A Church Family, A Worshipping Community
We meet together every day all over the city to worship, listen to and discuss the Bible, pray for each other, eat together and encourage one another. We spend time in each others’ houses, we have meetings outside and we use any buildings we can find. All of it might be described as ‘church’. Altogether we think our family is now about 800 people, but it’s always growing.
It has brought us great joy seeing some of our young adults, whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents grew up in the graveyard, now free from poverty, oppression and generational curses. Some are now are studying at university, some have graduated and are working. Many have gone overseas to share of what God has done in their lives.
Outreach
About 25 years ago, we started reaching out to a small group of youth who slept on the street in a place called Fuente Osmena. We started meeting with them and worshipping together ever week. As we spent more time there, we discovered that there were hundreds more children in that area, roaming the streets and begging.
We sit in groups on mats in the park and eat together. Hopefully it’s a bit like a family. We know that for some of these people it might just be a way to get a hot meal. Or maybe for others it’s the only time that somebody is kind to them or gives them a hug or a smile. But we are sure that one, or all of these things is enough; and that in it all, they will meet Jesus.
“The will of God will not take you where the grace of God cannot keep you”
— Jackie Pullinger
Go into the nations
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them… teaching them…” Jesus said this in Mt. 28:19-20. We are privileged to be able to do this in short and long term. To be able for our people to go to Asia and other countries, to make Jesus known in every way.
Shelter & family houses
“God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing…” In Psalms 68:6, it reveals the Father’s heart especially to the lonely & brokenhearted. We are grateful that we can provide shelter, safety, belongingness & love in family-setting. And re-integrating them back in the community.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
— Luke 4:18-19
School support & education
Seven out of ten females 6 year old & over completed at least elementary education. Around 18.6 percent of Philippinos aged 5 to 24 years old were not attending school last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). We believe providing for education for the underprivileged yet deserving children & individuals will open doors for the development of their God-given talents & giftings. We hope that this will compliment as they answer to God’s calling for them in their lives. Also, as a church, we are a licensed-satellite school of a Manila-based prestigious university.
Healthcare
”When he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him & bound up his wounds, pouring oil & wine…” In Lk. 10:33-35 we see the Good Samaritan having compassion & bandaging the wounds of the traveler who was beaten up. Likewise, in our current situations, there are many who fall through the cracks of the healthcare system and are in dire need of medical help, love and practical care.
