“I had forgotten how simple and how powerful Jesus’ pattern of multiplication is. This training has helped me get a new perspective on how to go about my ministry.” -Filipino Pastor
Opportunities for training church planters in the Philippines are multiplying. In addition to training our own workers, we were invited to train some local pastors in Mangaldan. During this training, they began to discuss forming a regular training program for the workers in all of their churches.
Even though we had not planned to train these pastors at the beginning of this trip, they were an answer to your prayers. They will help multiply churches in the Philippines, as workers are trained to train others. After the church planting workshop, another pastor said, “I am already thinking which of my disciples I will train, who will be able to train others.”
On January 21, seven of our own Tarlac province pastors initiated a new training school for their churches. Students from each of their churches will begin regular training for ministry, with the pastors sharing the teaching responsibilities.
Youth leaders we trained (some now with their own young families), are training a new batch of youth leaders. These same leaders planned and ran the evangelism camp in December. New believers from this camp ministry are now faithfully attending church and youth group. They also attended the Bible seminar we taught on biblical manhood and womanhood.
Filipino believers are sacrificing much to help the poor. First, they offered tutoring, because poor children are usually behind in their schooling. Then they realized these children are struggling to learn because they come to tutoring hungry. These believers began taking from their own food budgets to feed 20-35 children once a week at their Saturday tutoring sessions. Parents of these children know the sacrifices being made. This kind of love is opening doors for the gospel.
Just as you have served with us by your support and prayers to make our ministry possible, God has raised up workers to serve with us to multiply His Church in the Philippines. Even though you have never met these Filipino brothers and sisters, you are servants together with them and us, by your prayers and support!
Servants Together,
David & Joy & Weaver family
Praise…
- Praise God for a new training school being started by pastors we have trained in Tarlac province.
- Praise God for new opportunities to train leaders from other churches.
- Praise God for new teen believers being discipled by the youth leaders we have trained.
Pray…
- Pray that youth leaders will be able to train the next generation of youth leaders.
- Pray for God to bless the sacrifice of Filipino believers helping the poor.
- Pray that entire families will come to saving faith in Christ.
- Pray that God will provide new partners to serve with us by prayer and regular support.