PHILIPPINES MISSIONS TRIP

A Report by Dr Chan Kay Heem

The objectives of this missions trip (11–15 Sep 2019) were to visit the missionary outreaches of True Life BPC and Gethsemane BPC, to encourage them and to find out how they were doing. Here is some background information of the places we visited:

Missions Outreach in Trinidad, Bohol (under True Life BPC): Pr Rodolfo Gayon first got to know of Dr Jose Lagapa through the BEST programme conducted by Dr Lagapa. On 4 Feb 2019, both men started the work in Trinidad, Bohol to evangelize the people in the area which is largely under the Roman Catholic Church. Pr Gayon currently reaches out to the students at the Municipal College through weekly bible study at Dr Jose’s ancestral home. Through this Bible study, Pr Gayon hopes to bring these students and residents in the area to Christ.

Christian Bible Fellowship (CBF, under True Life BPC): This work was started by Deccarlo Igot (full-time FEBC student) and Jude Gabales (True Life and FilBF member). This work started on 28 Oct 2018 with the aim to conduct regular weekly Christian Bible Fellowship in the area. It has since included regular evangelism and a monthly worship service, conducted by Rev Reggor Galarpe (GBPC Cebu). It is currently operating from an apartment they call ‘CBF Apartment’ in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Gethsemane BP Mission Church in Bohol (under Gethsemane BPC): This is currently under the leadership of Pr Edsel Locot (FEBC alumnus, DipTh 2004). The church holds its activities in a rented house in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Gethsemane BP Church in Cebu (under Gethsemane BPC): This church started in 2004 and is currently under Pastor Reggor Galarpe. This is operating in the same rented premises as the Gethsemane Bible Institute (GBI). Average church attendance is 60 adults and 15 children.

On Wednesday, 11 Sep 2019, the team of 5 comprising Pastor Jeffrey Khoo, Jemima, Dn Tan Beng Lee, Sis Chew Ying and myself met at T2 of Changi Airport and took Scoot TR384 to Cebu. After a speedy clearance at the Cebu immigration, we were met by brother Deccarlo (Carlo for short) and Rev Reggor Galarpe. Copies of The Burning Bush and Charismatism Q&A were brought along for the edification of the brethren in the Philippines.

We then proceeded to catch a ferry to Getafe, Bohol. The ride was rough due to the choppy waves and strong winds. When we reached there at 6pm, it was already dark, but we were warmly greeted by Pr Edsel Locot and Pr Rodolfo Gayon, who then led us to the meeting place which was at one of the college dormitories. Pastor Khoo gave a gospel message, “How Can I Go To Heaven?”, based on Mark 10:17–27, to about 62 persons, most of whom are unbelieving students. Pr Edsel Locot and Chev Gonzales (both ex-drug addicts) also gave their testimonies of conversion. This group of Municipal College students are the ones that Pr Gayon is trying to reach out to in Trinidad, Bohol. The session was wrapped up with a fellowship dinner with the students and we made our way to Arbilla Gardens Pension House where we spent the night.

Thursday morning saw us making our way down south, after breakfast, to Tagbilaran city by van, accompanied by both Pr Gayon and Pr Locot. Along the way, we stopped by briefly to visit the Chocolate Hills before taking a lunch break at Loboc River. We also drove through the Mahogany Forest and visited the Tarsier Sanctuary. After dinner, we took a 5-minute stroll from the restaurant to Gethsemane BP Mission Church (Bohol) for prayer meeting, where Pastor gave a message based on 1 Timothy 6:6–12 to encourage the 15 people in attendance. Jemima also brought along some moon cakes to share with them during a short time of fellowship after the meeting. We retired to the D&B Bluestar Beach Resort for the night.

On Friday morning, we heard the howling of the strong winds and saw the overcast skies and strong waves. We travelled to the ferry terminal with Pr Gayon, Pr Locot and Levi (driver) after lunch at the Bohol Bee Farm. When we reached the ferry terminal at 1pm, we were told all the Fast Craft ferries were cancelled by the Coast Guard due to the strong winds and waves. While we pondered on our next step, God provided help in form of resourcefulness of brothers Locot and Levi who made the necessary enquiries and arrangements for alternative travel plans. We eventually secured tickets for a large ferry (meant for passengers and vehicles) to bring us from another port, Tubigon, to Cebu. God also providentially provided a tour driver who had enough room for us and our luggage in a shared 12-seater van to bring us to Tubigon at a low price. The ferry finally left at 10.30pm and reached Cebu just after midnight. Because of its size and mass, the ferry was not affected by the waves nor wind. By the time we settled in at the Bayfront Hotel, it was past 2am.

By God’s timing, no important event was appointed for Saturday morning (14 Sep 2019), so we could sleep in a bit later before going for breakfast. Fellowship lunch was with Eld Richard Tiu, Eld Eliezer Ortega and Dn Samuel from Gethsemane BPC Cebu, at the mall across from the hotel.

After lunch, Carlo came to pick us up for the Bible Seminar at the CBF Apartment in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The Bible seminar titled “What Is Saving Faith?” was based on James 2:14–26 and was attended by about 45 adults and children. Pastor also weaved in the gospel message for the unbelievers amongst the listeners. After dinner, Pastor also took time to carefully question the 2 adults who wanted to be baptised the next day. This was to make sure they know, agree and believe the gospel of Christ and understand the significance of baptism. Pastor was satisfied with their replies and agreed for them to be baptised the next day which was the Lord’s Day.

Sunday morning worship was held at Gethsemane BPC Cebu with Pastor speaking on “Biblical Co-operation” from Luke 4:49-50. He explained from the Bible that while we were to separate from unbelievers, we can achieve much for the Lord if we co-operate with like-minded believers. Examples quoted included an FEBC alumnus agreeing to preach and teach unfettered at an Evangelical Free Church the biblical teachings he had learned from FEBC, and True Life helping conservative, Bible-believing Baptists to build a church.

Following lunch, we proceeded to the function room of AA BBQ restaurant to be part of the CBF 1^st Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. Brother Jude Gabales gave a testimony which was followed by praise items by the children and the adults. Pastor gave a gospel message from Mark 8:36–37 titled “The Value of One’s Soul” to 42 adults and 44 children in attendance. They were mainly fellowship members, their friends and relatives and some children from the VBS held a few months ago. The highlight of the Thanksgiving Service was no doubt the baptism of Mdm Socorro Margallo (Carlo’s 86-year old mother-in-law), Agnes and Arrianna (Jude’s wife and daughter, respectively). There were many joyous faces around at the baptism. Indeed, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7).

As much as we would like to stay on after the dinner, we had to make our way to the airport to catch our flight back. The team touched down at Changi Airport late Sunday night, 15 September.

Praise and thank God for (1) raising up Bible-believing churches and evangelists in the Philippines, where 80% of the population are in the RCC, (2) raising the CBF to be a precious witness in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and also for nurturing it this past year, and (3) journey mercies for the team from Singapore as well as for good health and strength that none got seriously ill.

Please pray for (1) raising up of even more missionaries to the Philippines and other lands in need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (2) God’s continued providence, protection and guidance of the CBF and the outreach in Trinidad, Bohol, and (3) the spiritual growth of these outreaches.

God may not have called us to be missionaries to foreign lands (yet), but we can certainly pray for, and give of our substance to help the work of those who have answered the call to be missionaries.

(For details of True Life’s outreaches in Trinidad, Bohol and the CBF in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, please refer to the testimonies printed for FilBF’s 3^rd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on 28 Jul 2019 which can be found on the church’s website.)

Gethsemane BPC Cebu: Group photo after the Lord’s Day Service