Mission to the Philippines
Posted on 04. Jun, 2010 by ajohnson in Campus Chronicles, Featured Article
By Cassandra Friday | Campus_Chronicles {vol. 1, is. 11} 
Last year, at the beginning of winter quarter, Andrew Salibo was in prayer over the plans he had for his future. “I wanted to know what God had planned for me next, in my immediate future.” This quarter, in one of Professor Ken Bluemel’s doctrine classes, Andrew received his answer. Pastor Ken mentioned the mission trip he was planning for the Philippines through his church, Skyline Christian Center. Andrew recalls that the moment Prof. Bluemel started talking about the mission trip, he knew his answer. “I want to minister to people in my own country. I want to go back there under God’s plan and not my own.” Suffice to say, Andrew will be one of the few from Epic Bible College that will be flying to the Philippines in August. This two-week trip will focus specifically on a tribal group in Zamboanga on the Island of Mindanao.
The purpose of our trip is threefold:
First, We will build a church in a remote village.
Second, We will lead a Vacation Bible School children’s outreach.
Third, We will be working among the un-reached, assisting the indigenous church in bringing others the gospel.
We will also encourage the Christians in that area. Our presence will bolster their spirits, support and strengthen their work. We will visit many Philippine Christians while being there, develop relationships and generally support them in their journey with Christ.
Pastor Bluemel, through Grace International Fellowship, heads this mission trip to the Philippines. The group will be in the Mindanao Islands from August 8 – 21, 2010. The cost is $2200 for a single person; and many, including Andrew, are still asking for donations and participating in fundraisers for the trip’s needed funds. Andrew says that they are currently asking friends, family, pastors, and churches for donations and sponsorships. Last Saturday, they held a car wash in North Highlands.
As of right now, the group flying to the Philippines in August numbers around fifteen. Also going from the college are Earl Baker, III, Choua Kong, Andrew Guthrie, Alex Williams and Leon Brown. While money is important, it comes in a distant second to the need for your prayer support. Mindanao is still considered an un-reached people group until the message of the gospel becomes self-sustaining. It is also a hostile area for Christians. Your prayer support is extremely important to the success of this mission. Let’s remember to keep these people in our prayers as they embark onthis journey and faithfully follow God’s calling.