Report On Preaching In The Philippines (I)
by Keith Greer
Mark wrote in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” The need for the gospel in “all creation” is the same today as it was when the inspired Mark wrote those words. In order to preach the gospel to “all creation,” congregations of God’s people provided support to those such as Paul who went about preaching the gospel (Cf. Philippians 4:15-16; II Corinthians 11:8). We here at the 5th Street East Church of Christ in Lancaster have had the opportunity to financially support brother Keith Greer as he went to preach the gospel in the Philippines. Following, both today and next week, is a very encouraging report on the work that was done there that we helped to support.
To begin, I wish to thank the many people who made it possible for me to take this trip.
- First and foremost, I thank God, who granted us safe passage there and back.
- I thank my dear wife, Rita, who suffered the loss of her mother the day I left, but still encouraged me to go and preach to the lost souls in the Philippines.
- I thank the Knollwood elders who helped and encouraged me to go, and I thank the Knollwood brethren who filled in for me in many ways. I will never be able to express my gratitude for the love shown to Rita during her mother’s illness and death.
- I thank the many churches and the individuals who provided financial support for the trip.
- And I’m very grateful to Brother Ron Halbrook, who invited me and worked with me during the trip.
This was my first preaching trip to the Philippines. For many years, I have had questions concerning the work and efforts being put forth in that country. While preaching in Las Vegas, I corresponded with seven Filipino preachers to whom I sent teaching and preaching materials to aid them in their work. A number of times, the Knollwood church has sent benevolent aid in response to requests for assistance. More than once, Brother Halbrook asked me to accompany him on one of his Philippine trips. In the spring of 2000, I began planning to go in the spring of 2002.
During the four weeks I was in the Philippines (Brother Halbrook was there for seven weeks), we visited sixteen different cities. Brothers Cipriano S. Carpentero and Jonathan R. Carino accompanied us, and were with us for the entire month. Brother Jonathan did all the planning and scheduling for the preaching we would accomplish during the trip. They also translated for us.
After nineteen hours in the air, on Wednesday, April 10, at 10:30 p.m., I landed in Manila. On Thursday, Brother Halbrook and I spent the day searching for a bank that would cash our travelers checks and convert them to pesos. Later, we discovered the reason for our difficulty. Someone had learned to make counterfeit checks, and the islands were flooded with bad travelers checks. Smaller banks, and even some larger ones, were afraid to accept them. We found that the easiest way to convert was to locate one of the Filipino brethren who had a bank account, sign the checks over for him to deposit in the account, then withdraw the money in pesos.
On Friday, we flew to Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao for a two-day lectureship. Over 100 attended. There is no faithful church in Mindanao. A number of denominational preachers attended both days. One was converted, and another was baptized on Sunday morning before we left. Follow-up work will attempt to start a faithful congregation in Mindanao.
Sunday and Monday were spent at Orquieta, Misamis Occidental with Brother Nelson Flores. We worshipped with the brethren there on Sunday and conducted afternoon sessions. On Sunday evening, Ron and I preached at different places. On Monday, we had all-day lectures, which about 40 people attended. Many were Filipino preachers. Good questions were asked during the open forum. Monday evening, we traveled by van to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – about a three hour journey.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent working with Ramon Carino, (Jonathan’s father) and Jun Apatan. On Tuesday, having begun early in the morning, we visited eight different churches. Many of these churches were located in the mountains. We went by boat, and then hiked up into the mountains. Many of the brethren waited most of the day for us to reach their churches. It was 7 p.m. when we reached the last congregation. I met many preachers who have spent 15-20 years preaching in those mountains, with no support! The encouragement these brethren derived from our visit was very touching to me personally. Some waited more than ten hours, in the heat of the day, just so they could meet us and hear us speak! It was an exhausting day, but at the same time, it was very uplifting.
Wednesday, it was on to visit, and to speak at, four more churches. On Wednesday evening, Brother Halbrook and I spoke at Jun Apatan’s home congregation. Questions lasted until 11 p.m. About 70 attend the church where Brother Apatan labors.
On Thursday, we traveled to Iligan, Lanao del Norte, where we worked with Brother Edgar Samodal in a three-day lectureship. Here, four were baptized. I even preached a funeral for a brother who had been killed in an accident. Saturday evening, we traveled to Cagayon de Oro to work and worship on Sunday with the local church where Brother Carpenero labors.
On Sunday morning, Ron and I spoke at different places. In the afternoon, we had a lectureship, with an open forum. A lady preacher from one of the denominations attended the open forum. Many good questions were asked, and there was a long discussion about women and their role in the church. This lady left quite bothered by what the scriptures taught regarding what she was doing. Brother Carpenero and another brother there plan to follow up and study with her.
On Monday, April 22 we traveled to Kitaptao, Bukidnon for a two-day lecture with Brother Julie Notarte. Brother Notarte does much preaching in the mountains in this area, with great results. This is a very difficult work that requires traveling into locales where rebels hide in the mountains. Brother Notarte has converted hundreds and established a number of churches. Over 100 attended the lectureship. Most came down out of the mountains. During the two days, we baptized 38 people. To ensure our protection, Brother Notarte arranged for security guards to be in the audience, but he did not inform us until after the lectureship.
On Wednesday, April 24, accompanied by security escorts, we traveled by van to General Santos, South Catabato, about an eight-hour trip. We arrived in Lake Sebu late in the evening. On Thursday, we began a two-day lectureship with Brother Leonardo Maste. Over 150, including some who were living in polygamy, attended. Twenty-two people, including five denominational preachers, were baptized. Good questions were asked during the open forum, and we had a good discussion about polygamy and marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
On Saturday, April 27, we worked with Jolly Julom and spent an entire day with the church there. About 60 attended. That evening, we and our escorts traveled three hours to Davao City, Davao del Sur.
On Sunday, April 28, we worshipped with the brethren where Brother Juanito Balbin preaches and serves as one of the elders. Afternoon sessions were held, and Ron and I spoke on the radio program from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Nine people were baptized that afternoon.
On Monday, April 29, we flew (on two different flights) from Davao City to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for a two-day lectureship with two local preachers in the area. June, one of the local men, lost his wife in an accident the previous week. Attendance at this lectureship was excellent, with many non-Christians attending. The four who were baptized included a Baptist preacher who had been preaching for 50 years! The open forum was excellent, with good questions and lively discussion.
On Wednesday, May 1, we traveled to Cadiz to preach with Brother Jessie Isitan. We preached until 4 p.m., and five were baptized. Then, we went on to San Carlos, arriving late that evening.
On Thursday and Friday, we worked in a lectureship with Brother Erie Mahinay. It was an excellent Bible seminar, with about 30 in attendance. Following the open-forum question-and-answer session, three were baptized.
On Saturday morning, we traveled (leaving by boat at 4 a.m.) to Toledo City, where Ron and I spoke on baptism. In attendance, were 60 Evangelical church people with whom the local preacher had been studying. The next day, the local preacher reinforced our lessons, and 36 people left the Evangelical church and obeyed the gospel! The opportunity to preach there was well worth getting only four hours of sleep! We proceeded to Tagbilaran, Bohol, arriving at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 5 and Monday, May 6, we conducted a two-day lectureship at the hotel where we were staying. About 35, including ten preachers, attended. Four were baptized. Also, on Monday evening, we and six of the preachers studied privately for about three hours.