The Great Mindanao Revival continues

I’ve said it a million times that I love the Philippines. Make that 1 million and one.

I love the Philippines for a number of reasons. The people are so wonderful; the island of Mindanao is so beautiful; most of all, there is a great hunger for God here. It’s like living in the early church in the Book of Acts where people are being saved daily.

If our first day of ministry here is any indication – more than 200 decisions for Jesus -  it’s going to be another amazing trip. And, I know it will. I knew it before we came, because God is doing a special work here because of the hunger of the people and the dedication and obedience of the Christians.

We arrived in Ozamiz City around 6:30 a.m. on Monday and a large number of our Filipino brothers and sisters greeted us with smiles and hugs. After a delicious breakfast at the church, we settled into our hotel and at 11:30 a.m. it was time for lunch, and then, none-stop ministry until 9 p.m.

We started at a military camp where Martha, Mama and I ministered in March 2013. It was good to see some familiar faces who made decisions for Jesus last year. The officer in charge was so happy to see all of us, and Bro. Jimmy really enjoyed the camp. Being a major in the U.S. Army, he was even more interested in our first stop. 

Martha and Jimmy shared testimonies and Keith and Rusty sang a worship song, and then Keith preached a great message. Around six men who were new to the camp made decisions for Jesus. Glory to God!

Our next stop was an unscheduled one, but a great one. We visited a public high school. The principal invited us to speak to all eight classrooms and share about the salvation of Jesus Christ. Praise God! Afterward our group talked about how sad it is we would never be allowed to do that in the U.S. 

The students were all very well behaved and attentive. They stood as we entered each classroom and said, “Welcome visitors.”

We divided up in groups of two and went to the different classrooms. I think Rusty was the favorite as he played his guitar. It was great hearing the children sing praises to Jesus with him. The last classroom Martha and I spoke in, Rusty was in the next room. As he started playing his guitar and singing, some of the students in our room began singing.

Around 100 students made decided to follow Jesus during our visit. Praise God!

Monday evening was totally incredible. Pastor Jun, who is the senior pastor of the Shiloh Bible Baptist Churches in Mindanao, said we were going to have an evangelistic service with a tribal group called Subanen. They are tribal people who live in the mountain regions of Mindanao. Getting to them is always an adventure.

Jesus says to go to the ends of the world and preach the Gospel. When we finally made it up the mountain traveling on some of the worst roads imaginable, we felt like we were at the end of the world.

Once again we were warmly greeted by the people, including the tribal elders. Mama and Jimmy shared testimonies and Keith and Rusty led worship with a set of three songs. The one light bulb hanging from the ceiling dimly lit the stage, but the worship brightened the entire open-air public building. 

I was honored to preach the Gospel to those precious people – young and old. I preached on the prodigal son, and to God be the glory, more than 100 people made decisions for Jesus as Pastor Jun gave the invitation. It was awesome seeing that many people stand up indicating they sincerely wanted to live for Jesus as Pastor Keith prayed over them.

This Subanen area has a population of about 3,000 people, and Pastor Jun’s church in Ozamiz sends members there to lead Bible studies. A group of people there have been praying for a church for the past seven months. They need one, and they need a pastor to lead them. We can plant a church for $900. If anyone reading this feels led to help, please mail your tax deductible donation to: Love In Action International Ministries, P.O. Box 85, Dothan, Al 36302.

I know there are many people in the U.S., Myanmar, Haiti and Pakistan praying for us. Thank you all so much, and please continue to pray. Pray for those who hear God’s Word to be drawn to Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Pray for Team LIA as we preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please also pray for the strength and health of all of us – Americans and Filipinos – and for our safety as we travel to many different cities and villages during our stay.

The Great Mindanao Revival continues. It hasn’t slowed down after two years. If anything, it is spreading faster. We give all praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ forever and ever.