Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Philippine-Asian Missions, Inc. (PAMI) is an interdenominational evangelical Christian mission in the Sorsogon province of the Philippines. Although first started by U.S. missionaries, the ongoing ministry of evangelism, teaching, and discipleship is today carried out entirely by PAMI’s dedicated Filipino pastors and church workers. A volunteer U.S. board of directors and minimal administrative expenses enable all contributions to go directly to the mission field.
The main goal of the PAMI mission is to expand God’s kingdom through church planting. A pioneering pastor will move into a new community that is very under-churched, or perhaps has no Christian church at all. He will make contacts within the community and ask people if they are interested in learning from the Bible or in knowing God. Through the teaching of God’s word, local residents come to know Jesus as their personal Savior, and some become members of the church. As a church grows, it is eventually able to send their own leaders to plant new churches in different villages.
Bible Study Outreaches are the heart of the PAMI Gospel ministry. A leader will venture into neighborhoods that have no Christian church, and ask residents if they are interested in knowing God. For those that are interested, the leader will teach them in a regular Bible study in their home. Often neighbors see what is going on and join in as well. Through the working of God’s Word, many of these community residents will come to trust in Christ, be baptized, and become involved in the church ministry.
Emmaus Bible Institute (EBI) is a 4 year post-secondary Bible school, located in the Guinlajon barangay (suburb) of Sorsogon City. The EBI program consists of 3 years of classroom instruction, and 1 year internship, and focuses on the training of men and women to be pastors and church workers. Classes include Bible Doctrine, Church History, Public Speaking, and many more, with much Bible memorization. The students are also involved in many outreaches to surrounding communities.
Sometimes, the most effective way to reach families is through the children. Milk feeding is an outreach to children in poor areas. Many of these children do not get the nourishment they need. A Bible lesson and singing is combined with a nutritious snack, ministering to both body and soul. This ministry to children also opens doors for ministry to the parents, many of whom will attend an adult Bible study at the same time. Although this outreach is called a “milk feeding” often the snack might consist of other foods, such as coconut juice, fruit, bread, noodles, or rice.
Radio provides a very effective tool for reaching out to the community. A positive and practical Biblical message opens up doors of ministry within neighborhoods. At a cost of only $10 per hour, Christian radio makes it possible to bring the Gospel to residents who are unable or unwilling to attend a Christian church.