Manila, Philippines - Spring 2016
“Amazing” seems to be the word on this trip. We had our eyes opened, our comfort zone’s stretched, and our hearts expanded for God’s plan for the world. Manila is a mix of poverty and wealth. The spiritual climate is mainly catholic, but the understanding of the gospel of grace is very low. Very few people understand the Good News of Jesus.
Purpose: This team went to learn about Global Surge International and to serve the ministry in Manila and outlying areas. Global Surge is all about discipleship, leadership development and church planting. They’ll turn anything into a creative outreach!
Our team of 11 were focused on 4 areas of ministry: 1) Dental outreach support (in partnership with Medical Relief International professionals and Global Surge), 2) Law Enforcement Professionals outreach, 3) Sports Coach training outreach, and 4) Church support through construction.
1) Dental outreach support: A local Filipino Pastor with Global Surge pre-arranges an outreach at their church via offer of free dental care in their community and set up the appointments. The local church’s own members welcomed, and share the gospel with all appointments, and then the Dentists and support staff care for their dental needs. Lots of extractions, some fillings, cleanings and new appliances made. Our team assisted (all of us got to go on at least one or more clinic outreaches) and some even learned to do extractions under the careful guidance of the Dentists. Our team did 6 clinics in 5 locations, saw 296 patients and 208 people indicated a salvation decision. Phenomenal! They will be followed up by the local church.
2) Law Enforcement team: United States Law enforcement personnel are highly regarded in the Philippines. Global Surge staff and local Global Surge pastors arranged these seminars in their cities. Our team of 3 professionals were able to conduct Officer training in some defense tactics, incident command, first aid, and professional ethics. They did 4 seminars in 3 location (2 cities and the National Police Headquarters). The team also brought over gifts that had been donated by Snohomish County Sheriffs dept, (bullet proof vests and some bomb suits). They loved the training and want the team to come back. Most amazing was the spiritual response. At each seminar, the Filipino Pastor presented the gospel and invited response. Our team trained 186 Officers, and 152 professed new faith in Christ. The local pastors will follow up with them.
3) Sports Coach training: We had with us an incredibly talented couple who are professional athletes and athletic trainers. You may see one of them in the next winter Olympics This was a new outreach for Global Surge, so we helped them do some pioneering. One day they worked with the Global Surge Tough Guys ministry. Tough Guys is a Martial Arts outreach to mainly kids who live on the streets. The Tough Guys coaches are all part of Global Surge ministry. The head of it is a national champion level karate MMA athlete himself. They invited heads of local Karate clubs who are not Christians to come. Our team did a great job of sharing not only their expertise in training stronger, faster, better athletes, and good nutrition, but they shared their story of how they came to Christ. Later they did another seminar with the Hoop Heaven coaches. Basketball is HUGE there. They shared great info and demonstrated how to help their teams do even better. They shared their spiritual story with about 70 Hoop Heaven and Martial Arts coaches.
4) Construction: The Floodway is a high concentration of extreme poverty. Global Surge has churches there. In one church building they sponsor a Feeding Program for children as well as church for the largely young population. They asked us to help fix a damaged roof and replace a broken floor. Our team jumped in to do heavy labor. In 95+ degree heat, they did a phenomenal job. And the new floor looks great. It will be much better space for this church to do its ministry. They were so grateful.
We also got to visit the pastor of the church we helped incubate and also to see the Kids Jam street ministry outreach that goes out in local communities to reach kids and families. Were we tired? YES. Would we go back, absolutely, and plan to. Maybe you’ll join us. All skill levels, just willing hearts needed.
