Moving to the Philippines

Under Construction

My dear Grace Chapel Partners,

These pictures are of our first of 12 Churches Visioned, The Hill of Zion Church at Macarina Barangay, Antique, Patnongon, Philippines.


The Lord seems to be moving quickly on many fronts in accomplishing the vision of 12 New NT modeled Churches in the Philippines.

I know you all know the story but as a refresher in the summer or 2009 we went to Grace Chapel, Philippines, to see what the Lord would have us do next in the ministries of Grace Chapel. The Lord showed me a very clear vision on how to plant and establish 12 new Churches in the Philippines. 

The Vision:

Pastor Ruela

1. Launch a church from a live broadcast at a Barangay of the Christian radio program we support and have become popular there in the Antique Provence. From the live broadcast bible studies and prayer group form into a small local church.

2. Call a Pastor and provide for his support for one year as he establishes the Lord’s church in that Barangay.
3. Build a bamboo Church and Parsonage.

Hill of Zion members

Of this vision already one church is planted (launched), a pastor is on sight and the church and parsonage are being built as this letter reaches you. I sent you all a picture of the new Church building a few days ago.

Baptisms

In addition we have funding for 2 more of the new Churches. One done and two more funded, provided for. Only 9 more to go, thank you Lord and thank you all that have provided so generously. Thank you for your earnest prayers before our Lord for His Gospel being shared and lives saved in the Philippines.

The Cost: Edited July 2012 - Cost have gone up and the Exchange Rate has gone down of Dollars to Pesos

1. Launch the new Church $ 800

2. Call and 1 year salary for the new Pastor $1140

3. Build a Church and parsonage $3060

Total Cost ONLY $5000

Bragg family’s next step:

1. I will be retiring this May 1st 2011. My retirement is enough to provide for our living and build a house over the next year or so. We will be staying with Juliana’s father next to Grace Chapel while we build a home.

2. Target date to move to fulltime ministry at Grace Chapel Ministries in the Philippines is June-August this year. We have a few things needing to be wrapped up before we go but it looks definite, Lord willing.

Prayers needed:

1. That the affairs of our family to be completed before we go will continue to move well with the Lord’s blessing

2. My prayer and vision is to go to the Philippines with all 12 churches funded. We have 3 funded now and need only 9 more.

My request:

Will you fund these 9 churches at only $5000 apiece? Those of you who can and the Lord has provided please let me know as soon as possible. River Rock Church has committed to matching each Church funded.

My friends think of it, only $5000 to start and build a Church for the Lord. Not just a building, the Lord’s church is not a building but a family of believers with a place to congregate and worship our Lord and a Pastor to love and teach them.

How many will you commit to start? Some of you can provide for one and others can provide for many. We could do more than 12 if the Lord is providing. Maybe you know someone I don’t that would love to be a Partner of Grace Chapel Ministries and establish Churches all over the Philippines.

I love you all and thank you for being a partner with me in such a wonderful and rewarding ministry. Our hearts and Pilipinos lives have been blessed many times so far and more blessings are yet to come.

Matthew 6:20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. NLT

My prayers are with you all,

Steve Bragg

You may give to Grace Chapel through River Rock Church

http://www.river-rock.org/