Reflections on the LeadersFor Mission Trip

I must confess that when the Ormoc cohort began, I was rather disappointed. I had come expectingto see 50 pastors who would train other pastors. Instead, there were only about 30 attendees, of whom less than half were pastors or pastors-in training. I was jet-lagged; the cohort was more comfortable in Cebuano and I was already struggling to communicate in my native Tagalog. Combined with my trepidation at facilitating for the first time, I found myself wondering if I’d sentenced myself to five years of frustration.

Providentially, I was partnered with Hannibal Muhtar, whose experience and encouragementgot me on track. As I got to know the participants, I began to realize that even if only 7or 8 of them fit our vision of training pastors capable of training other pastors, our time was by no means wasted. One pastor had already finished teaching the first book to his congregation; another had translated the material for the sake of Cebuano-speaking pastors; yet another had 9 church plants and was training the pastors (some of whom had only reached Grade 2) of these church plants. I was rebuked by the words of Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,says the LORD of hosts.”

More and more, I had to respect their determination to learn. One pastor only had a high school education, but he was not ashamed to ask us to explain whatever he didn’t understand. I couldn’t help but value his eagerness in light of pastors in the area who chose not to attend because continuous learning was not a priority. Another pastor was so committed to the training he would not allow his twice a week dialysis to keep him away. At 61 years old, he wanted to keep learning so that he could make the most of his remaining time on earth. I was humbled by his appreciation for our efforts, given that besides planting the church he was currently pastoring, he had previously planted two churches in Manila. I couldn’t help but wonder if I shouldn’t be asking him to train me! .

I came away from our time in Ormoc with a better appreciation for the work of LeadersFor Philippines. At the very least, as we complement the pastors’ energy by helping them become lifelong learners, we help lay the foundation for the future health and multiplication of churches.

So, I was energized and excited for the SOCCSKSARGEN cohort and I was not to be disappointed. The group from Glan (Saranggani province) that had been part of the January session was outnumbered by the newcomers: a group of independent Baptist pastors from the General Santos City area and Christian & Missionary Alliance pastors from the Koronadal (South Cotabato) area. In this cohort, one of the Glan pastors was already helping a fellow pastor who was struggling with the material. One of the new attendees asked about introducing the program in Bukidnon (FYI, we challenged him to make it his responsibility) and was already planning to start using the material. Another new attendee confessed to being convicted of coasting along in the ministry and being challenged to give himself fully to the work.

Even if this group was still struggling to get their mental muscles in shape, I could see tremendous potential for development from this cohort. Their location in Mindanao already provided a wide sphere of influence. One pastor has a campus ministry that could impact multiple churches as students trained to think biblically begin to serve in them. Another pastor has even been able to share the gospel in training camps of Muslim insurgents.

Moving forward, I’ve tried to address the pastors’ need for study resources by promising to give each of them a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible once they finish reading through their Bibles and a set of books every time they read through the Bible again. I’m also hopeful that better schedule coordination would allow the pastors to keep participating in the program.

Living Hope Baptist Church and I have been truly blessed to be a part of LeadersFor Philippines. Serving as a facilitator has made me aware of my own need for clarity and precision in teaching and preaching. It also made me far more conscious of the resources with which God has blessed me and challenged me to be a better steward of these gifts.

Lastly, I’m grateful to the Lord for all those who partnered with us through your gifts and your prayers. You were God’s means of enabling us to bless his people in Ormoc and the SOCCSKSARGEN region. I eagerly look forward to how the Lord would use our efforts for the honour of his name in the coming days. Soli Deo Gloria!