Northern & Southern Philippines Leaders Rev. Joseph Benigno (left) & Rev. Nick Sicat (right) with Northern Philippines Missionary Rev. Ray Davis (center)

Acts 1:8 says, 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ will not just magically spread. It won’t permeate the countryside and the highways and byways, without US being a part of it. The Philippines ministries have been looking for ways not to just sustain, but grow, into the 21st century… Everything in life requires that—a constant evaluation and adjustment—to ensure that we are moving in the right direction.

During my recent travels, I spent time with Rev. Benigno representing the Northern Philippines and Rev. Nick Sicat representing the Southern Philippines work. One thing I noticed was a renewed sense of urgency to reach the lost and to “connect” the church with this generation. Our evangelism styles and plans must be reviewed and considered regularly, if we are going to connect now and continue to connect in the future. Its kind of like a professional race car—it has to be looked at and tuned and then fine tuned if it is going to be at its peak performance. It can’t be raced on tuning that was done last month or last year… It just wont keep up and will be left behind.

Preaching with the interpretation through the Youth Minister at La Roca PFWB Church in During the 2009 Youth Camp.

This is a MUCH different world than it was 20 years ago or 10 years ago—even just a few years ago. What once worked in the past may not be effective today, so we must make “new” adjustments.

The word is the same, but our delivery methods must adapt so we connect. If not, the churches die…

North & South meet! Rev. Joseph Benigno brings greetings while Rev. Nick Sikat interprets into their native dialect. There are over 170 different languages and dialects in the Philippines! So, if you travel very far, you may need an interpreter—EVEN if you are Filipino!

I sense this in the works going on in the Philippines. I hear of plans to reach the people in new and exciting ways and areas that have been unreached by the PFWB before.

It was good to fellowship with Bros. Joseph and Nick and to hear their visions and plans for the future. It was also great to see the collaborative efforts between the North & the South! There is ongoing talks about the possibility of having collaborative meetings between both groups and also to reach out beyond their local areas into other mission fields such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong which has already begun. The Northern Philippines work has a large and growing congregation in Hong Kong and Bro. Nick Sicat is reaching into the muslim strongholds of Indonesia /Malaysia. Church growth plans are becoming more focused on PEOPLE than just the number of buildings or established churches that we have. In other words, a predetermined # of actual church buildings doesn't signify a strong organization. It is her people and their relationships with an Almighty God that determines strength and success. Strong local church bodies will naturally reproduce works and expand.

The church of today and tomorrow must focus on some key areas that include: youth programs, family ministries that connect with the people of today; missions that help people and reach out starting in our local communities (Jerusalem) and then spread from there into all the world. (Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth). It must be a church that is focused on the truth of God’s word and how her people can take God’s principles and apply them to their lives RIGHT NOW. Not just what the Word says, but how can they apply it… It must be a church that has programs and opportunities for people to learn and grow in the knowledge of the Lord.

It should be an organization that embraces the technology available and uses it as a new tool to enhance other proven communications methods. It must be a church that builds up “family” because the world is tearing it down… A place where youth can connect and grow solidly....The church I am talking about must find a way to get outside the box of “tradition and the past” and embrace new and untried evangelism strategies. That’s the church that will make it to the next level, with the help of the Lord!

Hundreds of youth attended the camp in Davao. The Northern Philippines work also reported 350 in attendance! Praise the Lord!

I really see this developing in the Philippines works as they actively work to reach their people in new ways with the Gospel of Jesus Christ—focusing on building their people spiritually, through new youth & family ministries, through fulfilling the Great Commission by all means available including technology to carry God’s word further and faster than ever before!! It is truly an exciting time!!!

Calinan, Davao Southern Philippines Youth Camp—Many young souls accepted Christ during the last night of the conference.