In February 2022, the first field Work & Witness team from the Philippines journeyed to serve churches on the Negros District. The group consisted of 10 passionate young people from 6 districts. The team was led by Elsid Paragas, field youth coordinator.

The team experienced many challenges during the planning and preparation of the trip. The trip, originally scheduled for December 2021, was postponed due to Typhoon Odette. 

With much prayer, help, and encouragement from the field and district leaders, the team was finally able to make the missions trip possible.

“I remember when I was a student at Central Philippines Nazarene College, I served on the hospitality committee to care for two international W&W teams,” said Mea Kate Bacsal, a volunteer. “Honestly, I dreamed of being part of a W&W team back then, and now, seven years later, here I am serving in W&W.”

The team spent six days working and ministering to the local Nazarene churches in the district. District Superintendent Nemie Babao and his wife, Pastor Ana, hosted the team. They started their time on Sunday worshipping, serving, and preaching in three different congregations. The team also fellowshipped with local volunteers from Enclaro Church of the Nazarene.

During the week, the team worked on the local churches of Enclaro, Grace, Binalbagan, and Marina, all of which were damaged by Typhoon Odette. They worked on repairing the walls, replacing metal roofing and fencing, painting the churches’ exterior and interior, and cleaning debris and fallen trees. Local young people volunteered to help with all the work.

“This team was energetic and hardworking,” said Kevin Wilkins, Work & Witness team coordinator. “We sensed God growing their passion for missions.” 

Although the manual work was exhausting, the team was always on the go and energized to do the work. They were also thrilled to minister to the children at the local churches through dancing, singing, and telling stories about Jesus.

On the last night of their trip, all seven local churches in the Negros District gathered to celebrate what the team and the local volunteers accomplished during the week. The night was filled with appreciation and heartfelt worship and capped with a message from Pastor Elsid.

“The Lord is glorified when great things are done through us,” Elsid said.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific