Christ for the Philippines Mission

    We returned from our survey trip to the Philippines on September 29, 2011. It was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to us. We saw 879 souls come to Christ! It was incredible, like the old-time camp meetings and revivals we have all read about. Wow, there's nothing like seeing it happen right in front of you with your own eyes, though.

    We headed out on Sept. 12. This is a long trip, about 30 hours one way. The Philippines is almost directly on the other side of the planet. When we arrived we were very tired. It was a Wednesday afternoon and we had hoped to go to church that night but we were so exhausted that we went to our hotel and slept for almost 11 hours. The next morning we got up, excited about the day's events. We went to get some local, freshly baked bread and coffee (gotta have the coffee!).

    But from that morning on it was a whirlwind tour. First, we went to a local high school where we were scheduled to preach. Bro. Tony preached to a group of about 200 students. He preached a clear 30 minute salvation message and saw hands go up all over the assembly when the invitation was given. Those who came forward at the invitation were taken into small groups by our team and the Word and salvation through the blood atonement of Jesus alone was further expounded to them.

    We saw 93 students pray and receive Jesus as their personal Saviour that first meeting. We preached at two more schools that day and had similar results. We saw this repeated over and over. The bulk of our trip was preaching in these schools as well as surveying the area for God's direction on where to start a work. In all, we preached to about 1,700 students and saw over 800 come to the Lord in salvation. Follow-up cards were generated from those who had come forward at the first and second invitation and who had prayed and made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

    These cards were then turned over to the local Baptist churches of like faith and order to ours in their area or closest to their area (not all towns have one). These will be followed up on during the next few weeks and months. These cards are how we were able to keep count of the professions of faith.

    As well as preaching in the schools we went from town to town around the island of Leyte and we handed out thousands of gospel tracts, preached in the streets, had many soul-talks with these precious people and preached in many Baptist churches who were thrilled to have us come and fellowship with them. All in all we believe we preached and witnessed to over 2,500 people during ur trip.

    There was a man named Antonio in a park who was playing a sad song on a home-made guitar. He was blind and had no hands. He lost them in a fishing accident years ago. We watched as the gospel was given to this man with no hope, and he bowed his head and sweetly trusted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. Now he shares the same blessed hope that we do!

    There was a taxi driver named Sherwin who was stuck in a rut in his life, not knowing what "fate" had in store for him. Bro. Tony was riding in his taxi when they got stuck in traffic for 45 minutes. Bro. Tony witnessed to him about Jesus, had a deep soul talk with him and then listened as this man accepted the truth and prayed to receive Jesus.

    Don Salinas was one of our security detail who had been with us asking questions about God and the Bible. He had been searching for the truth for years and was so close. Upon having our team at his disposal to ask questions day and knight, he finally became gloriously saved during the last night of preaching at Bible Baptist Church in Tacloban City, Leyte. Bro. Tony preached a message entitled "The Last Soul" and more than half of those in attendance were at the altar during the invitation. Among those was Bro. Don who asked Jesus for forgiveness for waiting so long to put his trust in Him.

    The next day Bro. Tony had the privilege of baptizing Bro. Don at a beach in San Jose not too far away. Bro. Don is the first convert to be baptized under this ministry. We praise God for His goodness and for openning the door wide for the message of the gospel to get through and for us to be a part of this tremendous harvest.

    Bro. Tony also came upon a 3.1 acre piece of property that he can purchase for $5,000.00. That's right, and it is in Babatngon, the town where the Lord has led Bro. Tony to start one of His local New Testament churches. Wouldn't it be great to be a part of this ministry and receive God's blessings for it as well. If you would like to have Bro. Tony & Sis. Ypille for a meeting at your church or would like to take them on for financial support, or perhaps donate towards the property to build a church please visit our "contact" page to get in touch with us or send your gift.

    To GOD be the glory, great things HE hath done!