Reaching out to the Philippines

Since being introduced to the Shiloh Bible Baptist family of churches in the Philippines, Martha and I have fallen in love with them. Their love and passion for Christ and for reaching the lost is contagious. Their desire to see people saved is inspiring and encouraging.

We were introduced to the Shiloh Bible Baptist Church family by our friends at Homegrown Harvesters. Beginning in April, Love In Action started working with Homegrown Harvesters to help the Shiloh church family spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Philippines, and it has been a joy to see what God is doing there.

In that short span of time we have been able to help one small church in Salug purchase land to build a church upon; we helped a church in Dipolog City expand to accommodate their ever-growing church; and we most recently helped provide Bibles and Christian tracts to a church in Sindangan.

These churches have very few resources. They are located in poor areas, so the people they reach have very little to give to support the church as far as finances. However, they have much to give in their desire to work hard to build God's kingdom in the Philippines.

Prayer requests pastors often email us are for souls to be saved and followed up with baptism, to reach children in the schools in their areas, church growth, success in evangelism outreach, spiritual growth of church members, and financial needs. Their prayers lists are a lot longer. That is just a handful of requests.

These pastors believe in the power of prayer and they are praying for Love In Action as well.

The best way to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in foreign countries is to support and work through native ministers. They know the culture, language and needs. In developing and Third World countries, lack of finances is the biggest hurdle for Christians.

Yes, it is good for us to go and visit and minister in these countries, and Love In Action will be doing more of that. In fact, I have been invited by two of the pastors in the Philippines to preach at their churches. I look forward to that day.

But, the biggest need is to support these pastors and churches financially. Let me give you an example. One pastor shared with me his church's need for Bibles and Christian tracts. He said his church consists of mainly new Christians and they don't have Bibles for them. First of all, they don't have the finances to purchase them, and secondly, if they did have the money they would have to travel 4-6 hours by bus to purchase them. That broke my heart. I can drive five miles in any direction here in Dothan, AL, and find a place to buy a Bible.

The same church needed Christian tracts for evangelism outreaches. Some areas they do outreach in cannot be reached by motorized transportation, so they walk 4-5 hours to tell people about Jesus. Is that dedication and passion for the lost or what? Incredible! That is where the tracts would come in handy.

We were able to send the church money to purchase the Bibles and tracts. Here is the pastor's response:
"To God be the glory! I was so grateful to God for using you and your ministry in answering our prayers with regards to the needs of tracts and KJV Bibles. Heartily and honestly, we really thank you for being a blessing to us and to the church. We also personally thank you Brother Ken and to your wife sister Martha for trusting the church's heart with this blessing.

"By Monday, July 4, I will be going to Iligan to purchase KJV Bibles and tracts that we have been long praying. On July 7, the church will be having its BIBLE SUNDAY. This whole Sunday will be dedicated to preach and school out the church members the importance of the Word of God. After the service, we will be distributing these KJV Bibles to the newly baptized believers."

Now that is exciting! We praise God for that opportunity.

There are many needs and we are asking those of you with a heart for international missions to join us in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Philippines. There are three ways we can help right now, and each of them are with finances.

One way is helping the churches purchase their own land. Most are renting and some are in danger of losing their rent once the land owner sells the property. We went through that last year ourselves so we understand that need.

Another way we can help is by helping to build and expand churches. It doesn't costs nearly as much to construct buildings in the Philippines as it does here in the U.S., and they need buildings to meet in.

The third way is to support the pastors. As I already mentioned, these churches are located in poor areas, so there is very little to no support for the pastors. Any help we can give them will be appreciated.

We will post needs as they come up. One of the first needs is $12,000 for the church in Dipolog City to construct a building, including a parsonage. This is a fast-growing church and is in need of a new building. Another need is money to build a new church building in Salug where we helped them purchase land for a church. When we receive the construction cost on that project we will share it as well.

There is always needs for Bibles, so giving toward that is a constant need.

When you send donations to Love In Action please note that it is for the Philippines. Every dollar you send will go there.

You can give online on our website loveinactionministries.com through PayPal. Or, mail donations to:
Love In Action
P.O. Box 85
Dothan, AL 36302

By helping us reach the Philippines with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gives us in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."