We are convinced that the most effective and sustainable way to evangelize a particular area is to train believers who are indigenous to that culture and have them lead theministry to their people.

In 2007, CBS-Asia started to minister in Mindanao , particularly to tribal pastors. It conducted the Christian Foundations Course (CFC). The CFC incorporates livelihood and community transformation training with biblical and theological subjects. The program is designed not only to train pastors to effectively interpret and teach the Bible and do theology, but also to farm and raise animals. This holistic approach equips the tribal pastors to shepherd their local flocks and effect transformation in their respective ethnic groups.

Eleven pastors enrolled in the program. One week every month for about a year, these tribal ministers who are from remote places in Mindanao trekked rugged terrain and traveled long hours to reach the training site at Hope Mountain in Davao . As they left their tribes every month, they trusted the Lord to supply their schooling needs and that of their families who were left behind.

On May 30, 2008, I had the wonderful opportunity of witnessing the graduation of these eleven pastors. The commencement exercises were attended by the families and church members of the graduates, including a few leaders of the CB association in Mindanao led by Rev. Johnny Dalisay. The audience was in tears as three selected graduates recounted their ordeals during the ceremony. However, they all praised God since these experiences were what infused character and faith in them.

The Next Phase...
The vision of CBS-Asia is to base a trainer in Mindanao to continue the teaching ministry that was started there. For the past year, our professor from Manila , Prof. Rolly Lindain traveled by airplane to Mindanao every month to hold trainings. By 2009, however, the plan is to transfer his family in Davao City so he may conduct more trainings there.

His objectives include the following:

1) To set up an advanced training for the pastors who have graduated; to train them so that they may in turn train others in their own tribes.

2) To train another set of tribal pastors with the Christian Foundations Course, this time making use of the graduates as assistant trainers of Pastor Rolly Lindain.

3) To mentor Mindanao pastors.

4) To set up an urban training center in Davao City (in partnership with a CB local church) to train urban church leaders there.

To accomplish the vision, CBS-Asia needs a monthly financial support of fifty thousand pesos (or about US$ 1,000.00).

May I request you to prayerfully consider partnering us in this endeavor? Your financial support will help ensure the health and growth tribal churches in Mindanao , as we develop competent pastors and church leaders.


Sincerely,

Rev. Nicky Joya
Executive Director