Cebuano

WHO are they? Cebuano people can trace their ancestry back to many different

cultures—including Spanish and Chinese, as well as other groups within the Philippines.

And even today, many Cebuanos, who are sometimes also called Visayan, speak more

than one language. In addition to their native language of Cebuano, some speak

English quite well, and others can also speak Tagalog, the Filipino national language.

Many Cebuano people live in simple two or three room homes built from bamboo and/or

wood.

WHERE do they live? The Cebuano mainly live on the islands surround the Visayan

sea, but many have migrated to other areas in the Philippines.

HOW many? With around 18,295,000 Cebuano people living in the Philippines, this

group is the second largest ethnic group in the Philippines.

WHAT do they worship? Most Cebuano people are Roman Catholic, and less than 5%

are evangelical Christians. In some areas, their Roman Catholic belief is mixed with

animism (the belief that inanimate objects have spirits) and even witchcraft. Though

they will be quick to tell you that they believe in Jesus and may even be able to tell you

all about His life, many Cebuanos are hoping that their good works and the religious

rituals will get them into heaven. The idea of having a personal relationship with Jesus

and studying the Bible for themselves is often new to them.

PRAYER needs: The Bible and other Christian materials have been translated into their

language, but with a people group so large, there is still much work to be done!

• Ask the Lord to call out people who are willing to go to the Philippines and share

Christ with the Cebuano people.

• Ask God to soften and prepare the hearts of the Cebuano people for the Gospel.

• Pray that the existing Cebuano churches and believers would be encouraged,

strengthened and protected. Pray that God will call out missionaries and pastors

from them as well!

Look What One Association Can Do!

Several years ago, the founder of Nehemiah Teams, visited Mangagaoy Baptist Church to promote his new summer mission initiative to send young people to fulfill the Great Commission in this generation. Since that time individuals from the church have participated in Nehemiah Teams, but in 2012, it seemed the floodgate opened, when 5 young people met together with one simple prayer, that their number [of Nehemiah participants] be doubled.

God more than answered, and this year the Bethel Association of Southern Baptist Churches (BASBC) sent 15 young people, all active in local Filipino churches, to join the Caraga Franchise of Nehemiah Teams. God tripled the starting number! Those 15 represent four churches (Mangagoy Baptist Church, Bislig Baptist Church, Hope Baptist Church, and Calvary Baptist Church.).

“It was all by God’s abundant grace that we were able to join Nehemiah Teams this year.” says Wesley, who was instrumental in organizing the young people committed to joining Nehemiah Teams in 2012. “We then prayed that God would provide for our financial needs.” And what followed was a testimony to the unity of the Body of Christ.

The committed young people presented their concerns before the association, who in turn helped them coordinate with local churches to raise the needed funds. “The association helped make it possible for many to go.” Wesley explained, “We had the desire but needed the support of our churches to raise the needed money. It really encouraged us to know that the local churches would support us. That they thought what we were doing was important.”

The Nehemiah Teams 2012 participants are both encouraged and challenged by the support given to the youth of the Bethel Association of Southern Baptist Churches. Encouraged because of the financial and prayer support given and challenged to take the same vision to their local churches and associations.

There is a generation of young Filipino people seeking to fulfill the Great Commission – will their local churches and associations rise up and support them? Will they encourage the young people to continue in their obedience- reaching the unreached and hard to reach in the Philippines – so that every tribe and tongue of the Philippines can take it’s place around the throne of God?

Be a part of Nehemiah Teams by supporting the youth of your church and association as they obey God’s calling in their lives and you will be amazed at what God can do through the lives of young people surrendered to God’s will!

Borbon Team

Jetter

"Early in the morning when we were sharing the Gospel house to house, we saw five men in the billiards and we tried to approach them – but we did not recognize that they were involved in drugs at the moment. Three of the men were interested and stayed to listen, but one left thinking we were government officials. One of those men accepted Christ and wants to have a Bible Study at his house the next day.
 The people of Borbon are very hospitable they are willing to accept the team members and will invite them into the house, but the actual Gospel is often rejected.
 Another time as we went around the mountain we met a woman who had been reading the Bible who had been waiting for someone to tell her about Jesus. She asked us about Acts 15:15 – as we talked she realized she needed and wanted to know more. She asked that the team will set up times to to have Bible Studies with her.
 The place there is ready for harvest but the workers are only four. Will you join us next and share the truth of God’s salvation in Borbon?"

Jetter Sarino, South Cotabato Franchise Leader

Please join us in praising the Father for the souls saved and continue to pray for the Borbon team to have opportunities to share with people who are ready to accept the the truth of God's Word.

Please pray for the Luzon Franchise.

Batangas- Steeped in religious tradition and idolatry, many Batangueños have been resistant to Bible study, but that is slowly changing, especially amongst the younger generation. The more exposure they have to truth, the more barriers will continue to fall. Please pray for the Batanga team as they build a wall of truth around the province!

-Please pray for open hearts amongst the Batangueños, that hear God’s Word and believe in the name of Jesus!
-Please pray for the Batangas Team to be bold in sharing the truth of God’s Word.

Quezon
Trapped in superstitious beliefs and false religious teaching, Quezon remains less than 2% evangelical. Still there are areas where the Gospel has not yet been taken. In these places, people continue to live their lives in bondage. They long for a freedom that they think would only come when this life ends. Please pray that they accept the truth that will set them free!
-Please pray for the strongholds of superstitious beliefs to be broken and God’s truth to be revealed.

-Please pray that they people of Quezon understand the freedom that comes with a relationship with Christ.
-Pray that the Quezon Team be persistent in sharing the Gospel.

Agta/Bicolano, Without a grave, without proper burial ceremonies, the soul of the one who had died cannot enter heaven – this very popular belief has trapped many of the people of this region. They cannot leave their religion for a personal relationship with Christ because Christians have not a graveyard of their own. How long should they continue to live in this fear? Please pray for the Bicol Team as they share the truth about God ‘s redeeming love with the Bicolanos.

-Please pray for the fear to be broken and the power of the one true God to be revealed.
-Pray for the unity of the Bicol Team, that God be glorified by their actions and honored in the presentation of Him.

Please Pray for the Iloilo Franchise!

Batbatan is an island of Culasi, province of Antique. It is home to the people group called the TANGAYS. The island has only one barangay with 9 sitios, and has a population of around 2500 people and without any existing evangelical church. By the grace of the Lord, we will plant the first church! Please partner with these two teams, as they preach the name of Jesus Christ among the Tangays!

-Please pray for team unity as they work together to share God’s love to the Tangays.
-Pray for the safety of the team.
-Please pray for the people they will be ministering to, that they have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that are ready to confess Jesus as Saviod and Lord.

Jayson, Camotes Team

What excites me the most about being here in Camotes is that Jetter [the franchise leader] had told us that there were many people there that did not know about Christ. I realized that this was the time to spread the Gospel and seek out lost people.
 My vision for Camotes is to make the name of God well known in Camotes Island. And for the people to have a church to gather in and worship God with their families. 

Naomi, Camotes Island

Omai, Camotes Team 2012

"Since I met Kuya  Jetter  in Marbel through my Uncle and Uncle I have been interested and excited about joining  Nehemiah Teams - what God can do through me. I'm so excited to preach the Gospel at Camotes Island. It is very challenging to my life.

I am 17 and it is my first time going NT. I really love Jesus- and want to share what He has done for me! I am like a blooming flow -spreading wonderful  and beautiful things that Jesus has given me. [That is why it is my desire] To honor God and be a missionary.

My vision for Camotes Island -with my team- is that all the people here will kneel down unto the Lord, to be discipled, and to build a church. 

When people reject the Gospel it makes me want to continue on in sharing because I know their need for Jesus - and I want to be bold in sharing His our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!" 

5 ways to pray for NT particapants.

1. FOCUS ON GOD. Pray that the summer missionaries will remain focused on his/her relationship with God. That the NT participants’ relationship with Jesus Christ be their first priority and their motivation for sharing the saving gospel message.

2. TEAM UNITY. The testimony of the team as a whole is an illustration of the how the Body of Christ works and cooperates together- please ask God for team unity in the NT. Pray that as the team works together that the glorify their Father in Heaven.

3. HUMILITY. Please pray that as they minister to the lost that they follow the example of Jesus Christ. In humility and love that they are able to demonstrate the gospel to the communities they are serving in.

4. BOLDNESS. Please pray for the NT participants that they will boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel.

5. LISTEN TO GOD. Please ask God that the participants have ears to hear God, and that they remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s moving.

Kamayo

WHO are they? Mostly farmers and fishermen, the Kamayo live a simple lifestyle that is

focused on surviving, not thriving. They practice traditional ethnic religions that

emphasize superstition. Another name the Kamayo are sometimes called is Kinamayo.

WHERE do they live? Most live in the Southern Surigao del Su province, with some

also living in Davao Oriental and Agusan Sur.

HOW many? There are about 9,400 Kamayo people living the Philippines, and only

about 3.5% of them are evangelical Christians.

WHAT do they worship? Most of the Kamayo people put their faith in animistic,

traditional ethnic religions. These religions are a major part of not just their spiritual

lives, but their culture as well.

PRAYER needs:

• There are no reported Bible translations in the Kamayo’s language. Pray that

God would call out great translators to come translate the Bible so that the

people can learn more about Him.

• Pray that the existing churches here would be strengthened, and that God would

continue calling out missionaries and pastors from among the Kamayo people.

• Pray against the powers of darkness that are blinding the Kamayo from

worshipping the one true God.

Please pray for the SC Franchise.

Less than 1 percent (1%) evangelical Christians. They hunger for His Word. They must hear the Gospel and learn the truth about the Loving God and apply His Word at all cost. The dominant religion is Roman Catholic and Rizalian.

-Please pray for the Camotes Team as they share the truth of God’s Word.

-Please pray that the God’s Word will fall on open hears and hearts ready to understand the gospel and to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

-Please pray that the team will be effective witness in their area, and bring honor to God’s name.

Please pray for the Mt. Carmel Franchise

The Nehemiah Teams Mt. Carmel Franchise opens an avenue to share the truth of God’s Word with have had little or no access to the gospel. The lost have been waiting for generations to hear the good news! Will you partner with us to being the saving name of Jesus to those who have never before heard His name?

-Please pray for team unity.
-Pray for focus of the team members, that they remain faithful in sharing God’s Word with boldness.
-Pray also that the strongholds can be broken and the truth be seen.

Camotes Island Team in Snapshots!

Luzon Franchise Orientation

Snapshots of Zanorte Franchise Orientation!

Higaonon Manobo

WHO are they? The Higaonon Manobo are also one of the eight Manobo people

groups who live in the Philippines. The Higaonon people are known for being good

hunters and farmers, and they often travel from one mountain to the next, looking for

fertile soil for a better harvest. They are warm and friendly people, but they can also be

fierce warriors when intimidated. Like other Manobo groups, the Higaonon Manobo use

the “datu” legal system. One main leader, called the datu, rules over several clans. He

is responsible for the goings-on in the whole community! When a datu realizes he is

about to die, he passes on the title to one of his sons.

WHERE do they live? All eight Manobo groups live on Mindanao, the Philippines’

largest island. The word Higaonon means “people of the wilderness” or “people of the

mountain” which is a good fit for the Higaonon people because many do live in remote

areas throughout the Bukidnon Province!

HOW many? There are about 40,000 Higaonon people, and about 15% are estimated

to be evangelical Christians. That means that 34,000 still need to hear the gospel!

WHAT do they worship? Like the Agusan Manobo, many Higaonon people believe in

many unseen spirits that interfere in the lives of humans and one “great spirit” that

created them.

PRAYER needs:

• Only the New Testament has been translated into the Higaonon people’s

language. Pray that God would call out great translators to come and finish

translating the Bible so that the people can learn more about Him.

• Pray that the existing churches here would be strengthened, and that God would

continue calling out missionaries and pastors from among the Higaonon people.

• Pray against the powers of darkness that are blinding the Higaonon Manobo from

worshipping the one true God.

Please pray for the Zanorte Franchise!

People are lost and dying without the hope of Christ. Please pray for the Cebu Teams as they share the gospel of Christ with the people of rural Cebu.

-Please pray that for open homes and opportunities to share the gospel.

-Pray for team unity.

What are you most excited about for NT 2012?

"I am excited for the area and for the people there who have not heard the Word of God and to be used  by God for that."  Jael

"I am excited because I want to share the Gospel with the people who do know our Savior." Jimmerson

“For me, I am most excited about being a leader. Especially in Dinagat Island. It is a good place but in the spiritual aspect it is not. I am excited also, to see how God will use me personally.” Keila

“I am excited to go to the Sawata Ata Tribe because I know it is God’s will and of course I am excited because there are a lot of people [in the Sawata Ata Tribe] that does not know Christ or have a relationship with Christ- and I don’t want them to die without knowing him. I am also excited to go because I have a lot of family there. I have prayed for this place and I know God will do amazing things in the Sawata Ata Tribe! Thank you for your prayers, I know you are praying for us.” Vonn

 

“ Going to the field and reaching and telling the people 

about God.” Rey 

Cinamiguin Manabo

WHO are they? Camiguin Island, where many of the Cinamiguin Manabo live, has

seven volcanoes on it, including the still-active Mount Hibok Hibok. But that volcanic soil

is actually very fertile, which allows the Cinamiguin Manabo to farm all kinds of crops,

such as corn, coffee, coconuts and other fruits and veggies. The island’s volcanoes,

waterfalls and interesting diving spots make it a favorite for tourists.

WHERE do they live? The Cinamiguin Manabo live on Camiguin Island and along the

Northern coast of Mindanao. 

HOW many? There are about 141,000 Cinamiguin Manabo people, and less than

1.5% of them are thought to be evangelical Christians. That’s just a little over 2,000

believers!

WHAT do they worship? Most of the Cinamiguin Manabo people put their faith in

animistic, traditional ethnic religions. These religions are a major part of not just their

spiritual lives, but their culture as well.

PRAYER needs:

• Ask the Lord to call out people who are willing to go to the Philippines and share

Christ with the Cinamiguin Manabo.

• Ask the Lord to raise up a group of qualified linguists to translate the Bible into

their language.

• Ask God to soften and prepare the hearts of the Cinamiguin Manabo for the

Gospel.

• Pray that the small number of Cinamiguin Manabo believers would be

encouraged, strengthened, protected—and increased!

LEARN more:

• For more photos of Camiguin island, visit http://www.camiguin.gov.ph/

Nehemiah Teams Memory Verses (NIV)

Start memorizing now!

1.  Salvation

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.

2.  Salvation

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

3.  Soul Winning

Romans 10:14-15

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?

4.  Soul Winning

Acts 20:24

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

5.  Learning from the Past

Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it.”

6.  Learning from the Past

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

7.  Trials, Growth, & Humility

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

8.  Trials, Growth, & Humility

I Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine.

9.  Confession

I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

10.  Confession

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

11.  Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

12.  Holy Spirit

John 7:37-38

“If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

13.  Holy Spirit

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

14.  Holy Spirit

Colossians 1:27

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

15.  God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

16.  God’s Word

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

17.  God’s Word

2 Peter 1:21

For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

18.  Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

19.  Spiritual Warfare

2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

20.  Spiritual Warfare

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer.

21.  Second Coming

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

22.  Second Coming

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

23.  Second Coming

Matthew 24:30

At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

24.  Judgment

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

25.  Judgment

Matthew 25:32

All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

26.  Judgment

Revelation 20:15

If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Gate Ten Brought to you by Prem and Rey!

Gate # 10: Inspection (Judgement)

Short Description

The final gate is the inspection gate. Miphkad Gate (in Hebrew); has connection with military affairs and refers to the mustering of the troops for numbering and inspection. This gate represents an immigration office where immigrants have to register their name. In those days; if any visitor has to enter in city they had to register their name in order to get access into the city.

#1 Why/ How is this gate important to the Christian Faith?

This gate speaks to us of the bema seat of Christ where our lives are inspected and rewarded appropriately. In our Christian experience we should be living with this in mind. We are called to live our lives with eternity in view, caring more for the things of eternity than the temporal that we see around us.

#2 How can this Gate be applied to one’s personal walk/ faith?

Prophetically this gate also speaks of the judgement of the nations that takes place when Jesus returns. This is recorded in the sheep and the goats judgement in Mathew 25:31-46. When Jesus will come he will gather his people here and reward His people according to their works.

#3 What is the most important lesson you learned from this gate?

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:10-12). Every believer has the opportunity to serve the Lord. When Jesus comes back He will review our lives and reward faithful service. Although believers cannot lose their salvation they can lose their reward. This will result in grief and shame for them.

#4 What have you learned from this gate that you would like to encourage/ challenge the blog reader with?

This is the gate where we need to inspect ourselves. Let’s not wait to someone to come to point us and our weaknesses, rather let’s go back and check our gates in our lives. If they are needed to repaired let’s do it! If we wait until Jesus comes; that will be too late, because we will not have chance to correct in order to be rewarded.

Amen!

Gate Nine Brought to you by Ernest

The Eastern Gate is the first gate to be open early in the morning to see the sunrise. This was also the gate were the king would wait for soldiers who came from the battlefield.

How is this gate important to my faith? 

"14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." & “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." and Matthew 24: 14 & 30 

The verses above help us see that the end is near and that as believers we must use our time wisely while faithfully preaching the gospel of Christ.

How can I apply this gate to my life? 
We must endure! We must remember that our work is not in vain. We will be with Jesus soon!

Challenge for the reader: Keep standing firm in your faith! Do not waste your faith or your time!

Gate Seven Brought to you by Lovigie

Gate Seven, The Water Gate
Symbolizes God's Word

Description of Gate: The water gate was the only gate that was not burned with fire after the wall of Jersusalem was broken down. This gate represents the Word of God. It was right after the fountain gate (symbolizing how the Word of God and the Holy Spirit belong together). The Holy Spirit is what brings the Word of God alive.

How is this gate important to the Christian faith? This gate is important because God's Word is the basis of our faith. We grow in faith through hearing, believing, and obeying his word. Opening this gate will allow us to have confidence in the the truth of Scriptures while closing this gate will lead us to a life of doubting and ignornace.

How can this gate be applied to my personal walk? A good person loves the Lord's teachings. He thinks about them day and night. So that person becomes strong like a tree planted by streams of water. He is like a tree that will bear fruit in the right time. He is like a tree with leaves that won't die. Everything he does is successful. (Psalm 1:2-3)

What is the most important lesson you learned from the gate? This gate makes me realize how all-powerful, compassionate, and loving our God is. I should allow him to be the Lord of my life, and live according to HIS will.

Challenge to the reader: To love God is to know Him more and to do things He commands - I challenge you to open this gate and like the Jews of Berea for they received the message with eagerness.  (Acts 17:11).