NEW DIRECTIONS

A couple of years ago God began to show us that our time and purpose for being with AFC was coming to a close and we started to pray for God’s direction. During this same time (unknown to us) God was putting into place others who would take over the leadership. In November, through an extraordinary set of circumstances (that only God could have orchestrated or planned) two of the AFC board members who care deeply about the AFC mission stepped forward to assume the director’s job and lead that mission to their next level. The board members’ lengthy involvement with the AFC mission allowed them to begin immediately, with no transition time.

This unexpected release from our commitment to AFC was God’s answer to our prayer for direction and in January 2009 we will return to the Philippines to resume our original ministry of Discipleship. We will focus our discipleship ministry on college and high school youth. We will once again provide Children’s Sunday School lesson material and teacher training. And as God guides we look forward to starting another congregation in Davao City. The fact that more than half of the population of the Philippines is under the age of 21 has greatly influenced our direction.

We plan to continue working with some men whom we have mentored for several years and to let them take the lead in this ministry. They have watched us in ministry, and worked along side of us with us in the lead; now it is time to let them take the lead and for us to work alongside of them.

Our biggest financial need will be to have enough funds to rent a building large enough to house us, our co-workers and all the ministry space needed. We need an additional $1,000 monthly support.

We covet your prayers as we return to the Philippines and as we begin this ministry. Pray for God’s provision of our financial needs and for wisdom and guidance as we look for the right location for the ministry—we want to be close to one of the many universities in Davao City.