Tag: Street Level Radio

Shofar Mission Cebu

January 25, 2020 Shofar Missions Cebu

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

TEAM MINISTRY

The third Short Term Missions Team to the Philippines arrived just after Christmas and hit the ground running. While the team was here, we hosted three Ministry Training Institute classes in three locations, a Women’s Discipleship class, promoted Shofar TV, installed Street Level Radio at two locations, taught six Exploring Creation Science lessons at four schools, and attended Street Level Ministries. It was great to be part of all that God is doing in the Philippines!

STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES

As many of you know, Street Level Ministries is an official student organization at the University of the Visayas – Main Campus in Cebu City. While members of the team were here in January, we were able to install Street Level Radio on campus! Street Level members were able to come alongside team members during the installation process. It is always nice to have teams visit, as this allows Street Level members to work together with and get to know people from the church community.

Street Level Radio upgrades were also made at two other locations. The upgrades allowed us to install at a third location as this location works off of the equipment at our existing locations. The station features local and campus events, Christian music, and Bible teachings 24/7. By the end of January, we will be sending the latest issue of Word on the Street Magazine to print. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for this Street Level, as many of the members will graduate this year.

EXPLORING CREATION SCIENCE

Classes resumed for primary and secondary schools the second week of January, so team members were able to be a part of 5 different lesson topics and hand out certificates. During this time, a lesson was also taught to students in Grades 4-6 with students split up into six different groups, each with a group leader taking on a leadership role. Each group had their own experiment materials and worksheet, with group leaders taking point but involving the members of their group.

January also allowed for the first public school lesson to be taught since this ministry began. Part one of a three-part series was taught during a high school Christian student organization meeting time. We look forward to getting to know the staff and students more each month! This semester we added a special session for students in Grade 12: Why are students failing to keep their faith in college? Our series, “The Toughest Test in College,” seeks to answer that question through a short film including true stories of students whose faith was tested in college.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

For all those that attended the Ministry Training Institute and Women’s Discipleship classes.
That Street Level members would continue reaching out to their classmates and other students during their final semester. Pray for the three new members as they start to get plugged in.
For the new relationship with three new schools in Metro Cebu. Pray that we would be able to get to know staff and students better! Also, for two new school meetings that took place this week as information is presented to their respective boards.
Pray for wisdom and discernment as we continue to plan and organize the 2020 Missions Trips.

Shofar Mission Cebu Update

November 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest update about what God is doing through Shofar Mission in the Philippines.

Campus Outreach

Since our last update, we attended the student organization recognition and officer induction ceremony at the University of the Visayas. Street Level Ministries is now one of three recognized religious organizations on campus. We continue to be amazed at all that God has allowed us to do this year! He could do it all without us but He lets us be part of it all!

University of the Visayas Student Organization Recognition

Street Level Radio DJs Ed & John go live during a live broadcast

It has been neat to see the students volunteering for Street Level Ministries’ avenues of outreach. Students volunteering for Street Level Radio recently held a live radio broadcast and those writing for Word on the Street Magazine are currently working on their first articles.

Exploring Creation Science

Exploring Creation Science Lessons have ended for the semester. Since June, lessons have been taught at 5 schools, 3 different lesson sets have been used, and we have met with 2 schools and given information out to 5 different schools.

Back for Thanksgiving

As we return for a short break we enjoy being able to fellowship with everyone. Brittany will join Street Level’s weekly meetings and a road trip to Minneapolis, and play the piano on the Sunday morning praise team. Laura plans to join a Kindred event in Minneapolis and help out in the coffeehouse. As always, we appreciate being able to join Sunday and Wednesday worship services and other opportunities for fellowship. We will also be joining a Sunday service at the Believers church plant in River Falls. Both of us plan to visit our families for Thanksgiving and enjoy the Wisconsin weather!

Sunday Service at Believers Church plant

Our time in Wisconsin also gives us a chance to reflect on the last few months. We take time to prep for the next few months – including scheming, dreaming and prepping materials we want to bring back to use.

Prayer Requests

Christmas break for the SLM Students begins at the beginning of December, so we will have one last meeting before they leave. Pray for the students heading home to visit family over the holidays.
We have been approved to teach Exploring Creation Science at the Visayan Nazarene Bible College (Basic Education Department) in January so we will try and schedule lessons before Christmas Break.
Pray for Team 3 as they prepare to leave just after Christmas. We ask that you would pray specifically for people to register for the Ministry Training Classes and team preparations.

Shofar Mission Cebu Update

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.

Shofar Mission Cebu Update

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.

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

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

Shofar Mission Cebu Update

March 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Campus Outreach

For many university students, summer vacation is a week away. But that doesn’t mean we are taking a break – some universities did not start classes until August, so they will be in session until May. We continued to reach out to one or two universities per week to invite students to Street Level meetings and pass out the latest issue of Word On the Street Magazine. Live Radio Broadcasts have continued to be another way to promote Street Level Radio and SLM events. We were also able to do a student poll for the next edition of WOTS at the last live broadcast. We asked students if they could go anywhere in the world where would they go and why. It was neat to hear what they had to say and to interview them on the radio.

As the school year comes to an end, I am reminded we have known the core Architecture students from the University of the Visayas two years at the end of July. It is during these times, that I think about all that God has done in my life.

Science Creation Curriculum

For many years, March has signaled the end of the school year for students since classes normally start in June. This year, as schools move toward a mid August start date some students will be in class until May. Science Lessons wrapped up for the school year with a visit to Southern Bethany to reconnect with them and share a new curriculum with students in grades 7 & 8. Two new schools that we worked with the second semester have asked about the next school year. With classes out for the summer soon there have been a few possible summer options talked about. More curriculum continues to be developed and current curriculum edited as schools and class sizes change.

Relationships

Lately, we have been reminded of two phrases: “People, not projects” and Relationships matter.” On March 15, we had a pizza and movie night at Street Level. As I watched the movie and ate pizza that night I couldn’t help but remember where I came from. You see, I started walking with God after college. Often times, as we eat dinner and practice our Cebuano before the bible study I am reminded to never, ever lose sight of where I came from. Later that night I was thinking about friendship and life in general and was reminded how important friendship is. Earlier that week, I got coffee with a friend and we took a jeep home to make food and watch a movie. On our walk from the jeep stop to our apartment, we talked about books we have read, ministry and life.

I recently read a quote by Charles Spurgeon, “Friendship seems as necessary an element of a comfortable existence in this world as fire or water, or even air itself. A man may drag along a miserable existence in proud solitary dignity, but his life is scarce life, it is nothing but an existence.” The author goes on to say, “If you want to call friendship a luxury, that’s fine. But then make sure you also call air a luxury. There are few true necessities in life. Friendship is one of them.”

Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for all the students as they wrap up the school year. Pray that they would continue putting God first in their lives. Also, we have been working on several tasks for the two missions teams that will be here this coming May and August. We ask that you pray for all we have been in contact with in regards to the summer missions team plans. Also, for safety as we finish up our last couple weeks here before we join everyone again for a short break. –Laura

A World Without Snow Actually Exists?

February 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Greetings from the Philippines! Read the latest update about what God is doing in Cebu. And if you need a break from all the snow, it’s just a short 24-36 hour trip to come and visit us…

Street Level Ministries

We continue to meet weekly on Friday nights for a free dinner and bible study with students from various universities throughout the city. We are currently working our way through Tim Keller’s Gospel in Life series, which has resulted in quite a few though-provoking discussions! Attendance at some meetings nearly fills our conference room, while other meetings are with only one or two students. Regardless of how many students attend, we continue to be faithful to what God has called us to, trusting that He knows what He’s doing and His plans are better than ours! Next month, we will take a break from our series on one Friday for a fellowship night – free pizza and an outdoor movie!

Word on the Street Magazine

In February, we released a new issue of WOTS and have been distributing at local churches, businesses, and schools. God has allowed us to put a magazine rack on campus in the library at the University of the Visayas, as well as at the Cebu City Public Library! As always, we are looking for new writers and Filipino content submissions. In fact, we recently had the opportunity to present WOTS at a local gathering of pastors and people who minister to young people throughout the city. We’re hoping new writers will come through this networking opportunity!

Street Level Radio

As the Philippines is becoming more and more digitally connected, our wi-fi radio station is turning out to be a great way to connect with students. We host live radio broadcasts on the streets about 2-3 times per month. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we gave away free heart-shaped donuts to students who would answer trivia on the air. We had a few students take us up on the offer! We have also started a weekly radio show on Fridays for students who may be looking for something to listen to during their lunch break. We’re always seeking to expand and make the station better, so we are on the lookout and praying for a place to install a third antenna array.

Science Creation Curriculum

Local primary and secondary schools have been very receptive to Shofar’s Science Creation curriculum. This week, lessons will end at one school and begin at another! In fact, for the first time ever, Laura will start teaching a 3-week series using the NUA curriculum to seventh and eighth graders. Summer school curriculum is currently in the ideation phase, since quite a few schools will be holding classes during the summer.

Prayer Requests

Pray that God would work in the hearts and minds of the Street Level students to put Jesus first in everything they do
Pray for the development of new science curriculum and plans for summer school
Please pray for open doors to minister and direction in planning for the teams that will come this summer

— Britt