During this pandemic, we are thankful for this life and all that the Lord is doing in Bohol. We have been in Bohol, Philippines for nearly 7 years. We are witnessing something new and amazing in the people and their response to the gospel. This pandemic has made everyone slow down and think about their lives and has opened doors of ministry

The power of the Word of God In November, 2019, we launched a Bible Study series as a help to make disciples called Equipped. It’s about 46 lessons. and takes about a year. This week we will graduate the first batch. We are commanded in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples. And those disciples need to make more disciples.

The Pandemic

Our lives are disrupted. We have been under various lockdowns and curfews. For the young and old, those under 21 or over 60, they have been mostly confined to their houses. The curfew was 24 hours but was relaxed later on to allow one day and then 2 days a week outside. We have been mostly shutdown but the best things have happened. We continued holding churches in homes, teaching the discipleship series. In all we have over 20 Home Bible studies. We are overwhelmed with the responses, more families beg us to hold Bible Studies. We just can’t do more. We are training some of our disciples to be leaders and to hold their own Bible Studies. These have been mostly young adults. A group that is mostly 18 - 21 and mostly young ladies. During this pandemic we have expanded our reach and are seeing many souls some into the kingdom.

The Rebellion

In October, the schools opened for Modules, these are home study worksheets for students. Our neighborhood kids come to our house and study. We have a computer where they can login for meetings. We have become a hub for learning. Also Shine our youngest holds a Bible Study with her friends. Raine who plays instruments teaches music.

The young challenging each other

This is the testimony, entirely something new. It used to be that kids would rebel against their parents by bad behavior or something naughty. What we are seeing is the opposite. During this pandemic the young are in rebellion against society and turning their hearts towards God. Some of the parents forbid their children to go to our home church, because of being Catholics. But they sneak out and come out. Others beg their parents to allow them to go. They fight to come to church. Another young lady has felt the wrath of her Auntie and has suffered real persucution. Yet another teenager has been kicked out of her house for the crime of being a Christian. # Jagna, Cabungauan and Bunga Mar, and Ubay The college students have felt a burden for their families. These young people have been doing most of the Bible studies. The church in Jagna is in a village called Bunga Mar - which means fruitful place. Some of the members are from a village in the hills of Jagna called Cabunguan. Do you see Bunga is also in the name. These are 3 young members, in time we believe there will be a church there. In Ubay another young lady of 19 years old is leading the Bible Studies and kids studies. She ministers to about 40 people a week. This year has been the most fruitful. In Jagna, Pastor Gerald and in Ubay, Pastor Hermes is leading the churches.

In the jungle, Bunga Mar Bohol, Bible Study with neighbors

The Vision

Although the world seems to be falling apart God is in control. We know this is His plan for this time. In the book of Acts the believers suffered greatly and were scattered.

Acts 8 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

We believe that this move of God will continue. We need to build a church in Jagna. So we can gather but also so we can train new leaders, to make more disciples.

Last year It was the Lord who led us down this path in preparation. We have seen during this pandemic a 2 fold blessing reaching more than staying with normal church. We are in the community on a daily basis fishing for men to make disciples.

Bringing Christ to ever home A photo album: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjKgylAvFnr6j-kA4mR2fSG1FxPcmw?e=cLLXFW

Bringing Christ to ever home