Tag: Philippines

A missions focus of JFBelievers Church

August 28, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Party on the Roof

Street Level Ministries Cebu turns One!
Street Level Ministries Cebu turns one!

Since our last news update, Street Level Ministries Cebu celebrated our first birthday! We played games, distributed prizes, ate chocolate cake, and watched a short film. My favorite part was listening to stories told by each of the three original SLM members: KC, Atheena, and Manel. They shared their memories from our first meeting and the influence SLM has made in their lives. Fifteen people attended… most of them would not have been there if those three ladies did not invite them! The party was held on the Teofel Hostel Roofdeck, which is becoming SLM’s “party spot.” We’re planning to host more events there throughout the next year, including a movie night and one-day conference.

Return for a Visit to Wisconsin

Hello Kitty in Taiwan
You never know what you’ll find in a new airport…

A few weeks after the party, we flew back to the states for a visit. Since we traveled through an airport we had never been to, we ued our layover to explore (see photo) 🙂 Our trip to Wisconsin began in true summer style: camping! We spent a few days in the Chequamegon National Forest for the School of Ministry Retreat. The fresh air and peaceful quiet of the north woods did our souls and bodies good. I think it helped us get over our jet lag, too! Although, maybe that was the coffee… either way, the retreat was beneficial and helpful training. Many of the things we discussed at the retreat answered questions that were rolling around in our brains before we even left the Philippines!

Community Life

Word on the Street Launch Meeting
The gathering of Word on the Street Magazine writers from four locations!

In addition to camping trips and time with our families, we were thankful to join various ministries and fellowship groups! Laura joined Kindred Ministry a few times and got her hands dirty (with coffee grounds) in the Blind Munchies Mobile Coffeehouse. I enjoyed playing piano on Sundays and helping out at Street Level worknights for Music on the Hill. We also attended a Word on the Street Launch Meeting with writers from four locations: Menomonie, Superior, River Falls, and the Philippines!

The Great JFBelievers Church Get-Together

JFBelivers Church Campout
Saturday morning devotions at the campout

We closed out our trip with the annual church campout and baptisms at Camp Croix. This is one of our favorite JFB events of the year. The other is, of course, the great New Year’s Eve game night and junk food buffet! We enjoyed catching up with those in our respective fellowship groups as well as meeting new people from both churches. Highlights included hitching a ride (in or on) Faygo Canoe services and witnessing three baptisms! On Sunday afternoon, a handful of people gathered in our post-campout stupor – tired, dirty, and smelly – to unload the church van and coffeehouse trailer. As I was hauling a cooler downstairs, I couldn’t help but smile and think, “This is church.” Not the Sunday service, but rather, serving each other and God, joking, laughing, and being downright giddy just to be together. Thank you, JFB, for being my church… my family.

Prayer Requests

  • Safe travels back to Cebu (Aug 28-29) and quick recovery from jet lag
  • SLM students to grow in their relationships with God and to put Him first in their lives
  • God’s direction as we plan a one-day conference in November
  • Wisdom, courage, boldness, and love… the battle is fierce.

As we head back to Cebu, I think about the magnitude of what God has called us to. It can be overwhelming to consider the thousands of people who don’t know Him… or believe that their religiosity will save them. Then there are those who actively fight against us. It’s a warzone unlike any other, yet I know Jesus leads us in and through every battle.

“Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for him who die lovingly for you.” – Charles Spurgeon

– Brittany

 

July 24, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

The Beginning of SLM Cebu

A recent blog post reminded me last year at this point we wondered what God had in store for Street Level Ministries Cebu. In mid-July, we picked up 700 copies of Word on the Street Magazine with specific information about a Street Level Recruitment Meeting on July 27, 2017. We had a distribution plan, enlisted the help of WOTS writers, and filled our backpacks with the magazine. Every day, we set out to distribute at 2 universities (8 total) for one week leading up to the meeting. All along we knew God would bring the students He wanted to our meeting.

SLM – Presentation

Dyreen, Yvea, and Orchids were able to join us for the meeting and help with set up, etc.

Fast forward to the meeting and God (just like we knew He would) brought exactly who He wanted to bring: three students from the University of Visayas. We spent some time getting to know them and talking about the vision of Street Level Ministries Cebu. We started meeting  Thursday evenings at Elicon Café in September of 2017.

SLM – First meeting at McDonalds

Due to student schedules, we moved to Friday evenings, which has allowed us to attend the New Covenant Church Bible Study on Thursdays. It has also allowed Yvea and Orchids to attend SLM on occasion. I am also reminded as we remain faithful in the little things we will be given more. Elicon Café is on the corner of a busy street! Each week we have been faithful in putting out the bifold, posters in the window, sitting in the conference room, and hanging the SLM banner. This has also drawn people in as they see us getting ready or meeting week after week.

Faithful in the Small Things

We have continued to poster the city…stop light poles, street light poles, transformers, and sides of buildings with SLM posters (its one of the neat things about the Philippines you can put a poster pretty much anywhere…..well, mostly anywhere if you read our recent blog post you know what I am talking about 😊.  God continues to use our faithfulness each week to draw new people in. Whenever we put out the the bifold, hang the SLM banner, put up a poster, I am reminded we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Since Street Level Ministries started one year ago this week, we will have a party to celebrate on July 28th and also recast the vision of SLM and how students can get involved (Word on the Street Magazine, Street Level Radio).

Reaching into Primary and Secondary Schools

God has also paved the way for primary and secondary education ministry using Science Creation Curriculum. Last July, I finished developing the curriculum and emailed prospective schools and organizations. Then, we waited to see where God would have us go first.

2017-2018 Schools

Looking back, I am reminded of the contacts we have made throughout the years and the new ones we have made. As I looked at Google Maps and Facebook pages for specific locations I was reminded of how Shofar Missions got connected with a church and school near the Inayawan Landfill while the 2017 team was here. I began searching other familiar church names. That led me to a Wesleyan School and an E-Free School that we will visit.

Living out the Book of Acts

At our “home church” Pastor David has been working his way through the book of Acts. We have gotten to know some of the other missionaries New Covenant Church pretty well. As I read ahead in Acts 13 before the Sunday service, I was reminded of some recent conversations. Most people we talk to wish they had someone else with them, a ministry vision, and focus so the message is timely. People often ask what our focus is and what we do each week. Many people (married or single) have a plate full and continue adding to it instead of focusing on one thing. They find it interesting when we say our focus is to plant a campus ministry.

Please pray for the students that have been attending! Specifically, pray for KC who has attended  New Covenant Church with us a couple times. Please pray for the SLM Party on July 28 as well. Thanks for your prayers…we are excited to catch up with everyone at the SoM Retreat and Church Campout in August!

–Laura

June 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

The Story

New Covenant Church Cebu Bible Study
Midweek Bible Study with New Covenant Church

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

How timely it has been to go through the Forgotten God series on Wednesdays! Though we cannot join the church for evening discussions, we still get to watch the service later. We then discuss with each other what God is teaching us. We are continually learning how vital it is to be led by the Holy Spirit daily, submit to, and obey Him. This matters even down to being in the right place at the right time to talk to the right person whom He puts in our path. What we’ve been learning also parlays with the Sunday services at our “home” church here as we journey through Acts. It’s really neat to be connected to a young church who is seeking God’s missional direction both corporately and individually.

An Office

Buildings in Cebu City
One of many “FOR RENT” banners on a building that’s NOT for rent anymore!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

Without fail, as God teaches us, He puts our schooling to the test! We’ve been looking for an office – a headquarters – for Street Level. It is quite simply the only way we see to proceed with the ministry as every school and student’s calendars are different! Our dream is to have multiple bible studies throughout the week and have a home where students can hang out during vacant times. We’ve scoured websites, walked the streets, knocked on doors, texted, called, reached out to colleagues, and have not yet found “the space.” I am reminded of the journey we took until we finally found Elicon House nearly one year ago. Even God’s closed doors are His hand guiding us in the right direction, so we remain hopeful!

Radio Outreach

Street Level Radio Cebu Live Broadcast
Live Radio Broadcast from Teofel Hostel

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Cor. 3:7

We have officially started a new school year, which, aside from increased traffic, is very exciting! With that comes more time spent on the streets doing live radio broadcasts, handing out fliers, and distributing WOTS. Laura and I have successfully hosted two live radio broadcasts and are still seeking God for the next SLR install location… please keep that in your prayers. We’ve resumed “The Story” during our weekly meetings; John noted that he was very excited to start the New Testament! We’re heavily encouraging each student to take time personally to spend with God in their Bibles and develop that spiritual discipline. It can be discouraging to see the things of the world steal their attention away, yet I trust that God is continually working in them. He is the Master Gardener… we’re just planting seeds and watering those that others have planted! Please continue to pray for more students to be added to the group and that the ones who have returned will continue to grow as disciples.

We have some exciting plans in the works (i.e. new science curriculum and a one-year anniversary party for SLM!) and look forward to what God will do. Thanks for remembering us in your prayers!

May 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Hello from the Philippines

The 2018 Philippines Missions Team arrived April 30. While they were here we ministered in Manila, Cebu, and Toledo. Pastor Tim, Sharon, Ben, and Sasha also had the opportunity to travel to another island and minister at a Pastor’s Conference!

Camps

day camp
Pastor Tim talked about doing daily devotions during the Day Camps in Manila. Each camper also received a booklet outlining how to do them.

The trip started with a short trip to Manila where we hosted three Day Camps. The first event was a Kid’s Day Camp featuring the Jesus Story for Children and the other two were Youth Day Camps covering the curriculum Jesus Changes Everything. It was neat to be part of the Youth Day Camps this year; when the 2017 team was ministering in Luzon, I had the opportunity to work with the youth on the team and on the fly we switched to the Shofar Camp material in English at one of our events. The trip to Manila did not happen without challenges. We dealt with cancelled flights, delayed flights, and a long ride home from the airport due to traffic….BUT with all the ministry we did it is no wonder why we had trouble getting there and back!

Street Level

Back in Cebu we divided and conquered! The kids group joined forces with the Street Level group to  invite people to a Summer Rooftop Party, hang posters and banners for weekly meetings, and host two live radio broadcasts. We also had our share of trips to the circle to pick up water and groceries as needed and we learned Jon’s backpack could fit 2 large water jugs in it.

street level
2018 Philippines Team Members at Street Level

Though school is out for the summer we have continued to hold the course as much as possible. Some team members were also able to attend Street Level while they were here and meet some of the students! Justin had an opportunity to guest teach as well. We are looking forward to classes starting in just a few weeks…the streets are quieter the university zone – much like Menomonie during spring break or summer vacation!

Inayawan

kids camp
We started with the group that had arrived and at the end of our event we had quite a few kids 🙂

To close out our weekend of ministry in Cebu part of the team returned to the Church of the Nazarene Inayawan again this year. We had the opportunity to minister to about 50 children. The bus pulled up and each time about 20 kids would greet us or they would wander in the gate! It was great to connect with staff and youth from the last time I visited with the team and from the school year.

Shofar Youth Camp

Last but not least before the team said good bye and headed back to America we held the 2018  Shofar Mission CHRIST DISCIPLESHIP Youth Camp. Like so many things the team did this trip, it was awesome to see Shofar Camp come together! The first day of camp reminded me of the first day of school as a kid…but I guess that is true for any big event. You go to bed the night before excited to start the next day knowing the months of planning, documenting, advertising, and organizing brought us to this point. Though we organized, studied, planned, and prepared, we went into camp knowing that God also had lessons he wanted to teach….pouring rain during team games well, guess that means we play inside, tech difficulties…use the back up projector and roll with it.

In closing, please pray that we would take the lessons, advice, and conversations we learned and had this last month to be leaner and meaner as we continue the fight! Also, pray for all of the kids & youth we had an opportunity to meet. As Britt and I start the next chapter, pray we would never stop being a student but forever seeking to grow and learn.

“Some want to live within the sound of a church or chapel bell; but I want to run a rescue shop, within a yard of hell.”  –C.T. Studd

–Laura

April 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Heading Home

Laura & Britt - Duluth
Visiting the frigid north and our friends at JFB Duluth!

The month of April seemed to fly by… and that is NOT because we spent a good portion of it in an airport or on an airplane! Laura and I both enjoyed our time in the United States, but as we rode to the airport early on a Thursday morning, we knew it was time to get back to work in Cebu. Thanks for hanging out with us, taking us out for pizza and fish fries, and loving on us while we were back. We were especially thankful to attend the Covenant Conference and be among our brothers and sisters.

Boots on the Ground

View from Teofel Hostel
A glimpse of Cebu… it’s HOT, there’s nonstop traffic, and a 7/11 around nearly every corner.

Upon arriving back to Cebu, we have been busy preparing for the team’s arrival! This has ranged from getting vehicles up and running all the way to buying plane tickets. While they are here, we will spend some time in Manila ministering to children and youth through summer day camps. We’re also planning various Street Level Ministries outreaches in Cebu City – live broadcasts on Street Level Radio, distribution of Word on the Street Magazine, and a Friday night dinner and bible study. God willing, we will have a movie and junk food night at one of our SLR install locations! The team will close out their time in Cebu with Shofar Camp. Last week was the first registration deadline, and we went from 0 to 70 youth registered in just one day! There are also 11 Filipino leaders who have stepped up to be counselors; a few new and a few veterans. Please keep this event and the rest of the team’s endeavors in your prayers. Satan doesn’t like what we’re doing, and we know there will be battles to come.

Street Level

SLM Summer Meetings
SLM Summer Meetings at Elicon House (with two new students!)

Aside from team prep, we have had two summer SLM meetings at Elicon House. Many students are gone for break, but there are still a good number of them around for summer classes and work. We took a break from “The Story” and have been going through Francis Chan’s BASIC series. Most of our core students have been unable to attend but we have had two new students come. BASIC has been a nice change of pace and has produced some good discussions about what it actually means to fear God and follow Jesus as a college student. Please keep these students in your prayers, that we would have hearts to minister to them, and God’s direction for the upcoming school year which starts in June.

Street Level Radio

Don't Panic! SLM Cebu
We found an ideal spot for a poster…

In other news, we swapped out one of the SLR antennas in the hopes of expanding the station’s range. It was fun to do something outside of the ordinary and we were especially thankful there wasn’t much traffic that day! We also sent the latest issue of WOTS to print and are starting on the next issue. There is only one Filipino writer left, so please pray for the next issue and that God would stir the hearts of students to be a part of WOTS! Last but not least, we’re also planning to present the Shofar Science/Creation curriculum to a few new schools for the upcoming year!

Stay tuned here and on the blog for updates while the team is with us. Thanks for your prayers and support!

– Brittany

March 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Hey Guys

You are listening to Street Level Radio Cebu City. Jason, Faye, Jesse, & Chelsey came to install Street Level Radio at two locations in Cebu!

For those of you familiar you can walk down the street from Print Specifix to Elicon House listening to Street Level Radio on your phone! To end the semester, we streamed Street Level Radio and had a game night on our last Friday in Cebu.

Feb Philippines team
February Team: Brittany, Jesse, Chelsey, Faye, Jason, & Laura

God has and will continue to do great things here. As I sit and ponder the last few months they have been both exciting and challenging! Challenging because no one has done this before or is doing it. We are charting the waters and figuring out what works and doesn’t work at the same time. It is exciting because part of learning is always changing and improving things to make them better. Another challenging and sometimes exciting part is realizing there is no one to compare notes with. There’s no one to ask how to handle it or how it should work, etc.

Missions = People

We are back for a short visit and as I take time to reflect on all that God has done this past year. I think about His work with Street Level (Bible Study, WOTS, Radio), the Day Retreat, and Science/Creation Lessons. I am reminded (AGAIN) it is about the people and not the tasks at hand. At the Day Retreat in February we were asked what our five beans were. For example, what are five things has God gifted you with? As many of you know I like to bake, work with kids, write & draw, which God allows me to do here in Cebu.

Pondering

class room
Last Science Lesson at Southern Bethany

The school year ended in March so I said “good bye” to one class while the team was in Cebu. As I ate dinner that night I couldn’t help but think about how very different my life could have been. None of this was my plan…. I graduated from Stout with an Early Childhood degree. The plan was to teach in the school I grew up in but God had other plans.

 

 

It has truly been amazing to see all that God has allowed us to be a part of this last year from teaching in schools to Word on the Street to continuing SLM Cebu Dinners & Bible Studies.

team people
Brittany, Yvea, Dyreen, Orchids, & Laura

Before we came back to the states for a short visit last April, Orchids came over and we baked. A month ago we sat at Jollibee and shared earbuds as we watched the Day Retreat videos. We got together one last time before I returned to America and had an opportunity to talk  about ministry and life. We have continued to meet new people and get to know others more as the months have gone on and I am reminded that to have a good friend you have to be a good friend! Life here is a bit different…there are no random “Hi, want to grab dinner?” texts or “Who wants to get fish on Friday?” As we return to Cebu in April, we want to be intentional about asking people to have dinner or grab coffee! Britt and Yvea have been taking Saturday mornings to read through “They Were Single Too.” Orchids and I just started The “Lost Art of Disciple Making.” We look forward to continuing this!

Moving forward, it will be summer vacation when we return to Cebu BUT we are preparing to hit the ground running and continue ministering during that time!

As always, we appreciate your prayers, emails, and messages! 🙂

–Laura