My Team

This is for those who pray, I mean, really pray. I am convinced that God has chosen to limit His work in any place and among any people until believing faith is exercised through prayer among those who belong to Him. So that you may know how to pray, may I introduce you to my Filipino church planting team:

Lito: I wish I had a picture of Bro. Lito to show you. He has a built-in smile that is contagious. He’s about 60 years old, gentle, humble, and enjoys giving what he has to those who need it most. I’ve known Bro. Lito and his family since we first arrived in the Philippines in 1986. Having pastored one of our larger churches, he is currently leading three house groups in a place called New Lucena.

Atong: He is a welder by trade; still makes his living that way. Bro. Atong, about 42 years old, is married with two children. He once owned a store in his village that included beer and cigarettes. A pastor visited him one day and befriended him. Over a period of weeks, this pastor opened up the Scriptures to Atong, never saying anything about the beer and cigarettes. After Atong gave His life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit spoke to Atong about the above items in his store, which he then quickly removed. Bro. Atong is not leading one house group and one house church in Janiuay. The pastor, by the way, who shared Jesus with him was Bro. Lito.

Lily: Lily was our house worker in Roxas City when Martha was born. After finishing college, she got married, worked as a secretary, and is currently a social worker in a ministry for children. But Lily’s heart is seeing Filipinos, especially children, come to faith in Jesus Christ. She is leading two house groups and one house church in New Lucena, and two groups in Iloilo City. The Lord has also led her to begin a ministry: www.blessings.ph, which I’ll talk more about next time.

Danny: It’s hard to carry on a conversation with Bro. Danny without laughing. He has a delightful sense of humor. But even more, he has a commitment to the Lord’s work that is a model for all of us. While working as a farmer, Bro. Danny leads a group of five “servant leaders” who now lead several house churches which he started in his home place of Lambunao. His wife and two children are also active in the ministry. Danny is eager to start more house churches.

Eliu (pronounced El you): Bro. Eliu is our only seminary graduate. He pastored one of our larger Iloilo churches for seven years before getting married and moving to the home place of his wife. He now operates a small store while he shares the gospel in house groups. His new home in Anilao is known for its drinking and gambling, but Eliu wants it to be known in the future as a place full of committed followers of Jesus Christ. Eliu is a capable leader as well as a humble servant.

Rector: Bro. Rector, a farmer, joined us a month ago. He is married and leading a house church in a place called Barotak Viejo. Although he has had some Bible School training, he’s currently begun training on how to plant more house churches in his area.

Please pray for my team. Pray that they will continue to grow to be godly in character and mighty in Spirit. Pray for the places they minister. Pray that people, especially family leaders, will open their hearts and homes to the gospel. And please pray for me. Pray that I will be a good encourager, trainer, mentor, and friend. Thank you.