Lonnie and Jeannie Melashenko returned to the Philippines to present “The Voice of Prophecy Speaks” in Cebu City.

The meetings were sent by satellite to downlink sites across Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe. The series was also telecast by tape delay in North America on the Hope Channel. Details are posted at www.vop.com.

It’s been 10 years since “Target 50,000” celebrated the Voice of Prophecy’s 50th anniversary of ministry in the Philippines. More than 50,000 persons were baptized then at meetings conducted by dozens of teams from 14 countries working alongside pastors and members of the island nation. Pastor and Mrs. Melashenko participated at several locations.

Many Languages

Much of the world (see map) was be able to view the programs live, February 3-18. The Hope Channel International uplinked the nightly meeting in English, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Cebuano. Additionally, rebroadcasts on the same satellite network will provide additional translations in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian languages.

Satellite dishes were installed at hundreds of churches in addition to those that already have the equipment. Discover Bible Guides were used for both preparation and follow-up. LightBearers Ministry printed and shipped the lessons and diplomas.

Twenty Bible workers were hired full-time for six months to study with people before the meetings and to assist with follow-up.

Dr. Timothy Arnott, who presented health topics during the Voice of Prophecy’s satellite series in 2003 from Columbia, South Carolina and Lusaka, Zambia, joined Pastor Melashenko for the Cebu series. He taught simple health principles and promoted lifestyle changes for healthful living.

Kurt Johnson, director of the VOP Bible School, coordinated details of the satellite meeting.

Special gifts from VOP friends and Filipino churches in North America are providing the Voice of Prophecy’s share of the cost for this end-times series. “Without their help,” says Pastor Melashenko, “we simply wouldn’t be able to afford this exciting project.”

Partners in Ministry

The Voice of Prophecy is partnering with The Quiet Hour, which invited lay persons, pastors, and youth from the U.S. and Canada to preach their own evangelistic reaping meetings in areas where satellite dishes are not available.

Besides a main speaker, each team from North America included a health lecturer, a children’s program coordinator, and a husband-wife team to give family talks. The Quiet Hour committed to sponsoring teams at 60 sites throughout the Philippines.

Each person participating raised approximately $2,700 to cover airfare, hotel, meals, and other personal expenses. Each team was responsible for raising $1,250 toward their evangelistic meeting expenses and needed to take at least one laptop computer and one projector for use at their site.

The Quiet Hour also recruited a team to build one new church in the Central Philippines.

More than 300 youth from Pacific Rim countries presented local series under the auspices of the Elijah Project.

Seek, Reap, Keep

The Philippines campaign followed a “Seek, Reap, and Keep” program for evangelism.

Church members in the Philippines and other countries participating by satellite took part in the seeking process, using door-to-door ministry, Bible studies, small groups, seminars, and health outreach.

Guest evangelists assisted with reaping through sermons, health lectures and clinics, children’s programs, and family presentations.

Local churches in host countries are charged with the keeping process, which includes nurture of new believers and follow-up of persons who express an interest in further study but do not make a decision for baptism during the evangelistic series.

Bayanihan

A Filipino word, “bayanihan,” describes the idea of many persons and organizations working together to accomplish a common task. Much like barn-raising in America in the 19th century, “bayanihan” is a community effort, referring for example to moving a house out of flood danger.

“This aptly represented our Target 50,000 campaign 10 years ago in the Philippines,” says Pastor Melashenko, “and it captures the spirit of our upcoming series also. Together, we’re doing what we could never accomplish separately.”

The Voice of Prophecy went on radio in Manila on July 11, 1946, only a week after the Philippine Republic achieved sovereign status. Early broadcasts featured VOP founder H. M. S. Richards and were the same English programs aired in North America.

Bible courses were soon developed and TV programs were added more recently. Today’s VOP ministry throughout the 7,100 islands of the archipelago is conducted in several languages from offices in the North, Central, and South Philippines.

“As the Voice of Prophecy celebrates 60 years of ministry in the Philippines,” says Pastor Melashenko, “we’re pleased to join our brothers and sisters in Christ there to proclaim the gospel throughout the Pacific Rim countries and beyond.”

Reprinted with permission, Voice of Prophecy News, fall 2005