Tag: Exploring Creation Science

October 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Greetings from the Philippines! Read the latest update about what God is doing through Shofar Mission in Cebu.

Three Years Later

It is hard to believe that November first marks the third year since Laura and I moved to the Philippines. In many ways, it seems like it happened just yesterday. However, when I look back on it all, it’s hard to believe it has only been three years. A lot has changed in that amount of time – let alone since Shofar Mission’s conception many years ago! I’m sure a lot more will change as the years go by, and I hope that what we are doing now will bear fruit long after we’re dead and gone. As I think about what has changed, is changing, and will change, I’m comforted by the fact that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Campus Outreach

Since our last update, Street Level Ministries had an informational booth on campus during Intramurals week. At the booth, we gave away free coffee, Word on the Street Magazines, and fliers for our Orientation Meeting scheduled for the following week. At that meeting, we cast the vision for Street Level Ministries and invited students to participate in God’s mission on their campus.

Currently, we are putting the final touches on the newest issue of Word on the Street Magazine, and preparing to start the next issue. Since we implemented SLM membership in September, we have two new students volunteering for the magazine. We are also training three students in as DJ’s for our internet radio station, Street Level Radio.

  • WOTS Cebu – Laura, Garie, KC, Brittany

It’s exciting to see God at work in the students’ lives and at their university. In the midst of it all, I have often been reminded that when we are faithful in the little things, God will entrust us with the big things (Luke 16:10).

Exploring Creation Science

During the first half of the semester, Laura was able to teach grades 4 through 9 at three different schools. Classes are slated to finish at two other schools before Christmas Break. Three different curriculum sets were taught. During these lessons, students discover how science and creation go hand-in-hand to help them learn why they believe what they believe. As we approach the semester break next week, we are actively pursuing new schools (both private and public) to teach the curriculum. It’s amazing to see God open doors at new schools – usually, it’s through a friend or contact with a previous school that leads to the next one! There really are only four people in Cebu…

Prayer Requests

  • The Street Level students to grow in their relationship with God and passion to reach out to their classmates.
  • Upcoming meetings with new schools to teach Exploring Creation Science and curriculum development.
September 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

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

A Look Back…..

Since October is right around the corner, I cannot help but be reminded it is almost three years since our preparations to move to the Philippines to plant Street Level Ministries Cebu and continue publishing Word On the Street Magazine began and what a ride it has been.

Philippines, River Falls, and Menomonie WOTS Crew

It all began with a Bible study. When we arrived in Cebu, we began looking for a location to have a weekly Bible study while waiting to hear back from a university where we presented Street Level Ministries. In the meantime, we found a coffeehouse to meet at and began co-teaching a Bible study every Tuesday evening. We stepped into editing and writing for Word On the Street and started passing out the ‘zine to students outside university campuses.

After we were unable to meet on campus at two other universities, we decided it was time for a new approach. We planned a recruitment gathering using Word on the Street as our advertisement. After setting a date and printing 700 copies of the issue, we hit the streets to get the word out. Three students from the University of the Visayas attended and Street Level Ministries began. We started meeting at Elicon House for a weekly dinner and Bible study. Street Level Radio was also installed in February of 2018 at two locations. In June of 2018 we held our first Street Level Radio Live Broadcast.

July 2017 SLM Recruitment Gathering

In November of 2017, the first Shofar Creation Science class was taught. Preparations for this branch of Shofar Mission began in June of 2017 with curriculum development. We decided the science class would be every Wednesday. Lessons were taught at two different schools alternating weeks and once per month at another school on Friday. The February 2018 team was also able to attend a lesson.

November 2017 First Shofar Science Creation Class

We Have Much To Be Thankful For

In June of 2019, God provided an office space to serve as the headquarters for Street Level Ministries. This has allowed for two meeting times per week so the students can choose the time that fits their schedule. The office also allows for one-on-one meetings to take place and a chance to go through a book together with a student. We also started Street Level membership, which gives students the option to volunteer in either Street Level Radio or Word on the Street Magazine. Most recently, we were approved to be an official organization at the University of the Visayas. In light of this, we will be participating in Intramurals and having a recruitment gathering for UV students to learn more about Street Level Ministries.

June 2019 First Meeting at SLM Headquarters
Street Level Radio Live Broadcast

We had an opportunity to work with three new schools and maintain a teaching schedule at two others teaching Shofar Creation Science lessons during the 2018-2019 school year. Our schedule also allowed for classes to be offered twice a week. In June, a new name and logo were designed. The July 2019 team was able to attend a couple of lessons and engage with the students. At this time, information is being presented to public school staff offering the lessons to their schools.

August 2019 Exploring Creation Science class

We have also had the opportunity to prepare the way for missions teams to come over, like Shofar Camp and Ministry Training Institute classes.

It is neat to look back at all that God has allowed us to be a part of! It is also times like these that I am reminded, “Never forget where you came from!”

-Laura

August 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

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

Team Ministry

During the latter part of July and early August, our short-term missions team taught four Ministry Training Institute classes, three women’s discipleship classes, hosted a youth leader’s follow-up, taught in the Bantayan Jail, preached at six different churches, led a children’s outreach in Cebu City, taught science lessons at two city schools, hosted a 3-day summit for university students, and held two live radio broadcasts in downtown Cebu City. Whew! What a ride it has been. We’re thankful for all the ministry that God has allowed us to be a part of in the Philippines. Our heart is to build up local churches and disciples for the furtherance of Christ’s Kingdom.

After the team left, we jumped right back into our normal rhythms of campus outreach and primary/secondary education.

Campus Outreach

This semester, Street Level Ministries is meeting twice a week for dinner and bible study to accommodate students’ schedules. We’re also actively pursuing more ministry opportunities at one of the universities in the city, as God continues to point us back to students there. Aside from weekly meetings, we’re also utilizing our new “banana stand” to get out on the streets for live Street Level Radio broadcasts and Word on the Street Magazine distribution.

Exploring Creation Science

Primary and secondary schools are in full swing (well, aside from a holiday nearly every week!), which means more students are being taught why they believe what they believe. Through Shofar’s Exploring Creation Science lessons, students from grade 4 all the way to grade 12 discover how the sciences of biology, geology, astronomy, chemistry, and human anatomy support God’s creation.

Prayer Requests

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Shofar Mission. If you are compelled, please remember to pray for the following:

  • That the team’s endeavors would continue to bear fruit that remains in the lives of those whom we ministered to.
  • For the Street Level students to grow in their faith, maturity as disciples, and passion to reach out to their classmates and universities.
  • For continued relationships with primary and secondary schools that we’ve worked with in the past, as well as new schools to teach Exploring Creation Science.