Project Hope II

By Kent Craig

What a wonderful two weeks of partnership in the Lord's work! Many Filipinos were touched by the gospel, and Filipino pastors were encouraged by the fellowship of their American counterparts in Project HOPE II from January 28-February 10, 1998.

After two days of orientation in Manila, the 38 participating North American pastors joined 900 members from the Manila area Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in the Philippines to launch Project HOPE II. Eight choirs from the fellowship of churches provided special music, including a 100-voice choir singing People Need the Lord as Filipino faces were projected on a stage length screen.

Then the pastors traveled to their destinations, spanning the islands from north to south. In cooperation with local churches, the pastors ministered for eight days. Filipinos trusted Christ as Savior; believers were challenged to be more effective witnesses; local pastors were encouraged in their efforts. In one instance, a Bible study in a local jail resulted in several professions of faith among the inmates. Another evangelistic service saw a Roman Catholic woman trust the Lord. Several Bible school students gave their lives for full-time missionary service.

We have never endured as much opposition to ministry as we encountered during Project HOPE II: the theft in October 1997 of the computer containing all the plans and correspondence; the robbery from our post office box that removed requests from national churches to participate in the project; the delayed arrival of pastors from the USA because of weather and mechanical problems; and the grounding of Cebu Pacific Airlines after the crash of flight #387 that killed all 104 passengers and crew members.

God used even the total halt of all Cebu Airlines flights, which many of our Project HOPE II pastors were scheduled to take, for His glory. I had to visit the Cebu Airlines office to get reimbursed for the 20 unused tickets. The volume of paperwork lasted beyond the office's 5:00 p.m. closing. As I talked with the attendants, I learned that a friend of one of the young ladies died aboard flight #387. We started discussing God's sovereign control of events, which directed the conversation toward the gospel. Those young women said that they would like to hear more about the gospel.

A leader from one of the American churches whose pastor took part in Project HOPE II sent a message stating, "Please return our pastor in approximately the same condition that you receive him." Although this leader was joking, none of the participants returned in the same condition in which they arrived in the Philippines. God enlarged their vision and deepened their passion for souls.

Although HOPE stands for Helping Open People's Eyes, it might just as well be Helping Open PASTORS' Eyes as these statements from pastors reveal:

Former ABWE missionary to the Philippines Pastor David Nelson of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ithaca, New York had this to say: "Project HOPE II offered many opportunities to help open the eyes of people blinded by sin. I came away thrilled to have my own spiritual sight greatly improved."

Glenn Ray, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan said, "My excitement for missions has been enhanced by this experience. Seeing the full cycle of missions makes me realize even more the necessity of sending missionaries."

Pastor Rex Furman from Calvary Baptist Church in Everett, Washington stated, "More than anything else I was struck by the profound work of the pioneer missionaries who initiated the Philippine work. More than 70 years later over 1,440 indigenous churches stand true to the faith, still propagating the gospel. I was not only impressed, but also moved to recommit every moment of my life and every facet of my meager talents to serving our Savior."

Greg Greve, from Immanuel Baptist Church in Arcanum, Ohio had prayed that God would enable him to "connect" with the people in the remote area where he was preaching. His first Sunday, Greg planned to preach on Matthew 5:13-15, "Ye are the salt of the earth." He says, "I was in awe of the grace of God that He had brought me halfway around the world and assigned me to a remote spot on the globe where nearly 50% of the population in this small, provincial town are employed as saltmakers."

Back to Top	Respond to this Article Email Article to a Friend Print this Article