AOT 3: Advancing with the Gospel

Finishing Well

Leaders nowadays find it easy to start both strong and well, but not finish in the same manner. They easily jump to conclusion saying, “Maybe this kind of ministry is not effective at all, I’ll just start a new one.” They seem to question the effectiveness of a ministry without trying to recognize the barriers in their leadership that keeps them from finishing well.

Let me share with you some things that we have discussed here at AOT that we need to finish well.

1.        Maintain a personal vibrant  relationship with God right up to the end.

        In the book Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards, he pointed out David winning his solitary battles. It is these times that brought David to success. He spent time singing praises to God, practicing sling shot and tending the sheep. It is important that we cultivate out time with God. The KEY TO SUCCESS lies in our intimate love relationship with God. As what Henry Blackaby said, “EVERYTHING in our Christian life depends on our love relationship with God.”

2.       Maintains a learning posture and learns from various kind of resources – but especially from life. Just like JESUS did when He chose Hid disciples, He chose F.A.T. (Faithful, Available, and Teachable) people. it is important we are FAITHFUL. Being faithful in small things leads to be ing faithful in big things. Being AVAILABLE is also vital. Leading is not about ABILITY but AVAILABILITY. And last but not the least we should have a TEACHABLE/ HUMBLE heart. Sometimes we don’t have this. We become proud when we are being taught.

3.       Gives evidence of Christ-likeness in character through the fruit of the Spirit in his life.

we call ourselves “CHRISTIANS” which means “little Christ”. we should give evidence of Christ-likeness in our life. Through our lives, we can be a living testimony and a channel to others of Christ’s life.

4.      Lives out truth in life such that his convictions and the promises of God are seen to be real.

Living a life with integrity is vital -- Life with no cover ups, no sham and completely genuine. “What they see in you with people is what you are when you are alone.” We should have convictions (firm belief) in our life. Integrity is the Heart of Character and the Foundation for effective leadership. God is more concerned on what we need to be rather than what we need to do for Him.

5.       Leaves behind one or more ultimate contributions – that is, a lasting legacy.

Leaving a lasting legacy shows that God’s work is continuing and not ceasing. It shows us that God never leaves us nor forsake us  (Hebrews 13:5) through our life. It shows the result of what God can do through one person totally surrendered to Him.

6.      Walks with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and sees some or all of it fulfilled.         

It is important that we have a LONG VISION in what we are doing. By believing in a vision, we can see where God will take us. By believing in a vision, we are putting ALL-EVERYTHING to God. God is at work, not me.  (Philippians 2:13)

This is just a tiny bit of what I have learned so far in training. This I really likes though because it showed me what I need to be able to finish well.

 God spoke to me many times here. Every day he gives me new insights and learning. God’s power is indescribable and immeasurable. I’m learning so much from God that I can’t write them all! J

God wants me to adjust my life to His will and cultivate my time and effort in my love relationship with Him. He wants me to become broken and empty before Him so that He can fill me with His Spirit into overflowing. I pray that God will continue to mold me and build me a character to match the assignment He will give me. That my life will only be for His purpose. Not “I” but Christ. (Galatians 2:20)

THANKS!

First of all I thank God for his sustaining grace in my life. I also thank the people who continue to pray for me. I thank the people who supported me to this training. I thank my Church – Mangagoy Baptist church for their support. I thank God for speaking and showing me new learnings every day.

HELP ME PRAY:

 -For my family (all will be settled)

  -For Nehemiah Teams this summer

  -For my life to be used more for God’s honor and                            glory

  -Provision for my schooling and for joining Nehemiah Teams

  -More courage, spiritual strength and growth

  -To obey and experience God more. 

-          --- Vijoren, 16 (Mangagoy, Surigao) 

AOT 3: Advancing with the Gospel

 How do we live a life that Glorifies God?

Gate 3 Old Gate – learning from the past  

Jeremiah 6:16, Hebrews 13:7 

TALE OF 3 KINGS

This tale by Gene Edwards is based on the Biblical figures of David, Saul and Absalom. This book is about forgiveness, brokenness, submission and humility. I liked this book because this gives comfort, healing and hope especially to Christians who have been hurt by other believers.

Many Christians today have experienced pain and suffering in the hands of other believers. Though hard to understand, God may really have purposed that so that we may become the perfect vessel – broken – of His Spirit and glory. God will sometimes allow us to experience pain and suffering to break us and build our character. God will crush us – kill the Saul and Absalom in us – so our hearts may be made pure.

Illustrations for Prisoner in in the Third Cell
and The Tale of Three Kings 

But when pain is caused by other believers, how should I react? How will I respond to them? Do I fight back?

When Jesus was accused and beaten, he did not fight back. He remained silent and humbled Himself. God also wants me to be humble and submit to those who are over me and even to those under me. How I treat those over me will be how I treat those under me. When under authority, I must serve the leader and when over others I must be their servant.

I thank God for teaching me to be submissive, to humble myself and be a good leader. I also thank God for see my pains and suffering in the light of His suffering.

Thank you also to those who continually pray for me. Please continue to pray

1.        That my with God will grow deeper each day

2.       That though AOT , God will continue to mold me and shape me into an instrument of His choosing

3.       That He may take my life and put it where He wills and work through it to accomplish His purposes for God has only one mission – that is all nations, and He only has one method – all believers.

To God be all the glory and honor!

 - Bryan, 21 (Bislig, Surigao)

AOT 3: Advancing with the Gospel

LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO!

“If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.”                                                    JOHN 12:26  (CEV)

Being a servant of the Lord is no easy thing. We need to give up things that really are important to us – dreams and most importantly being with family. We need to set aside everything according to what the Lord has said which is always right and will the end be for the good of many.

The book Look What God Can Do! is a compilation of biographies of mission heroes. This book shares the stories of how these men and women totally surrendered their lives – fame, wealth, dreams, plans and family – for God’s invitation to join Him in His work. Through this we could know somehow how their lives have contributed greatly to the salvation of so many all over the world through missions.

Reading this book, God challenged me to surrender myself to Him, to allow myself to be an instrument for His glory. Through my Quiet time, God spoke to me through John 12:26 “If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life.” Do not be afraid or worried, I promised to give you peace, a peace only I can give. It is not like the peace that this world can give. John 14:27

I also learned that God uses life’s trials and hardship as a way to strengthen my faith in Him and prepare me for whatever awaits me in the future.

I find real encouragement from these mission heroes. Let me quote some of them.

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.  - William Carey

In the vast plain to the north I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been.– Robert Moffat

My Jesus, my King, my Life, my All, I again dedicate my whole self to Thee. Accept me and grant, O gracious Father that when this year is gone, I may finish my work. – David Livingstone

A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in the little things is a great thing. – j. Hudson Taylor

Missionary work is a grain of sand, the work untouched is a pyramid… face it. Look and listen alone with God. Then go, let go, help go, but never think that everything short of this is being interested in missions. – Amy Carmichael

Look what God can do if Christ is in you!

Thank you for your support and prayers during this training. Continue to pray for us.

Prayer requests:

1.        Clear direction from Christ for the summer.

2.       Provision for all needs and for my family

- Lexter, 21 (Mindoro/ Batangas)

AOT 3: Advancing with the Gospel

How do we live a life that Glorifies God?

Gate 2: Fish Gate – Soul Winning

Romans 10:14 Romans 15 : 20 Luke 24:44-47

Isn’t it just right that if you all your life have lived in darkness and some kind hands brought you to the Healer, you were healed for free and you now can see, that you would go around to take other blind to Him so they may also receive sight? But this is not just right but actually this is the Plan of the Ages!

                    ⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

                         ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

                                                                   Luke 24:44-47

God’s plan from the very beginning has been that those who are blessed should then become a blessing to other nations – to all nations. (Genesis 12:1-3). God called us to bring the good news of the Kingdom of God to the world so they may all know and worship Him. The command of the Lord has never changed. Every disciple of the lord Jesus Christ must take seriously the command of the Lord to go and preach the Gospel to every part of the world – to every people group and making them His disciples. Whatever our situation in life is – we be rich or poor – we need to fulfill this privilege and responsibility we have received.

We are blessed to become a blessing. I have understood more that the Lord did not only save me so that may join Him in heaven one day but that I may be a herald of the Gospel to those who have not heard. God has placed a burden in my heart to reach all nations. That may look too great of desire, but like what William Carey said, “Expect great things from God.Attempt great things for God."

This task is not impossible. This is finish-able!

Thank you to the many people who pray and support me as I am in this training. Most of all, I thank the Lord God for helping me understand His great purpose.  

-         
                 --- Erick, 21 ( Camarines Norte, Bicol)

AOT 3: Advancing with the Gospel

How do we live a life that Glorifies God?

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days . --Nehemiah 6:15

Before the wall was rebuilt, the people of God were in great shame because of their torn down walls. “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The walls of Jerusalem have been burned with fire.”(Neh. 1:3) Many times, we are in great disgrace and unable to share Christ to those around us because of our broken lives. God used Nehemiah to rebuild not only the walls but also the lives of the people and their enemies and all the surrounding nations knew that the work had been done with the help of God. (Neh.3.16) 

Nehemiah Teams takes every young people going through the program through a study and memory verses that relates to the area of or Christian life that corresponds to each. At AOT a deeper look on each area is done to be able to help these leaders live a life that glorifies God and help other believers in these areas.

Gate 1: Sheep Gate – Salvation
Ephesians 2: 8-9, Titus 3:5, 1john 5: 11-13

This Gate is the first gates mentioned in the book of Nehemiah. This is where the lamb for offerings are brought. This symbolizes salvation – the sacrifice of the Lamb of God and putting our faith in Him, for without this, we can never live a life that Glorifies God.

At AOT, we had a deep and weeklong study on this gate. We looked into Grace, Faith, Repentance, Assurance of Salvation by reading from the Bible, reading stories and watching movies and video clips that would help us understand more of the unfathomable love of God for man. Among all that we studied on this gate, Grace really stood out for me. God spoke to me so much about His wonderful grace.

So, what is grace? It is a simple word but so hard to define, easier described. Grace is what Christ did on the cross to take the unforgivable and make it forgivable. Grace is not cheap, rather costly. It costs nothing for us but it cost everything for The Father – He sent is one and only Son to die on the cross! Jesus, who in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself in human likeness.

Grace is measureless. It is hard to comprehend why God loved us so much.

The Lord Jesus suffered because of you and me. He accepted all the accusations, insults, pain and suffering so that our relationship to God will be reunited. Because of his grace our sins were forgiven. Jesus said in John 19:30 “it is finished”. It was an announcement to all creation that it has been completed and nothing could be added to it. Wow! I am free! I am free from the wrath of God. I am free from the penalty of sin and I am alive because of what Christ has done. I am secure, my salvation is secure and I have the assurance from His word. He gave me eternal life not a temporary life. God is not a liar. What He has promised I can trust Him to keep. I also have the assurance based on Christ finished work. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the last and perfect atonement. He has given me His Holy Spirit who testifies with my Spirit that I am God’s child. There is nothing that I can do to make God love me more nor can i do anything to make him love me less. His love us unconditional.

I have been Justified. I am still in the process – I am being Sanctified, and I am assured that one day I will join Him in His glory – Glorified.

Thank you for all your prayers for me and for all of us here at AOT. May the lord continue to bless you richly and may you grow more and experience more of His beautiful grace.

Prayer Requests:

1.        That the Lord will give me a humble and teachable heart and broken spirit

2.       Guidance and wisdom from the Lord about where to go after AOT, and more passion for the lost.

3.       Financial provision for reaching more unreached peoples

4.      That I will listen to God’s voice, follow where He leads and abandon myself.

-Jael, 27  (Osamiz)

THE CALL has a COST

To which call will your heart respond to? 

“Nobody stood and applauded them

 Coz they knew from the start this road would not lead  to fame

All they really know for sure was Jesus had called to them

 He said, “Come follow Me” and  they came

With reckless abandon they came.

Empty nets lying there at the water’s edge

Told the stories that few could believe and none could explain

How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead

With no thought of what they would gain

For Jesus had called them by name.”

This is a song from Steven Curtis Chapman. I think this is would be AOT3’s theme song. As I ponder on the lyrics of this song, I can’t help but think of the mission heroes – Amy Carmichael, Lottie Moon, James O Fraiser and many others – who could have had easier, wealthier, possibly could have had fame but did not because they responded to the call.

this is Mho

I have my own mission heroes – mentors in life and ministry who I met because they did the same, they came.  There are also a number of friends who are even younger than I but have left their nets to follow Him wherever He leads. I think of Mho. I think she is just 23 years old. She graduated top of her class on Development Communications. Her short film in college ranked top among all the entries. She is the only believer in her family. She came to faith not more than 5 years ago.

Mentored by the Holy Spirit through mission minded people from Common Ground and church, her eyes were opened to the Command to all nations and the lost in the world. She joined Nehemiah Teams in 2012 and served with us in different ways before and since. God then placed a particular country in Asia in her heart. She adjusted her life considering that she may leave any time soon. She researched, equipped herself and looked for opportunities to go while she serves locally through her work and church ministry. She even applied at a mission agency sending people to that country! 

Late last year, a clear word from the Lord came. But it was to a different county, another people group – people groups. But it was clear. She left her work, sold pickled papaya to raise part of her support, made little bears out of towels for ministry partners who committed to join her in her journey, and in a few months, she was set to go!

Great, right? Of course! But this was not easy. Don’t just look past the situation with her family. She is the only beliver and the only one who had finished college! And just with in the past month and a half, 4 of her close relatives have died, all of them were unbelievers. Now, add that to the weight of what is already hard to do. Could she have misheard God?

She is not the only one who is going through this, who has gone through something like this and have yet to go through this – the tearing apart of heart for the need of those you love that is right before your eyes, and the command to go to the multitudes going to eternal death because they never even had the chance to hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a reality, a price to pay for following Christ.

Mho wept with her family and again, followed God to S.E Asia to serve there for a year.

a drawing illustration of the Nehemiah Teams vision

You may say, “I have not heard the call.”

the Rescue. a mobilization exercise

Here it is : Matthew 28:18-20

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[a]baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Here is the need:

4.1 billion people are unreached; 350 million people are unengaged

That is His call. What will you do? 

To which call will your heart respond to?

     

from one of the hikes to Brgy. Bandera

We here are just in the beginning of our journey. We each have paid some price for obeying and we pray that as we continue on this training, as we continue to sing this song and be elsewhere in the next months and years, we would be wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of His call.

We will abandon it all, for the sake of the call

No other reason at all but the sake of the call

Wholly devoted to live and to die

For the sake of the call.

Philippians 1: 20-21

- Cecil

Here are some photos from AOT 3. in the coming days, articles from these leaders will be posted here. 

Bryan, Vijoren, Jael illustrating the NT Goals

Algie working on the drawing for World Christian

Eric, Algie, Lex, Cristy illustrating the Parable of the King

Leading young people to finish the Great Commission in this generation

Jael and Bryan explaining NT goals 

lifeskills - collecting and chopping firewood

Vijoren and Bryan making a Rescue plan

all glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ!

Pray for them. Pray with us. Go with us!

Who remembers Tatay Fidel?

view from the ferry

A year ago, same season, Mabel, Mat and I met and went together to survey the islands of Cuyo and Agutaya in Palawan. We were told that the Ro-ro (small ferry) ride would take about 15-19 hours. In faith, we got on the ferry. I guess we were the last passengers booked so we got the beds at the very bottom of the ferry along with the sacks of rice, feeds and whatevers.

 As the 3 of us try to get to know each other (having just met), God opened opportunities for us to share to some people on that deck with us. Among them was (Tatay –sir /father) Fidel . He maybe late 50’s to early 60’s. He listened through the whole presentation of the Gospel using creation to Christ. “this is the first time that I heard that story and I believe that it is true.”, he said. Tatay Fidel put his faith in Jesus Christ and we prayed together. He asked if he could share this with his family. We gave him tracts explaining the truths on it that was also in the story, and wrote my cell phone number so he could contact us.

the boat to Agutaya

The ferry started moving and we started to get sea-sick. We left Tatay Fidel to find better ventilation. The ocean was really rough we could not even lie down nor eat. The journey that was said to be about 19 hours got to 27. We got off the ferry but did not see Tatay Fidel to say good-by. Tatay Fidel is from Agutaya. We were now in Cuyo island, 2.5 – hours away from Agutaya.

God made a way for us to get enough information to get to Agutaya. Through the help of a pastor from New Tribes Mission, we got some contacts in the island and were set to go. Tatay Fidel’s son and wife called asking if we would come to explain further what their father had shared to them. would we come to Agutaya? Yes!

Matt, our Hosts in Agutaya, Mabel and Me

As we get to the island of Agutaya, meeting our host. Tatay Fidel’s son called again. He is waiting for us. We were also waiting for him to meet us. We were boat waiting at the dock but could not see each other. It turned out that we were on 2 different islands. We were in mainland agutaya. They were in Diit island of Agutaya – another boat ride away. The weather condition, the limited time and costs did not allow us to get to their island. We just prayed that they will continue and hopefully one day be followed up on.

Tatay Fidel, his wife Nanay (ma’am/mother) Teresita and son George continued to call and reply to our messages even a few months after.

 young people from the only fellowship of believers in Agutaya

 Now, this season, a year after, we go once again to Agutaya to set up for a Filipino and American team in these remote islands. our thought was to get to the most strategic – Diit Island Agutaya, 5000+ population, no church or Algieceras Island, 4000+ population, no church. but these two islands were about 6 hours away on a boat and the waves are really rough so its impossible to get there around this time. Why not Diit island? God opened the door and we got to Diit island early morning the day after we arrived in Agutaya. Renting a small boat with our host Miss. Mercy, we got to Diit. As we talked to the community leaders about why we have come, our guide Ms. Mercy would never fail to tell them that we have also come to see Tatay Fidel.

walking in Diit Island

 After one year. We saw him again. He looks sad and sick. We almost did not recognize him. We introduced ourselves and he had a big smile on his face hurrying us to come to his house and meet his wife. Nanay Terisita is also sick and somewhat traumatized because they were also affected by the recent  typhoon Yolanda . She was crying as she shares. Then we told her how we met Tatay Fidel. She burst into more tears but with a smile.

the boat to Diit Island

“it was you! thank you for sharing that story to my husband. He shared it to us here and our other children through phone. Have you come to stay and teach us more about it?”

“Not yet this very time. But some friends will come.” We prayed together. 

all the Glory to the Lord our God!

Mabel with the local Officials and our Host Ms, Mercy

A 19 – 27 hours on a ferry, then some 2.5 – 3 hours ride on a motor boat, Finally, 45 minutes on a smaller boat. This is how one gets to Diit island. Superstitious beliefs are deep-seated in the lives of the people here making it hard for ministries to even begin. add to that the distance, the effort and cost of just getting here. 

This is where God willing, one of our Filipino Teams in Palawan will be,

 so is an American team in June-July. 

This is where Fidel Amorin and His family lives. 

Pray for them. Pray with us. Go with us. 


-Cecil

*sorry we forgot to take picture with Taytay Fidel and wife.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? How can they go unless they are sent?  - Romans 10:14-15