News from Steve, Helen and Matt after an exciting trip to the Philippines!
STEVE
Early in our trip I travelled to Gandara in Samar, where our ‘Miracle Haven’ Early Learning Centre and Children’s Home are flourishing. The young people are an absolute inspiration, and I was deeply impressed with the depth of joy and love for Jesus and one another.
The Sunday services were unforgettable! Passionate and miraculous. Scores of new people came to Christ. There were tears of repentance and joy. Then, the heavens opened! Like a mighty wave, people came under the healing presence of God. Deaf ears were opened, diseases were instantly healed, depression and despair were washed away. The atmosphere was charged with divine energy and overwhelming, awesome freedom.
I also visited Centre for Change in Burauen, Leyte Island, where we built 110 homes for families after Typhoon Haiyan. We held a very powerful evangelistic meeting, where I preached from Rom 5:1: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Many people found peace with God that night. It was wonderful to visit Burauen again. The ministry is strongly impacting the community and providing a home and education for street children.
I then ministered at San Antonio in southern Samar Island, where we met with families for whom we have built new homes. A big highlight for me was the salvation of the district Police Chief Inspector, “Matthew”. We had built a new home for his family members. He came to give thanks and found Jesus. A truly beautiful testimony.
I flew to Manila to prepare for further ministry and to meet Helen and Matt. We travelled together to Oriental Mindoro…
HELEN
Our visit to Mindoro was filled with wonderful times of God meeting people’s needs, friendship with people we love, and making plans together for the future. It was a special joy to spend time again with Pastor Mila, who after working and starting churches in Cyprus and other countries for 20 years, is now back home with her family. Everything within us supports the work that she, together with her amazing husband and the rest of her team, are doing in the town of Victoria! She is an outstanding lady and Christian leader.
MATT
This was my first trip to the Philippines after a lifetime of looking in on mum and dad’s travels there. God has set yet another fire in my heart, this time for the beautiful people of the Philippines, and my only struggle is wanting to be back there — and everywhere else — all at once!
The heart of worship at Liberty Christian Centre is stunning. I treasured a particular meeting last Saturday when the presence of God fell like a hush over everyone. Many quietly wept as the Spirit fell. For about twenty minutes, the room was thick with His love, and he did many works of healing in people’s lives.
I preached at the LCC youth meeting on Friday night, with over 180 young people present. Such growth from nothing in only two and a half years! I was also able to spend quality time with our young leaders, who give many days and nights each week in service to the church. I’m now looking at some exciting ways for us to continue sowing into their growth (even from ‘back home’), since their access to quality biblical training is limited to almost zero by their financial and living situations.
We also ran a pastors and leaders conference in the nearby city of Pinamalayan with pastors and leaders from 38 churches present. It was a powerful time of impartation, focused on inviting and hosting the presence of God in our daily lives and ministries.
We’re so excited to be helping the people of Mindoro Island to better serve their community in Jesus’ name. The constant growth of LCC will require significant work in the coming years to accommodate its many ministries. But this is the very best kind of problem! It’s our privilege to be growing God’s kingdom together, and I can’t wait to return.
With love from the Liberty People team!