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!”
Good news! The three-day Tandem Conference began on Thursday with over 30 attendees who are all excited and totally committed to becoming disciple-makers!
More news: Two of our team members are having health challenges and need our prayers immediately.
Thursday’s Prayer Requests:
1. God to minister powerfully to the pastoral couples through Scott’s Better Together marriage seminar on Day Two of the Tandem Conference.
2. Scott’s esophagus/swallowing issue to resolve and not recur (details below); peace for him, and plenty of energy to teach on Friday.
3. Total healing for Whitney who seems to be fighting traveler’s bronchitis.
Thursday’s Details:
Day One of the Tandem Conference went well. Our team even held a sample DM group with the attendees so they could experience what happens in weekly DM groups, and it looks like four new online DM groups will be starting with these couples as soon as they return home from the conference. We are praising God for a great kick-off for this new season of disciple-making throughout Luzon in the Philippines!
Healthwise, Mark’s wife, Whitney, is dealing with symptoms of bronchitis. Feeling sick in a foreign country can be especially challenging; please pray for Whitney to recover quickly.
Also, several times on mission trips in the past few years, Scott has had a sudden situation of difficulty swallowing certain foods (usually chicken or fish) which seem to get stuck in his throat. Thursday evening he said this had happened again, his esophagus felt raw, and he was really exhausted. On Friday (Thursday night MO time) he will be teaching 8-9 hours during the Better Together seminar, so please pray for God to heal him and energize him!
Finally, we all know that we have an enemy who is not at all happy about what God is doing and will do during this mission trip. We also know that the Spirit who is in our ministry team is greater than any spirit that’s in the world! You might be thinking, “Yes, Patty, that’s true, and I’m sure somebody else will pray about those things,” but as our pastor has said, “Somebody else moved away!” We are depending on YOUR prayers for Wilson and Angelica, Mark and Whitney, Scott, and the pastoral couples at this conference. Our prayers – all of our prayers – really matter and are making a positive impact on various situations there.
Thank you for praying for our team in the Philippines now! = )
The Phillips family and Scott are settled in their respective places in Villasis in the Philippines and are now meeting with various local pastors and preparing to travel on Wednesday (Tuesday night MO time) up into the mountains to Baguio where the three-day Tandem Conference will be held beginning on Thursday. Tuesday has involved numerous meetings with old and new friends and much packing of clothes, equipment, and props for the conference.
Tuesday’s Prayer Requests:
1. The 19 pastoral couples (one pastor was in an accident and can’t come) who will be at the Tandem Conference to come with great attitudes, eager hearts, and their assigned “homework” completed; no technical, accidental, or relational distractions that might hinder the conference’s effectiveness.
2. Our team (Wilson and Angelica, Scott, Mark and Whitney) to be led by the Holy Spirit as they interact with each other and connect with co-workers in Baguio.
3. Everyone to adjust well to the time change and stay healthy; God-given keen insight for the doctors who are preparing for Pastor Gil’s surgery later this week.
Tuesday’s Details:
Our TTC National Directors, Wilson and Angelica, live with their three children and pastor a thriving church in the city of Villasis (“vill-YAH-siss,” population 65,000).
Here’s a brief geography lesson: The Philippines is comprised of two large islands (Luzon in the north, which includes the capital, Manila, and Mindanao in the south) plus 7,639 smaller islands arranged between and around those two.
Luzon is shaped like and just slightly larger than the state of Maine, and Villasis is located in a low-lying part of Luzon at an elevation of about 500 feet. Scott and the Phillips family are staying in two guesthouses in Villasis.
The Tandem Conference will be held in Baguio (“BAG-ee-oh,” population 407,000), a popular tourist destination known for its relatively cool climate as “The Summer Capital of the Philippines.” The Tandem Conference will combine a Disciple-Makers (DM) seminar and a Better Together marriage seminar for 20 pastoral couples from all over Luzon. After the conference and following six months of online training and mentoring, these couples will start and lead DM groups in their own areas.
This map shows the route our team will take from Villasis to Baguio on Wednesday (Tuesday night MO time). The scenic drive takes about two hours to cover a distance of only 50 miles. The reason it takes so long is that in those 50 miles the route gains over 4,000 feet in elevation! Baguio is up in the mountains, and it’s beautiful.
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