Tag: Shofar Mission

Shofar Mission is a mission organization located in the Philippines where we operate internet radio, Word on the Street Magazine and Street Level Ministries.

November 24, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read what has been going on at Shofar Mission as we continue the mission God has given us.

Street Level Ministries

Street Level has been meeting weekly for discussions about big questions in the Christian faith: “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” “How Can I Have Faith?” and “Why and How Do I Pray?” We have one new member who got connected by seeing a Facebook ad. We’re still meeting online, but making plans for when universities start meeting face-to-face again. The WOTS writers have been working on Issue 89 and distributing Issue 88. One of the SLR DJ’s has been hosting a weekly radio show from the office. At the end of October, we hosted a phygital Halloween party. A couple members joined us at the office! In December, Pastor Jonah will lead one of our Friday discussions, and we’ll finish out the semester with a Christmas murder mystery party.

Exploring Creation Science

Students and staff continue to tune in and engage each week with online lessons. One addition has been adding experiments with basic materials that schools can do as a whole group and observe over the course of the week. We have been able to see a few students in person. Those 12-18 are allowed out and those under 12 can be out if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. At the end of October, the school and church staffs that we work with were fully vaccinated. This has allowed for a conversation about more interactions with teachers and school administration. Since everyone is fully vaccinated opportunities to teach a lesson from a school with the teacher and share a meal with school administration are in the works. Exploring Creation Science also continues to provide Daily Bible Readings and staff reading plans for students.

Shofar Youth Network

We have continued to communicate with various churches and ask how their youth ministries are going. In some cases, school administration and pastors are also the ones that lead church youth groups. Since the youth had been unable to go out of the house, we were able to recommend a few ideas to a couple of youth groups in the city. As we start the new year, we are planning to continue providing resources and sponsorships to youth groups.

Prayer Requests

  1. Please pray for students to remain firm in their faith over the holiday season and in their conversations with family.
  2. Pray that those eligible for boosters would see the importance of getting them.
  3. Please continue to pray that people would follow minimum public health standards (wearing of facemask and social distancing) and get vaccinated.
  4. Pray that we would continue to get creative with ways to see people and minister in person as the new year begins.

September 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

God’s Design

Learn what has been going on with Shofar Missions.

With semester one underway we look forward to seeing all that God will do. Ministry wide we planned for all digital ministries. September also led to hearing that a lot of people are “busy.” In August, Cebu City was under a stricter quarantine status. Churches went to online services due to seating capacity requirements set by local governments. As more things opened this month it seems many went right back to being “busy” despite the sermons that have been taught during the various quarantine statuses in the last year.

Street Level Ministries

Though the bulk of what we do remains online we have continued to have a few people join for a meeting or two after seeing a Facebook or YouTube ad. This month we started a new series on Friday nights at Street Level. We continue trying to meet in person when we can.

Writers reviewed issue 88 of Word on the Street Magazine and are hoping to send it to print soon. Due to the lockdown last month, we were unable to distribute the new issue to universities as they were closed for walk-ins. Volunteers for Street Level Radio continue producing short sermon excerpts for the air, updating promos, and recording audio for the new WOTS website. One DJ has been going live on the air every Wednesday. We have also had a chance to take a couple of students to church with us. Pray that they would want to keep attending and get plugged into a local church since Street Level is not replacement for church.

Exploring Creation Science

With the school year underway, lessons will continue virtually. Again, this year multiple schools and grade levels are tuning in for online lessons. New Explore Booklets were developed with short videos available on Facebook for students receiving printed learning materials. Another set of booklets will go out in October. Some students also received the booklet on USB with their courses.

The first week of October, lessons for a Nazarene School in Banawa will begin. The grade 4 students have a few lesson and experiment requests (some have older siblings that have learned about the human body and fossils before). A couple of schools have had curriculum requests. They are for the same series for grades 7-12. Opportunities to visit or team teach a lesson or two with classroom teachers from schools are in the works. A special lesson for Believers City Church homeschool group is also planned.

We continue to see God at work in other areas of ministry as well! Shofar TV viewers have continued to reach out letting us know they are watching, and we have been asked to provide some curriculum for possible use at a youth event in December.

Prayer Requests:

  1. For vaccines to be available to the general population soon and that people would get vaccinated.
  2. For new and continued relationships with school staff and local churches.
  3. That the SLM students we have brought to church would want to get plugged into a local church.
August 24, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read more about what God is doing in the Philippines through Shofar Mission Cebu.

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

– William Carey

As the Philippines continues to battle an unseen virus, we continue to battle an unseen foe. Due to rising COVID cases throughout the nation, restrictions on gatherings and movements have been heightened. But what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good. We’re planning for another semester (at minimum) online. However, after more than a year of doing the bulk of our ministry virtually, we’re confident that God will still use our feeble efforts for His glory. We’ve learned to adapt and exploit various methods of communication for the sake of the gospel… and He’s been gracious enough to show us some fruit from it all.

Street Level Ministries

We are gearing up for the start of school in September, so we’ll be meeting with the current members to regroup, cast vision, and pray for the upcoming semester. Over the past few weeks, God has brought in a few new students and recent graduates to our Friday night meetings. One young lady got connected by receiving a copy of WOTS from a local book store. A few others saw our videos and posts on Facebook. The Holy Spirit used to put students in our way randomly on the streets near universities. Now, He’s doing it on the busy roads of the internet. You can’t outrun the hound of Heaven…

Issue 87 of Word on the Street Magazine has been released both digitally and in print. We’ll be sending copies out to various church and student contacts throughout the Visayas. Since universities are locked down and UV isn’t sending modules out, we’re praying for other ways to distribute the magazines. Recently, we welcomed a new member and volunteer to Street Level Radio. She got trained in on the technology and basics of DJing. Next week, she’ll start going live on air!

Exploring Creation Science

Some schools have started the new school year already, so lessons will continue to be offered online. Students at multiple schools can learn about biblical creation science via Facebook Live lessons every week. A few new Explore booklets have been created. They are sent to students that can’t watch lessons online (or have limited access to internet). As the new school year starts, we’re hoping that a couple schools in Toledo will tune in for lessons. One of the schools (connected to a small local church) will receive Explore booklets for their students. Exciting news for Inayawan Nazarene – they’re adding grade 7 to their school this year!

We don’t know what the next few weeks or months will hold, but we are expecting God to show up. Thanks so much for praying for and supporting us… we miss you all and hope to see you soon. Until then, we’ll keep working the night shift on this side of the pond 🙂

Prayer Requests:

  • That the curve flattens throughout the Philippines, for travel & gatherings restrictions to ease up, and for vaccines to inoculate the population.
  • For the Holy Spirit’s guidance, strengthening, and empowering… and that our ministry will bear fruit that remains.
  • That the new SLM students get connected and for all the students to grow as disciples.
  • For continued and new relationships with schools. Pray that that students would stay engaged with another year of online classes.

July 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read what is happening at Shofar Mission Cebu!

Street Level Ministries

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, virtual or modular learning, and many students studying from their hometowns, Street Level continues to meet digitally.

At the beginning of the month, we were blessed to spend the day together at a coffeehouse at Spring Park Mountain Resort. This was the first time three of the members saw each other in person since March 2020. The next day, we attended church with two of the SLM members. It was wonderful to meet the church and to fellowship with them! We journeyed by bus, car, and motorcycle, and look forward to the next time we can see each other in person. The digital community just isn’t the same as face-to-face. Please pray that students would see the value in reaching out to invite other students in.

Members can volunteer for Street Level Radio and Word on the Street Magazine. We are putting the finishing touches on Issue 87 and started writing drafts for Issue 88. In the next few weeks, we will continue updating the new WOTS website with local articles and finding ways to get the magazine in the hands of students. Despite being unable to meet in person, SLR volunteers are keeping the station fresh with new content and helping to record WOTS articles for the new website.

  • WOTS Sample Review
  • Some of the SLM Members
  • Church Visit

Exploring Creation Science

Exploring Creation Science lessons have continued. As the month of July comes to a close, we will start the 2021 school year soon. As of this writing, classes at all levels are to remain online or modular. To prepare for online and modular learning, Exploring Creation Science will print booklets for students that receive modular packets. Online lessons will be held for those that are enrolled in online learning. We also continue to provide lessons for specific schools we have worked with in the past as requested.

Other Ministry Updates

We continue getting the word out about Shofar TV and updating content. For those of you that may not be aware, Shofar TV broadcasts 24/7 on three cable TV stations throughout the island – one each in Toledo, Balamban/Asturias, and Metro Cebu.

Through Shofar Youth Network, we have provided curriculum to local youth groups that discuss some tough questions like “How Did We Get Here?” “Is the Bible True?” and “Who Created It All?” Several churches are trying to do youth events safely, so we have been able to share their postings to our social media pages also.

We have also had a chance to meet up with Dyreen, Orchids, & KC (in person!) to celebrate a couple of July birthdays!

June 25, 2021 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest updates from the mission field in Cebu, Philippines.

Domestic Mission Trip

At the end of May, we took a 3-day trip across the island to Toledo and Balamban. KC, one of the SLM members, came and assisted. We updated programming at both Shofar TV stations hung banners to promote the channels. We also caught up with a few pastors and distributed the latest Shofar newsletter. On the second day of the trip, we held a coffee giveaway for college students at Knockbucks Café. A few of the SLM members were able to help at the booth, and we met quite a few students. We also hit the streets with WOTS magazines and posters. At the end of the day, we regrouped at Yummio and caught up with the owner there. He has been a main contact with a couple of schools in the area, so we left Exploring Creation Science proposals with him to pass along to the administration. On the way back to the city, we journeyed through Cantabaco, visited Spring Park, and stopped at Southern Bethany. The trips out of the city are always a breath of fresh air (literally) and good for maintaining relationships and forming new ones.  

Street Level Ministries

At the beginning of June, we started a new series called “FOCUS.” The summer can be a time that students “check out” so we thought it best to give it all we’ve got and encourage students to focus on what matters. Every week, we define key terms that every disciple needs to know. Check out the video promo to see all the terms we’ll cover this summer:

In addition to weekly bible discussions, SLM members continue to serve in WOTS and SLR. Final drafts have been submitted for Issue 87, so now we’re moving on to layout. Check out the video below to hear Fred read his Bisaya poem for the next issue. Last Saturday, we had a brainstorming meeting with Ruby, our only SLR DJ, to pray for the station and discuss ways we can keep serving remotely. On July 3, we are planning an in-person member meeting in Cantabaco. Since we’re still meeting virtually, we’re really looking forward to meeting in-person for a few hours on a Saturday.

Exploring Creation Science

In June, students in grades 4-6 and 7-12 got to learn all about forensic science and DNA during a 4-week series special. Students were able to look at fingerprints and learn how to do the experiments at home. How can one deny the existence of a creator when you look at how unique every person’s fingerprint is? Lessons will continue as schools keep teaching throughout the summer. Since lessons are online, it makes it easily accessible for students to keep learning. Schools will resume at different times (either July or August), so new Explore booklets will be developed and ready to go for the new semester next month.

Life & Other Things

We thank God for the opportunities to fellowship with people in-person. Although things are still pretty restricted, we’ve been able to attend Sunday services at local churches that we have relationships with. We’ve also been invited to attend one church’s young adults fellowship and are starting to form new friendships. We’ve also grilled out with neighbors and had a few visitors to the office. Zoom and Google Meet calls are still the bulk of our communication with people, so we snatch up any chance we can to be in-person!

Prayer Requests

  • Vision and wisdom for ministry as things continue online
  • True discipleship and gospel clarity among the SLM students
  • Continued relationships with schools and development of lessons for the upcoming year
  • For Filipinos to get vaccinated and for the country to open up to foreign tourists
  • Our upcoming trip to Cantabaco on July 3 – safety, for all the SLM members to attend, and for good fellowship
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.