Tag: Street Level Radio

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.
November 25, 2020 Shofar Missions Cebu

Get the latest ministry update from Shofar Mission Cebu!

STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES

As finals are approaching, many students are in “crunch mode.” Even though they are studying remotely, we have been able to connect digitally on Fridays for Street Level meetings. We have been studying the gospel of Mark during our Bible discussions. Most of the UV students who graduated last semester have been able to stop by the office for short visits after their trips to campus. There is always one more piece of paper, one more 2×2 photo, and a signature needed to process their graduation clearance. We had the opportunity to visit campus to update some of the SLR equipment… it’s quiet there. Very different than this time last year!

Working on SLR upgrades at UV

Issue 84 of Word on the Street Magazine has been sent to print and will be released digitally this week. We are planning to send out 500 copies of this issue to UV students with their modular learning packets next month. The members who volunteer for Street Level Radio have been producing teaching clips as internet and electricity allow. The connection can be unstable and some areas experience brownouts regularly.

Weekly SLM Meetings on Google Meet

SHOFAR CABLE TV

This month, Shofar Cable TV started broadcasting in Metro Cebu City! Shofar TV is channel 187 on Cebu Cable. We have been broadcasting in Balamban and Asturias on channel 37 through ATD Cable since 2012. Station programming includes Pastor Tim’s Sunday Services, local Filipino Sunday church services, along with various other programs. We are continuing to update programming.

Shofar TV Installation at Cebu Cable

EXPLORING CREATION SCIENCE

Exploring Creation Science virtual lessons continue. As of this writing, classes will remain online for Semester 2. Lessons with Grade 5 students at Banawa Nazarene School started this month. Next month students in Grade 6 will have a three-part series to end semester 1. As the “ber” months end and January rolls around we are hoping for a few more opportunities to visit with pastors and teachers at various churches/schools. Plans for Semester 2 also include curriculum for students in grades 6 or 12 that are moving up or graduating, along with four new curriculum sets.

Grade 5 students at Banawa Nazarene School!

PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. Many churches are meeting at 50%. Please pray that everyone attending would be mindful of the protocols including the mandatory use of face masks, face shields, pre-registration (this is to ensure attendance does not exceed 50% as required by the government), temperature checks, and health declaration forms.
  2. Pray for all the students and staff that we have had an opportunity to interact with. Pray that God would continue to work in them.
  3. We continue to take time to grill and spend time getting to know those in our compound. Please pray for those we have gotten to know.
July 25, 2020 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest Shofar Mission Cebu update and learn what we have been up to!

As of this writing, the Inter-Agency Task Force along with President Duterte downgraded Cebu City to a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. The wearing of face masks, social distancing, and quarantine passes continue to be required by law. Despite the government requiring students under the age of 21 to stay at home and mass gatherings prohibited, we have continued to minister.

STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES

We have had to get creative when it comes to reaching college students. On March 13, classes in all levels were suspended. Students rushed to the province before the borders to the city closed on March 28. The words “digital,” “virtual,” and “online” continue to be part of our vocabulary! At the beginning of June, we started a digital small group with three SLM members. Thankfully, we’ve been able to meet on a weekly basis, despite fluctuating quarantine statuses! The latest issue of Word on the Street Magazine has been written with all digital communication. 5 students from 3 cities / 2 islands collaborated to put the Philippines version of Issue 83 together! Stay tuned to the WOTS website for the digital release next month.

Friday Night Digital Fellowships with SLM Members
The SLM members find time to get creative during quarantine – check out this illustration created by Garie Mae!

EXPLORING CREATION SCIENCE

Virtual Exploring Creation Science summer classes have continued for students in grades 4-12. One lesson we have continued to learn is that students are night owls – the older students prefer to tune in for the afternoon lessons! This month, we also started Daily Bible Reading posts for students in grades 4-6 and 7-12 (different sets for each grade level). These are posted to the Exploring Creation Science Facebook page. Students have either watched the lessons and read the posts on Facebook, or school staff have grabbed the lessons and posts for students to view using their online platforms. Watch a preview of these virtual lessons on the Exploring Creation Science webpage.

Prerecorded microscope footage for use with virtual lessons
The heart is protected with a “double layered sac.”

COMMUNITY

Since we’re still under a pretty strict quarantine, we have been soaking up as much fellowship time as we can. We’re thankful for the small community God has put us in and have been seeking to get to know our neighbors better. The truth of Acts 17:26-27 is indeed a great reality for us right now… We’ve also taken advantage of opportunities to join Wednesday evening small group discussions with Believers City Church and video chats with fellowship ministries.

Wednesday evening Acts Rewind discussion – from two different sides of the world!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  1. We continue to plan for a digital start to the 2020-2021 school year at all levels. Pray that we would continue to get creative and seek out various platforms to help us reach students!
  2. Pray for wisdom and discernment for government leaders. They are still in the process of deciding quarantine statuses and possible hard localized lockdowns.
  3. For church leaders especially those that have moved into church compounds to be with the rest of their staff to make sure church services and online class preparations continue as the borders to the city closed.