Today we kicked off the first of a few days of ministry on the island of Bohol. We held the first of a two day Ministerial Training Institute course entitled “Authentic Faith”. Sessions included teachings on building on a firm foundation, true repentance, and true faith. We had the opportunity to reconnect with many familiar faces and even meet a few new people as well.
While the MTI was happening, a few of us went to the universities in town to invite students to a short Bible discussion that Street Level is hosting tomorrow. We saw many students and got into a few good conversations. We are hoping they will come tomorrow and we can make new connections and they will hear the truth of the Bible.
The day started early with most of us wide awake before the sun came up. Jet lag shows partiality to no man or woman. We spent the morning packing for tomorrow’s journey to Bohol for the first round of MTI’s. Walking was an important part of the rest of our day, as we fought off our drowsiness. To the office, the grocery store, and around the neighborhood delivering WOTS magazines. Now we’re back at the house for the final stretch of day one.
In just a few days, we will be joined by a team from the U.S. and while they are here, we will be hosting several events for pastors, church leaders, youth, and our university ministry! We are looking forward to having them in the Philippines, and for the opportunities that God is allowing us to be part of while they are here. The highlights of what we will be doing are: Ministry Training Institute classes on Bohol, Bantayan, and Cebu Islands, a Youth Leader Summit, and a Street Level Ministries Summit.
STREET LEVEL MINISTIRES CEBU ISLAND
Our university ministry just finished up going verse-by-verse through the book of Colossians, which we have been in for a few months. This week also marks the end of our “New Testament in a Year” reading plan. We set up a group chat a year ago and had several students join in to share thoughts (and hopefully hold each other accountable to reading). While not everyone stuck with it, there were a few that did and made it through the entire New Testament for the first time.
We have continued doing outreaches near universities – giving away coffee, magazines, and fliers. It’s a good opportunity for the SLM members to serve God together and invite new students to be part of what we have going on. Over the last few weeks we have had a three people step up into membership too!
BELIEVERS CHURCH CEBU
We recently had our very first church work day here in Cebu! It was a good time to get some projects done in our space and spend the day together. Like any good church work day, it was complete with an unexpected trip to the hardware store and ended with a good dinner together.
As 2024 came to a close, we spent some evenings reconnecting with our pastor and church leader friends who have attended previous Ministry Training Institute classes. In each location we spent time looking at Acts chapter 20 with the idea of leaving a legacy that matters. We also shared a meal and enjoyed each other’s company.
