by Jennifer Shin
Our church’s mission statement to make disciples of Christ comes directly from Matthew 28:18-20. As followers of Christ, we are called to not just go but to make disciples of Christ whether we are here in San Diego or in another part of the world. Each summer, we send out mission teams to the Czech Republic and to Argentina to work with churches there in proclaiming the gospel. This past December, we sent two of our own members, J.R. Cuevas and Tim Yu, to the Philippines on a scouting trip for possible future ministry there.
J.R. and Tim visited the city of Alabang, a suburb of Manila, to meet up with a contact, Pastor Marvin Adolfo. In the summer of 2006, J.R. went on a mission trip to the Philippines and visited a seminary during his stay there. He met Pastor Marvin who was a student at the seminary and has kept in contact with him ever since. Since that summer, Pastor Marvin started a church in Alabang. J.R. later brought up the idea to the leaders of possible opportunities in working with that church.
Alabang Baptist Church is fairly young and has only been around for half a year, consisting of about 15-20 single adults. But they still fellowship and worship passionately. Tim and J.R. stated that it was encouraging to see – that not much is needed to worship God. For Alabang Baptist Church, it isn’t about the elaborateness of their worship services. Rather, they are content with what they have and aren’t afraid to sing loudly during praise. Tim also said, “They were really hospitable. You could feel the love there. As the outsider (I’m not Filipino), they took me in and made me really feel at home, like part of the body.” J.R. stated that though the church is young, they desire to serve and worship God in the right way.
Much of their time consisted of spending time with Pastor Marvin and the church, where J.R. taught from the Word, preaching during a Sunday service for the first time (ironically back at home), and Tim shared his testimony of how he came to know Christ. During their time in Alabang, they were able to see the church’s needs and how our own church could work alongside them. Tim and J.R. shared that they were able to see the church’s philosophy in ministry and Pastor Marvin’s heart as well. For J.R., he wasn’t sure of how things would turn out, but through much prayer, he was able to see God’s faithfulness in making everything happen and run smoothly. The church in Alabang has expressed their desire for our church members to return and partner with them in ministry.
Though future ministry in the Philippines is still up in the air, we, as a church body can still bepraying for our brothers and sisters in Alabang – that God would continue to sustain Pastor Marvin in ministry (who is still in seminary and commuting far to be and serve at the church) and for the growth of the church members there.