A Call to Macedonia

Worship at Brgy Mabasa/Sitio Franks

My Dear Grace Chapel Partners,

A Call to Macedonia

“A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9, 10).

Worship at Brgy Mabasa/Sitio Franks

More and More our work here to plant churches for our Lord Jesus Christ takes on the likeness of the work (Acts) of the Apostles in the Book of Acts. We have many similarities. Maybe one day I will write a book titled the Acts of the Philippines.

In this comparison, like Paul’s call to Macedonia, we received a call back to Barangay Mabasa and a new Sitio that is part of Barangay Mabasa called Sitio Franks. A Sitio is a smaller area of a Barangay. Sitio Franks is a squatter’s area. The neediest live here. Sitio Franks was a place wiped out by Typhoon Frank several years ago. Thousands of lives were lost in Typhoon Frank here on our island. The Philippines’ government bought this land and donated it to the neediest. They can have a small piece of land as long as they live there. Most families who live at Sitio Franks are fisherman.

Thank you Lord for the children! 

Tabernacle of Praise, our second church in this work, came under extreme oppression. This caused Tabernacle of Praise to leave the church building they used for worshiped in Barangay Mabasa to avoid the oppression. This church was started in 2007. Pastor Alagos, during this time, built a strong congregation. With our Lord’s blessing they were able to overcome the storm. When the congregation decided it was time to leave the only available place to rent for worship was in the neighboring Barangay Igbarawan. This was hard on the Mabasa congregation as most walk to church.

All were feed a nutritious meal

The Lord always turns hardships to blessing. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse should be our banner. Always the Lord causes proposed evil to good. We continually pray that our work here for our Lord is “according to His purpose.”

Our first blessing is we lost none of the Mabasa church, Tabernacle of Praise; not a one! Their faith has increased through this, and they are stronger in the Lord. Even their giving has increased to meet the challenges of the increased expense.

The second blessing is many are now attending from Barangay Igbarawan. Our average attendance in Mabasa was 25-35 people. Now, in their new location we are 80 plus. If everyone came at the same time, there would be standing room only. After only 2 weeks at the new location, we are planning a second service! Praise God! His providence is absolute!  Magnificent are His blessings! Faithful is His care of His children!

The third blessing is the people who had only attended occasionally or who had stopped attending, called a meeting and want us back in Barangay Mabasa. Also, the people of Sitio Franks have donated a piece of land for us to build a church building for worship.

Worship Service at Brgy Igbarawan

We had our first combined worship service of Barangay Mabasa and Sito Franks this evening, Sunday June 10th,2012. I estimated almost 60 attended. We feed lots of children! A family donated their home for the service. Next week we will meet in another home. It appears we will meet house to house until we build the church building. WHAT A BLESSING!

Lord willing, Tabernacle of Praise will be 2 services in Barangay Igbarawan Sunday morning and 1 service at Sitio Franks Sunday afternoon!

PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS. I’M SURE THE ENEMY IS NOT DONE. PRAY WE CONTINUE TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OUR OF LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT IS ONLY BY HIS MIGHT, PROTECTION, AND BLESSING THAT WE HAVE SUCCESS IN HIS MISSION AND MINISTRY HERE, IN THE PHILIPPINES!

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!

Thank you for your partnership in this ministry to the Filipinos.

Steve Bragg