Churches have been using buses to haul believers to events, conferences, and missions trips for decades. But not all church buses are the same. I recently sat with a group of Filipino pastors, one of whom had spent most of his life in a country where Christianity was outlawed, Bibles were banned, and public expressions of faith could cost you everything. What follows is a glimpse into his story and his time spent on a church bus.
Imagine needing a text from your pastor before leaving for church—confirmation that no police or suspicious figures were watching the building. The church itself didn’t look like a church at all, but a house with false windows and padded walls. Foam and cardboard egg cartons lining the interior to muffle the sound of worship or the pastors voice when he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. The light bulbs on the exterior corners provided no light, but instead they were disguised security cameras, letting the pastor monitor the street. Worshipers arrived in twos and threes, never all at once, careful not to draw the eye of watchful neighbors or the attention of the religious police.
They carried on that way for years, sometimes cancelling service at the last minute to prevent potential arrests, sometimes changing buildings when the wrong person was allowed access. Every time they gathered, they knew the risks; they might be deported, arrested, or worse. But God called them to assemble and obedience wasn’t optional.
Despite the extreme caution eventually they were found out. One Sunday as the congregation worshiped together the distant sound of sirens grew louder and louder. The religious police had arrived and they had with them a list with the names of all the church leaders. They had a small van and intended to arrest those who would dare come and study the Bible and praise the Lord. But when they opened the door they were shocked, what they assumed was a small gathering of a few believers that would easily be rounded up, instead turned out to be far larger than expected. There were too many to arrest, too many to fit in the van, and not enough officers to control them all. So the police were forced to release all but the leaders, leaving the rest under the threat of repercussion, arrest, and violence if they gathered in fellowship again.
The church was shaken and suffering. The church was weakened, but to no surprise it was not defeated. Jesus said even the gates of Hell couldn’t prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18) so what were they to do?
For a time, they met in secret, just one or two families at a time in their homes, clinging to Scripture in whispers and near solitude. The church was fragmented. Their faith held firm, but they were convinced God had something more for them.
They had no buildings, no freedom, and no plan. But God is really good at making a way when we can’t see it. Time and again the Bible shows that our inability is no problem for Him. In fact, He tells us our weakness and desperation are actually assets (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). When we come to the end of ourselves, He can display His strength most clearly. He delights in using what is weak to display His strength. And just when the way forward seemed impossible, one man had an idea.
There was a church member employed as a bus driver. His route from one city to another, passed through rural villages. The bus was big enough to carry a crowd, a crowd that no one would ever suspect. So, the men of the church bought every single ticket. No women and no children because that would be suspicious. It was a risk that would draw to much attention. The pastor would stand in the aisle, someone would bring a guitar or drum and preaching and song could be heard over the sound of the loud diesel motor. The bus became their sanctuary.
From one city to the next, they held church on the move. By the time the bus pulled back into the terminal, they had worshiped, prayed, and studied the Bible together. The bus company was unaware and did not care. They were legitimate paying passengers. When the men returned home, they passed on what they had learned to their families. The church grew stronger.
They met like this, on wheels, for three years. And to my knowledge not once were they caught.
There are plenty of reasons people give for not loving or committing to the church. It can let us down, disappoint us, and to commit to community at the level God instructs requires sacrifice. And here’s the thing—God still calls us to it. The church remains a beautiful and irreplaceable gift from God, not as an optional add on, but a necessity (Hebrews 10:25). If you took the time to read this story, written by a pastor for a church newsletter, you probably already get why the church matters. I hope you value it. But if you don’t, or if you ever find yourself thinking it’s not that important, and are tempted to take it or leave it, remember the church bus unlike any other, and remember that there are people all over the world who would give anything just to be part of what you are inclined to overlook.
After all God was willing to sacrifice His beloved Son for the church and Jesus redeemed it with His own blood (Ephesians 5:25 & Acts 20:28).