In the summer of 2018 Elmer Palacio, the lead minister of the Babag Church, along with other Christians, visited the island of Olango (a 20-minute ferry ride away) to host a Vacation Bible School for children and their parents. During this week of Bible study hundreds of children and their parents were blessed to hear the story of Jesus. The seed of the Gospel was planted in the hearts of many people.
In the beginning of 2020, a young Christian man named Jhobert came to the Babag church and asked Elmer to mentor him to become a leader. For 18 months Elmer shared his knowledge, experience, wisdom, faith and love for Jesus with Jhobert. Elmer and Jhobert became so close that Elmer performed Jhobert’s wedding earlier this year.
Jhobert’s new wife is from the nearby island of Olango. After many visits to meet his wife’s family, Jhobert and his wife decided to begin their ministry in the town of Sabang, on the island of Olango, where her family lives. Fast forward, and in June of 2021, Jhobert and his wife began to travel each Saturday morning to Olango. While there, Jhobert spends his time sharing the message of Jesus’ love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Many of the people that who listen to his weekly messages had also attended the VBS led by the Babag church three years earlier. The seed of the good news that was planted is being watered every weekend by Jhobert’s teaching.
This past weekend, Jhobert stood just off the shore of Olango and baptized six women and one man after they confessed their faith in Jesus and put their hope in Him and dedicated their lives to Him. God gave the growth, and now each of these disciples has a new spiritual life.
Jhobert (in the middle) with our new Christian sisters and brother
In Acts 16:1-2 the apostle Paul welcomed a young Christian man named Timothy into his life to mentor. For many months Paul and Timothy shared life together and Timothy listened, watched and learned from Paul. Together they helped encourage and teach Christians in the city of Corinth where Paul taught:
“…We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3-5-6
Because of Elmer, Jhobert and your generosity, God’s seed of hope and grace is still being planted, watered, and grown in the minds, hearts, bodies, and souls of people around the world.
Praise God!
Bruce