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When I reviewed the first quarter’s evangelism activities for The Quiet Hour I was amazed, excited and thrilled. I praised God! In spite of the political turmoil, the high fuel prices, and the threat of terrorism around the world, God’s messengers are still willing to share God’s message to others around the world.
In the first three months of 2008 The Quiet Hour, in partnership with ShareHim, has recruited and empowered 110 teams and 225 volunteers into seven countries, resulting in more than 7,000 baptisms. These are amazing statistics! On an average, this means that 225 volunteers, people like you and me, were willing to forget politics, gas prices, and other economic problems, and bring 77.77 people to Christ each day! Thus, as inflation increases, so does the membership in the Body of Christ — and that’s worth getting excited about.
In addition to the meetings in India (February 2008, see May Echoes) and the 17 college student teams that went to various countries, The Quiet Hour was excited to sponsor 50 sites in North and Central Philippines during the month of March 2008. In partnership with ShareHim, the North American Division, the North Pacific Union Conference, and other institutions, 50 teams consisting of 82 participants outside of the Philippines held nightly meetings in various locations, resulting in more than 5,500 baptisms. Among the many speakers were Pastor Michael Porter, CEO for The Quiet Hour, Pastor Don Schneider, President of the North American Division, and Pastor Dan Serns, Ministerial Director for the North Pacific Union Conference.
One unexpected speaker was a young man, Seth Sutherland, who came as a supportive team member with his parents and siblings. During the orientation it was announced that an additional site needed a speaker. This 14 year-old teenager said, “God needs me, now!” So he preached his first full series of meetings and enjoyed a life-changing experience.
Michael Porter held meetings in the Central Church in Bacolod City. When he was not preaching God’s messages from the Bible, he was mentoring the other speakers and support team members, visiting the local villagers, and encouraging the current church leadership. It was during one of his visits that he met Sarah and learned of her conversion.
Sarah had been raised in a Catholic family and was not given much of an opportunity to study the Bible. Even her grandmother had warned her about reading the Bible, stating that it would make one insane.
After her grandmother passed away she began to read through the Bible that she had previously borrowed from her grandmother’s home. The first verse she saw and read was about the Sabbath. Then she read verses about the Second Coming. She stated, “I know there is a real church, but I don’t know where it is.”
She stopped worshipping the idols of her church and confessing her sins to the priests, even though she did continue attending her Catholic church. She kept waiting for the priests to tell her more about the Second Coming and about the true Sabbath. She continued searching for a Biblical church while she attended various other churches with family members, but was never satisfied with their teachings.
Then one day as she was working in the department store in Davao, two women came in carrying big bags. She noticed that their faces were different from others; their countenances really attracted Sarah. As she met the two women she asked them, “Are you selling books?”
The two women were amazed that Sarah would ask about selling books. Even Sarah was unsure why she asked that specific question. Soon Sarah was looking through the books and realized these two women knew about the Sabbath and the Second Coming.
She made the commitment to keep her first seventh-day Sabbath. Her supervisor at the department store told her that she had to work on Sabbath, or she would be fired. So Sarah resigned, making her parents very angry. Her mother told Sarah’s father to beat Sarah until she gave up her crazy ideas. But the father refused, so Sarah’s mother decided to take things into her own hands.
Sarah quickly left her family’s home and found refuge and protection from an Adventist family. But her mother, who had borrowed a gun, continued to search for Sarah.
Then one day she found Sarah. With the loaded gun in her hand, she entered into the humble home that had been Sarah’s refuge. But this time Sarah decided not to run. She turned and looked at her mother, with only the gun between them. Sarah was very scared and was silently begging for God’s protection.
Soon Sarah noticed that her mother’s hand, that was holding the gun, was shaking—then the gun crashed to the floor. With tears in her eyes, the mother asked Sarah, “Are you sure this is what you really want?”
“Yes, Mother,” Sarah cried.
But her mother was still filled with anger and said unkindly, “Then, you are no longer my daughter.” The mother then quickly left the house.
From that day forward Sarah has totally committed her life to Christ and being His servant. She was one of the more than 5,500 baptized in the Philippines as a result of these meetings, and her life was changed by God’s grace.
Another speaker, Susan Vance, reported to The Quiet Hour that “this was the most wonderful experience in my life. I will continue to go as long as the Lord leads me.” Her meetings were held in a church in Bacolod City. She had an average attendance each evening of about 250 people. At the conclusion, 21 people were baptized and 15 more began Bible studies.
Her husband, James Vance, also was a speaker at another church location in Bacolod City. He states, “I would have praised God for even just one baptism. But 30 people gave their hearts to God and were baptized, and 11 more began Bible study classes. . . This was a life-changing experience. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, and I look forward to similar opportunities.”
Abel Santiago, a speaker who worked in the Iloilo City area of the Philippines, states, “My meetings went very well. In addition to many invitees accepting Jesus, the church overall experienced a revival. Many came back to the Lord and made their recommitment to the Lord.”
One story Abel relates is:
It was the second night of the ShareHim meeting at the La Paz Church in Iloilo City. The church was packed with a very responsive and enthusiastic audience.
During one meeting, Emma was in tears throughout the sermon. Toward the end of the lecture, Pastor Santiago prayed for God’s intervention in the controversies happening with the attendees, their families, and their communities. Emma continued to cry.
The meeting closed with a song, but Emma remained seated. Her eyes were closed and tears continued to roll down her checks.
In the succeeding nights Emma continued coming to the meetings. She would come early and wished that they would never end. The meetings were her source of strength and a shelter from all the problems in her life. She felt the Bible messages were just for her.
Emma had been married for 24 years, and would soon be celebrating her silver wedding anniversary. But all she experienced in her marriage was physical and emotional pain.
The message of the love of Jesus every night opened her eyes to appreciate the beauty of life and to respect and love God Who gave it all.
She recalled how her husband would leave her, expecting her to care for their children by herself. He would not provide financial support. He would beat her and then leave for other women. Once he even poured boiling water on her.
Prior to the meetings, she tried to “drown” herself with liquor and cigarettes. She listened to loud music, shouting at the top of her longs. She felt she was losing her mind and wanted to lose her life.
One day she saw her husband with another woman, so she ran after them with a knife. Upon hearing about this, her in-laws came after her and beat her until she was unable to walk. So she tried to commit suicide but failed.
On the third night of The Quiet Hour meetings, Emma borrowed a Bible from the church. She began to pray, using what she had learned. During one of the appeals, Pastor Santiago asked attendees to write the letter “B” on the back of the decision card showing their desire for baptism. Emma decided to show her enthusiasm for baptism and, instead of writing the letter “B,” she wrote, “I WANT TO BE BAPTIZED.” Then, she asked if the church committee had seen her card and request.
A few days before the meetings ended, she begged for the Lord to forgive her for the self-abuse by liquor, cigarettes, and attempted suicides. She immediately had a happy countenance. Her eyes gleamed with the hope of salvation. She looked relieved from hurt, problems and stress.
She was baptized on the closing day of the meetings, and encouraged other to be firm and make the same decision. But before her baptism she went to see her husband and his family and asked for their forgiveness. Seeds have been planted in that family. She is a changed person; having Jesus in her life is making a difference.
Another speaker, Eudine Stevens from ______, who was the speaker in the city of San Juan, stated, “One woman who I visited in her home was very sick, but wanted to come to the meetings. She prayed, ‘Lord, if you really want me at these meetings, please help me to feel well enough to make the trip.’”
On the opening night, she felt well enough to go to the meeting. But the next morning her pain and illness was completely gone and she remained pain-free throughout the remainder of the meetings. She and her daughter were both baptized and brought others to the meetings.
Lives are being changed everyday. The Quiet Hour’s volunteers make sacrifices to bring people to Christ. Are you willing to take a risk? Have you shared Christ with someone today?
There is still much work to do in the Philippines, still many people to reach there. Please accept our thanks for your prayers and support; and please continue to pray for Sarah and Emma and their families, as well as others like them who have had to make difficult decisions to become part of God’s family.
If you wish to help reach more of these precious souls, mark your gift “Asia Bibles and Evangelism” and mail it today to The Quiet Hour.
For evangelism experiences, a mission-participant blog, e-mails from the mission field, and photos, please visit http://www.thequiethour.org/evan/philippines/2008/home.php.
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