Category: Shofar Mission Cebu

Our mission to the Philippines

May 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest news update from the mission field in the Philippines.

We continue to be thankful for the little things we used to take for granted. From March 2020 to April 2021, we have been able to attend in-person church services during 5 of those months. It is great to worship together with other believers after several months of hard lockdowns and barangay-enforced Sunday stay-at-home orders. Though one entrance to our road remains closed and checkpoints and curfews remain in place, we are thankful God has allowed us to have occasional visitors, minister in Toledo, and work from the office.

Street Level Ministries

By the time you are reading this, we will have held a coffee giveaway at Knockbucks Cafe in Toledo. The giveaway is one thing we are doing in an attempt to reach students on the west side of the island – especially UV students. Street Level may be small in number, but members have continued to volunteer for Word on the Street Magazine and Street Level Radio. We recently released issue 86 and are continually adding new content to Street Level Radio. Since students are still spread throughout the island, we are planning to continue our weekly SLM meetings online throughout the summer.

Fellowship before our Friday night Bible Discussion… Cebuano “til-as” = English “hairy caterpillar”

Exploring Creation Science

As classes end for many private schools Exploring Creation Science will start summer with a four-week series. “Examine the Evidence of Forensic Science” will explore various topics like fingerprints and DNA. These are also specially designed by God. Graduating students at Southern Bethany Christian School and Visayas Wesleyan Christian School will receive a special letter to grade 12 students. The letter is about Faith & Science. Students will also get a Word on the Street Magazine, and a bookmark with the verse Job 12:10. Since they have a copy of the magazine they also have information about SLM. This will also be shared with a short video on our Facebook page. This month also allowed for a lesson to be taught for the Believers Church Homeschool group.

Prayer Requests

  1. Continued vision and wisdom as a majority of our ministry remains online for the foreseeable future.
  2. True discipleship and a heart to reach other students among the SLM students.
  3. For churches throughout the island to be able to meet safely and be vigilant about safety protocols.
  4. Continued relationships and conversations with the people in our home and office communities that we see every day.
April 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Keep reading for the latest update on life and ministry in Cebu.

Shofar TV

Thank you to everyone who has been faithfully praying for this ministry. God has done far more than we could imagine – just like He promised in Ephesians. At the end of March, He let us install Shofar TV at Toledo Cable. Viewers in Barili, Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Toledo City, Lutopan, and Balamban can watch on Channel 46. We had a great time getting to know the staff and technicians at Toledo Cable. Here’s what some of our viewers have said:

“Blessed day…I’m always watching Shofar on Cebu Cable.” – Cebu Cable Viewer, Carcar City

“Me and my wife are now viewing your programs. Thank you very much for the enlightening presentations for who God is…we like the Bible study every 5pm. God bless to your ministry.” – Toledo Cable TV Viewer

“I’m very glad that Shofar TV is now available on Toledo Cable. God bless.” – Toledo Cable TV Viewer

  • Ministry in Cebu Shofar TV staff with Toledo Cable staff

Street Level Ministries

On the same day we installed Shofar TV, we held an outreach to college students in the heart of Toledo City. Knockbucks Café graciously allowed us to set up our Street Level Ministries booth outside the coffee shop. Two SLM members and one of their friends spent the entire day with us. We gave away free coffee drinks and WOTS to UV students and fliers for Shofar TV for those passing by.

Since so much is online now, we’ve connected with the SLM groups in the USA. At the beginning of April, Ben and Sasha joined us for a Friday night meeting. This past Friday, SLM River Falls joined us and Justin led the Bible discussion. A couple of the Cebu students woke up early to connect with SLM Menomonie and Twin Ports for one of their Monday night meetings. We were also able to get together with all the WOTS writers for a Writing Workshop. A few non-WOTS writers from the Philippines even joined. Bantayan, Cebu, Luzon, and Panay Islands were represented!

Exploring Creation Science

While we were in Toledo, Laura was able to leave information about Exploring Creation Science and Explore booklets with the owner of Knockbucks, since his kids attend two different schools in the city. Hopefully, this will lead to new relationships and opportunities to teach lessons to students in Toledo. On the way back to the city, Laura got to catch up with Teacher Chinling at Southern Bethany.

Since schools still aren’t meeting in person, lessons continue online. In April, students learned “All About Weather.” In May, special lessons will be taught for students who in Grades 6 and 12. This lesson helps them to think about what challenges they’ll face as they move up or graduate. In June, lessons will be about examining the evidence (think: DNA hair samples and fingerprints). New Explore booklets will also be developed to supplement online lessons and/or as an option for those who can’t watch online.

Daily Life

It’s hard to believe that a year ago we were locked down – seriously, we couldn’t leave our house without a quarantine pass. Things aren’t that strict anymore (thank you, Lord), which has helped us do some of those “normal things” we used to do. We celebrated Laura’s birthday and even got a surprise visit from Orchids, a former WOTS writer, whom we haven’t seen in over a year. John, a former SLM member stopped by, so celebrated his birthday with KC.

  • Fellowship with Friends at Shofar Office
  • Fellowship with Friends at Shofar Office

We still bike a lot. Sometimes we get caught in the rain. That’s okay. It makes you stop and look around at the things you get used to seeing all the time.

Here’s a new Bisaya word for you: “alimungawan” (ah-lee-moo-ngaw-on – 5 syllables). The literal translation is “absentminded” but it’s much deeper than that. It describes the disorientation you feel when you wake up – almost like sleepwalking. Just picture a little kid waking up from a nap and walking around (crying) looking for her mom.

Laura keeps planting things (cherry tomatoes soon!) and Brittany hasn’t stopped baking. Sometimes, we grill out with neighbors. We also got to go back to church for the first time since January!

Church at Living Word I.T. Park in Cebu City

Thanks for all your prayers. We’re praying for you, too. Kita ta unya, puhon (we’ll see you soon, Lord-willing).

March 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest news update from the mission field in the Philippines.

One of the joys (and challenges!) of the mission field is learning a new culture and language. One of my favorite phrases over the past year has been, “padayon” which means “keep going” or “carry on.” Another way to say it is “dasig lang” which is a much deeper Bisaya version of the phrase. “Laban lang” is the Tagalog version, which is also frequently used in the Visayas. All of them essentially translate to “keep fighting.” Whichever phrase you pick, it sums up much of the Christian life. We are to be faithful, consistent, and stubborn enough to keep going, knowing that Jesus is right there leading us through it all. As Elisabeth Elliot often reminded herself, “do the next thing.” Can you relate?

Here’s a brief summary of how we’ve put “padayon” into practice:

Exploring Creation Science Teaching Lessons Online

Laura has continued to expand this ministry in very creative ways despite being unable to meet with students physically. Interactive creation science lessons are taught online using props, experiments, videos, and more. During the month of March, a special lesson was taught via Google Meet to the Believers Church Homeschool students. There was also a special set of chemistry lessons taught via Facebook Live, along with the regularly schedule lessons every Thursday and Friday. As the school year wraps up, it’s time to dream, scheme, and coordinate schedules with churches / schools to prep for summer lessons and next school year.

Exploring Creation Science online lesson
Exploring Creation Science online lesson
Exploring Creation Science experiment
Exploring Creation Science chemistry lessons
Exploring Creation Science chemistry lessons

Street Level Ministries Reaching out to Universities

Universities still aren’t meeting in person, although most students have to go to campus to file paperwork, enroll, pay tuition, etc. Therefore, students are still spread throughout the region and doing their coursework remotely. This has made it challenging to meet new students and forced us to get pretty creative with reaching out. God allowed us to print 1,500 copies of the new issue of WOTS (the most we’ve ever printed!). We originally planned to include a copy in each student’s modules at UV, but the university’s plans changed, so we will be distributing at each of the 7 satellite campuses. God even provided a magazine rack for each campus (it’s not easy to find 7 of the same thing in this country).

WOTS Rack at the UV-Main Accounting Department

We have a small group of current students and recent graduates that join us on Google Meet each Friday for a Bible discussion. At the end of February, we hosted a virtual BINGO night which we also broadcasted live on Street Level Radio. Students continue to volunteer remotely for WOTS and SLR, and we’ve been able to see a couple of them in person at the office.  

Street Level Ministries students at office
Street Level Ministries students at office
Street Level Ministries online BINGO night

Shofar Cable TV Broadcasting is Expanding!

We have some exciting news to share! At the end of the month, we will start broadcasting Shofar Cable TV on the west side of Cebu Island! Channel 46 on Toledo Cable TV will officially be “SHOFAR”! We thank God for answering our prayers to expand our broadcasting reach throughout the island. Now, the final frontiers are the deep south and far north. Please pray for a successful installation, for viewers, and kingdom fruit from this ministry!

Shofar Cable TV broadcasting on Cebu Island

Prayer Requests

  1. To end the school year well and to have vision for the upcoming summer / school year.
  2. For true discipleship and a heart to reach other students among the SLM students.
  3. For churches throughout the island to be able to meet safely and be vigilant about safety protocols.
  4. That God would open up the Philippines for a team (or two) to come to Cebu this year.
  5. Gospel-centered relationships and conversations with the people in our home and office communities that we see everyday.

February 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest update from Shofar Mission and see what God has been doing in Cebu, Philippines.

This month started with major updates to the two cable TV stations God has blessed us with. Shofar TV is currently broadcasting on Cebu Cable in Metro Cebu and ATD Cable in Balamban/Asturias.

Street Level Ministries

Since our last update, we had a chance to meet with two students that attend UV-Toledo and explain what SLM is all about to them. Issue 85 of Word on the Street is hot off the press. 1,000 copies will be distributed with modular learning packets to students at the University of the Visayas. We are hoping we can deliver the magazines during the first week of March. Street Level Radio continues to stream (with some minor tech upgrades here and there) and students are still volunteering for the station. We are pleased to announce our sister station Burning Dog Radio recently started streaming online worldwide!

Word on the Street Magazine Philippines
Seeing the Hand of God Up Close in Toledo
Street Level Radio Upgrades


Exploring Creation Science

Even though the “new normal” has classes in all levels from Pre-K to university online, the mission for Exploring Creation Science remains the same. Know why you believe what you believe. Again, since classes are online we are able to do things that would normally be more challenging. During the month of March, Explore booklets for students in grades 4-6 and 7-12 will be printed and distributed, a special four-week series using Facebook Live class for students in grades 7-12 will take place, and Zoom lessons will continue.

Science Experiment Up Close
Seeing God Up Close Through Science

Prayer Requests:

  1. Pray that God would continue working in the hearts and minds of all those we have met.
  2. We ask that God would bring people into the ministries.
  3. Pray for all the churches that are unable to meet in person due to Sunday barangay lockdowns.
  4. Pray for viewers to tune in to Shofar TV and that we could expand our broadcasting reach throughout Cebu Island.
January 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read what is happening with our mission work in Cebu, Philippines. Get the latest news from the branches of Shofar Mission.

As of this writing, we are two months shy of March 28, which in 2020 signaled the start of quarantine. In-person church services started again the first week of October. Many pastors suggested God simply wanted everyone to STOP and challenged their people to stop, listen, and spend time with Him. On January 24, our barangay reinstated a mandatory Sunday lockdown. No one goes out of the house and businesses must close except pharmacies. We are cannot worship in person at this time. Though in-person fellowship is limited we have been able to fellowship digitally! Since Believers Church West Duluth was playing Bingo digitally we were able to join in for a game.

Street Level Ministries

Weekly Bible Discussions have resumed after the holidays. SLM is a smaller group than last year at this time, but God continues to grow each of the students involved – specifically three ladies that are participating in an additional weekly discipleship group. This has been a chance to read through some discipleship material and have an in-depth discussion as we read. Another issue of Word on the Street will be printed soon and we are looking forward to the first in-person gathering since last year. Writers plan to come to the office for a collaborative workshop with WOTS USA next month! We also got to catch up with a former WOTS writer at church recently. Students continue helping produce teaching and promotional clips for Street Level Radio. In February, we are also looking forward to catching up with our friends from Burning Dog Radio for a group video call.

Above – WOTS distribution throughout the province (L); Catching up with one SLM member at the office (R)
Below – Happy New Year from SLR DJ’s Ruby and Atheena!

Exploring Creation Science

Semester two started the first week of January for many schools. Exploring Creation Science classes continue online via Facebook Live and Zoom or Google Meet upon request. We also had the opportunity to do a seeds lesson with the Believers Church Homeschool group. As always this is a neat opportunity and a way to connect with the kids. Many of them are also part of the Believers Church Children’s Ministry. They made cards for some of the local churches and schools last month here. Explore Booklet #2 about Life on Earth was passed out to students that are unable to receive their coursework online. Explore Booklet #3 for students in grades 4-6 and grades 7-12 will be printed and passed out the second week of March. We cannot share a meal or snack after lessons with teachers, administrators/pastors but can fellowship with them when we are able to attend church again.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  1. Please pray for the churches in our barangay as they revert back to online-only Sunday Services.
  2. Pray for the Street Level members that have recently found work or are looking for full-time work. That they would put God and the ministries he has called them to be a part of first in their lives.
  3. For all the churches and schools we have relationships with especially as semester two continues online. We would like to see some of them in person.
December 25, 2020 Shofar Missions Cebu

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Cebu City! Keep reading for the latest update from Shofar Mission.

What a month (and year) it has been! Things are starting to slow down a little bit… at least for semester break. It’s the perfect time to reflect on all that God has done this year and ask Him for direction entering into 2021. It has been a wild and crazy ride, hasn’t it? We’d do it all over again (yes, lockdowns and face shields included).

Street Level Ministries

It would be easy to get discouraged by the things we couldn’t do this semester – in-person meetings, campus events, street outreach, random hangouts, etc. However, God has been really good; there’s much to thank Him for. By getting students away from each other and alone, God brought much clarity to each of them. At our virtual Christmas party, a few of them said they were thankful for COVID because they had to be alone with God. There were a lot of “aha” moments during lockdown!

Members have the opportunity to volunteer for Word on the Street Magazine or Street Level Radio. Three students have been volunteering for WOTS. 1,000 copies of Issue 84 were printed; 600 copies were sent to the University of the Visayas students who are doing modular learning from their homes. Two students have been volunteering for SLR and helping with the production of teaching clips. We’ve also been meeting with three ladies every Saturday for a digital small group where we read and discuss discipleship material. It is a privilege to serve the Lord and watch these students grow. We covet your prayers for them individually and for the ministry as a whole.

street level campus ministries cebu
word on the street magazine cebu

Exploring Creation Science

Despite not being able to teach classes in person, this branch of Shofar Mission has expanded in very creative ways! Students have joined classes online via Facebook Live or Zoom. New lessons and experiments are continually being developed; old lessons will come back into session next semester (for students who haven’t had them yet). As we end the semester, students in grades 6 & 12 will have an opportunity to discuss how their beliefs in science may be challenged as they move on to higher education or a different school setting.

Explore Booklets were sent to schools to distribute to their students and a second booklet was recently printed. Teachers can access science creation materials on the virtual library and students have access to Daily Bible Readings online. We are continually praying that the seeds that are planted through this ministry will grow in young students’ minds… to know why they believe what they believe. It has been a neat way to serve alongside pastors, principals, and school staff as they continue to plan and prepare plans that include a trial run for the “new normal” in education for the foreseeable future early next semester.

https://youtu.be/nP7DPhxBkoM
exploring creation science booklet
exploring creation science plants series

Shofar Cable TV

We were disappointed that the teams that had planned to come this year couldn’t. We didn’t host youth retreats, Ministry Training Institute classes, or children’s outreaches like normal. However, when God closes one door (or at least puts things on pause), He opens other doors. This year, He allowed us to expand Shofar Cable TV to the east side of Cebu Island on Cebu Cable channel 187. Our broadcasting in Metro Cebu reaches Argao, Sibonga, Carcar, Naga, Minglanilla, Talisay City, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Consolacion. For the past 8 years, we’ve been broadcasting on the west side of the island in Balamban and Asturias through ATD Community Cable Vision Inc. Wonder what’s next for Shofar TV? Bogo City and Bantayan in the north, perhaps? We’ll see what God does next…

https://youtu.be/tIaAOdmKLNw
shofar tv tim dodson
shofar tv cebu cable 187