In a remote part of the Philippines, a woman shared with me her family’s very first trip to one of our evangelistic meetings. The local pastor had invited them, and she gladly accepted. To make attendance possible, we rented trucks with benches in the back to bring families from surrounding villages.
On opening night, a truck stopped at her home to pick up two families. They climbed in and rumbled down a rough dirt road toward the church. From the outside, though, the enclosed truck looked intimidating—almost like a prison vehicle. Fear gripped her heart. She realized she didn’t know us well and began to imagine the worst. Clutching her children, she prayed earnestly for God’s protection.
But when the truck finally stopped at the church, fear melted into relief and laughter. What began as a terrifying ride turned into a journey of faith. Both families attended every meeting, and before long, they were baptized—beginning a brand-new walk with Jesus.
Stories like this are only possible because of your prayers and support. On our most recent mission trip to the Philippines, Pastor Nate Hellman, Ministerial Director for the Oregon Conference, joined me and our Filipino team to train more than 70 workers in health outreach, discipleship, church planting, and evangelism. The result? 105 precious souls baptized into the kingdom—including families just like the one who thought they were being kidnapped!
But the story doesn’t end with baptisms. With your help, Ultimate Mission has also supplied the Adventist conferences in Mindanao with funds to build four new churches. These remote communities now have a home for worship—a place where new believers can grow, serve, and share their faith.
Every month, millions of girls miss school because they lack access to basic supplies to manage their periods. The shame and stigma they experience often lead to isolation, and in many cases, dropping out of school entirely.