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Philippines, Asia

PHI05 - ECPM - Support of Church Planting Team

• View report dated: April 13, 2015

• View report dated: June 24, 2015

• View report dated: February 2, 2016

• View report dated: September 28, 2016

• View report dated: March 21, 2017

• View report dated: April 4, 2017

• View report dated: October 13, 2017

• View report dated: February 20, 2018

• View report dated: March 31, 2020

• View report dated: February 23, 2021

• View report dated: June 6, 2021

• View report dated: June 14, 2022

• View report dated: October 19, 2022

• View report dated: March 25, 2024

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Report Date: October 22, 2020

ECPM Special Pandemic Update

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:18-19

ECPM Director, Marwin Pesuelo, encouraged everyone with these verses amidst uncertainties. Caught unaware by the pandemic, we were confined to our homes but thankful that we get to be with our family and push us back to life's simplicities and bring our families to pray and reflect on His words unceasingly. 

Care and communication was also the best we could do to the church planters. On-site modules were halted but we welcomed the gift of technology that we may continue communicating with them through social media. Yet some of our church planters still struggle with internet connectivity given that the majority are in the rural areas. 

Like, everyone else, ECPM's plans were disrupted. Modules and visits were reschedule and graduation dates were pushed. But in all these we resolved to simply trust His timing and while waiting to continue to fulfil the vision He has set for ECPM without compromising our safety. ECPM's vision is anchored in Matthew 28 and it does not just mean to go and reach out co communities. It also emphasizes discipleship. 

With these, please pray with us as we deploy previous church planters who grasped ECPM's vision and the core of the training modules well. As we've mentored and discipled them, it is their time now to continue the cycle. Julius Paalan and Ariel Bacan, from previous teams in Tola-tola and Samarinyana respectively, will be tasked to teach some subjects to three current teams in Palawan. We thank the Lord for this development that the glory in His Gospel will continue on despite what we're experiencing now. (Photo shows the Mambalot team having a brief meeting in the home of Julius Paalan.)

Let us continue praying for one another. 

 

Updates From Some of the Church Planting Teams

Legazpi Team, Bicol, Albay (Supported by BHW)

In early March the team was able to find a mission house inside the University of Legazpi. This will be more convenient for the young professionals and colleagues of the team to attend fellowships and group Bible studies. But when the quarantine restricted most movement and gatherings, the contract for lease of the place did not push through.

Being a team that ministers to young professionals and college students, most of them are able to maximize use of technology. Praise God that the pandemic did not stop the team from continually organizing an online fellowship via zoom. 

Please pray for the students and young professionals in their Bible study groups, the team fears that having no physical gathering might have affected their momentum for devotion and Bible study. 

It is also their prayer that local government protocols will allow them to move freely and be in Legazpi area soon to visit and meet their groups. 

Please also pray that the house inside the campus will still be available for lease once the general community quarantine is fully lifted.  

 

Mambalot Team, Ipilan, Palawan 

Right after the first module for the Mambalot team, COVID-19 made its way to the Philippines. But before community quarantine was declared, the team was able to visit their mission area. They were all nervous since this is their first time to do a church planting mission with a clear vision and goal within two years. Doubts, fears and sometimes laziness knowing they really had to be present in the community have been hindrances. But reading through the testimonies of the team, various verses from Scripture gave them the courage and push to begin this journey for His Kingdom. 

The team knew that due to the community quarantine, the Lord wants them to pray more for the community in Mambalot and it encourages them to know that partners are praying for them too. 

Please pray for the 10 families they have started visiting. That soon they will open their hearts for home Bible studies. Please also pray for confidence and wisdom in reaching out to the community. 

 

Saranggani Team, Maguiling Luan, Maitum Saranggani

During the time that Saranggani was in total lockdown, like with the other church planting teams, modules were on hold but coming together to pray together continued. 

Though they could not hold house to house visits or Bible studies, the team continued to express love for the community and their neighbour by becoming frontliners and assisted the baranggay in giving help and distributing food packs to the families. 

Sharing God's word in the Bible came to action and in their own little way, the team did not let this opportunity pass to make the families feel loved by God most especially at this time. 

We are thankful too that this circumstance has given them this experience to be connected to the people and show genuine concern. 

Coming back after the Enhanced Community Quarantine, it is the team's prayer that they could get back inspired and encouraged transitioning to new community and health rules. 

 

Lucena Team, Baoo Lucena

The team was surprised with news that since the pandemic more families in Baoo are now requesting to have a Bible study in their homes. This made the team realize that this is the best time to give more time to the area and that no crisis will stop people from coming together to get to know the heart of Christ. 

The team's church in Lucena was also blessed to be able to share food packs to the community in Baoo which allowed them to visit their Bible study groups and others who expressed willingness to open their homes for the word of God. 

Also, despite the quarantine, the team was able to re-group with their committees in the church and re-plan how to reach out and share God's word at this time. 

We at ECPM even thank the Lord that the pandemic did not bring fear to this team but rather pushed them to help the communities and pray for them even more. We praise God for this opportunity!

As quarantine is being eased out please pray for the plans of the team, together with their church on how to stabilise the Bible study groups they have in Baoo and fully start gathering as a small congregation. 

For the team's last module before they graduate, please pray as we prepare for this and who to mobilise to facilitate. May the team have a meaningful transition and may they always be encouraged to lead the new congregation in Baoo.   

 

Prayer Points

Health and Safety

The team has decided that health and safety would be our priority and gauge to decide when to begin our on-site modules again. Please pray with us knowing that a health plan for the team will be necessary especially at this time. May the Lord provide for this and may we learn to also look after our own health. 

Encouragement

It disheartens us that we can't move at this time since most of the church planters are in the rural area. But we are not fazed! We try our best to keep communicating with them through Facebook messenger for at this time of uncertainity, their well being is our priority. We tried asking them how they felt about the virus and how each are able to cope. 

As much as we encourage them, please pray too for the ECPM team as we re-plan and prepare for what a "new normal" for church planting will be.