Philippine-Asian Missions, Inc.

A Church Workers and Leadership Training Course was piloted in five places on Oct 9, 2020 with 6 – 8 participants at each site. With such a successful kick-off, a sixth site will be added in Calagoto Barcelona, where 10 more candidates are interested in participating. These EBI modular extension classes are to be held 1-5 pm every Friday for a year, with teachers rotating every month. Students are to complete 10 subjects to graduate with a certificate by next October. These condensed versions of EBI curriculum are a great abbreviated option for lay leaders of the church. While there are still 11 on-campus fulltime students pursuing a 4-year option that is more thorough (e.g. to become pastors), EBI is re-inventing itself and vastly expanding its reach by adding these 45 part-time extension students to its roles. After recognizing the quality and value of the good training to which they are being exposed, maybe some of these part-time students will become full-time later, or be more inclined to send their kids to the full-time program.

See the October 2020 Bulletin and October 30 blog post for more on the modular extention classes.

Like with most of the world, COVID-19 has greatly affected PAMI’s ministries. The Philippine government imposed strict quarantine starting mid-March that included closing schools and banning group gatherings like church services. After several months these restrictions loosened up a bit, but the threat still looms. COVID cases and deaths have not been as bad as in the USA, but since it’s increasing there’s a concern that stricter lockdown might be reinstated.

Despite the hindrances, God cannot be thwarted and I’m happy to report that good things were and are still being accomplished. When large groups were banned, smaller groups still met in homes and yards and some PAMI pastors started posting messages on-line via Facebook. When kids feedings were cancelled, then milk funds were instead used to provide distributions of rice. Without as many activities, extra time was spent preparing future curriculum and completing some facility repairs/improvements.

Read more about PAMI’s response to the pandemic in the September 2020 Newletter and Sis. Ofel’s April 14 field report.