Keep reading to see what is happening in the Philippines through Shofar Missions.

Team Prep

We’re excited for another team to arrive next month! To get ready for them to come, we’ve started announcing the Ministry Training Institute classes, Youth Leader Summits, and Street Level Summit to churches, friends, and anyone else who finds the information online. We’re thankful to have Erik and Tiffany here, too. Not only for the time we get to spend with them, but they’ve also been helping hang up banners and promote the events at regional pastors meetings. Please be in prayer for the team as they prepare to depart, and for us as we reach out to invite long-standing contacts and hopefully new ones.

Street Level Ministries

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been going through Francis Chan’s BASIC series. The teachings have led to interesting discussions, many of which keep going back to COMMITMENT to CHRIST and a LOCAL CHURCH. Street Level Radio welcomed a new volunteer this month. She joined the full group mixdown and is training with Pete to learn how to produce files for the air. Earlier this month, a few of us went on a morning hike to get some fresh air and good views of the city.

We’ve been pushing online advertising in hopes of reaching young people through what they look at most: their phones. Quite a few have reached out, and a couple have attended a meeting. One young lady said she heard about SLM in her first year of college when she noticed an open Wi-Fi network on campus. Lo and behold, it was the Street Level Radio network at the University of the Visayas. She also got a WOTS magazine on campus, but didn’t decide to come until now, three years later. It’s a good reminder to be faithful in the small things and trust God’s timing with the outcome.

Exploring Creation Science

The school year is coming to an end for many of the students here. Recently, we were able to attend the grade 6 graduation at Banawa Nazarene. The pre-graduation family dinners, practices, and events mean families have spent many hours preparing. During a recent graduation, the Nazarene District Superintendent challenged parents and students in attendance (only 3 students graduating were not part of the church) to consider if they would have spent the same amount of time actively involved in their children’s spiritual life. Next month, grade 6 graduates will gather for a special chapel service “To Finish Well, Keep Close to God” as they get ready to attend new schools. Many grade 6 students also attend church at Inayawan or Banawa Nazarene, so we have gotten to know some pretty well.

As the school year comes to a close, we had an opportunity to teach a couple of lessons on fossils and corals for students at the Wesleyan School while finishing up talking about “How We Got Here” with students at Southern Bethany. Students in grade 6 at Inayawan Nazarene learned about the different kinds of rocks that have been specially created. Lessons also continue on Shofar TV – some students that have Cebu Cable have said they will see us on TV this summer.

Prayer Requests

Please join us in praying for:

• The word to get out about the upcoming team events and for people to register
• College students and young adults to get connected to Street Level and to make following Jesus a priority in their lives
• Pray for grades 6 & 12 students and staff as the school year ends. Grade 6 students transition to different schools and grade 12 to get a job or attend university. Pray for the teachers and staff they see as role models in their lives.

Read about what God has been doing through Shofar Missions in the Philippines.

Ministry Training Institute

The Ministry Training Institute classes are for pastors and church leaders who desire to increase their biblical and doctrinal knowledge and skills in order to grow themselves, their churches, and the kingdom of God. Pastor Tim and Ryan taught the sixth class “Biblical Theology” to students in three different locations: Cebu, Toledo, and Bantayan. There were many returning students, as well as quite a few new faces at each class! It was also the first time a class has been held at the Shofar Missions Centre in Cebu City since 2019. The next classes will be held in July and will cover Old Testament scriptures.

Street Level Ministries

At the beginning of May, we held a Summit for students from Cebu and Toledo. The topic was “AWAKEN” – addressing the need to be brought from spiritual death to life. Ryan opened and closed the day, while Pete, Abby, and Britt led small group discussions. On the Friday night before the Summit, we met with the members to talk through the goals and vision of both the Summit and Street Level as a whole. We also held two remote radio broadcasts – one in Toledo and one in Cebu – and gave away some cool new Street Level Radio t-shirts! The newest issue of Word on the Street Magazine was released, so we got to hit the streets and distribute copies to local cafés, eateries, and students. We will continue weekly meetings over the summer since many students will still be around.

Exploring Creation Science

The last week of April, a science lesson focusing on God’s creation of the human body was taught for students in grades 4-6 at Cebu Bradford Christian School – a school we previously ministered at. During the first couple weeks of May, there was an opportunity to participate in weekly staff devotions at Southern Bethany along with giving students that have participated in all Exploring Creation Science lessons at Inayawan Nazarene a Certified Creation Scientist Certificates during Quarter Three Recognition. We met a new school and taught four different lessons for students in grades 4-6 & 7-12 in two days. Word On the Street Magazines were given out to grade 12 students along with the info about Street Level meetings. Lessons also continue at six schools. Lessons for some schools will continue as we move into summer classes soon.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for the following:

• All the pastors and leaders who attended the Ministry Training Institute classes… that they’d put what they learned into practice and continue serving the Lord faithfully.
• That the students who attended the Summit and SLM meetings would be honest about where they’re at with God and have the Spirit-led desire and power to put Jesus first in their lives.
• Please pray for the teachers and students as the school year comes to a close. Pray especially for students in grades 6 & 12 as many of them move on to new schools for high school & university.

Keep reading for an update from the missions field in the Philippines.

Team Prep

The second missions team of the year will arrive within hours of this post. We’ve been preparing for them to come by getting the word out about the upcoming Ministry Training Institute (MTI) classes and Street Level Summit. This will be the sixth MTI class since they began in 2019, and there are a lot of returning students, as well as a handful of new ones. A video promotion on Facebook has helped us connect with those we otherwise wouldn’t. The two-day class for pastors and church leaders will cover the topic of “Biblical Theology.” Please be in prayer for these classes… for people to sign up, that their hearts and minds would be prepared, and for Pastor Tim and Ryan who will be teaching the classes.

Street Level Ministries

Over the past few weeks, we’ve held regular dinners & Bible discussions in Toledo and Cebu, as well as Micro Bible Studies throughout the week. The goal of the 15-minute studies is to meet up with students between classes in a place close to their university. We’ve been meeting at Roadside Café, which is near a couple universities and one of the sponsors of Street Level Radio. No one new has joined us for a study (yet), but it has provided a good opportunity to be present there consistently. Some people sitting in the café have asked questions about Street Level and the radio station.

We’re also gearing up for the Summit on May 5-6, which will be held in Toledo. We will have teaching sessions and small group discussions about the topic of “AWAKEN!” Friday night will be for members only, and Saturday will be open to all. We also posted a video to promote it on Facebook and are praying that it will help us reach students that we wouldn’t normally run into!

Exploring Creation Science

Within days of returning to Cebu, we were able to reconnect with a couple schools where lessons were previously taught. A lesson was taught for students in grades 7-12 that asks the question “How Did We Get Here” at both schools. During the week of Easter while many schools had no classes an orphanage that we have worked with in the past invited us to share Exploring Creation Science lessons with the students at the school. A lesson “All About Photosynthesis” was taught. Students also got to spend some extra time looking at leaves under a microscope. Grade 4 students recently talked about microscopes and learned the parts so a few of them shared what they remembered. Lessons have also continued at both Nazarene Schools, Southern Bethany, and the Wesleyan School. We continue to hear from students that either watch lessons on Shofar TV or have friends that do.

There was also an opportunity to meet up again with a lady that teaches the creation story through art. It’s been neat to share what God is doing in each of our ministries. A trip out to Minglanilla also allowed for some time to share a quick cup of coffee with the school principal at Southern Bethany after we visited a Baptist Church some of the staff attend to share MTI and SLM Summit materials with them.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for effective ministry while the team is here… that we’d connect with the people God wants us to connect with and that it would bear fruit that would remain…
• Safety and unity as the team travels around the island and to Bantayan Island

During the past few weeks, we’ve spent some time in the USA. Britt joined the Street Level missions trip to New Orleans during Spring Break, as well as a few weekly meetings, Campus Church, and joint service with Street Level Radio, Word on the Street, and Creative Team. Laura was able to teach an Exploring Creation Science lesson for the Homeschool Ministry, serve in the Blind Munchies Coffeehouse & join Creative Team to work on some future advertising items. We also visited Believers Church in Duluth for their Wednesday night dinner and men’s/women’s small group discussion. We’re thankful for the chance to spend time with everyone!

Street Level Ministries

At the beginning of the month, the members from both sides of the island met in Toledo for a members-only meeting. These happen once a month, intending to keep both branches unified and to train leaders in both locations. We had dinner together, then read and discussed a short article about serving God. While we’ve been in the USA, both Street Level groups have continued meeting weekly in Cebu and Toledo. 

Exploring Creation Science

To start the month of March, Laura had an opportunity to join a couple of events meant for administration and teachers in leadership within the Central Visayas Nazarene denomination. Those teaching grades 4-12 met up to discuss pronouns and how they relate to Christian Education. Staff devotions also have been an opportunity to join all four schools and continue getting to know them better. A three-part series talking about How We Got Here and who created it all will continue with students in grade 6 at Banawa & Inayawan Nazarene schools and will be taught at Southern Bethany in May. We’ve been able to post answers to questions asked in class online, so anyone with the same questions can view them. A few digital resources were provided for schools while we have been in the USA, so students can continue learning why they believe what they believe.

Prayer Requests

If you are compelled, please join us in praying for:

• Safe travels as we head back to the Philippines next Tuesday
• Preparations for the team to come at the end of April
• God’s direction and guidance as we enter a new season of ministry

It has been an exciting month in the Philippines… keep reading to see what God has been doing through Shofar Missions!

Teamwork

At the end of January, the first missions team of 2023 arrived in Cebu. We’re thankful for the time spent serving God alongside of them. There were three Ministry Training Institute classes taught on different islands: Bohol, Cebu, and Bantayan. We had many returning students and built relationships with new ones. The two-day classes were meant to equip pastors and church leaders in “Knowing the Voice of God.”

We also held a Street Level Summit in Balamban with a special Friday night gathering for SLM members. On Saturday, 19 students and young people gathered to study the book of Jonah and find the practical application to their lives. Jesse and Matt were both able to preach at different churches, and we also visited the TV stations to add new content to Shofar TV programming.

Please pray that the ministry that was done with the team would continue to bear fruit!

Street Level Ministries

While the team was in Toledo, we held a remote radio broadcast across from the University of the Visayas. We met a lot of students and asked them trivia questions for a chance to win a Street Level Radio t-shirt. It was a great way to meet students and get the word out about Street Level meetings in Toledo.

In an effort to reach students who have classes on Wednesday nights, the Cebu group has been having micro-Bible Studies at various times and locations near universities. A lot of students say they’re “busy,” so we ask if they have 15-minutes for a short Bible study and discussion about the “Crazy Things Jesus Said.” These discussions are meant to be short, impactful, verse-by-verse studies in between classes.

At our regular meetings, we finished the series “Living Life… Jesus First.” The groups in both Toledo and Cebu have been confronted with the idols of self, money, work, family, and relationships to assess whether Jesus really is first or not. Please pray that students would prioritize Jesus, build relationships with each other, and that God would continue to help us connect with the students He wants us to meet.

Exploring Creation Science

Recently, we had an opportunity to connect with the School Principal and Field Director at an orphanage in our neighborhood that we have worked with before. We look forward to teaching there once a month starting in April. Exploring Creation Science lessons have resumed at 4 schools throughout Metro Cebu. We also reconnected with a school we taught at before COVID. However, they recently had several students exposed and test positive, so we pushed pause until next month.

Since returning in September, there have been opportunities to attend staff devotions at schools. The opportunity to lead devotions at Banawa Nazarene has been offered, along with joining junior high and high school staff to discuss topics relevant to those in Christian Education. The last discussion was about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification (for those that do not know, there is a bill out there giving people the right to choose and sanctions for those that discriminate against them). Please pray for staff that they would be good Godly examples for students and that students would challenge their classmates, especially those in Senior High School.

Read about what we’ve been up to in the Philippines!

Team Prep

By the time you read this, the team will be in Cebu. We’re excited for their arrival and look forward to seeing what God will do. The men will teach three Ministry Training Institute classes for pastors & church leaders on three different islands! One each in Bohol, Cebu, and Bantayan. We’ll also have a Street Level Summit in Balamban. We’ve been getting the word out about these events and slowly collecting registrations. We sent out mass texts, posted online, added commercials to Shofar TV, hung banners, delivered informational packets, and asked people to spread the news by word-of-mouth. We even got to present Shofar and the upcoming events at a gathering of pastors from churches around Cebu City. Please pray for the team’s physical and spiritual safety, as well as for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and fruitful ministry.

Street Level Ministries

It has been nice to get back to weekly meetings after the holidays. Some universities started earlier than others, and the first few weeks are a time of schedule adjustments for students, so not everyone from last semester has been able to return yet. We held a member’s-only meeting at the beginning of January in Toledo. This is something we’ll start doing monthly – for current members and those seriously interested in membership. Next week, we’ll have a special session for the members on the Friday night before the Summit. Please pray for students to work out their schedules and get registered since this Friday is the deadline. Most of all, pray that God would be at work in their hearts and minds leading up to the Summit.

Exploring Creation Science

Classes started the first week of January. Most schools we work with made it clear classes would go on as normal despite the upcoming Sinulog Festival (a large Catholic event happening every year mid-January). Since the Philippines is a very Catholic country public schools partake in many of the Catholic events. Catholic students attending Christian Private Schools we work with were absent during the festival so they could participate. For the month of January, a special lesson was held for students at both Nazarene Schools & Southern Bethany addressing Science & the Bible since it is Bible Month. Plans are in the works to repeat this lesson for students at Cebu Bradford Christian School – a school we worked with before COVID. Please continue to pray for the staff & students at the schools we work with. Specifically, the staff at Southern Bethany & the Wesleyan school as some are not Christians and wonder why we would give up careers & life in the states to be here. Pray for the students that we would be Godly examples (many of them see us at church the grocery store, our barangay on our bikes, etc).