Before returning “home” to our base in Villasis on Saturday afternoon, our team and their families, who have been going pretty much non-stop for many days, were all thankful for a bit of relaxing time at the beach. Scott and Mark each preached Sunday morning in two different churches in Villasis and then in the afternoon met with the leaders of those two churches about their current DM groups and expansion going forward.
Sunday’s Prayer Requests:
1. Those who have already been impacted by the discipleship message during this trip to dive in and stay committed to the process; new DM groups to be led well and change lives.
2. Refreshing for the Flores family (Wilson and Angelica and their three children), the Phillips family (Mark and Whitney and their two sons), Pastor Daniel and his wife Elsie, and Scott; for the Lord to renew their strength for this current week of seminars and meetings and keep them all healthy.
3. Over the next few days, God to prepare the hearts of those who will be at Scott’s seminars in Nepal this weekend; favor for logistical details to work out well.
Sunday’s Details:
On Monday Scott will do a DM seminar in a city three-and-a-half hours to the northeast, and on Tuesday Mark will lead a DM seminar in another city three hours to the southeast. Raising disciple-makers is all about making and deepening relationships with believers who are eager to grow, and it often involves a lot of travel!
But back to Saturday, any idea what THIS is?!?
Is it… a bunch of Golden Globes?
And how many globes are there? Inquiring minds want to know!
Here’s another picture of it, but what IS this thing anyway?!? (uh… the structure, not the Hero on its steps!)
Scott said it’s something like a jungle gym on the beach; looks fun!
He also had fun in the water with Wilson and Angelica’s youngest…
Outrunning the waves!
… while her mom got some much-needed downtime to breathe.
Angelica not moving = )
(Shhh… I’ve also heard rumors that Wilson and Mark took surfing lessons on Saturday, but I have no proof that that is true.)
For a number of reasons related to scheduling and availability, the first week of this mission trip ended up being front-loaded with some of the most intense ministry, the part largely focused on expansion of the disciple-making process into new regions of the Philippines.
While our team does have two more DM seminars on Monday and Tuesday, this week’s focus is more on strengthening our core by providing the stability, clarity, and relational and logistical infrastructure that will facilitate long-term growth, and rest is an important piece of that puzzle: “… ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength… ‘” (Isaiah 30:15).
Scott’s time in the Philippines during this trip will total two weeks, Mark and Whitney’s four weeks, but Wilson and Angelica, Daniel and Elsie, and the many coaches they are discipling – and their disciples are discipling – will be there on the ground on the daily, and we want them to have all the resources possible to stand firm no matter what.
That’s where you, our prayer partners come in! Thank you for praying for our TTC team again today. They really appreciate it, and so do I.
The response at the DM seminar in La Union (2.5 hours from our TTC base in Villasis) was great, and then our team was blessed to get to enjoy an evening and night at the beach there!
Friday’s Prayer Requests:
1. God to continue to build on the good relationships begun in La Union so that we can establish a new outpost and expand the DM process in that region.
2. Good health for everyone; vigorous immune systems and no more germs shared. Also, Pastor Gil’s throat surgery to be scheduled soon and go very well.
3. Effective follow-up from last week’s Tandem Conference, this week’s DM Summit and Coaches Summit, and today’s DM seminar; all planned new DM groups to be organized promptly and start this week or next!
Friday’s Details:
Our team departed Villasis at 5:30 AM to drive to La Union, where an unusual series of events have drawn together some 40 (?) people who had heard about the disciple making movement and wanted to get involved. Some of them made significant sacrifices to be there today and bless our team. As a result of today’s seminar, all the people in this photo have signed up to be in a DM group.
About to become disciple-makers!
Specific coaches in the Philippines Disciple-Makers Movement (PDMM) are passionate about expanding into specific regions, and for one or more of those coaches, La Union is one of those specific regions. In expanding into a “new” area, our pattern is to connect with a handful of like-minded pastors there and train them in a DM group for several months. That group is what we call a DM “outpost.” Those group members will then share the concept with other pastors and ministry leaders, and a few months later one of our team will go there and hold a DM seminar with all those pastors, leaders, and others. We expect the people in the picture above to be the seed of an outpost in the La Union area, and we are excited!
For the rest of today’s news, I’m going to let Scott tell you about the day and evening in his own words. Please listen to his 3:30 audio [here]. I decided I couldn’t explain it as well as he does, but one caveat: He sent this audio to me personally and didn’t expect it to be made public, so it’s not quite as smooth as his presentations at DM seminars. = )
And here are a few pictures related to our gang’s time at the beach.
With two lovely young ladies
Scott is crazy about kids and they tend to have a lot of fun with him. And how about that stunning background?
As you can see, they were right ON the beach!
As darkness fell, it looks like the girls conquered the guys in a game of Sequence, but who knows? Maybe there was a rematch. = ) In the very far top left you can just barely see the waves breaking at the shore.
Happy times at the beach
Now that you’re feeling relaxed and beachy, would you please take a moment to pray for the requests above? God hears and answers, and our team is so grateful for your faithfulness in prayer!
At Wednesday’s Coaches Summit, the national directors for the Philippines Disciple-Makers Movement were officially recognized and commissioned, the baton was passed, and the coaches are now running with the vision! Our team then had a much-needed off day on Thursday in preparation Scott’s DM seminar several hours away on Friday and Mark’s DM seminar on Saturday.
Thursday’s Prayer Requests:
1. The coaches to use grace and wisdom as they apply in their groups the principles and policies that were presented at the summit.
2. The Holy Sprit to create God-connections with potential new disciple-makers during Scott’s and Mark’s DM seminars over the next two days; the attendees at those seminars to understand and grasp Jesus’ method of making disciples.
3. No dilution of the vision and methods for raising disciple-makers as the “generations” of disciples increase throughout the Philippines.
Thursday’s Details:
The primary goals for the Coaches Summit were 1) to transfer leadership of the Philippines Disciple-Makers Movement (PDMM) to Wilson and Angelica, and 2) for the coaches to take “ownership” by purposefully investing in the spiritual growth of their group members. Both goals were met!
They gathered in a (slightly lopsided!) circle, and although they look pretty serious in this picture, Scott said the coaches were really enthusiastic and motivated.
Scott speaking on the theme of running the race set before us
Scott then led our team in publicly setting apart Wilson and Angelica to lead this ministry, confirming what God has already been doing through them. It was a powerful event.
Laying hands on our Philippines national directors
Afterwards, Wilson spoke with strength and conviction about the plan for PDMM’s ministry going forward. Wilson is generally the calm, quiet type, so Scott was very impressed with how passionate and professional he was as he addressed the coaches in his new, official role.
Wilson telling it like it is and setting clear expectations about passing the baton
And here are all the excited Filipino DM coaches standing behind the leadership team!
Even if you never travel to the Philippines or personally meet these members of our worldwide Christian family, your prayers for them as they disciple others are making an eternal impact. Thank you!
The Tuesday DM Summit for more than 100 current disciple-makers group members has concluded successfully!!! On Wednesday our team will lead a Coaches Summit for all the leaders of those groups.
Tuesday’s Prayer Requests:
1. The Holy Spirit to speak through Wilson and Angelica, Scott, and Mark and Whitney during Wednesday’s Coaches Summit to give the coaches the tools they need to press forward in discipling their group members well.
2. Good health, strength, and clear direction for our team during – and beyond – this mission trip.
3. All the necessary preparation to be completed for the pastoral couples at last week’s Tandem Conference to begin attending their new online DM groups later this week!
Tuesday’s Details:
Today our team had the high honor of encouraging and challenging a great many Filipino believers who are currently in DM groups, along with their coaches (group leaders). Everybody had matching blue Philippines Disicple-Makers Movement shirts, except for the several new people who came to learn about raising disciple-makers and hopefully join a group. = )
The day began with worship…
… followed by a series of teaching sessions by various leaders, including, but not limited to:
My Hero, Scott,Whitney’s Hero, Mark,and Wilson’s Princess, Angelica.
In between sessions, the coaches met with their groups to discuss the topics being presented. The groups scattered over the property, both inside and out, and discussed not only what they were learning, but how to implement it in their own lives.
A group insideMany groups outsideTelling it like it isKeeping it real
Like the speakers throughout the day, the coaches emphasized to their disciples the idea that, having received and grown so much by being in their own DM group, they were now responsible to provide those same opportunities to others. That is, they were being challenged to raise more disciple-makers.
And 24 of those disciples took the challenge! They made a public commitment to step up and coach a group of their own!
Scott encouraging the 24 new DM coaches!
The two main goals of today’s DM Summit were to encourage the attendees and challenge them to carry the baton forward by coaching their own groups, and thanks to God, our leadership team, and your prayers, those goals were met!
Here’s everybody: the 24 new coaches standing with their coaches and their coaches’ coaches!
The attendees at today’s DM Summit who are DM group members (disciples) have now returned home, but the coaches are staying for the all-day Coaches Summit on Wednesday (Tuesday night MO time). This will be a more intimate time of ministry and training, and we are expecting God to empower these coaches for whatever they will face in this next season!
Two ofmy personal goals in these updates are to communicate how much we appreciate you and encourage you to pray faithfully for this ministry, especially during this missions trip. So, THANK YOU, and PLEASE PRAY for the above requests today.
Following the conclusion of the Tandem Conference on Saturday afternoon, Mark and his family stayed up in the mountains to preach Sunday morning at a church there, while Scott returned to Villasis to preached at Wilson’s church on Sunday morning. Monday will be an “off” day, allowing our team to reconvene and prepare for two important “Summits” this week, the first on Tuesday involving well over 100 people currently in DM groups. It will be a very exciting day!
Sunday’s Prayer Requests:
1. Our team to be Spirit-led as they prepare for Tuesday’s DM Summit and all attendees to leave encouraged, informed, and challenged to purposefully disciple others.
2. Jihadi terrorists in Niger, West Africa to immediately release kidnapped missionary pilot Kevin Rideout; safety for Christians there and terrorist activity in that nation to cease.
3. Wisdom and peace for Pastor Gil as he researches options for his CT scan; clarity for him and his medical providers as they prepare for his throat surgery, and God’s timing to be perfect.
Sunday’s Details:
TTC has two overriding goals during the Philippines part of this mission trip: 1) to expand the disciple-makers movement into new regions of Luzon, one of the two largest islands in the Philippines, and 2) to strengthen the existing coaches and their groups so they will be spiritually healthy and logistically effective.
The Tandem Conference up in Baguio was a huge thrust toward #1 (expansion), as those pastoral couples participate in online DM groups as they return to their far-flung homes, and now our team is focusing on #2 (strengthening) those who are have already been involved in DM groups. Currently, 50+ DM groups are meeting weekly in the Philippines, and all those people have been invited to Tuesday’s DM Summit, a time that will provide a great deal of, as Scott has summarized it, “cheerleading and challenging.” So far 130 people have registered to come, some from as far as eight hours away. We are expecting amazing results!
God is at work all around the world, and so is our enemy. Last week, Kevin Rideout, a missionary pilot, was kidnapped from his home in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Longtime TTC partners may recall that Scott has ministered in Niger under the leadership of our close friends, missionaries Neal and Danette Childs. They know Kevin personally, and their home is only a few miles across town from his. We are joining Neal and Danette in asking all Christians to pray fervently for Kevin’s release, for peace in Niger, and for the wickedness of the wicked to come to an end!
Our friend, Pastor Gil (“Hill”), who hand-selected and invited those 20 pastoral couples in his ministerial network to come to the Tandem Conference, is awaiting throat surgery to remove a tumor on his thyroid gland. He’s experiencing delays related to a necessary CT scan with contrast due to an allergy to the contrast medium. Pray for the details of that to be worked out properly, for the Holy Spirit to guide all decisions and procedures related to his situation, and for Pastor Gil’s total healing.
On a more upbeat note, here’s news about the two Sunday services Mark and Scott just preached.
First, from the Phillips family…
Unfortunately they have been pounded with sickness, so this first of their four weeks in the Philippines has been rough. But on Sunday Mark preached on “The Pursuit of Holiness” at the Agape La Trinidad Church, which meets in a converted carport.
Almost everyone in their congregation is young!
Whitney said, “They said it was a timely message as they are focusing on Holiness for this month. We spent time after the service talking with small groups and fellowshipping with the church members. All were so encouraged by what he preached and how to get on with becoming holy and living close to God.” Then in the afternoon, “Mark was able to give a message of encouragement to their leaders of disciples and answer questions they had on reaching others for Christ.”
Meeting with La Trinidad’s discipleship leaders
“They were so sweet and welcoming. We truly enjoyed our stay with them. They even gifted him with coffee beans! ❤”
Mark receiving the perfect gift!
Meanwhile, down in Villasis at Wilson and Angelica’s church, which is less than two years old and also meets in a converted carport… Scott said, “Sunday morning under the tarps. The service starts at 9 AM and it was already hot!”
The whole congregation at Wilson and Angelica’s church
Scott preached on “reaching to lay hold of the thing for which Christ Jesus laid hold of you.”
Scott teaching
He said, “It was really powerful worship, and the people really seemed challenged to step up and find and fulfill their potential in God.”
“The drummer is 9 and the bass player is 12.”
“In this picture I am fist-bumping Nathaniel for stepping up to play the bass at such a young age.”
Older man encouraging younger man
We all need to be encouraged every day, and I hope today’s update has encouraged you and shown you how important your prayers are for people you may never meet on the other side of the world. Thank you for standing with us!
Today’s Better Together seminar was well-received and as Angelica said,
“I believe a lot of marriages were healed today.”
Scott’s presentation in this marriage seminar is high energy, and it sounds like God is answering our prayers for his health and stamina. Tomorrow, these pastoral couples will learn some of the practical how-to’s of raising disciples who raise disciples.
Friday’s Prayer Requests:
1. Good health for all members of the Phillips family; Mark and Liam had upset stomachs yesterday. = {
2. The pastoral couples at the Tandem Conference to gain clear understanding of the principles presented in Saturday’s disciple-makers sessions; productive Q&A as the Conference concludes.
3. A successful throat surgery and recovery for Pastor Gil (“Hill”); details TBA as we have more information.
Friday’s Details:
Our team has sent us some pictures from the past few days. Prayers are being answered and both parts of the Tandem Conference (the disciple-makers seminar and the marriage seminar) are making an impact of these dedicated pastoral couples!
First, as they were driving up the mountain from Villasis to Baguio on Wednesday, they stopped at an impressive waterfall.
Back row: Whitney, Mark, Scott, Front row: Korbin, Liam
And it looks like Scott got up close and personal with the waterfall.
Scott and Mark tag-teamed some of the DM seminar sessions on Thursday, and I really wanted to put a great picture in here of high-energy Mark teaching. Unfortunately, although the rest of the attendees were attentive, the framing of the picture had the most prominent man in the foreground looking bored. Sigh. It just didn’t give the right vibe, so I’m going to leave that picture out, but we do all appreciate Mark!
Then on Friday, Scott taught the Better Together seminar.
That seminar includes a lot of solid information, as well as a fair amount of humor that most couples can relate to, and as it grows more serious in the afternoon sessions, Scott gives the couples some time to find a quiet place to talk about what they’ve heard and ask each other to forgive them for wrongs they’ve done. That part of the BT seminar is always a very serious time when God does some powerful things in the couples’ relationships. As they dispersed for this time alone together, some couples found places in or around the conference room…
… and some went outside.
On a lighter note, Scott always invites each person to write down why her husband is her hero or why his wife is his princess, and then some of the couples are invited to share what they wrote and small prizes are given to the winning princess and hero. Here are a few of those couples on Friday.
Reading why he’s her hero
Headed toward a kiss = )
They look so happy!
And here are all the happy Tandem Conference participants, including the “delegates” (pastoral couples), our national directors Wilson and Angelica, Scott, and Mark and Whitney.
Front row far left: Wilson and Angelica; Standing far right: Mark (bald and bearded) and Whitney;
Back row with the big head (HA!), Scott
While the couples were talking to each other alone today, Scott had a break for a few minutes, and he sent this message for all of us TTC partners:
“Thank you so much for your prayers. I just told the story of my second wife, and the room erupted in applause! They are all pastors and pastors’ wives, and they could so identify with the story of my affair with Ministry. The guys and the wives are now discussing the story in two men’s groups and two ladies groups. I believe God will do a great and deep healing in the lives of these couples. Your prayers are making a huge difference. Thank you!”
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