Meet A Missionary: Vicky

It's hard to conceive what being in the Philippines will be like. I've never been to the Philippines before. I've seen pictures, but seeing a place through pictures and actually having been in a place are different experiences. Yet, even though I have never been to the Philippines, I can sense the importance of the mission that we will do there. My hope for our time in the Philippines is to win souls and raise up disciples who are passionate about loving and serving the Lord and others. My hope for myself in the Philippines is to learn what it means to be the salt and light for Christ in the world.

-Vicky

Meet A Missionary: Rebekah

Hi, my name is Rebekah, and for the longest time I’ve been hearing great things about the Philippines! I’ve heard inspiring stories, seen touching photos, and have felt so much excitement to experience the Philippines for myself this summer! The 2012 Philippines Mission has been long anticipated, and as the date of our flight draws nearer and nearer, I can’t help but feel eager to meet all of the amazing people I’ve heard so much about. I must be honest, at the same time I feel a bit scared, because a mission like this for me is entirely new. I still don’t know exactly what to expect, but I know it will be something unforgettable! I know that God will move in great ways, through our missionaries and through our fellow brothers & sisters in the Philippines! I hope to really make a difference during this Mission, and I have no doubt that the Philippines will greatly impact my life as well!
I can’t wait!
-Rebekah

Remembering Sam: A True Friend & Brother

"You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you 
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you"-MercyMe

Sam, me, Shem: Together in Baguio

Whenever I write these posts, I write as a coordinator. I look to spread awareness and to challenge people to step outside their comfort zone and be a part of God's work. But right now, I'm not writing as a coordinator or a leader or a student....I'm just a sister who misses her brother terribly.

I've been going to and from the Philippines since I was 12 years old. My first real friends in the Philippines were Sam, Ate (sister) Weng, Shem, Chad, Ate Shine and the University Baptist Church youth. And no matter how long I am gone from the Philippines, every time I come back, it always feels like I never felt and we all just pick up from where we left off.

Teaching the children music

The earliest memories I have of Sam are of him playing the drums at UBC. To me, he was the best drummer-hands down! He was so talented. I always marveled at how well he played every instrument. He was always kind, always nice, always smiling and he was always laughing. He and Ate (sister) Weng always treated me like a little sister and I loved them both for doing so. As time went on with trials and triumphs, Sam went from being a funny teenager to a man of God ever willing and ever ready to serve Christ. At our last mission, I looked with pride to see him lead our congregation in worship. I couldn't believe that this was the same Sam I had known all these years.

The very last picture I took with the three of us

But what I remember most about Sam weren't his exceptional talents in music and leadership. I remember all the little things-the most important things. I remember his kindness. His unmistakeable laugh that still rings in my ears today. I remember the way he would always say, "Don't cry! You'll come back here again!" whenever I cried upon leaving the Philippines. The way loved his niece and nephew and carried them around like they were his own children. I remember the way he made others laugh. I remember the times he would have the guitar and we would all sing together. And if we made a mistake with the lyrics we would say, "Pirated yan!" (It's pirated!=Pirated version) Every time I came home to the Philippines, he was there. Every time I went out with my cousins and friends just to have fun, he was there. In my happiest moments and in the moments where I cried like a baby, Sam was there.  I couldn't imagine not having Sam around and although I trust God and accept this, it's still brings tears to my eyes to know that he won't be there to greet me when I step down from the plane the next time I return.

Brother & Sister forever

Sam, if I had to write about all the memories that we shared and the wonderful times we had together, I would never finish this blog. I watched with pride as you came out of difficult circumstances and mature into the man of God you were meant to be. My life has been changed, because you were a part of it. I cannot thank you enough for everything. But I think what I am most grateful for, is that you taught me the one Taglog word I cherish the most-Ading (younger sibling). You loved me and treated me as your own ading. You called me ading. Because I know what it is to be loved and be called ading, I can give that same kind of love and call others my ading too. You are the best brother anyone could ask for. I miss your laugh and the way you made me laugh. As I try to smile through the sobs and chuckle through the tears at all the wonderful memories, I can't properly express the joy of having known you and the sorrow of being separated from you. I'm not sad because you are in fellowship with Christ, but my heart aches because of how long I have to wait until we meet again. I'll never forget you. I love you so much brother and I miss you.

I'll see you later.

Your ading,
-Melissa M.


"In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now"-MercyMe

Food for thought

"What do you think a man does who has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost? He will leave the other ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go back and look for the lost sheep." Matt 18:12

You've heard it a million times, "Don't sweat the small stuff" or "Don't get caught up in the small details!". And in many cases it's appropriate. Nobody wants a doctor that has memorized a million and one symptoms but can't seem to differentiate between one disease and another. Even in test taking, teachers tell you that if you're stumped on one questions move on! Better to get one question wrong than never finish a test. Nobody wants to be described as the person who can't see the forest for the trees. But isn't it wonderful, that despite being among the multitudes, Christ never lost sight of the value of one soul?

Missions is a broad field. We work with different pastors, have different programs and train different people to deal with a variety of age groups. We have directors, coordinators, trainers, and missionaries taking in all the information and applying it the field. It is important to remember the big picture: spreading the gospel throughout the world. We are human and thus limited and we can't meet every need but we do what we are called to do. But as we go forward in our ministry in the Philippines it is crucial that we never ever forget the value of one soul. The Philippines mission isn't just an event. It is not an abstract cause where faceless workers toil behind the scene. It is a small part of a greater movement: the building of the Church. It is filled with real people who have real struggles and who have found real love and joy in Christ and in fellowship with each other.

I hope that as you read this blog, you would realize that while we must never lose sight of bigger picture that you would also realize that we cannot "sweat the small stuff". As our ministry grows, we must never forget the little things; the joy of a child's smile, the hug between a missionary and worker, and the joy when one soul recieves Christ.

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance"-Luke 15:7

-Melissa M


Do forgive my late updates. My responsibilities prevent me from updating on a daily basis and as of now, we are unable to contact our Pastors in the Philippines due to the typhoon. I will update more as I get more information about the typhoon.

Spotlight: EMC Calasiao

EMC Calasiao is another member of our EMC family in the Philippines. Located next to Dagupan in the town of Calasiao, it is led by Pastor Edison Ferrer who we affectionately call Pastor Eds.

When our missionaries were in the Philippines in 2010, EMC Calasiao was on the verge of forming. We did however get the opportunity to work with Pastor Eds during that transitional time. And although we haven't met our Calasiao congregation, we love them very much.

EMC Calasiao first began meeting in the home of one of the church mothers, Nanay Ida and soon began to grow. Today we have 22 adults and 8 young people who are attending the church and serving.

Pastor Eds helping clean our new building

Recently, EMC Calasiao was able to sign a lease so that way they would be to meet and worship in a building. This is especially helpful during rainy season when typhoons and floods are frequent. Members from both EMC Calasiao and EMC Dagupan have been working hard cleaning, renovating and putting up dividers and hopefully by September 1st, EMC Calasiao will be able to start using the building for meetings and services.

One of the programs EMC Calasiao is working on right now is the creation of a student center. The student center would be a place where students can study, fellowship with one another, hold bible studies and just relax and play games. Additionally, the student center would have after school tutoring programs and counseling services available to students in need. We hope that students would not just benefit academically from the student center but spiritually and morally as well. I have seen the wonderful long lasting effects of establishing a student center and I pray that God will use EMC Calasiao and the student center to help change lives.

Are they working or having fun or both?

EMC Calasiao is located in a town where many people have religion but few people have faith. Real faith isn't about going to church on Sundays and saying a few prayers. EMC Calasiao hopes for a religious breakthrough where people realize that the number of prayers or services one attends doesn't matter but having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in one's life. Please pray with us as EMC Calasiao continues to minister to the people of Calasiao.

-Melissa M

(My apologies for the absence. School is starting to rev up for me. But fear not! I will update!)

Outside our new building

Our future sanctuary

Everyone working together to clean!

Why Missions?

What it is missions? What does it mean to be a missionary? Why should we be involved in missions? Better yet....why bother at all?

The answer is simple, because Christ called us to. To be a missionary is to have the understanding and the knowledge that God has called you to a place to serve Him, preach His gospel and last but not least, love the people. Christ didn't ask us to stay comfortable in our little microcosms. Christ said it himself, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:16-20) Christ asked us to to go forth in His name, and through Him the the lost will be found, the prisoner will be set free and the unsaved will be saved. 


To be a missionary is to be called by God and to obediently respond to His call. A missionary sacrifices, loves, teaches and shares the gospel and he/she is confident that the very same God who called him/her to whatever country, whatever place is will be with him/her to the end of time. 


When it comes to missions, John Piper said it best, "There are three times of Christians: The Senders, The Goers and The Disobedient." Are you willing to answer God's call?

"The harvest is plenty but the workers are few"
(Matt 9:37)


Stay tuned....I'll be writing more about who we are and what we do!


-Melissa 
EMC International: Philippines coordinator