Takeaways from the Philippines

So I just returned from a 10-day missions exploration trip with Sean. We had the opportunity to meet with several missionaries and organizations who are creatively reaching out to those people groups who are considered “unreached.” Some of these are predominately Muslim but only in name. Others are devoted to the Muslim faith and are diffucult to reach with the Gospel. So, after spending several days with these missionaries and spending the night in one of the villages here are a few points that I wanted to share. 

1. There are some very smart people strategizing to reach those in the 10/40 window. We met with some men and women who were actively training Filipinos to go into Muslim controlled countries to share the Gospel. Bravery is not what is driving these people to leave their comfortable surroundings. Instead, they are driven by a heart to share the Gospel with people who need Jesus. 
2. I am spoiled to a comfortable bed. One night we slept in a village and the beds were just an elevated piece of plywood. I didn’t sleep much but Victor, a 63 year old missionary, slept like a baby in the bed beside me. I was a bit envious. Sean, on the other hand, had the same struggle I had.
3. Filipino churches that we connected with appear to understand that the church is strategically placed in a community to reach that community with the Gospel. Many US churches have a long way to go when it comes to avoiding the consumer driven church mindset. Many Christians in the American church grumble and complain about things that are petty because they believe the church is there to serve them on their schedules and according to their likes rather than seeing the church as God’s hands, feet, and voice to spread the “Good News” of Jesus. I pray that Charity Baptist Church will be more Kingdom-minded than consumer-minded. 
4. I could drink a fresh Mango shake at every meal. That’s all I’m going to say about that. 
5. I really enjoy talking to people from other religious backgrounds and sharing Christ with them. On our trip to the underground river we had the opportunity to get to know a Hindu, Muslim, and an apparent agnostic. The consensus with this group was that all religions teach the same thing and that’s all good in their eyes. This is actually a hard barrier to overcome because telling people that trusting in Christ for their salvation becomes offensive. Building a relationship bridge that can bear the weight of truth helps overcome this barrier. 
6. Love is the most effective method and message to spreading the Gospel. Telling people they are wrong without building a loving relationship only builds higher and thicker walls for others to overcome. We saw first-hand how those of other faiths become softer and more receptive to the Gospel when they sense that they are genuinely loved by the messenger. 
7. People love hearing Sean sing even if they don’t understand the words. 
8. Every mission trip is a incredible spiritual journey that reveals more about God’s heart for the nations to me. 
9. Not looking like a pastor is probably a good thing. I carried on a conversation with the Hindu guy for a long time before he asked what I was doing in the Phillipines. After I told him and eventually revealed that I was a pastor, he said he would not have guessed it. The conversation changed and he was more prone to saying the right things rather than what he really felt about certain things. I should probably dress in shorts and a t-shirt more often for ministry outreach. Haha. 
10. I love the USA and I love our church. I know more than ever that I want to see Charity Baptist Church more excited and on fire about reaching people who need Jesus like we never have before. 

Let’s do more than ever together!

Pastor Marty