What a Trip!
Thank you so much for those of you who supported the trip to the Philippines. The trip was incredibly successful.
We arrived at 11 p.m. on Tuesday January 15. On Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. the ministry activities began. At 8:30 a.m. I was scheduled to speak to 250 pastors who had gathered at Word of Hope Church from all over the Philippines. This event was an Annual Leadership Summit. The power of God was present as many pastors were encouraged and strengthened on Wednesday and Thursday through worship, prayer and the preaching of The Word.
On Friday the ministry continued, but the focus on this day shifted to participation in a time of prayer and fasting with approximately 1000 leaders for the Life Groups of Word of Hope Church.
On Saturday we traveled into the mountains to join with 2000 leaders from various campuses of Word of Hope Church. On this morning I was able to share about the need to be filled and refilled with The Holy Spirit. There were many who raised their hand to testify that they had received the infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of a prayer language. This Saturday morning service concluded with an opportunity to anoint all 2000 leaders with oil for a fresh anointing for 2019. The opportunity was an incredible privilege.
On Sunday the day started early as I traveled to a campus of Word of Hope in the Novaliches area of Metro Manila. More than 8,000 people attend this campus in a total of 6 services. At the conclusion of 1 service I was driven back to the main campus of Word of Hope where a service was already in progress to preach once again. Between these 2 services more than 40 people gave their hearts to Jesus. I joined into a 5 p.m. service at Word of Hope and additional 20 people professed their faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus!
On Monday morning we left for the airport at 4 a.m. to travel to Butuan City on the island of Mindanao. From Butuan we traveled by car to Surigao City. Upon arrival in Butuan we were notified that an unexpected typhoon had hit Surigao City, and the rain was just now ending. The Gospel Boat might not be able to sail because of Coast Guard restrictions. This indeed was the case. With God’s help and favor from a local official an impromptu crusade was organized in a Bario of Surigao. The Holy Spirit was definitely working ahead of us as 300 people gave their hearts to Jesus on this night.
On Tuesday morning we were able to sail and travel to other islands. We sailed about 3 hours and arrived at the village of Magsaysay. This village is under the control of a cult leader who teaches a false religion. This cult leader has his own militia and has escaped the Philippine army several times because the locals believe that he can transform himself by changing his face.
On Tuesday evening it was time for the crusade and no one was present. We used the “bait” of showing a movie of Manny Pacquio the Philippine boxer. At the end of the film about 50 people were in attendance. We continued to plead with people to come and music began to be played as many of us quietly prayed for a breakthrough. God came through! People began to come to the basketball court where we had set up for the crusade. As we sang and then started preaching more than 150 people had gathered. The village only has a population of 800. When the altar call was given 105 people responded and confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. WOW! Praise the Lord!
That night we returned to the Gospel Boat to sleep in peace and victory for the breakthrough that God provided.
On Wednesday morning we sailed back to Surigao City and then drove to Butuan City so that we could fly back to Manila. We stayed near the airport so that we could depart on our early morning flight to return to the United States.
Thank you for your support and your prayers. Because of you 465 people made a decision to surrender to Christ. More than 100 testified to an infilling of the Holy Spirit, 250 pastors were encouraged and refreshed, and several thousand leaders from Word of Hope were encouraged. The angels are still rejoicing as we believe together for God’s Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.