Tag: Shofar Mission Cebu

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.
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.