334-494-4995
We also have a praise report to share. One of the prayer requests submitted to us months ago was the need for children's Sunday School literature for the mother church in Ozamis. There are four children's classes, three divided by age and a fourth "for visitors who need to know they need salvation," as our contact told us. (Really, how can you not love these people?)
We are blessed that a ministry within an association of Baptist churches collected enough leftover materials to supply this church's need. They donated all the materials and only charged us $70 for shipping. We are grateful for this group's willingness to help, and for their charity in donating the materials. We pray we will be able to do this every quarter, so will you join us in praying for this part of our ministry? Also, join with us in praising God for His provision.
Indeed it is coming to pass as Isaiah said, "Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea." The Lord Jesus is being praised all around the world, even in the "isles of the sea." May we rejoice to see this day!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Jesus likes to be asked
Well, it has been a while since we have updated the blog. No excuses for that, but nonetheless we are back now.
The most important thing we can ask of you right now is prayer. Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Pray for us as we have to make decisions about which needs are most urgent, how to maintain accountability, and how to expand our network of interested parties.
Our friend at Love in Action Ministries, Ken Tuck, made a wise suggestion. He and his wife, Martha, have started praying for God to provide us with people whose heart is for international missions. Now, in the body of Christ we know there are different passions and functions. Some are bold witnessers (my fiancee clearly falls into this category), while others have giftings for building up the church. Similarly, God has called us to different interests and different focuses. Some are passionate about their families, and some are passionate about God's work in their own countries. But we need people who have a passion to see Christ's kingdom expanded outside of the United States, people who see what is happening in the Philippines and want to be a part of it.
Will you join us in praying for that? Please pray that God will provide us with the right people who have a heart for the work going on here. We need more people with a vision for what God is doing.
Also, we have so many needs, we don't know where to start. The most important thing we can provide for these dear brothers and sisters is a place to meet. That is such a struggle for these pastors, and we need to find a way to be able to support them. One of our churches meets in a partially finished building. Another has outgrown its building. Another we helped purchase land, but soon they face the end of their lease at their current building and are without funds to build their new building. Many of them are planning to start aggressive outreaches, but they need funds to do them.
We are confident God will direct us, and He will meet our needs. But we are mindful, too, that He does these things in response to our prayers. There is a moment in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia (you will forgive me, I do not own the books and am going off memory) where two children go on a mission for Aslan the King Lion. They arrive without necessary provision, and one child says to the other, "Shouldn't he have provided for us?" And the other child replies, "I think he likes to be asked." Now, those are not exact quotations, but you get the point. We are confident God has brought us these ministry opportunities, and we are sure of His provision. But our Lord Jesus Christ likes to be asked.
So, will you join us in asking Him? We ask Him for wisdom, for accountability, for faithfulness, for provision and most of all for fruitful ministry for these churches. Again, as we state so often, these are not merely humanitarian needs we are trying to meet. These are real the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ whose mission is to reach the various people groups of the Philippines to Christ.
Please join with us in prayer. Pray also to see if you are being called to be involved with us more.
If you would like to join our email list, please send an email to homegrownharvesters@yahoo.com. Also, please spread the word about us to your friends and your church groups. We need more prayer partners. The more the better.
The most important thing we can ask of you right now is prayer. Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Pray for us as we have to make decisions about which needs are most urgent, how to maintain accountability, and how to expand our network of interested parties.
Our friend at Love in Action Ministries, Ken Tuck, made a wise suggestion. He and his wife, Martha, have started praying for God to provide us with people whose heart is for international missions. Now, in the body of Christ we know there are different passions and functions. Some are bold witnessers (my fiancee clearly falls into this category), while others have giftings for building up the church. Similarly, God has called us to different interests and different focuses. Some are passionate about their families, and some are passionate about God's work in their own countries. But we need people who have a passion to see Christ's kingdom expanded outside of the United States, people who see what is happening in the Philippines and want to be a part of it.
Will you join us in praying for that? Please pray that God will provide us with the right people who have a heart for the work going on here. We need more people with a vision for what God is doing.
Also, we have so many needs, we don't know where to start. The most important thing we can provide for these dear brothers and sisters is a place to meet. That is such a struggle for these pastors, and we need to find a way to be able to support them. One of our churches meets in a partially finished building. Another has outgrown its building. Another we helped purchase land, but soon they face the end of their lease at their current building and are without funds to build their new building. Many of them are planning to start aggressive outreaches, but they need funds to do them.
We are confident God will direct us, and He will meet our needs. But we are mindful, too, that He does these things in response to our prayers. There is a moment in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia (you will forgive me, I do not own the books and am going off memory) where two children go on a mission for Aslan the King Lion. They arrive without necessary provision, and one child says to the other, "Shouldn't he have provided for us?" And the other child replies, "I think he likes to be asked." Now, those are not exact quotations, but you get the point. We are confident God has brought us these ministry opportunities, and we are sure of His provision. But our Lord Jesus Christ likes to be asked.
So, will you join us in asking Him? We ask Him for wisdom, for accountability, for faithfulness, for provision and most of all for fruitful ministry for these churches. Again, as we state so often, these are not merely humanitarian needs we are trying to meet. These are real the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ whose mission is to reach the various people groups of the Philippines to Christ.
Please join with us in prayer. Pray also to see if you are being called to be involved with us more.
If you would like to join our email list, please send an email to homegrownharvesters@yahoo.com. Also, please spread the word about us to your friends and your church groups. We need more prayer partners. The more the better.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Prayer partners
Folks, we have a vision for our ministry. We know where we want to go. We know what we want to do.
But we have no idea how it will happen. That's OK. If we knew, we could do it. But since we don't know, we must rely on God to lead us.
So, I'm making this plea for prayer partners to join us. Will you become a prayer partner with us?
I don't know if you've been able to gather this from recent posts, but we are blessed to be a part of something amazing. God, through Jesus Christ, is reaching people on the island of Mindanao, a southern island in the Philippines.
What do you know about Mindanao? Perhaps not much. But if you were to go to the website for Voice of the Martyrs and check on their "restricted nations" link, you would see a dot over the island of Mindanao (the red dot that is about halfway between Australia and China). This is what the website says about Mindanao, "The Philippines has a Muslim minority trying to establish an independent Islamic state on the island of Mindanao. Muslim groups already control six provinces on the island. Several of the Muslim terrorist organizations in the Philippines have been linked to Al Qaeda. Though the Filipino people predominantly profess Christianity, Christians living in areas influenced by Muslim and communist guerrilla organizations face threats, kidnapping and death.
"Category: Hostile Nation
"Religion: Statistics are unavailable for this region.
"Ideology: Islam
"Head of State: Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong
"Persecution of Christians is increasingly common. Islamic terrorists are believed to be responsible for several bombings in train stations, buses and other areas in Mindanao. The terrorists believe killing a Christian will get them into heaven. In August 2009, Christian villages were attacked and burned. Churches and houses throughout the region have been burned and worshipers harassed. An 18-year-old Christian boy was kidnapped, tortured and killed as a warning to other Christians."
Now, we must point out that of those "professing Christianity," very few are Biblical, evangelical churches. Predominantly, the "Christian" population is Roman Catholic. There are also Jehovah's Witnesses, who may call themselves "Christian" but are not. A very small minority of the group calling itself "Christian" comes from Biblical, true Christianity.
Aside from the Muslim population, there are people in the mountains who, if they have any religion at all, are very animistic. As one pastor told us (he is a member of the mountain tribe and after his conversion returned to his people to proclaim the gospel), they "worship the trees and the rocks." There is even a religion devoted to deifying Jose Rizal, the Philippines' revolutionary hero (like George Washington in the U.S.).
The point is, this is a mission field. And the churches we tell you about are reaching these people.
Consider that the first Shiloh Bible Baptist Church was founded in Ozamis City, a place notorious for gangs and violence. But a rough, drinking son of a hired killer met the grace of Jesus Christ head on one day because of Pastor Jun Begafria's mission church. That man led his family to Christ, and is now a missionary pastor.
We could tell you about another man who had to flee his city because Muslim persecutors killed his father and brother. Now this pastor ministers to the Subanen tribe in the mountains, visiting cave dwellers and bringing them the gospel.
We could tell you about a ministry that started because some faithful laypeople witnessed in the village of Moliton while going about their regular business, another mountain community, and people became saved. Now, two lay members of the church in Punta take turns driving their motorbikes up muddy roads to preach the gospel to these precious souls. They alternate weeks making the trek. You can see a photo from one of the trips on our Facebook page.
There is the story of the fisherman's daughter, who always wanted to know if she had done enough to please God. She was a faithful Roman Catholic girl, but she never had assurance of her salvation. Then while at college, she met the Saviour! Her family rejected her at first, but now most of her immediate family (and many extended family members) are believers.
We could go on and on, and it would be our joy to share these testimonies with you. There are more being written now as we speak. The precious thing about these churches is they haven't been infected by the church-growth strategies of the United States churches. They just believe that if they witness, God will save people, and the church will grow. They don't even know about human strategies, so God works through His grace because they only trust Him for the results.
God is moving through these our brothers and sisters. And we want to be a support to them. Our goal is twofold: We want to help them purchase buildings and land for their churches (or help them with the rent) and provide support for these pastors. When they begin their ministry, they do so with no support. They sometimes suffer extreme hardships to reach their nation with the gospel. So, we are praying we can be a support ministry for them.
Folks, the way God will accomplish the finishing of the Great Commission will be through indigenous missions. The greatest way we can be a part of that ministry is to support men and women who are being used by God to reach their nation. This is the time for us to support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
You've seen our goals. They are impossible. But that's OK. I want no part of a ministry I can accomplish. What an eternal waste of time. Everything in me wants to be a part of a ministry that God accomplishes.
So, we're asking for prayer partners. If you want to be a prayer partner, you can do several things. First, pray! Second, if you want to get regular updates from us, send us an email. Send an email to homegrownharvesters@yahoo.com. We will update you with prayer needs and particular focuses of our ministry. There are some things we don't feel comfortable sharing here for which we would like to have prayer.
Also, please "like" our Facebook page. That way, you can see the updates as they appear there. Also, you can follow the blog here. We have two followers so far, so there is plenty of room for more.
Furthermore, please let your friends, your churches, your small groups know about us. This isn't about Homegrown Harvesters. This is about a part of our family, a part of the body of Christ that is seeing amazing things happen, and we have the opportunity to be a part of it. But we can only do this through prayers. More than anything, we need to humbly seek our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so He can lead us into the way we should go. This is His church He is building, across all nations and languages and seas. He is the One who can make our work last into eternity. Join us as we seek Him.
But we have no idea how it will happen. That's OK. If we knew, we could do it. But since we don't know, we must rely on God to lead us.
So, I'm making this plea for prayer partners to join us. Will you become a prayer partner with us?
I don't know if you've been able to gather this from recent posts, but we are blessed to be a part of something amazing. God, through Jesus Christ, is reaching people on the island of Mindanao, a southern island in the Philippines.
What do you know about Mindanao? Perhaps not much. But if you were to go to the website for Voice of the Martyrs and check on their "restricted nations" link, you would see a dot over the island of Mindanao (the red dot that is about halfway between Australia and China). This is what the website says about Mindanao, "The Philippines has a Muslim minority trying to establish an independent Islamic state on the island of Mindanao. Muslim groups already control six provinces on the island. Several of the Muslim terrorist organizations in the Philippines have been linked to Al Qaeda. Though the Filipino people predominantly profess Christianity, Christians living in areas influenced by Muslim and communist guerrilla organizations face threats, kidnapping and death.
"Category: Hostile Nation
"Religion: Statistics are unavailable for this region.
"Ideology: Islam
"Head of State: Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong
"Persecution of Christians is increasingly common. Islamic terrorists are believed to be responsible for several bombings in train stations, buses and other areas in Mindanao. The terrorists believe killing a Christian will get them into heaven. In August 2009, Christian villages were attacked and burned. Churches and houses throughout the region have been burned and worshipers harassed. An 18-year-old Christian boy was kidnapped, tortured and killed as a warning to other Christians."
Now, we must point out that of those "professing Christianity," very few are Biblical, evangelical churches. Predominantly, the "Christian" population is Roman Catholic. There are also Jehovah's Witnesses, who may call themselves "Christian" but are not. A very small minority of the group calling itself "Christian" comes from Biblical, true Christianity.
Aside from the Muslim population, there are people in the mountains who, if they have any religion at all, are very animistic. As one pastor told us (he is a member of the mountain tribe and after his conversion returned to his people to proclaim the gospel), they "worship the trees and the rocks." There is even a religion devoted to deifying Jose Rizal, the Philippines' revolutionary hero (like George Washington in the U.S.).
The point is, this is a mission field. And the churches we tell you about are reaching these people.
Consider that the first Shiloh Bible Baptist Church was founded in Ozamis City, a place notorious for gangs and violence. But a rough, drinking son of a hired killer met the grace of Jesus Christ head on one day because of Pastor Jun Begafria's mission church. That man led his family to Christ, and is now a missionary pastor.
We could tell you about another man who had to flee his city because Muslim persecutors killed his father and brother. Now this pastor ministers to the Subanen tribe in the mountains, visiting cave dwellers and bringing them the gospel.
We could tell you about a ministry that started because some faithful laypeople witnessed in the village of Moliton while going about their regular business, another mountain community, and people became saved. Now, two lay members of the church in Punta take turns driving their motorbikes up muddy roads to preach the gospel to these precious souls. They alternate weeks making the trek. You can see a photo from one of the trips on our Facebook page.
There is the story of the fisherman's daughter, who always wanted to know if she had done enough to please God. She was a faithful Roman Catholic girl, but she never had assurance of her salvation. Then while at college, she met the Saviour! Her family rejected her at first, but now most of her immediate family (and many extended family members) are believers.
We could go on and on, and it would be our joy to share these testimonies with you. There are more being written now as we speak. The precious thing about these churches is they haven't been infected by the church-growth strategies of the United States churches. They just believe that if they witness, God will save people, and the church will grow. They don't even know about human strategies, so God works through His grace because they only trust Him for the results.
God is moving through these our brothers and sisters. And we want to be a support to them. Our goal is twofold: We want to help them purchase buildings and land for their churches (or help them with the rent) and provide support for these pastors. When they begin their ministry, they do so with no support. They sometimes suffer extreme hardships to reach their nation with the gospel. So, we are praying we can be a support ministry for them.
Folks, the way God will accomplish the finishing of the Great Commission will be through indigenous missions. The greatest way we can be a part of that ministry is to support men and women who are being used by God to reach their nation. This is the time for us to support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
You've seen our goals. They are impossible. But that's OK. I want no part of a ministry I can accomplish. What an eternal waste of time. Everything in me wants to be a part of a ministry that God accomplishes.
So, we're asking for prayer partners. If you want to be a prayer partner, you can do several things. First, pray! Second, if you want to get regular updates from us, send us an email. Send an email to homegrownharvesters@yahoo.com. We will update you with prayer needs and particular focuses of our ministry. There are some things we don't feel comfortable sharing here for which we would like to have prayer.
Also, please "like" our Facebook page. That way, you can see the updates as they appear there. Also, you can follow the blog here. We have two followers so far, so there is plenty of room for more.
Furthermore, please let your friends, your churches, your small groups know about us. This isn't about Homegrown Harvesters. This is about a part of our family, a part of the body of Christ that is seeing amazing things happen, and we have the opportunity to be a part of it. But we can only do this through prayers. More than anything, we need to humbly seek our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so He can lead us into the way we should go. This is His church He is building, across all nations and languages and seas. He is the One who can make our work last into eternity. Join us as we seek Him.
Friday, June 10, 2011
God's answers
I will admit, I can be weak in faith at times. I suppose all the emotional highs of my trip have to be balanced by emotional lows now. As I sit and look at all that is before us, I admit to being a bit weak.
Tonight, I was having such a moment. Despite all evidence already given to me, I asked God, "God, I need to know You're with me on this." Again, there have been many instances where God has shown me that. But I am human, and as Psalm 103 reminds us, God "knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." So, once again God in His mercy answered me.
Less than half an hour after I made my petition, I received an email from Pastor Greg Begafria, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church Sindangan. You may recognize the recurring family name of "Begafria" as we continue these posts. The Fabulous Begafria Boys are all from the same family (some brothers, some cousins), and they are all ministers on Mindanao.
I had the privilege to meet Pastor Greg during my trip. I even was blessed to speak in his church. But his email to me was a blessing. Part of his email reads as follows:
"The church is glad upon sharing you the good news. We have just baptized this morning 5 souls. To God be the glory! All of them were young people in high school.Thanks a lot for praying and for bearing with the missionary’s burden - that is all about souls being saved and follow Christ in obedience to water baptism."
What a wonderful confirmation! Praise God for answered prayers, sometimes immediately after I have made a request. How wonderful is our God!
Now, Pastor Greg has several prayer requests to add.
Tonight, I was having such a moment. Despite all evidence already given to me, I asked God, "God, I need to know You're with me on this." Again, there have been many instances where God has shown me that. But I am human, and as Psalm 103 reminds us, God "knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." So, once again God in His mercy answered me.
Less than half an hour after I made my petition, I received an email from Pastor Greg Begafria, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church Sindangan. You may recognize the recurring family name of "Begafria" as we continue these posts. The Fabulous Begafria Boys are all from the same family (some brothers, some cousins), and they are all ministers on Mindanao.
I had the privilege to meet Pastor Greg during my trip. I even was blessed to speak in his church. But his email to me was a blessing. Part of his email reads as follows:
 |
| Pastor Greg preaches at his church in Sindangan |
"The church is glad upon sharing you the good news. We have just baptized this morning 5 souls. To God be the glory! All of them were young people in high school.Thanks a lot for praying and for bearing with the missionary’s burden - that is all about souls being saved and follow Christ in obedience to water baptism."
What a wonderful confirmation! Praise God for answered prayers, sometimes immediately after I have made a request. How wonderful is our God!
Now, Pastor Greg has several prayer requests to add.
- Monthly goal of baptism and more souls saved (the church goal is 150 baptisms this year).
- High school ministries expand with the start of the school year (it starts in June in the Philippines). Particularly Sindangan National High School and Sindangan National Agricultural School are schools where the church hopes to have ministry. Perhaps these five new souls will be part of those outreaches!
- Praying for Christian children's books to assist with their outreach to children.
- Praying for the new opportunities for Bible studies with the military detachment. If you didn't see our post from a day ago about the fruit God is producing through military Bible studies in Ozamis, please check it out.
- Soul-winning youth camp in December (we will tell you more about this need at a later time).
- Church lot (we will tell you more about this need at a later time).
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Do they not have a soul? Learning from Pastor Jun
There were many highlights to my trip to the Philippines last month. I met many amazing people and shared many exciting experiences. Of course, I got engaged and baptized my mother-in-law, and those experiences are hard to top.
But for ministry purposes, my conversations with Pastor Jun Begafria certainly were among the highlights of the trip. Pastor Jun is the founding pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis City, the mother church for all the SBBC churches. He left his native island more than 15 years ago to plant a church on Mindanao. He had to learn a new language (though Tagalog and English are official languages, the islands have different dialects) and a new culture and adapt to a new surrounding. Now, the church has sent out 24 missionaries, and it has a goal to send out many more.
The first time I heard pastor Jun was May 25 in Tampilisan. He was the final speaker at the first anniversary service for the SBBC church there (his brother Raffy is the pastor in Tamplisan).
Very early in his message, God answered a prayer. As I have read and reread the works of K.P. Yohannan, the founder and president of Gospel for Asia whose ministry has greatly shaped my understanding of what Homegrown Harvesters should be, I recall that he urge Westerners to find out the vision of any ministry we want to support. So, a question in my mind for a long time has been, "What is the vision of the SBBC work?"
It didn't take long for Pastor Jun to answer that question. He spoke passionately about the eternal value of reaching souls for Christ. He pointed out that in the Zamboanga Peninsula, there are close to 4 million people and very few churches. Across Mindanao itself, there are 24 million people.
He spoke passionately about the need to continue in the work. He told about a study he and some others had done to assess the need on Mindanao. He reported that in a certain geographic area (the names of the cities meant little to me, and I ask you to forgive me for not knowing exactly the places of which he spoke), there were no Baptist churches at all. In fact, the gospel had done little to penetrate these Muslim areas.
As he spoke, he told of the indifference of some people to whom he had spoken. "That's under the arm of Mindanao." "They're Muslims." "It will be hard."
Then, with tears and shouts, he uttered words I will never forget. "Yes, they may be under the arm of Mindanao. Yes, they may be Muslim. Yes, it will be hard. But do they not have a soul? Will they not go to hell without the gospel? What price is too high to save a soul?"
There it was! Before I could ever ask him, in the first sermon I ever heard him preach, Pastor Jun told me what I had wanted to know. Providence of God again, as has often happened in my journey with this ministry. It would be one thing if Pastor Jun answered a question I asked him; it's another thing entirely for him to answer the only question I wanted to know, and to do so without me asking him.
Beyond the answer to my prayer, though, is the reality of what he said. Please understand, parts of Mindanao are off-limits to Westerners. There is no way for someone, especially a white man, from the United States to plant churches in these places on Mindanao. But God has raised up Godly men from that nation to take His word and His gospel to them.
There were many other evidences of God's work during the time I spent with Pastor Jun. The following day, I was blessed to speak with him at his home before the prayer meeting. He told me of other Americans who wanted to help, and as he described the best way that we could help, he listed several things that were already on my heart.
Case in point, he told of one American who encouraged him to travel to the United States to tell churches of the work God is doing. He had an incredulous look as he recounted telling the man, "Do you realize how much that would cost? It would take all of our church resources. It's better for me to stay here and minister." Of course, a faithful reader of our blog would know that our burden is to be the voice for these missionaries. How we will get to that point remains to be seen, but we trust God will provide what He has burdened our hearts to do.
Another time, a missionary was there who was still trying to raise support. The man had raised about $2,000, and Pastor Jun asked him, "Why don't you take half of that and give it to missionaries who are here. Just $1,000 can support 10-15 missionaries." Understand, this missionary's support was more than double what 10-15 indigenous missionaries would need to do their work. How much more work can 10-15 missionaries do than one missionary?
In addition to his duties on Sundays and Thursdays and his travels to the various anniversary services, Pastor Jun is also actively involved in Bible studies in the city of Ozamis. One of those places where he is able to hold Bible studies is the military base.
He shared with me a story from those Bible studies. The very day we spoke, he had a woman approach him and thank him for the Bible studies. This woman was a stranger to him, but she was so thankful to meet him.
She told him she was the wife of a certain officer, and "for 21 years, every time he went to the base, I had a black eye." But within the last year, the beatings stopped. She became curious. After asking her husband what had happened, he told her, "Come to the Bible study and you will see."
This officer had committed his life to Christ about six months earlier, and the change was so different, his wife noticed. After attending the Bible studies with her husband for a short while and seeing the change, she, too, prayed to receive Christ.
He shared another story similar to that one of a long-time drunk who stopped drinking all of a sudden, alarming his wife, and now both of them are members of Christ's family.
You see, when we ask for support for these churches, we are asking you to join with them in reaching their world. Right now, most of our focus has been on helping buy land or build buildings. But we hope to be able to offer monthly support to these men.
Even in a bigger church, such as the one in Ozamis, there are needs. Fares for taxis or tikads; bus fare; rent on the building; food and clothing for the pastor and his family. These are legitimate needs that come up, and often the pastors lack the resources to meet those needs.
Pastor Jun's passion is evident, even in a short meeting. He spoke about the opportunities before them to reach the Muslims on their island. We must point out that some of the missionaries from the church are former Muslims. Some of the missionaries from their church were at one time Muslims, and they are now missionary pastors to their own people.
As you read this next part, keep in mind that Mindanao is home to at least two Muslim terrorist groups. Al-qaeda has a presence there, and Abu Sayyaf is one of the militant separatist groups on the island. There may be more, but I know of those two.
As Pastor Jun was talking about the vision in front of him, his eyes lit up and he said, "Mindanao Muslims are very respected in the Muslim world because they are so fierce. If we can reach them with the gospel, if Muslims around the world see them come to Christ, we can reach the entire Muslim world."
Read that again. And again. I want you to understand what he said. Right now, God has granted this family of churches the opportunity to do something that would shake and shatter the world of Islam. Do you want to be a part of that?
I must point out the contrast of his mindset and that of many American Christians. Instead of posting articles about the impending doom of our country by sharia law and highlighting the dangers Islam poses to our temporary and short lives, he is rejoicing that he lives near violent, passionate Muslims because he sees the opportunity to reach the whole Muslim world for Christ. Mercy, which heart is more in tune with Christ's?
I have to ask you to consider this. How do you look at Muslims? Do you see dangers to your American comfort, or do you see men and women who are trapped by a false religion and whose only destination is hell unless they hear and believe the gospel? As Pastor Jun asked us, "Do they not have a soul?"
Oh that we would have that heart! Oh that we would see Muslims moving into our country as a mission field, not as a threat to our way of life! Oh that we would consider the mercy of God, that we live in a country with easy access to the gospel, whereas these immigrants did not have it. Perhaps God is moving them to our nation to give us a chance to share the good news with them!
That's a sidebar. Back to our topic now. When you give to help support these pastors, you are a part of the work God is doing there. And whether they are reaching the Muslims, the Catholics, the Jehovah's Witnesses or the animistic tribes of the mountain areas, these pastors are reaching people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
As always, we remind you that if you are interested in helping us, you may give a tax-deductible gift through Love in Action Ministries. They are our partner ministry in Dothan, Ala. Please contact them to donate. Just mark on your donation "Philippines." Every bit of your gift will go toward the work in the Philippines. On a related note, please pray for Love in Action Ministries founder Ken Tuck as he battles some health issues. We pray for a speedy recovery.
To contact Love in Action Ministries, either use the hyperlink provided or see below.
Love In Action International Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302
To contact us by phone, call:
334-494-4995
To close, I will show you a banner hanging in Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis. It really says it all about the ministry. Will you join us to help reach the untold millions?
But for ministry purposes, my conversations with Pastor Jun Begafria certainly were among the highlights of the trip. Pastor Jun is the founding pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis City, the mother church for all the SBBC churches. He left his native island more than 15 years ago to plant a church on Mindanao. He had to learn a new language (though Tagalog and English are official languages, the islands have different dialects) and a new culture and adapt to a new surrounding. Now, the church has sent out 24 missionaries, and it has a goal to send out many more.
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| Pastor Jun speaks in Tampilisan. |
Very early in his message, God answered a prayer. As I have read and reread the works of K.P. Yohannan, the founder and president of Gospel for Asia whose ministry has greatly shaped my understanding of what Homegrown Harvesters should be, I recall that he urge Westerners to find out the vision of any ministry we want to support. So, a question in my mind for a long time has been, "What is the vision of the SBBC work?"
It didn't take long for Pastor Jun to answer that question. He spoke passionately about the eternal value of reaching souls for Christ. He pointed out that in the Zamboanga Peninsula, there are close to 4 million people and very few churches. Across Mindanao itself, there are 24 million people.
He spoke passionately about the need to continue in the work. He told about a study he and some others had done to assess the need on Mindanao. He reported that in a certain geographic area (the names of the cities meant little to me, and I ask you to forgive me for not knowing exactly the places of which he spoke), there were no Baptist churches at all. In fact, the gospel had done little to penetrate these Muslim areas.
As he spoke, he told of the indifference of some people to whom he had spoken. "That's under the arm of Mindanao." "They're Muslims." "It will be hard."
Then, with tears and shouts, he uttered words I will never forget. "Yes, they may be under the arm of Mindanao. Yes, they may be Muslim. Yes, it will be hard. But do they not have a soul? Will they not go to hell without the gospel? What price is too high to save a soul?"
There it was! Before I could ever ask him, in the first sermon I ever heard him preach, Pastor Jun told me what I had wanted to know. Providence of God again, as has often happened in my journey with this ministry. It would be one thing if Pastor Jun answered a question I asked him; it's another thing entirely for him to answer the only question I wanted to know, and to do so without me asking him.
Beyond the answer to my prayer, though, is the reality of what he said. Please understand, parts of Mindanao are off-limits to Westerners. There is no way for someone, especially a white man, from the United States to plant churches in these places on Mindanao. But God has raised up Godly men from that nation to take His word and His gospel to them.
There were many other evidences of God's work during the time I spent with Pastor Jun. The following day, I was blessed to speak with him at his home before the prayer meeting. He told me of other Americans who wanted to help, and as he described the best way that we could help, he listed several things that were already on my heart.
Case in point, he told of one American who encouraged him to travel to the United States to tell churches of the work God is doing. He had an incredulous look as he recounted telling the man, "Do you realize how much that would cost? It would take all of our church resources. It's better for me to stay here and minister." Of course, a faithful reader of our blog would know that our burden is to be the voice for these missionaries. How we will get to that point remains to be seen, but we trust God will provide what He has burdened our hearts to do.
Another time, a missionary was there who was still trying to raise support. The man had raised about $2,000, and Pastor Jun asked him, "Why don't you take half of that and give it to missionaries who are here. Just $1,000 can support 10-15 missionaries." Understand, this missionary's support was more than double what 10-15 indigenous missionaries would need to do their work. How much more work can 10-15 missionaries do than one missionary?
In addition to his duties on Sundays and Thursdays and his travels to the various anniversary services, Pastor Jun is also actively involved in Bible studies in the city of Ozamis. One of those places where he is able to hold Bible studies is the military base.
He shared with me a story from those Bible studies. The very day we spoke, he had a woman approach him and thank him for the Bible studies. This woman was a stranger to him, but she was so thankful to meet him.
She told him she was the wife of a certain officer, and "for 21 years, every time he went to the base, I had a black eye." But within the last year, the beatings stopped. She became curious. After asking her husband what had happened, he told her, "Come to the Bible study and you will see."
This officer had committed his life to Christ about six months earlier, and the change was so different, his wife noticed. After attending the Bible studies with her husband for a short while and seeing the change, she, too, prayed to receive Christ.
He shared another story similar to that one of a long-time drunk who stopped drinking all of a sudden, alarming his wife, and now both of them are members of Christ's family.
You see, when we ask for support for these churches, we are asking you to join with them in reaching their world. Right now, most of our focus has been on helping buy land or build buildings. But we hope to be able to offer monthly support to these men.
Even in a bigger church, such as the one in Ozamis, there are needs. Fares for taxis or tikads; bus fare; rent on the building; food and clothing for the pastor and his family. These are legitimate needs that come up, and often the pastors lack the resources to meet those needs.
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| Pastor Jun speaks in his church in Ozamis. |
Pastor Jun's passion is evident, even in a short meeting. He spoke about the opportunities before them to reach the Muslims on their island. We must point out that some of the missionaries from the church are former Muslims. Some of the missionaries from their church were at one time Muslims, and they are now missionary pastors to their own people.
As you read this next part, keep in mind that Mindanao is home to at least two Muslim terrorist groups. Al-qaeda has a presence there, and Abu Sayyaf is one of the militant separatist groups on the island. There may be more, but I know of those two.
As Pastor Jun was talking about the vision in front of him, his eyes lit up and he said, "Mindanao Muslims are very respected in the Muslim world because they are so fierce. If we can reach them with the gospel, if Muslims around the world see them come to Christ, we can reach the entire Muslim world."
Read that again. And again. I want you to understand what he said. Right now, God has granted this family of churches the opportunity to do something that would shake and shatter the world of Islam. Do you want to be a part of that?
I must point out the contrast of his mindset and that of many American Christians. Instead of posting articles about the impending doom of our country by sharia law and highlighting the dangers Islam poses to our temporary and short lives, he is rejoicing that he lives near violent, passionate Muslims because he sees the opportunity to reach the whole Muslim world for Christ. Mercy, which heart is more in tune with Christ's?
I have to ask you to consider this. How do you look at Muslims? Do you see dangers to your American comfort, or do you see men and women who are trapped by a false religion and whose only destination is hell unless they hear and believe the gospel? As Pastor Jun asked us, "Do they not have a soul?"
Oh that we would have that heart! Oh that we would see Muslims moving into our country as a mission field, not as a threat to our way of life! Oh that we would consider the mercy of God, that we live in a country with easy access to the gospel, whereas these immigrants did not have it. Perhaps God is moving them to our nation to give us a chance to share the good news with them!
That's a sidebar. Back to our topic now. When you give to help support these pastors, you are a part of the work God is doing there. And whether they are reaching the Muslims, the Catholics, the Jehovah's Witnesses or the animistic tribes of the mountain areas, these pastors are reaching people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
As always, we remind you that if you are interested in helping us, you may give a tax-deductible gift through Love in Action Ministries. They are our partner ministry in Dothan, Ala. Please contact them to donate. Just mark on your donation "Philippines." Every bit of your gift will go toward the work in the Philippines. On a related note, please pray for Love in Action Ministries founder Ken Tuck as he battles some health issues. We pray for a speedy recovery.
To contact Love in Action Ministries, either use the hyperlink provided or see below.
Love In Action International Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302
To contact us by phone, call:
334-494-4995
To close, I will show you a banner hanging in Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis. It really says it all about the ministry. Will you join us to help reach the untold millions?
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| Hanging in the church in Ozamis |
Monday, June 6, 2011
Helping our brothers in Dipolog City
Pastor Mario Montero started his ministry months after his conversion. He doesn't flinch when he tries to explain how, a week before his church celebrated its ninth anniversary, he battled a crowd control problem.
"We would love to invite 3,000 people, but we have no room," Pastor Mario said.
Pastor Mario is a man of many talents. Before he converted, he worked in a monastery making images of the saints. However, through the witness of Pastor Jun Begafria, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis, the mother church for the SBBC family, Pastor Mario was converted on Oct. 16, 1994. One year later, he became a full-time missionary, going out to Lopez Jaena.
As one career missionary to Manila told me, "When I first saw the streamers, I thought, 'I don't need that. What is going on here?' But then after a while, I understood how useful it is."
"It's all by God's grace," he said. "I started with no literature, no Bibles, nothing. I didn't even know how to win a soul. I slept in the bus. It's all by God's grace."
On May 31, 2011, Pastor Montero and his flock at Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Punta, a barangay of Dipolog City, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, celebrated their ninth anniversary. Nine days earlier, on a warm Sunday afternoon, he talked with Homegrown Harvesters about the ministry.
The church has approximately a hundred members. And in the lot and building the church now owns, there's not much room left. This fisher of men is seeing his nets breaking. As they planned the anniversary, they realized they could only invite 400 people. If they put up a tent over the back, set up chairs under the mango tree and squeezed as much as they could.
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| As you can see, there's not much room left. This is the service Sunday, May 22, 2011. |
Pastor Mario is a man of many talents. Before he converted, he worked in a monastery making images of the saints. However, through the witness of Pastor Jun Begafria, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis, the mother church for the SBBC family, Pastor Mario was converted on Oct. 16, 1994. One year later, he became a full-time missionary, going out to Lopez Jaena.
In 2002, the call to Punta came, and he and his family moved down to Dipolog City to start a mission work. Pastor Mario is the elder statesman of the SBBC missionaries. He was the first missionary sent out from Ozamis, and he has paid a steep price.
The life of a pioneering missionary is hard. The years have not been kind to him. Years of sacrifice have taken their toll. When he preaches, he has a persistent cough. During my visit, he battled a fever. A few years ago, he watched his oldest son die of malnutrition.
"No money for medicine, malnourished it broke my heart,but none of this things move me," he wrote in a 2006 email to an American pastor.
When I asked him about it, he huffed a two-word answer, paused for several seconds, and resumed talking about the ministry. My journalism professors would chide me, but I let it pass. I was looking for a story; he was looking to talk about ministry.
As there have been trials, there have also been lessons learned. One of those lessons is to use visual aides in his sermons. The Shiloh Bible Baptist Church family uses the King James exclusively, and though there are efforts to translate the KJV into the Visayan dialect, those projects cost money. Also, as he explained to me, "Filipinos understand the sermons better when you give them something they can see."
All good sermons come with outlines. Pastor Mario's are done on tapestry and stretched across the wall behind the pulpit.
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| Sermon outlines in Punta adorn the wall. |
Once they are used, they do not go to waste. In fact, as we were talking, the church members were taking part in the discipleship time. We were fortunate, because it was a sunny day. During discipleship time, the church members practice teaching/preaching from the streamers. Men, women, even children learn to defend their faith by teaching lessons from the streamers.
It was exciting to see the different people teach the lessons, because they each saw something different from the outlines. With multiple scripture references, the teacher can take different angles as he or she follows the outline.
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| The adult men take turns teaching about the necessity of witnessing. |
Is it effective?
"Everyone knows how to witness," Pastor Mario said. "Everyone knows how to teach the Bible. We have teachers who were converted by their students because the children know the Gospel so well."
In fact, to combat the issue of a lack of space, the church members hold off-campus Bible studies and extension services in places such as Moliton and Manukan.
One dear lady, in her 60s, is such a soul-winner, she only rests on Sundays. She holds a series of Bible studies every Monday with some assistance from some other church women.
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A teacher teaches the children about the sheep and the goats |
At the extension services, the men who are not called to be pastors but who nevertheless are able to preach use Pastor Mario's streamers.
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| Another teacher instructs the children |
This dear brother is a body builder to support his family, and he preaches and teaches in Manila. He still misses home, though, and said he often calls home and asks Pastor Mario to preach the sermons to him.
Another missionary, this one who ministers among the Subanen tribe in the mountains, explained it this way, "When we have the drawings, they can see what we are telling them. We tell them Jesus died on the cross, but they are able to see it. We tell them He came out of the grave, but now they can see it (on the streamer). They understand."
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Even the youngest get a chance to show what they have learned. |
My conversation with Pastor Mario was on May 22. As you can see from the photos, the streamers were stretched over buses and across walls outside.
On May 29, there was no way they could hold discipleship. As is often the case. The rains came. Rain is no small matter when there is only a dirt road leading to your church. The photo below is the exact same spot where the photo above of the teaching the pink streamer was taken. One week, teaching and discipling. The next, nothing. Such is the case for our brothers in Christ.
But we're not just telling sad tales. We are praying for solutions. In fact, one is just a short hop away.
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| The end of the property line and the wall of the church |
Just a few inches away from where the current church rests is a vacant 500sqm lot. It is priced at 500,000 Philippine Pesos. This translates roughly to $12,000 U.S. For $12,000, the property and all the paperwork can be completed.
As we always say, first we would ask for your prayers. Only God can raise this money to His glory. So please pray for this need. It is not the only one we have, but it is at the top of the list right now.
As you pray, ask yourself this question: What if your ability to learn the Bible depended on the weather? What if your pastor had to say, "Don't invite any more people. We're too crowded."?
If you are interested in helping us as we raise this money, you may give a tax-deductible gift through Love in Action Ministries. They are our partner ministry in Dothan, Ala. Please contact them to donate. Just mark on your donation "Philippines." Every bit of your gift will go toward the work in the Philippines.
To contact Love in Action Ministries, either use the hyperlink provided or see below. May God richly bless you for your consideration and your gift.
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| The adjacent lot in question |
Love In Action International Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302
To contact us by phone, call:
334-494-4995
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302
To contact us by phone, call:
334-494-4995
 |
| More of the lot |
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