This mission trip was definitely one of the most activity-packed mission trips that anyone could ever have the privilege of going on. We were very blessed by our host church – Jesus Christ the Master Builder (JCMB), and blessed that God would use us to minister to them. We only hope that they received just as much as we did.
Not many of us were seasoned “mission troopers”. Many of us were going on a mission trip for the very first time. None of us were familiar with the Philippines either. Yet we all anticipated that God would, in His mercy, use us for His work.
“I honestly did not really know what to expect from a mission trip. I had always heard that God would move mightily and all sorts of exciting things would happen. I suppose that I was excited, but I always had doubts at the back of my mind that I wouldn’t be able to minister or be of much help to the people in the Philippines.” – Joel
After some preparations in the morning of the first day, we set off to bless the different households in the neediest districts of Quezon City. A few of us were also sent to bless and encourage the employees of the government office supporting the district. We even had the chance to bless and speak into the life of one of the chairmen of these districts.
“The squalid condition of the barangay was extremely shocking for me, who had never travelled to such areas before. It was a huge privilege for me and the team to have the opportunity to bless the people there with prayer and simple provisions. It was a short time but I saw the seeds of faith being planted in the lives of the families we reached out to. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully and the words released tangibly touched the individuals we prayed over.” – Shao Tong
“I feel that God really was present when we went in to speak to the chairman of the district we visited. At first he was really quite cold and distant. However, he opened up when we told him that God wanted to thank him for serving the poor for the last two decades and prophetically declare that he, instead of retiring, would lead and mentor the younger generation of leaders.” – Siew Boon
“God has His ways of working out His agenda when His work has yet to be completed. We were already leaving the place when the Holy Spirit prompted us that we ought to take a photo with the chairman, Mr Hector. He readily agreed upon our return. Through the course of talking, he began to share with us that his wife was ill. We were thus able to pray healing over his wife and encourage him to pray for his wife too. He was really touched by this, and even began to tear during the prayer!” – Hwee Tat, Team Leader
The next morning was spent interacting with some children from the barangays who had come to attend a nutrition programme at the church, and by afternoon we were en route to JCMB’s satellite church in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Before dinner, we conducted a programme for the youth of the church. The focus of our message was restoring the relationship between the youth and God, for them to recognise God as their true father, teaching them that only after this relationship was set right could they find the correct direction for their life, as well as the right spouse to serve God together.
“During my sharing, I felt that most of the youth needed the Heavenly Father’s love, but they could only receive if they release forgiveness to their earthly parents. And I thank the Holy Spirit for moving powerfully as we ministered to them – at that instant I experienced the deep compassion our Father God has for His children. And I trust that God will continue to pour out His love on the fatherless, and use the next generation to restore the Family of Philippines!” – Li Yu
“I am so thankful that God used the team to be instruments through which the youth in Pampanga could experience the Father’s love for them. I feel that God has really begun a new work in the lives of the youth that we ministered to that day. The adults went around to hug and affirm the youth, who really appreciated this physical expression of parental love. Without exception, the youth I saw teared up during ministry time.” – Lavin
After dinner but before heading back for rest, our team ministered to the couples in the church. The topic of our sharing was on the symbolic importance of the relationship between husband and wife. Not only does this relationship represent the full image of God, but it also serves as a depiction of Christ and His church. When the concept of marriage is contorted and marriages are destroyed, Satan is effectively destroying the relationship between Christ and the church. We also taught them some practical tips on how to strengthen their relationships through the fulfilling of biblical spousal roles.
“I thank God that we were able to minister specifically to these couples on a variety of issues. The couples were particularly touched when we talked about the importance for husbands to rise up and take up leadership to lead with a servant heart, how husbands should appreciate their wives, and how wives should honour and uphold their husbands.” – Siew Boon
“I felt that God was saying that both spouses would have to be humble so that reconciliation could take place. Some of the couples were really able to connect and let the Holy Spirit heal them as they had a repentant heart. I really believe that this was a breakthrough moment for some of them.” – David
Our team leader, Hwee Tat, preached at the Sunday service that week. We were also tasked to manage the children’s programme. It was special as many pre-believing households were attending service that Sunday.
The response to the altar call – for both pre-believers and believers – was amazing. God moved in power amongst the congregation and all the members of the team were called upon to pray for the people.
“We prayed for hearts to really come to Jesus. Rather than they simply coming to God for blessings, we wanted them to come to know Jesus for who He is.” – David
“The mission troopers were told to stand in one line, and people queued up to be prayed for. It was an impromptu moment of ministry, it was my first time, and I didn’t expect that we would have to pray for so many people. At that point in time, I did not feel a surge of emotions but a sense of assurance that God was going to work powerfully in their lives. I realised that the word God gave to them was very consistent. ‘God loves you even as you are, and you don’t have to strive for God’s love.’ Some of them started tearing – there and then I had a deeper assurance that it was not my human effort, but the Holy Spirit, that was working in their lives.” – Liyu
After this powerful experience, God was still not done for the day. The team had to minister to several parents in an unorthodox parenting seminar where parental authenticity in the faith and the importance of the entire family being involved in ministry was taught and emphasised. It was especially impactful because the youth had a chance to share their perspective on how Christian parenting could transform the next generation. It was a spontaneous time of sharing where we felt God was imparting how He could work miracles in broken families and bring about reconciliation so that each family would become a wonderful testimony for the Lord.
We wrapped up the day with a session with the leaders of the church in Pampanga. Although we had not even known them for 24 hours, we felt strongly that God wanted us to share a word of revitalisation to them. We felt that, for some reason, there was presently a lack of spark and drive in the church. The word was to let go of what was in the past and eagerly anticipate with great confidence what God would do through them in the future. After sharing the word through John 15, Acts 1:8 and Revelation 12:11, we began to declare God’s word prophetically over the church and its leadership.
“I received an impression from God that we should declare that God is the God of the Philippines. Immediately I thought of Chris Tomlin’s song “God of this city” as I felt it was very appropriate. Indeed, when we sang the song, the lyrics really ministered to the people. I am very thankful for what God has done in Pampanga through us.” – Edelyne
“We had already received a word before the trip saying that we should use Acts 1:8 and Revelation 12:11 to bless the church. Upon arrival, we felt that this word was all the more applicable due to the discouragement we sensed. We therefore released this word of revitalisation. After the session, the Senior Pastor told us that he had felt the presence of the Lord very strongly and that the words released really encouraged him and his leaders.” – Hwee Tat, Team Leader
As a 9-month old Christian going on this trip without knowing what to expect, God really drew me nearer to Him by aligning everything I did with His purposes. God also humbled me to know that we are very blessed in Singapore – we really should be grateful for His providence. I realised that no matter how small our roles are, it pleases God as long as we do it faithfully. All our little efforts can and will be used to bless others and bring glory to God!” – Jade
All in all, we are thankful to God for a successful mission trip. We have learnt so much about moving in the Spirit and trusting God in ministry. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
We were also very encouraged by the unity of vision in the local G12 church we partnered with. We shared a similar, if not identical, heartbeat. The team looks forward to greater things that God is going to do through JCMB and hopes to be back in the future! To God be the glory!