EMC Dagpuan was the church we first worked with when our short term missionaries arrived in the Philippines and it also holds a special place in our hearts. With the cooperation and help of the youth and its leaders, we were able to reach out to universities, adults, youth, children and the surrounding towns all for the glory of God. But EMC Dagupan is more than just another church to us. EMC Dagupan is our family. EMC Dagupan members are our friends, our brothers, ours sisters, our aunt and uncles, our mothers and fathers. A few nights before we left, we had a goodbye party and not a single eye was dry. Some of us could barely speak as we choked out our goodbyes. Even though we are miles apart, the missionaries understand that we are one family, with one goal under the same loving God.
Pictured left: Our first night with EMC Dagupan Youth
Today EMC Dagupan has about 30 adults with 25 young people. We are in the process of finishing an outdoor bathroom and the outer walls to give our worshipers a little privacy. We are also in the process of finishing work on the roof as it was destroyed in the mega typhoon last year.
But aside from the physical and mechanical aspects of church life, EMC Dagupan faces the challenges of reaching out to a neighborhood in serious need. Lasip Chico-Pantalan is a poverty stricken barangay where drinking is rampant but food is in constant shortage. Pastor Ferdinand and Tita (Auntie) Hannah have implemented the D3 program to disciple others in faith. Their desire is to be able to reach out to the entire community and to also develop leaders who will further the cause of the gospel.
This past July we were blessed to celebrate our 1 year anniversary of being together with EMC Dagupan and all of our other Philippine EMC churches. God has truly done amazing work in the Philippines and we are confident that God will continue to do amazing things not only in Dagupan City, but throughout the entire Philippines.
As EMC International we are committed to helping and supporting them in every way possible. As the Philippines mission coordinator, I pray that God would move through Dagupan city and use EMC Dagupan and EMC International as a tool to reach the broken hearts, the addicted and the unloved. I pray that as you're reading this right now. Your heart will be moved to pray for us and help us in any way you can. And although the task ahead seems daunting, we know that we "can do all things through Christ".
-Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator.
If your heart has been moved, in the coming weeks there will be a way for you to donate to this site. All proceeds go to our EMC Philippine churches. But above all, continue to pray for us. Below are more pictures. CHECK IT OUT!!! (or I'll be really sad)
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| Roof Undersconstruction |
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| Bathroom underconstruction |
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| One Year anniversary celebration! |
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| Bathroom almost fixed! (We all love a good toilet) |
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