Vision & Mission

Our Vision

To be a Christ-focused open and simple church discipleship community where faithful worshippers of our heavenly Father lovingly serve one another and reach out to the world through the love and power of the Holy Spirit

Our Mission

To proclaim the Gospel of Love by raising empowered disciples who will multiply open and simple churches by living a life of love and sacrifice for each other and for their communities

Footwashing in the Filipino Culture

Jn 13:12 –Jn 13:17 (GWT)
After Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothes, he took his place at the table again. Then he asked his disciples, “Do you understand what I’ve done for you?
You call me teacher and Lord, and you’re right because that’s what I am. So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. I’ve given you an example that you should follow. I can guarantee this truth: Slaves are not superior to their owners, and messengers are not superior to the people who send them. If you understand all of this, you are blessed whenever you follow my example.

Foot-washing is not a ritual to show humility. Nor is it a means to humble oneself. It is a cultural expression of hospitality and humility. In Israel, it was a job for the lowest slave. It was accorded to all honored guests. Guests who were not welcome were not given the honor. Note the lack of respect by one of the Pharisees who hosted Jesus. Yet among the women believers, "washing the feet of the saints" is equated with hospitality.

The cultural equivalent of foot-washing among modern Filipinos is offering (and actually cooking) a meal and a place to stay for the night. Among expat Filipinos (and OFWs), the equivalent could include offering to tour and even provide transportation to a guest.

The offer of hospitality has to include doing something that is commonly done by household helpers. In the Philippine provinces, this would even include personally harvesting fruit for take-home by the guest. It is the act of taking a servant's job and doing it for a guest. Of course, if a person is poor or does not have hired help, then he/she has to do the act himself regardless. (I guess that's the advantage and "higher position" of the poor.)

What Jesus is calling for here is for us His servants to humble ourselves before each other, to welcome each other wholeheartedly, and to serve each other humbly. By welcoming and serving each other, we are actually welcoming and serving the Lord. "Whatever you have done to the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me."

Every home a church

It has always been a question in my mind how we are supposed to grow as God's children and as a Church. In my discussions with the brothers here and with my wife, it seems that the way we can truly grow together as a family and as a church, is to integrate the family and the church. The family is the church first and foremost. It is only as we grow as a family that we grow as a church. If our beliefs as Christians do not transform our lives at home, it is pointless going out with the "good news" because the good news is not good news at all. Here's a diagram of our first steps as Christians in our families and in our communities:

"...4 Hear, Israel: God is our God; God is one:
and you shall love God your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart;
and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes.
You shall write them on the door-posts of your house, and on your gates."
[Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - BBE]

To begin teaching our families about God, we must first walk as Christ would and follow His life. We teach by example. We disciple by example. We must talk, walk, think, eat, drink, and breathe Christ in our lives first.

Our homes must first become a church before we can draw others to become church with us.

I would most appreciate any comments you have on this.

Update on Togo refugees in Ghana

This is the latest from our brothers and sisters from Togo who are now refugees in Ghana. I was pleasantly surprised to receive this letter from Udeme. Thank God they are safe and the church is thriving more than ever in the area.

Greetings to you in the love of Christ. May this finds you and your family doing well. The fellowship here is growing, as we continue to keep the Lord Jesus the centre of our fellowship with each other, serving Him as the objective, His glory as our goal in all things.

We have recently ended an outreach meetings in a village here in Ghana. More than 18 people denounced voodoo & idol worshipping and accept the Lord Jesus Christ during those meetings. We are starting a new home fellowship in that village, please pray for success as we continue to nurture these new converts to the family of God.

Things here are still hard at the present, there are several needs among the brethren here. By faith, the trials are only blessings while abiding in Him. There is never reason for complaining, only the giving of thanks. It is true that God uses our time of suffering and difficulties to remodel, filter and soften us into His likeness! So that we may deminish, and Christ might increase!! The centre of all these, is that Christ might be all in us, and have all the glory!

You are always in our thoughts and prayers. May we continue to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Extend our greetings, love and thanks to your family and to the brethren there. We look forward to hearing from you.

Your brother,
Udeme & the brethren here