Preaching in the Phillipines
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I was invited to preach by one of the YWAM missionaries in a church plant they have in a neighborhood called Dreamland. The Church in Dreamland is at the top of a major mountain on the outskirts of Baguio. The neighborhood is made up of “natives like your Indians” as the taxi driver told me. The climb up the mountain into this neighborhood was refused by one taxi driver because the roads were to step for his taxi to make it up. The other three taxis that agreed to take us up to the mountain top neighborhood, refused to take more than four people in their SUV taxis. The steep climb up the steep and rough roads would not allow them reaching our destination at the top of the mountain. Our driver, a Roman catholic warned us these people up here are crazy. When I asked what he meant, he went quiet and shook his head and said “they drink and fight.
These Filipino mountain people are principally from the Saclit and the Mainit tribes. Most have moved to the big city of Baguio in search of a better life and a few have found it, but most have not. These desperate mountain people like all people everywhere, bring their sin nature with them and the results of their new start is the same old problems in a new location. The Baranquy (neighborhood or barrio) of Dreamland was named by the Japanese developer because of its beautiful view, but it has become anything but a dreamland for its residence. The YWAM missionary and pastor of this church plant, told me stories of fifty year old men drinking, gambling and fighting with large rocks in their hands as bludgeons that crush and fracture bones over the slightest difference of opinion or provocation. The old war like nature has not been regenerated so the weapons have changed from knives, spears, axes and shields, to fist with rocks, but the results are the same. The headhunter can be taken out of the mountains but only Christ can take the violence and murderous nature out of the headhunter.
As we approached the church we passed Marvin the native missionary hiking up the mountain to the church. He escorted us up a rocky, dusty, dirt and mud filled alley, to the Church in Dreamland.
The church building was a work in progress. Steel rebar, block and concrete were everywhere. We entered through an external ladder that led to the second story of a house, where the church assembled. Plastic chairs, a bass amplifier / sound system, open windows with curtains blowing in the wind, completed my first impression. As always with God’s people, we were greeted warmly with hand shakes and hugs. Worship consisted of heartfelt praise but no where near the professional production that are often a part of our modern worship services. Heart felt testimonies were followed with giving and at last the sermon by the big American.
These Filipino mountain people are principally from the Saclit and the Mainit tribes. Most have moved to the big city of Baguio in search of a better life and a few have found it, but most have not. These desperate mountain people like all people everywhere, bring their sin nature with them and the results of their new start is the same old problems in a new location. The Baranquy (neighborhood or barrio) of Dreamland was named by the Japanese developer because of its beautiful view, but it has become anything but a dreamland for its residence. The YWAM missionary and pastor of this church plant, told me stories of fifty year old men drinking, gambling and fighting with large rocks in their hands as bludgeons that crush and fracture bones over the slightest difference of opinion or provocation. The old war like nature has not been regenerated so the weapons have changed from knives, spears, axes and shields, to fist with rocks, but the results are the same. The headhunter can be taken out of the mountains but only Christ can take the violence and murderous nature out of the headhunter.
As we approached the church we passed Marvin the native missionary hiking up the mountain to the church. He escorted us up a rocky, dusty, dirt and mud filled alley, to the Church in Dreamland.
The church building was a work in progress. Steel rebar, block and concrete were everywhere. We entered through an external ladder that led to the second story of a house, where the church assembled. Plastic chairs, a bass amplifier / sound system, open windows with curtains blowing in the wind, completed my first impression. As always with God’s people, we were greeted warmly with hand shakes and hugs. Worship consisted of heartfelt praise but no where near the professional production that are often a part of our modern worship services. Heart felt testimonies were followed with giving and at last the sermon by the big American.
I was lovingly described as a “redeemed goliath” and the missionary who came from Texas to preach to them. I preached on the need for evangelism and on our duty to obey Christ last command to go and disciple the nations. The shyness of the Filipinos was evident even to a preacher. If I held anyone’s eye contact for two long they would turn and look away or look down at the floor. Although these tribes men were animated and celebratory during worship they were quiet, unexpressive and reserved during the preaching. Their only profound reaction was to humor, which drew a collective smile and nodding heads.
I was very impressed with how earnestly they paid attention to the content of my sermon. Many of them commented on my sermon in great detail, clearly remembering the words and illustrations, I had used. Many in private conversations, committed themselves to sowing the seeds of the gospel into the lives of their friends and neighbors. Several told me they had given up on certain people but they now understood they had to be obedient to Christ and share their faith regardless of the results. They were excited with the idea that Christ gives the increase and they only had to sow the seed and fish for men. This revelation seemed to excite them with joy and expectation.
We left with a wild ride down the mountain with all the foreign missionaries from Sweden, Canada, Germany, and the United States crammed into a Jeepney. We experienced the joy of the Lord and the fellowship of the saints in a wonderful way that beautiful morning. I selfishly wore a smile from ear to ear as I celebrated my first sermon in the Philippines. I have preached and ministered in Mexico and the United States before but my first sermon in Asia within 20 days of our arrival was the most exciting of all. Praise the Lord! God has already begun to answer my prayers. The joy of the Filipinos is infectious and I hope my joy in serving Christ was just as infectious to them.
May God’s Kingdom grow and grow in the Philippines and may we be a part of His mighty work.
“From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be exalted among the nations.” Malachi 1:11
I was very impressed with how earnestly they paid attention to the content of my sermon. Many of them commented on my sermon in great detail, clearly remembering the words and illustrations, I had used. Many in private conversations, committed themselves to sowing the seeds of the gospel into the lives of their friends and neighbors. Several told me they had given up on certain people but they now understood they had to be obedient to Christ and share their faith regardless of the results. They were excited with the idea that Christ gives the increase and they only had to sow the seed and fish for men. This revelation seemed to excite them with joy and expectation.
We left with a wild ride down the mountain with all the foreign missionaries from Sweden, Canada, Germany, and the United States crammed into a Jeepney. We experienced the joy of the Lord and the fellowship of the saints in a wonderful way that beautiful morning. I selfishly wore a smile from ear to ear as I celebrated my first sermon in the Philippines. I have preached and ministered in Mexico and the United States before but my first sermon in Asia within 20 days of our arrival was the most exciting of all. Praise the Lord! God has already begun to answer my prayers. The joy of the Filipinos is infectious and I hope my joy in serving Christ was just as infectious to them.
May God’s Kingdom grow and grow in the Philippines and may we be a part of His mighty work.
“From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be exalted among the nations.” Malachi 1:11