Ministerios Internacionales de los Amigos Evangélicos Filipinos- PEFIM

Nuestro concilio de PEFIM junto con Sonia y yo llegamos aquí el viernes pasado para visitar y dirigir un Campamento de jóvenes durante la noche en Danao II. Asistieron 42 jóvenes de nuestras iglesias aquí en Calbayog y una iglesia invitada.

Tuvimos un servicio de adoración lleno del Espíritu en la noche y una poderosa predicación de Su palabra. Hermana Marie dirigió algunas dinámicas en las mañanas y al día siguiente volví a predicar un mensaje de la vida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo de un pasaje en el capítulo cuatro de Lucas.

Al finalizar el evento, repartimos paquetes dentales y útiles escolares para niños y estudiantes que van desde la primaria hasta la universidad. ¡Cien niños y jóvenes recibieron estas bendiciones!

El domingo, nuestro equipo tuvo el privilegio de participar en tres servicios diferentes de adoración de nuestras iglesias aquí en Samar.

La hermana Betty se unió a la Iglesia Evangélica Amigos de Marcatubig con el pastor Joseph, el pastor Memma. Hermana Marie se unió a la Iglesia Evangélica Amigos San Joaquín con la Pastora Esmer y la Pastora Cris. La hermana Sonia y el hermano Jeff se unieron a Iglesia Evangélica Amigos Higher Ground en Danao II con el élder Dioscoro.

Alabamos y damos gracias a Dios por el clima favorable y la comida abundante durante nuestra estadía en estas diferentes iglesias. Fuimos extremadamente bendecidos con nuestra comunión con nuestros hermanos mientras estudiamos juntos la palabra de Dios y le adorábamos cantando. Dios está haciendo grandes cosas en estas iglesias que visitamos.

La pasión de nuestros hermanos por servir al Señor es verdaderamente inspiradora. Enfrentaron muchos desafíos durante los dos años de estricto encierro, pero su fe en nuestro Señor Jesús perseveró.

Ellos todavía enfrentan muchos desafíos incluso hoy debido a la recesión económica como resultado de la pandemia. Juntos aprendimos a depender sólo del Señor y confiar aún más en ÉL ante las dificultades y los desafíos.

Muchas gracias por sus continuas oraciones y colaboración con nosotros. ¡Apreciamos mucho sus oraciones y colaboración con nosotros en la obra del Señor aquí en Samar! ¡Nuestro Dios les bendiga tanto como nos

ha bendecido a nosotros en este viaje misionero!

¡Nuestro buen Señor te bendiga a ti, a tu familia y

a tu ministerio!

En el amor y servicio de Cristo,

Rev. Crisanto Dela Cruz

Lee Mas…

The post Carta de Oración Octubre 2022 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Philippine Evangelical Friends International Ministries – PEFIM

Our PEFIM BOE together with myself and Sonia arrived here last Friday to visit and lead an overnight Youth Camp in Danao II. It was attended by 42 youth from our churches here in Calbayog and a guest church.

We had Spirit-filled worship in the evening and powerful preaching of his word. Sister Marie led some games in the mornings and the following day I once again preached a message from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ from a passage in Luke chapter four.

At the end of the event, we distributed dental kits and school supplies for children and students ranging from elementary to college. One hundred children and youth received these blessings!

On Sunday our team was privileged to participate in three different worship services from our churches here in Samar.

Sister Betty joined Marcatubig Evangelical Friends Church with Pastor Joseph, Pastor Memma. Sister Marie joined with San Joaquin Evangelical Friends Church with Pastor Esmer and Pastor Cris. Sister Sonia and Brother Jeff joined with Higher Ground Evangelical Friends Church in Danao II with Elder Dioscoro.

We praise and thank God for the favorable weather and plentiful food during our stay in these different churches. We were exceedingly blessed with our fellowship with our brethren as we study God’s word together and sing songs to him. God is doing great things in these churches that we visited.

The passion of our brethren in serving the Lord is truly inspiring. They faced many challenges during the two years of strict lockdown but their faith in our Lord Jesus persevered.

They still face many challenges even today owing to the economic downturn as a result of the pandemic.  Together we learned to depend on the Lord alone and to trust him even more in the face of difficulties and challenges.

Thank you very much for your continued prayers and partnership with us. We appreciate very much your prayers and partnership with us in the work of the Lord here in Samar! Our good Lord bless you as well as much as he has blessed us in this mission trip!

Our good Lord bless you, your family and ministry!

In Christ’s love and service,

Rev. Crisanto Dela Cruz

Download this month’s prayer letter here…

The post October 2022 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Philippine Evangelical Friends Church (PEFC) celebrated Christmas by remembering the greatest gift humanity ever received in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the real reason for every celebration of Christmas. It is also through the example of Jesus when he gave his life as ransom for the forgiveness of sins of those who believe that PEFC extends a generous attitude toward its members and the community at large.

We praise God for the generosity of our members who faithfully bring their gifts, tithes, and offerings to the church to meet its every need and be able to respond to the need of others as well. As the church celebrates Christmas we were able to bless our church community and others with significant gifts that provided food on their tables on Christmas Eve!

In all these, we give God the praises and glory for his faithfulness to his people. We continue to lift our church family to the Lord for his protection, continued favor and provision in 2022!

Praise God for the successful launching of Taytay Evangelical Friends Church (TEFC) located in West Bank, Floodway, Taytay, Rizal. We are exceedingly grateful to the Lord for his faithfulness and grace that he established his church in the challenged area of Taytay. He raised faithful leaders who passionately share the gospel and extend the love of Christ in their community through preaching the holy scriptures and in many practical and tangible ways.

In partnership with faithful Friends and partners in the ministry TEFC was able to give Christmas gift in the form of grocery items to poor families in the community. A delightful fellowship over sumptuous meal followed the worship celebration. Children were given gifts and meals the previous day (Saturday) during their Christmas celebration.

Jesus himself taught his disciples that whatever they do to people in need around them, they do to him as well. Looking after the welfare of the church and its surrounding community is part of the mission of “discipling nations” that Christ himself instructed his disciples.

Please continue to pray for this newly established church that it will effectively proclaim God’s glory in Jesus Christ. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as the leadership composed of relatively young elders. They may be young in age but certainly mature in faith. Thank you for the presence of Pastor Memma Necesito Abella and Marie Anb Ezeonyilimba who represented PEFIM BOE. We appreciated your presence very much!

Sa Diyos ang Papuri! Soli Deo Gloria! God alone Be Praised! Be blessed Friends!

Rev. Crisanto B. Dela Cruz

Click here to download full prayer letter…

The post February 2022 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

This story comes from Samuel de la Cruz who is the senior pastor of Community of Hope Fellowship. This is a congregation in the Metro Manila area that belongs to the Evangelical Friends yearly meeting in the Philippines known by its acronym PEFIM.

The work God has been doing in our church during the pandemic is a continuing act of his grace that started at the beginning of the Community of Hope Fellowship. To know a little bit of the background will help us understand how the amazing grace of God is making an impact on the lives of its members and even in the community. The church was more like a youth fellowship when it began four years ago. It was started with what we consider a holistic approach- a divergence from a dichotomy of spiritual and so-called secular life. We have incorporated spirituality to the existential experience of the members. An example of this is to give high regard to education of the youth so they can become more capable people as well as believers. We believe that becoming a good steward of the talent and the potential God has given these youth is integral to our way of worship. By supporting their education as much as we can, we create opportunities to becoming productive Christians. I would like to share short stories of our two members, Pastor Ryan (youth pastor) and Sister Jigs (children ministry head).

A jeepney driver known to the family of Pastor Ryan went to them asking for help since he has not been able to return to his job for three months already. Pastor Ryan lent him some money even though he knew very well that the man would not likely be able to return the amount due to the pandemic situation. Pastor Ryan also helped the church in our effort to provide some relief goods to at least 40 families. Pastor Ryan is a regular employee having worked for three years now in his job as automotive technician. Prior to getting his job he was a typical young man who didn’t seem interested in education. The church guided him towards having direction in life as part of his faith walk. We invited him to dine at an all-you-can-eat restaurant and offered him finances to enroll in a short course. He refused the money saying the meal was enough to convince him. Six months later he was among the top graduates of his class and landed immediately the job he has now.

Sister Jigs dreamed of going up on stage for her graduation. She recently graduated but without the usual ceremony due to COVID-19. This August she will be starting to work as a call center agent in the metropolis. She had three jobs offered to her, so she got the one of her choice. This is such a big blessing for her since literally millions are losing their jobs at this moment. Sister Jigs is our Sunday school teacher together with her older sister who graduated last year cum laude. They both received financial assistance from the church for their education. In addition to teaching the children Bible stories, Sister Jigs is also teaching them how to read and write.

God has blessed the youth through the hard work of the church. The progress has been gradual, limited and financially painstaking. The church took big risks. It’s like placing all your eggs in one basket. We had the experience of one of our scholars quitting his studies after one year in order to take a job which he later lost in this pandemic. For those that have achieved their goals, they are like an oasis in this time of pandemic. The church was able to give relief goods to at least 40 families three times during the nationwide lockdown. We would like to thank EFM for your recent support to our relief effort and for your prayers. Keep us in your prayers as greater challenges are becoming more eminent in this new normal, especially with the new requirements needed for online education of the youth.

If you would like to receive on a regular basis prayer requests and praises for how God is working I encourage you to sign up for EFM’s monthly prayer letter. You can do that by clicking on the button below.

Also, EFM is still receiving donations to our emergency fund for COVID-19 related relief efforts. If you would like to contribute at this time you can do so by clicking here or using the button below.

• You can give online here. Please make sure to note that you would like your gift designated to the COVID-19 Emergency Aid.
• You can give by credit card over the phone at 303-421-8100
• You can mail a check marked with COVID-19 Emergency Aid designation to EFM, PO Box 771139, Wichita KS 67277.

The post What is God doing in the Philippines during the pandemic? first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Actualización del Ministerio de los Amigos Evangélicos Filipinos -PEFIM (por sus siglas en ingles).

El Director del EFM, Pastor Daniel Cammack, visita PEFIM

En diciembre de 2019 fuimos bendecidos por la visita del querido Pastor Daniel Cammack. El se unió al Pastor Cris para visitar las Iglesias PEFIM en Calbayog, Samar. Su presencia y apoyo ha sido un gran estímulo para el Director Nacional de PEFIM y la Junta de Ancianos.

Celebración del Mes Bíblico

El mes de enero ha sido designado como el Mes Nacional de la Biblia en Filipinas, y la última semana ha sido designada como Semana Nacional de la Biblia. PEFIM organizó un evento patrocinado por la Escuela de Teología Intensiva de los Amigos Evangélicos (FEAST, por sus siglas en ingles), y participaron las iglesias de PEFIM y estudiantes de FEAST. El evento incluye lectura creativa de salmos, lectura de coros, esgrimas bíblicos y concursos de predicación. ¡Fue un momento muy animado y significativo de celebrar la poderosa e inmutable palabra de Dios!

Conferencia de Liderazgo 2020

Pastores y líderes de las iglesias PEFIM se reunieron para la conferencia anual, la cual fue un tiempo para adorar al Señor juntos, para equipar, dar actualizaciones del ministerio, tener compañerismo y tiempo de relajación. El tema de este año fue Descansar para Perdurar: Entrar en el reposo de Dios a través de Jesús que produce fe– Hebreos 10:19-39. Durante esta conferencia, dos pastores fueron ordenados, uno de la Iglesia Amigos “La Comunidad de Esperanza” en Antipolo y otro de la Iglesia Amigos Evangélicos Sicud en Palawan.

Ayudando a Otros Durante la Crisis de COVID-19

La situación de COVID-19 dejó a los sectores pobres de la comunidad desprevenidos,  incluso para proporcionar sus comidas diarias ya que la mayoría de los jefes de las familias en la comunidad no pudieron trabajar ni tener ingresos durante la cuarentena. La Iglesia de los Amigos Comunidad de Esperanza en Antipolo dio artículos para ayudar a familias en su comunidad. También estamos agradecidos de ser usados como canal de bendición por un amigo donante quien brindo asistencia financiera a siete familias y tres personas solteras en Pásig, así como a un grupo de estudiantes de la Escuela Bíblica en Calbayog, Samar.

Lee mas…

The post Carta de Oración Mayo 2020 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Philippine Evangelical Friends International Ministries (PEFIM) Update

EFM Director Pastor Dan Cammack Visits PEFIM

We were blessed to be visited by beloved Pastor Dan Cammack last December 2019. He joined Pastor Cris in visiting PEFIM churches in Calbayog, Samar. His presence and support has been a great encouragement to PEFIM National Director and Board of Elders.

Bible Month Celebration

The month of January has been designated as National Bible Month in the Philippines with the last week being designated as National Bible Week. PEFIM organized an event sponsored by Friends Evangelical Accelerated School of Theology (FEAST) and participated by PEFIM churches and students of FEAST. The event includes Creative Psalm Reading, Chorale Reading, Bible Quiz Bee, and Preaching Battle. It was a very lively and meaningful time of celebrating the powerful and unchanging word of God!

2020 Leadership Conference

Pastors and leaders from PEFIM churches gathered for the annual conference, which was a time for worshipping the Lord together, equipping, ministry updates, fellowship, and relaxation. This year’s theme was Rest To Endure: Entering God’s Rest Through Jesus Produces Faithful Endurance – Hebrews 10:19-39. During this conference, two Pastors were ordained – one from Community of Hope Friends Church in Antipolo and the other from Sicud Evangelical Friends Church in Palawan.

Helping Others During COVID-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 situation left poor sectors of the community unprepared even in providing their daily meals as most heads of the families were not able to work and earn during the quarantine. The Community of Hope Friends Church in Antipolo gave out relief goods for families in their community. We are also grateful to be used as channel of blessings by a donor-friend who provided cash assistance to seven families and three single individuals in Pasig, as well as to a group of Bible school students in Calbayog, Samar.

Read more…

The post May 2020 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

How is COVID-19 affecting those who live in the area where you live and minister?

1. The island of Luzon is in lockdown. The immediate effect is that people are now restricted to their houses. Classes and work have been suspended.
2. As for our church members, none have contracted the disease so far. I encouraged our leaders to cooperate with the government and to fervently pray to the Lord for mercy and for his will and purpose to prevail.
3. Many daily wage earners have been severely affected by the lockdown. While markets are still open, there is serious concern about where to get money to buy food. This is also true of many of our members here in Pasig, Antipolo, Silangan, and Taguig.

How is this situation affecting the ministry you lead?

1. We have suspended our gathering for worship in our sanctuary since March 15 until the lockdown is lifted. It is very likely that the lockdown will last the whole month until April 14.
2. The situation is preventing our churches from collecting tithes and offerings thus seriously affecting our pastors’ salaries. I requested the PEFIM Board to immediately release emergency funds to give cash assistance to our pastors. Thankfully we were able to do this on March 19. But we only have very limited funds and as the lockdown persists our pastors will suffer badly. Our local government will soon begin to distribute food packs to each household. I’m not sure that every local government is able to do this.

What are some opportunities you are seeing for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know him?

1. The situation presents an opportunity for us to do our worship via live stream. We are streaming it on the Facebook pages of PEFIM and Pasig Friends Church. That enables us to reach a far bigger audience, including friends of our members. The response is truly overwhelming.
2. There is a need to bring food assistance to some households in our community, including some of our members. As I see it, feeding them spiritually and physically forms part of our responsibility in times of crisis such as this.

What are two or three prayer requests we can use to pray for you and those you lead?

1. Please pray that the Lord will grant me wisdom to be able to respond gracefully and in a manner that glorifies him in this very trying time. May we be able to share the gospel of Christ more effectively even in difficult times.
2. Please pray for our well-being…that we be protected from this disease as well as from anxiety for the whole period of the lockdown.
3. Please pray for the Lord’s provision for my family, for our leaders and members affected by the lockdown.

Roy and Jinky Twaddell, EFM missionaries serving with Muslim Ministries and based in Metro Manila, also answered the same questions. They work closely with PEFIM on certain projects like leadership training (FEAST) and outreach to Muslims. Their answers to the questions reflect much of what you have already read from Cris. Here are some of their insights and prayer requests:

How is this situation affecting the ministry you lead?

1. We have had to close our residential classes in FEAST. Fortunately, we have the internet and the students can finish their course work. But graduation will be postponed.
2. All of our inter island activities have been cancelled. Tentative reschedule dates are late May and early June.
3. We may not be able to restart our FEAST residential school for months.

What are some opportunities you are seeing for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him?

1. We are able to share our garden and tree fruits with many informal settlers we know in the neighborhood. These are people impacted by job losses.
2. We have an elderly neighbor that we check on. We help her get water and talk with her over the fence.
3. We are sharing a meal with our security guards on a daily basis.

What are two or three prayer requests that we can use as we pray for you and those you lead?

1. Pray for Pastor Cris, Pastor Hildegarde, Pastor Manny, Sister Marie, and I (Roy) as we discuss how we will finish up the remaining FEAST requirements for our courses and for those who will graduate.
2. Pray for all our FEAST and Purok Uno students and their families, for health, and for minimal impact on their lives, especially with their finances as many jobs are being impacted.
3. Finally, pray for the Philippines as we endure this quarantine and that we will do so in a spirit of love and compassion and not in fear or panic

While we are providing this special round of updates to EFM’s largest email list (due to the world-wide impact of COVID-19), we will continue, as always, providing brief praise and prayer requests from each contributing field through our monthly EFM Prayer Letter. This is the easiest way to get regular, brief updates from missionaries and national leaders. If you do not currently receive the EFM Prayer Letter, we encourage you to subscribe by clicking the button below.

The post EFM COVID-19 Updates | Pray for the Philippines first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.