In a remarkable demonstration of faith and service, over sixty pastors, workers, and family members from the Northern California Conference journeyed to Southern Mindanao in the Philippines from June 20 to July 1.
Responding to an invitation from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, the mission trip was a profoundly impactful outreach endeavor for both the residents of Southern Mindanao and the participating pastors, laymen, and their families. Ron Yabut, pastor of the Anderson church, explained, “The pastors, speaking in 24 different churches, encounteredan abundance of first-time listeners, and the Holy Spirit moved, sowing seeds, changing hearts, and leading 1,720 souls to baptism.”
Jeffrey Maxwell, risk management director, expressed, “The churches of Southern Mindanao proved very wealthy in the riches of faith and good works. I was very impressed that the church I spoke in, besides being amazingly hospitable, was a church where 80% of their membership gives 10% on top of their tithe!” This is a culture of generosity that is not unlike what was experienced during the early Christian church.
Sasa Andelkovic, pastor of the Sacramento Yugoslavian church, exclaimed, “The main language of communication between our group and the Filipino people was love expressed through deeds of kindness. I realized from this experience that I must reciprocate in kind, that I must preach about the goodness of God, and I must do so through service as well. People wonderfully responded to our ministry, but they also ministered back to us. It was a wonderful exchange of God’s love.”
Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch church, stated, “It is always a blessing to introduce a community to women pastors. It is a difficult responsibility to steward, and God gave me the opportunity to show how he is using women for His glory in a place that does not have women pastors. I am humbled by the opportunity that God gave me to show that the Holy Spirit can work through female pastors. For an entire week I got to create a new norm for children especially the young girls. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use these newly baptized children to further his work in Mindanao.”
Featured in Northern Lights, August 8, 2024
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