Cross-Cultural Ministry Report

Sukran is a Maguindanaoan word for “Thank You.” This was the first word I heard from an Ustad (Muslim elder/teacher) when I first visited our field worker in his target community at General Santos City in 2010. The man was grateful for the work (computer literacy) that our worker has been doing among the young people. Through this platform, livelihood program and culturally-relevant means, our worker is able to share the Gospel in a holistic and contextualized approach. Hence, many Muslim mothers and youth were exposed to the gospel message and coming to the saving knowledge of Christ or Isa Al Masih (Jesus the Messiah among the Muslims). Similar things are happening to other Unreached People Groups of Mindanao where CBAP has ministry, especially among the Sangil, Tausug, Maranaw, Kalagan, and  Badjao. Ten years ago CBAP “have always tried to preach where people have never heard about Christ” (Romans 15:20, CEV). We adopted the Nosu gpeople of China as a flagship project, then the Sindhi people of Pakistan; started the Muslim ministry in Mindanao, and among others because “we were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there” (Act 16:10, CEV). Our cross-cultural workers are doing well, but the harvest in our target people groups is huge and requires more workers and greater church participation. Below is summary of their ministry with regards to Church planting:



Compared to local evangelism and church planting many would recognize its difference in terms of numerical accomplishment. The reason is known to few that cross-cultural work requires more than skills; it entails cultural understanding and strategic approach which are not easily acquired in few years of ministry. The result also implies greater participation  of EVERY CBAP CHURCH in terms of prayer, logistics and financial partnership.











DIASPORA MINISTRY

HONGKONG.
The fruit of our labor in Hong Kong through the ministry of Rev. Jorge De Ramos is now seen in this 14th biennial conference when we accepted Jubilee International Filipino Fellowship as bonafide member of CBAP. This two-year old church has 60 baptized members and around 80-120 people attendance on Sunday. Pastor Jorge has committed two more years to serve in Hong Kong with his wife, Bolen, and daughter Thea. Let us continue to pray for God’s provision and protection for these dear servants of God.       

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
A local CBAP church, Victory Christian Church, in Cavite has started a church in UAE; a group of believers have now regular fellowship in Dubai and Abu Dhabiwith around 40 people attendance. Through the help of CBAP,  a tentmaker, who graduated from IGSL was sent to UAE to help develop the ministry.

CANADA.
In facing this challenge and as we move into the second phase of Visions 2025, the Cross cultural ministry department has developed the following Master Plan:


VISION STATEMENT
To glorify God and participate in making disciples of all nations, we envision churches multiplying churches among
10 Least Evangelized Peoples by 2015

MISSION STATEMENT
Missional churches engaged in cross cultural Groaning,
Giving, Greeting, Going, and Guiding
(5-G movement)


Cross-cultural ministry is not the work of the national office alone, it's mainly the work of the whole CBAP. Allow me to present to FOUR main challenges if we are to meet our set goals in the second phase of Vision 2025.

INTENSIFIED PRAYER - Mission prayer should truly be our top priority. No one who loves God and missions would dispute this. Prayer must be a priority over giving, as the first step to mission involvement for every member. If the priority of prayer is maintained, and if strong relationships grow between prayer partners and missionaries, giving is a natural by-product. Prayer is also a command from the Lord, a   process from which He calls harvest workers.

INCREASED GIVING – There is a challenge to stewards of God’s wealth to give; those who give to give more. I believe that when God calls missionaries to go, He also prepares people to pray and people to give. This is a call to them both.

INTENTIONAL GOING – We need more and younger full-time field workers. But “Going” is no longer exclusive for and limited to full-time missionary; short-term missions (STM) now plays significant contribution in reaching the least evangelized people. “Anybody now can go.” CBAP has regular STM in Mindanao and Indo-China every year designed to bless the missionary, the Target people group, and to be blessed as well.

IMPROVED CONNECTION – CBAP has designed training and education program for churches. The following are Cross-cultural ministry FLAGSHIP PROJECTS FOR PHASE 2 of Vision 2025: (1) “MISSION POSSIBLE”- A one-day missions conference for regional, provincial and local church gatherings. (2) KAIROS COURSE – This training aims to educate CBAP pastors and leaders of the essential foundations of missions. It is also intended to help churches set up missions committee; and to serve as a requirement for Short-Term Missions (STM) Exposure trips. (3) HIGHER PURPOSE COURSE for OFW MINISTRY – The purpose of this training is to prepare Overseas Filipino Workers of CBAP churches as tentmakers in their prospective country of employment.





Together as CBAP family, let us join heart and hand--share our resources-- so that “All who haven't been told about him will see him, and those who haven't heard about him will understand” (Romans 15:21, CEV).

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam!
(for the greater glory of God!)