Asia-Pacific Communications recently received the following report from Elmo Dialing, JESUS Film Ministry coordinator for the Philippines:

We are truly excited about the partnerships between local churches, districts, and the JFM here in the Philippines. Over the past year we have seen four new churches planted in the Rizal Province alone, as a result of partnership with the JESUS Film ministry. On the Metro Manila District, the Water of Life, Diliman, and Parkway Nazarene churches each committed to planting new churches, partnered with the JESUS Film, and today we are recognizing three new daughter churches — the Pandacan, Santa Mesa, and Bagong Barrio churches. The Jalajala Church, which had been closed for more than seven years, recently saw a rebirth through partnership with the JESUS Film.

Tanay Church of the Nazarene assigned a church planter — Pastor Conrad Dellava — the JESUS film was shown, Bible studies were established, and today there is an organized church with more than 30 members! The Aparri church plant is yet another exciting example of cooperative efforts involving local churches, districts, and the JESUS film. Lay Pastor Ernie Babas, a Filipino who had been living in Hawaii, returned to his home area (Aparri), which is located in the very northern parts of the Philippines, close to Taiwan. Feeling called to establish a Church of the Nazarene, he contacted the JESUS Film ministry team. The Luzon District sent a team to show the film. A Work & Witness team came from Hawaii to help with a building. Then members from the Metro Manila District worked to establish a fresh water well, bringing physical water to the source of living water!

Today, we are celebrating the Aparri Church of the Nazarene with more than 30 members. Together, by all means, the transformational message of our living Savior is being shared across the Philippines, going where the church has not yet been, even going where electricity has not yet been, as with Pastor Lot from Metro Manila, who uses one of the JESUS Film solar powered backpack systems. The JF by itself is just an instrument or tool. But when coupled with evangelistically focused local churches and districts — who are committed to providing infrastructure, follow-up, and ongoing discipleship — we see incredible Kingdom impact!

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region