Equipping Leaders for Gospel Ministry in the Philippines

An update from Jeffrey T. Jo, Lead Pastor of Cross of Christ Salvation Gospel Ministries, Manila and SGC Key Leader for our work in the Philippines…

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“I thank the Lord for helping me finish the PPI (Philippine Pastors Institute) course. PPI taught me the significance that every belief and doctrine should be based on the Bible.” (CJ of CCSGM Tandag City).

“I am grateful for PPI and for Sovereign Grace Churches for allowing us this much needed training for pastors in Mindanao. I have learned not to take biblical interpretations lightly and that it should be taught in its proper context.” (Pastor Jun, CFF Paniquian).

“I have humbly learned that our salvation is all of God’s doing by Christ and in Christ, and that apart from His kindness, we will never be saved.” (Pastor Arniel, CFF Adlay).

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These were the grateful confessions (after their oral exams) of some of our students in PPI level 1, batch 2; a course designed for pastors, would-be pastors and those who are leading women’s ministry or children’s ministry in their churches. The curriculum is all about the basic branches of theology along with the study of our 7-Shared Values and 7-Shaping Virtues. Most of the students told us that what they learned during this course changed their understanding of church ministry and family as their priority. Some of them were teary-eyed as they explained to us the beauty of reformed theology on which they’ve now embraced.

The camaraderie built amongst the students has been priceless. They’ve become friends that pray, encourage and support one another for the sake of the glorious gospel of Christ. This coming June 8th, 12 out of 17 students who enrolled in August last year will be honored as they celerbrate their graduation. I am grateful for the lives of our SG ordained pastors, Rey Lacbayo and Francis Mariano, and an intern-elder and a graduate of batch 1, Christopher Laurenti, who have humbly yet passionately taught the students every Saturday for 7 months. It has been such a joy to serve alongside these men as we equip fellow pastors and raise up new ones for the gospel’s sake and for the edification of our churches in Mindanao, Philippines.

I’m currently in the boarding area of the airport as I wait for my flight back to Manila and while I’m composing this article, I cannot help but smile as my heart praises our Chief Shepherd for all His wonderful works in the lives of His church and His shepherds. We are just honored to be used by God as unworthy vessels for the equipping of His people as they do the works of ministry. It is my hope that, in God’s kindness, we may be able to encourage other elders and pastors either from SGC or other churches in this region that we may altogether preach one gospel in Mindanao and plant churches that exalt Christ and Christ alone. We are excited for this coming September as we start our PPI level 2 that focuses on Pastoral Theology which is designed only for men in ministry. We are hoping to gather around 25 men for this class.

Thank you for all your sincere prayers and generous partnership in this endeavor of equipping our pastors that we may continue to proclaim His sovereign name in the Philippines.

As what Charles Thomas Studd, a British missionary to China, once said, “Only one life will soon to pass, only what's done in Jesus will last.”