Filipino Christians Embrace their Potential
as a Missions Force

AIMS News: Posted 8/1/2005

When "Malaya" was only an infant, her mother sold her. Like many residents in the Philippines, Malaya's mother lived in poverty. For her, keeping her baby was not an option. Malaya understood, but even though she had been adopted by a loving, Christian couple, she grew up feeling unwanted, empty, and worthless.

Like Malaya, the Philippines have grown up with a poverty mentality. According to Patrick Johnstone, "the great potential of the Philippines has not been realized despite being rich in natural resources and having a well-educated population" (1). But many in the Filipino Christian Church are ready to see that mentality change.

Filipino Church Makes a Harvest Connection

In May, "Isaac" (AIMS' Caribbean Coordinator) traveled to the Philippines to teach two Harvest Connection seminars at conferences for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) in Tarlac City and Manila. About 130 pastors, church leaders, and Bible students attended both conferences.

Isaac stressed that missions is not a matter of being rich or poor, but being blessed and using that blessing to bless others. "They were ready for it; it was God's timing, and he gave us favor," said Isaac. "The Philippines is not meant just to be a missions field, but a missions force!"

Many told Isaac that the seminar was a revelation for them. They were amazed at the opportunities right inside their own country, not realizing that 25 out of the 199 people groups living in the Philippines were considered unreached. They committed to research those groups and pray about which ones to target their efforts for ministry.

At the end of each conference, Isaac taught them about Faith Promise Giving. Each pastor and leader prayed about making faith promise commitments. When all the faith promise statements were tallied, the participants were amazed that they could support 4-6 missionary church planters each year. Every pastor planned to share the teaching with their churches and get them involved.

"The potential of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in the Philippines is great," said Isaac. "Pray that the vision will be fulfilled as God empowers these leaders with the anointing, wisdom, and creativity."

Finding Freedom in Christ

During his trip, Isaac had the opportunity to speak at several different church services in the area. At one church service, he met Malaya, now a teenager. As he spoke to her about how valuable she was to God, she began to weep. Her tears turned into laughter, and her laughter soon became dancing.

Malaya's pastor and adoptive parents were present to witness her deliverance. Later, the pastor's wife told Isaac her whole story. "Today, she is free." Like the Filipino Church, Malaya had discovered her potential.

(1) Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, Operation World: When We Pray, God Works, 21st Century Edition (Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster USA) 2001, p. 522.