Stories of Hope, Unity and Transformation

Marching Toward 2022
Reviewing 2021 What a year 2021 has been! Lockdowns, sickness, grief, stress… a challenging list that still expands, but I must say: We’ve also seen the emergence of many beautiful things such as generosity, empathy made real with online huddles and meet-ups,...

GANAP NA PAGHILOM: MATATAGPUAN LAMANG KAY HESUS
Lumaking walang ama, paano kung ang dating nagpo-protekta at tanging ama na nakagisnan mo ay siya mismong magtatangka sa’yong buhay? Saan mo pupulutin ang pira-piraso mong puso? May pag-asa pa ba itong mabuo? Ako si Jari. Bunso sa panig ng ina kung saan may isa akong...

Teachings Amidst Anthuriums
Painting in the Garden I was five years old. I was drawing flowers with a man in the middle of an anthurium garden. Birds were chirping, while the sun drew circles of light on our skin—light that peeked through the foliage. We sat on flowerpots and started sketching....

Fighting for Unity in the Midst of Increasing Division
The Battle of the Seen and the Unseen We are living in unprecedented times. None of us could have imagined or dreamed that our lives were about to change radically when the global world was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic about two years ago. We all had to re-learn a...
Liham ng Isang Ama
Mahal Kong Anak, Unang una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na ibinigay ka Niya sa akin. Hindi na yata mabilang sa salita ang pasasalamat ko sa Diyos. Anak ko, ginamit ka ng ating Diyos upang tumingin ako sa buhay na ninanais Niya. Ang dating walang direksyon at...
The Marawi Siege—from a Commander’s Viewpoint
We start our series on “Fighting for Marawi: Soldiers Who Dare to Dream” by delving into the story of Captain Aris Gerero. Read on to relive the war through his eyes. Discover the deadliest risks in war and the priceless gains it has given the multi-awarded captain....
Abba’s Love for Ishmael
Missionaries from Marawi “The Philippines will be a missionary-sending nation.” This has been prophesied over us by many prophetic people for how many years now. God’s purposeful promise for our nation seemed impossible to me until God brought me to Marawi. It’s been...
Jerusalem of Gold
The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In this performance video, Maestro Alvaro Sanchez plays "Jerusalem of Gold," an Israeli song written by Naomi Shemer. Rev. Alvaro “The Maestro” Sanchez is a master musician, conductor, and soloist whose...
God’s Promises and Faithfulness to Israel
Stepping onto the Promise Land When I first went to Israel in 1994, it felt surreal. As a boy, I had only learned of Israel through books and movies. As a born-again disciple of Jesus later on, I learned some more about Israel through Biblical teachings. Finally, I...
Salvation through the Lens of Adoption: Joel and Noelle Marcaida’s Orphan Care Journey
In the middle of 2012, my wife and I thought of committing to foster care. We simply wanted to care for a child who needed a parent. Back then, we were only married for 10 months, causing our friends and family to throw questions like, “Aren’t you guys having a child...
Partner’s Corner

Holy Communion on a Bunk Bed: Lessons from an Iranian Ex-Prisoner
No hugs on Sunday morning. No joint meal with your Bible Study group. Many Christians around the world are now isolated because of the coronavirus. For the Iranian church, isolation is nothing new. Former prisoner for his faith, Pastor Wahid, shares three tips on how...

You Are My Portion: A Persecuted African’s Testimony PART 2
“I knelt down and prayed, ‘Lord, don’t let me fail. You are my portion.’ Not even my relatives helped me, only God did. He stands with the deprived and underprivileged ones. And here is my house. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I also thank all of you that have...

You Are My Portion: A Persecuted African’s Testimony (PART 1)
“Lord don’t let me fail. You are my portion.” An unimposing woman exits the mud hut to greet us. Hiwot is a petite woman, modestly dressed. She wears a long skirt and uses one scarf to cover her shoulders, and another for her head. Hiwot kindly welcomes us into her...