In recent years, the Philippine government has been in civil conflict with rebels situated in different parts of the archipelago. The long history of the clash between the Philippine government and communist people groups in the country is something the government would like to resolve in the safest, most peaceful way possible.
The island of Mindoro is just one of the many islands in the Philippines where rebels nest deep in the mountains. Home to thousands of the Mangyan minorities and civil communist insurgencies, the local government units and various facets of the community are finding ways to reclaim and help these individuals to live and find their place back in the community.
Plans and Strategies for Mindoro
Through Adventist World Radio and other local Adventist institutions and organizations, the Adventist Church purposed to structure holistic strategies that aim to introduce Jesus to everyone on the island.
The island-wide evangelistic efforts, which began in 2016, were followed by simultaneous evangelistic meetings in 2021 and just recently in April 2022. These efforts led to the baptism of thousands of individuals who decided to follow Jesus.
These initiatives opened opportunities for digital evangelism through AWR to reach out to difficult-to-reach mission fields, breaking down walls and reaching hearts that were initially hesitant to the gospel message. Hundreds of former rebels and minorities have decided to hand down their weapons and surrender their lives to Jesus in baptism.
“God works mysteriously in so many different ways. It was only through God’s leading that these changed hearts are made possible and through His message broadcasted on the airwaves,” said Elder Duanne Mckey, AWRadio president. “We will never stop our broadcast. Nevertheless, God’s message needs to reach the deepest of the jungles, that more and more people can get to know of soon return and the blessed hope in Jesus.”
Establishing Church Plants for Newly Baptized Members
New members need a place to continue growing and building a relationship with their Savior. Several church plants were initiated in different parts of the island to address the growing number of members. New churches are built and located in Benli, Bulalacao; Minolo, Puerto Galera; Quinay, Batasan; Dagum, Roxas; and Palangon.
Adventist World Radio, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and the local Adventist union, conference, and mission overseeing the island of Mindoro worked collaboratively to establish these houses of worship to help new members of the church find a home and a place to worship the Lord during regular services. The Adventist Church plans to establish more churches on the island to cater socio-religious needs of the community.
New Radio Stations Soon to Rise
As part of the continuous effort to support various evangelistic initiatives of the church on the island of Mindoro, AWR also established radio stations located strategically in different parts of the island.
Stations are located in Roxas, Calapan, and Pinamalayan, in Oriental Mindoro; and in San Jose, Sablayan, and Mamburao, in Occidental Mindoro. All stations are expected to be up and running by April.
“There are still many things to be done, but these small steps allow the gospel message to move forward,” said Pastor Robert Dulay, AWR assistant to the president.
Despite the pandemic challenges, local church members remained resilient and optimistic in pushing through these projects.