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August 2008In His Light Relos Family August 2008 News
“Da Place” Malaybalay Youth Center Since opening Da Place has picked up its pace in ministry. With two informal cell/Bible study groups with about 8 youth in each, a rally and preaching every Thursday after school on a stage in a basketball court, fellowship and friendship building, and band tutorial. It’s in a wonderful God-appointed location across the road from a High school, and down the road from an elementary school. We are hoping that when the youth centers’ support is more consistent that we will be able to start a regular free lunch or snack and Bible story on Wednesdays for Grade 6 students. Please pray for this. Occasionally, there are some young children hanging around outside so Randy will take the opportunity to read Bible Stories to them. Praise God!! The youth center received a little persecution, a volunteer was quietly standing outside the center and a drunken 40 or so year old man came up and punched him the jaw for no reason!! He was later arrested for various charges. Randy visited him in the jail and decided to drop the charges of assault in grace to this man as he has many other charges. Values Formation Teaching Praise God!! The Mayor of Malaybalay City has given his recommendation for Randy (who is officially a Chaplain of the Philippine Coast guard Auxiliary) to teach values at the high school which is across the road from our youth center. After the Principal decides the schedule, Randy should begin teaching values in life at the High school soon until late 2009. Wow another door to bring His Word!! Pray!! Jail Ministry Randy is now also a Parole Officer Volunteer, and he his helping pastor Tim in his Jail ministry. Every Saturday afternoon they visit the jail bringing the instruments from the youth center and teach about 8 of the inmates (who became born again), music and praise songs, and to disciple them.
Some of these men are really being impacted and they would like to become Pastor’s when are finished their sentence, they want to live for the Lord. Pray for them!! Child Sponsorship Program This past month we have not had any more activities with the families whose children need sponsors. There are still more children in need of sponsors. And the children whom do have sponsors committed to them are in need of their regular monthly support. We have asked the kids to write letters, and we are in the process of translating them and they will soon be sent out. At Home Ministry While Randy is busy with ministry out of the house, we are still busy here; growing and learning. The kids are developing; Jakim learning fast now with reading, writing, telling time, counting and addition. Alexandria learning to walk and talk; and Chenaniah, is chugging away at grade 1, an excellent student, and learning how to be a friend and forgive his classmates. Wife, and Teacher Mama Mel, is also learning and growing in character and (in belly haha). 1 ½ month to go before baby is born. I said in the last newsletter that we would call him Frankie but we decided to change it so to be announced. Please pray for his birth it is my hope that I can do a trial of labor and that the doctors will agree. They think that it is too soon after my previous Caesarean and are recommending a repeat. But the recovery would be long and hard on us as a family, if that were to happen, especially for Alexandria. Please also pray for the provision of the hospital fees for the delivery. If I cannot pay on time they will not release me from the hospital. Praise the Lord we have been blessed with a used motorbike, easier for Randy to get around and cheaper than our old ford on gas. Thank you so much dear friends for trusting us and partnering with us in what He is doing here. We are excited about what is taking place and the doors of opportunity that have opened up, in this new neighbourhood we are in Please continue to pray for the salvation and discipleship of those whom hear the word. Pray for Randy’s continual wisdom and perseverance in present the Word, and for me as I support him at home and teach our children. Yes, you’ve probably heard in the news about the war in Mindanao. So far we haven’t seen any action in our city, as there are many military camps here. But the fighting is occurring in other regions ranging from 3 to 6 hrs drive from were we are. Please pray for our safety, as foreigners can be targeted right now in kidnappings and what not, by other groups whom want to take advantage of the instability here. WE would love to hear from you and to be apart of your lives also in prayer, so please write us and let us know how you are!! Randy and Melanie Relos P.O. Box 01 Malaybalay City, Bukidnon 8700 Mindanao, Philippines
SPECIAL NEED:
Bukidnon
National High
school (across from the youth center) Needs a
roof for this structure to be used during class assemblies. There is no
gymnasium so they cannot gather the students when it rains and it rains
almost everyday here. The cost is about $2000. We think it would be a wonderful way to
build up friendship between this school and the youth center. So if any one
would like to donate for this cause please contact us.
june 2008Graduated from Kinder 2 already!! That’s our smart boy Chen!! At his first week of formal school
ever in kinder 2 he was getting bored with the work. He would complain after
school that it is too easy. We inquired
with the principal about what can be done because we don’t want him to be
under-stimulated. The principal and teachers had him read aloud some grade 1
books and they were shocked and excited at how well he can read. They decided
he should be in grade 1. So we tried the grade one class and he fits right
in…he likes it a lot and has just the right amount of challenge in the work! He
is the youngest in the class but the toughest (the other boys complain to me
about him that he plays fighting), and the teacher says he is the best reader.
He is adjusting well and is a brave boy, as it is his first time being away
from home all day for 5 days a week. It is very hard for mommy, as I miss him
and tend to worry if he is ok! I’ve been home-schooling him since he was 3.
Two concerns we have are his adjustments socially, and he has to learn Tagalog
(national language of the Philippines),
as it is one required subject. He knows bisaya (the language in Mindanao) but not Tagalog. Many other Filipino students
in his class also need to learn Tagalog, so he is not the only one. Jakim is now learning how to read and write
here at home and doing wonderful work!! He has a different way oflearning than his
Kuya (big brother), he is more of a visual learner, so I had to figure out what
technique will work for him to learn letter sounds…he has caught on pretty
fast, and will probably be in grade 1 when he starts next year. Alexandria is now 10 months old and learning to walk and talk. So smart like her big brothers!! What a happy girl she is!! The name of our coming baby boy is Dylan Frank Towsey Relos, he is due in the middle of October. We are praying and trusting the Lord for a normal delivery and not a repeat Caesarean. I really want a normal delivery for several reasons, one is that it will be hard on Dria for mommy to be gone, and also the recovery is so slow and hard Prayer points:
* Chen’s adjustment at school, and learning
Tagalog
* Jakim learning to read
* for Frankie to turn around and get ready for
a normal delivery in October
* For the continuing discipleship of the
families in the Child Sponsorship program and more sponsors for the
children in need
* for the opening of Da Place (MYC)
*praises for our constant health, and His
provision in all areas of our lives! Papa God is so sweet!!
*Praises for His Spirit and Presence and Grace
in our lives, without it we would have quit a long time ago!!
Keep going
friends, keep on following Him and spreading His news wherever you may be!!
He will sustain you!!
We’ve moved to a new smaller house and the septic tank here really smells bad all day and night, I can smell it as I type. We need to get it fixed and also add a small roof over the front door as the hard rain floods into the house. But other than that it is a great place to live, as there is a field behind the house for the boys and papa to run around in and it is close to the youth center. Because we moved I am not able to email so often, no connection at home. Malaybalay Youth Center,”Da Place” Soon to open in a great new location, across the road from a high school, and elementary school, it is smaller than the previous one but perfect for after school ministry!!!! Randy is still renovating it and setting up the furniture and instruments, and planning the schedule. Child
Sponsorship and Feeding Program
From what was given
for the children living beside the garbage dump site, we were able to buy
school bags for 10 children and a sack of rice and canned goods to distribute.
We also had a child dedication service and message for them with lunch after!!!
May 2008Relos Family May 2008 News Update Wow what a month!! Randy has spent the most of this past month in Australia promoting the needs of Malaybalay Youth Center, of a Child Sponsorship Program, and of our family. We give praise to the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to meet new brothers and sisters in Christ, for the experience of another culture, for new partners in ministry and for all the provision that has been met. Thank you to all who helped in making Randy’s trip possible!! It was a hard 3 weeks for our family being separated (the longest time Papa has been away) but the boys were able to bear it. Randy gained more experience in giving a presentation of our ministry and has gained new friendships and a refreshed spirit. The youth center has been greatly blessed for its new opening. We are not able to rent the same office space as the owner has turned it into a boarding house so we are presently looking for a new space to rent, affordable yet in a key location accessible to students. Please continue to pray for us in this matter. It is our goal to have MYC up and running by the end of July. A glimpse of June: In some parts of the world it is summer break but here summer break is over and it is back to school time. Our son Chenaniah 5yrs old is starting school this week for the first time in Kinder 2. He is quite an academic already being able to read and write, excellent in addition and subtraction and telling time, as he has been homeschooled until now. His biggest adjustment would be to the new place, schedules, socially, and in his listening and obedience skills. Please pray for him also. We have also decided to move to a new house that has a less expensive rent. We thought it wise to rearrange our spending. Presently our rent is a lot and then we spend a smaller portion of our monthly budget on food. So we will rearrange it that the bigger portion of our budget will be spent on food and the smaller on our rent! So we are busy this month cleaning, packing, moving, unpacking, at the same time its school time!! Love you all, Randy, Mel, Chen, Jake, Dria, and baby #4!! Have a great month.
PS. For you guys who gave for the sponsorship we’ll keep you updated. After we move to another house we will have a meeting with the parents, inform the ones that don’t have sponsor yet. Continue to pray for them. YWAM Malaybalay P.O. Box 01 Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, 8700, Philippines www.malaybalayouthcenterywam.spaces.live.com
5/10/2008 April Report Well What a busy month!!!!PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!! Randy went to Manila to apply for an Australian Business Visa and only 3 days later it was granted! I have been busy on the computer preparing YWAM Malaybalay presentation, Project proposal and other documents for Randy to bring with him!! He is now in the airport waiting to board his 16 hr flight to Sydney!! Yep on the globe the Philippines looks closer to us than it does to Canada but it is still 16 hrs away!!!!! It will be his first time on such a long flight, and out of Asia!!!! The only other country he has been to is Indonesia. ANNOUNCING: an new ministry for YWAM Malaybalay: Promiseland Child Sponsorship Program and feeding program. Since living here we have frequently visited a squatter area called BongBongon, praying for the community and for one particular family and occasionally doing children's ministry there. The Lord has put it on our hearts to start a sponsor ship program for the children there and also for the children in Malaybalay's dump site. these children are really malnourished and their families struggle for income....especially during this time of crisis in which 1 kilo of rice is already $1 +. Randy will promote this program along with Malaybalay Youth Center, and our family's needs while he is in Australia. He has plenty of scheduled appointments with individuals and churches already planned!!! Check out the pictures of the children in the album.  Please Pray for:
4/9/2008 March March News: Not much news... Randy assisted in finishing the Anti drug campaign. It was the annual Kaamulan Festival here this month and Randy and the Rehas band were able to present the Gospel on the opening night to an audience the size of a field.. During this festival Randy and Rhyan were able to challenge and encourage a 19yr old girl from another city who was in a crisis. We had been trying to work on YWAM Malaybalay Ministries presentation for Randy's fundraising trip to Australia. but unfortunately our computer broke and all the files were lost. So we had to start all over again. We had a challenge once again this month financially but the Lord brought us through. We also discovered that He wants us to have 4 children so Randy has been staying at home a lot helping with cooking and laundry (hand washing) as i have been having morning sickness! Coming up in April: Randy will be travelling to Manila for one week to apply for a tourist visa for Australia and will purchase airline tickets. We will be working on the final touches for his presentation. Celebrating Passover and Jesus Resurrection as a family. Randy will also go out for evangelism a few times each week. If you are wondering what has happened to our youth center ministry well a reminder, we closed MYC until after Randy's fundraising in Australia. Project Proposal For YWAM Malaybalay Ministries
Introduction
Hello, I am Randy Relos (Filipino), my wife Melanie Relos
(Canadian) and I are presently pioneering YWAM Ministry here in Malaybalay City,
Mindanao, Philippines. Since February 2005
the month our YWAM leaders commissioned and released us to begin our work here,
we have observed a city with many youth whose lives are submerged by passivity.
We saw internet cafes packed with kids involved in online gaming or chatting/
web caming. On the surface this may seem like harmless fun, but looking deeper,
you will see young lives ruined by laziness, irresponsibility and an addiction
to the internet. Students and out of school youth of all ages are in these
internet cafes. Students escaped classes just to visit these sites, and video
games and spend their lunch and transportation money while the devil is using
this to steal their future, their health and their desire to study.
We
have also observed a lack of corporate effect effort within the Body of Christ
in Malaybalay City to reach out to this generation of
online gamers and entertainment seekers. There are few churches who are
actively involved in campus ministries, or out of school youth ministries. The Out of school youth are frequently
involved in drugs, gang war, pornography, prostitution, and other criminal
activity, homosexuality or just hanging out jobless, goal less and dream-less.
The students are also involved in prostitution to pay tuition, pornography,
cheating, some also lacking dreams/ goals and are just enrolled to please
parents.
A unified effort needs to be achieved in order
to present the gospel to these youth in a way that speaks to their hearts, and
to bring these young people to Christ.
As
YWAM Malaybalay City Ministries leaders, we strongly believe we are called to
be in unity with the body of Christ in this city and to partner with them in
winning, discipling and igniting this younger generation for Jesus Christ. The Lord has given my wife and I the heart of
compassion, the vision, the strategy and
the perseverance to reach out to these youth and the ministries we will begin
to be the vehicle bring the gospel, but we are still in need of the fuel, the
mechanics, the painters, electricians (etc) to keep this vehicle on the road.
May
this proposal be a call and a challenge to those He wants to respond to Him and
be a part of establishing His kingdom here in Malaybalay City
by helping with the needs.
We would like to express our deep appreciation
to those trusting us in this endeavor of presenting the Gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ here in Malaybalay City
Philippines.
YWAM International Statement of Purpose
YWAM is an
international, interdenominational organization of born again Christians united
in love and dedication to presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.
YWAM
is a completely non-profit organization comprised of people of many ages
serving in both short term and long term capacities.
YWAM Malaybalay City Ministries:
YWAM University of the Nations, Philippines Training Coordinator Joel Bringas……………….Cell # 0917-704-2321 Youth With A Mission P>O. Box 80236 Davao City Mindanao 8000 Philippines YWAM – Nehemiah Orphanage Director Michael Casey………..Cell # 63920-905-7029 YWAM Cagayan City Base Director Rudy De Guia P.O. Box 0384 Cagayan De Oro City, 9000 Philippines Malaybalay City Evangelical Ministerial and Churches Association Pastor Rodney Sarilla- Chairman Cell# 0918-428-9019 Pastor Elmer Tejero- Secretary Cell# 0906-740-7025
3/3/2008 February ReportThe Anti-Drug Campaign will end on march 7. Randy has been apart of this campaign for the whole month of February partnering with Layang Rehas Band (lead singer Chito R. Ruinas whom accepted the Lord when he was in prison many years ago) and 2 other bands of born again tribal people from San fernando, and in partnership with bornagain Mayor of Malaybalay City. Kuya Chito For the past weeks we were able to declare the message of the Gospel, the only hope for freedom from addiction at 9 barangays ( that's a local government unit/ nieghbourhood). Every barangay we visit we were able to lead individuals to the Lord Jesus in repentance and receiving the free gift of eternal life. Others went home with the words in their minds. It usually was a mixed audience: children, parents, average youth and other adults and youth whom it was obvious that were involved into addictions of sorts, also many homosexuals listened. In these 9 barangays a total of 50 people came to know the Lord, a few made a recommitment in their relationship with God. A parent of 3 teenagers came to and ask to us to have her kids followed up. A number of parents raised their concern with regards to illegal drug addiction among the youth in their community. Last Friday 29th of February we made a greater challenge to the people to accept the Lord and repent of their sins. It was at the KAAMULAN Festival grand opening (KAAMULAN-the gathering of the 7 tribes of Bukidnon is a yearly festival here in the city of Malaybalay) for many years the churches here in Malaybalay have been praying for a time that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus will be presented in such occasion now Last Friday was the answer to that and the crowded field of people from all around Bukidnon heard the message. And the Lord knows who truly responded to Him. Concerning YWAM: Some have been asking us if YWAM is a part of the Ecumenical movement, before we were asked we hadn't really heard about it. We did some research online as to what this movement is. We (Randy & I) personally do not agree with this movement as it is a compromise of the Gospel and an unequal yoking. We've asked our regional leaders about it and they said YWAM has not joined this movement. We have read online that other people THINK YWAM has joined this movement among other "supposed" issues but these could just be misunderstandings or slander etc... I hope should say that they ought read YWAM documents and statement of faith available at www.ywam.org. I have posted some of these on our space for your reference http://malaybalayouthcenterywam.spaces.live.com . These statements are clear as to the doctrines held in YWAM. It is Possible that there are individuals within YWAM that agree with the Ecumenical Movement and i think they should be prayed for and reminded of the truth. But as a Whole YWAM is not a part of this movement, from what i have researched. One thing that i admit is a little disappointing is that fact that YWAM leaders in Kona have not made any public statement concerning this (unless they did and i don't know about it) issue which can be a bit frustrating for those wondering, which they in turn are left to draw their own conclusions. We will try to inquire as to why this is happening. Please feel free to contact us for any clarification. One more thing, we personally are not familiar with Benny Hinn's Ministry (we don't have a TV) and we do not recommend others to follow him. From what we have heard and read, the things he says and does are pretty outrageous and questionable, and his ministry's financial state is also being questioned. We just pray that the Lord will bring conviction to him and then we leave this in His hands to deal with it. Praise Report:
Prayer Request:
Blessings to you brothers and sisters in Christ, Randy & Mel 2/27/2008 Why YWAMers Raise SupportAn interview with YWAM's Founder, Loren Cunningham Why are all YWAM missionaries required to raise support?
I think it would be wrong to say all YWAM missionaries are required to raise support, because many of them have independent support. We have those that have retired from the military, and those that have other kinds of financial arrangements where they've made investments, and so on. But certainly the majority would need to be concerned about what system they're going to use in order to take care of their needs. Jesus Himself gives us the pattern. And I think the Jesus way of fund raising is the key. In Luke 8:1-3 it says He had a team who supported Him. It wasn't a fund. It wasn't someone else doing it for Him. It was relational, between Jesus and the ones He had ministered to. He was accountable, in a sense, to them because of their giving. How did Paul get his support? Obviously, he was following the Jesus way, where individuals who knew him and that he had ministered to were able to give to him. What are the benefits of this type of funding?
I think the main benefit is that the leader is not able to use money to manipulate people. When you remove money, you remove a major area of control. And the spirit of control is one of the most devastating spirits to ministries. Another one of the strengths of this is that it's all done personally. Then prayer also becomes one of the keys, not only my praying for the supporters, but the supporters will pray for me, because where they put their treasure, there their heart will be. Where their heart is, their prayer support will be. And then in turn they get the news out to their nieces, nephews, friends, relatives, sons, daughters, parents and they might end up coming with YWAM and being part of the mission force. So it's recruitment, it's accountability, it's good communication, it's prayer support, it's a stability financially. It's a whole lot of things, but the key goes back to relationship. YWAM's StructureAs YWAM has grown over the years, YWAM's leaders have consistently sensed God leading them to develop as a family of ministries, rather than a structured, centralized agency. Although we have main offices, we do not have an international administrative headquarters. Therefore each YWAM location is responsible for planning outreaches, initiating training programs, recruiting staff, financial resource development, and setting priorities in carrying out ministry. With all the freedom and independence allowed each location, the question often arises: What does every YWAM location have in common? Some of the common denominators found at YWAM locations are: • The pre-requisite of the Discipleship Training School. • The mandate to "know God and make Him known" (Is. 6:8; Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:10). • A three fold ministry of: evangelism (Rom. 10:14-15), mercy ministry (Matt. 5, Eph. 2:10) and training/discipleship (Mark 16:15). • A shared statement of faith, vision and values. All YWAM locations are also tied together and held accountable by regional and international leadership teams. YWAM's international leadership group is called the Global Leadership Team (GLT). This team consists of about 45 regional and international YWAM leaders. The GLT meets once a year to pray, discuss vision and address major trends and issues. GLT task forces meet year round. YWAM's top leaders are: Lynn Green, Executive Chairperson, Loren Cunningham, founder; and John Dawson, President. YWAM Explained
a must read if you are wondering about YWAM's doctrines and if they are EcumenicalLausanne Covenant Lausanne, Switzerland was the location of a 1974 International Congress called by a committee headed by Rev. Billy Graham. Christian leaders from 150 countries attended the Congress. The Lausanne Covenant is a declaration agreed upon by more than 2,300 evangelicals during the 1974 International Congress to be more intentional about world evangelization. Since then, the Covenant has challenged churches and Christian organizations to work together to make Jesus Christ known throughout the world. We, members of the Church of Jesus Christ, from more than 150 nations, participants in the International Congress on World Evangelization at Lausanne, praise God for his great salvation and rejoice in the fellowship he has given us with himself and with each other. We are deeply stirred by what God is doing in our day, moved to penitence by our failures and challenged by the unfinished task of evangelization. We believe the Gospel is God's good news for the whole world, and we are determined by his grace to obey Christ's commission to proclaim it to all mankind and to make disciples of every nation. We desire, therefore, to affirm our faith and our resolve, and to make public our covenant. 1. The Purpose of God
We affirm our belief in the one-eternal God, Creator and Lord of the world, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who governs all things according to the purpose of his will. He has been calling out from the world a people for himself, and sending his people back into the world to be his servants and his witnesses, for the extension of his kingdom, the building up of Christ's body, and the glory of his name. We confess with shame that we have often denied our calling and failed in our mission, by becoming conformed to the world or by withdrawing from it. Yet we rejoice that even when borne by earthen vessels the gospel is still a precious treasure. To the task of making that treasure known in the power of the Holy Spirit we desire to dedicate ourselves anew. (Isa. 40:28; Matt. 28:19; Eph. 1:11; Acts 15:14; John 17:6, 18; Eph 4:12; 1 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 12:2; II Cor. 4:7) 2. The Authority and Power of the Bible
We affirm the divine inspiration, truthfulness and authority of both Old and New Testament Scriptures in their entirety as the only written word of God, without error in all that it affirms, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. We also affirm the power of God's word to accomplish his purpose of salvation. The message of the Bible is addressed to all men and women. For God's revelation in Christ and in Scripture is unchangeable. Through it the Holy Spirit still speaks today. He illumines the minds of God's people in every culture to perceive its truth freshly through their own eyes and thus discloses to the whole Church ever more of the many-colored wisdom of God. (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21; John 10:35; Isa. 55:11; 1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16, Matt. 5:17,18; Jude 3; Eph. 1:17,18; 3:10,18) 3. The Uniqueness and Universality of Christ
We affirm that there is only one Saviour and only one gospel, although there is a wide diversity of evangelistic approaches. We recognise that everyone has some knowledge of God through his general revelation in nature. But we deny that this can save, for people suppress the truth by their unrighteousness. We also reject as derogatory to Christ and the gospel every kind of syncretism and dialogue which implies that Christ speaks equally through all religions and ideologies. Jesus Christ, being himself the only God-man, who gave himself as the only ransom for sinners, is the only mediator between God and people. There is no other name by which we must be saved. All men and women are perishing because of sin, but God loves everyone, not wishing that any should perish but that all should repent. Yet those who reject Christ repudiate the joy of salvation and condemn themselves to eternal separation from God. To proclaim Jesus as "the Saviour of the world" is not to affirm that all people are either automatically or ultimately saved, still less to affirm that all religions offer salvation in Christ. Rather it is to proclaim God's love for a world of sinners and to invite everyone to respond to him as Saviour and Lord in the wholehearted personal commitment of repentance and faith. Jesus Christ has been exalted above every other name; we long for the day when every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess him Lord. (Gal. 1:6-9;Rom. 1:18-32; I Tim. 2:5,6; Acts 4:12; John 3:16-19; II Pet. 3:9; II Thess. 1:7-9;John 4:42; Matt. 11:28; Eph. 1:20,21; Phil. 2:9-11) 4. The Nature of Evangelism
To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord he now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gifts of the Spirit to all who repent and believe. Our Christian presence in the world is indispensable to evangelism, and so is that kind of dialogue whose purpose is to listen sensitively in order to understand. But evangelism itself is the proclamation of the historical, biblical Christ as Saviour and Lord, with a view to persuading people to come to him personally and so be reconciled to God. In issuing the gospel invitation we have no liberty to conceal the cost of discipleship. Jesus still calls all who would follow him to deny themselves, take up their cross, and identify themselves with his new community. The results of evangelism include obedience to Christ, incorporation into his Church and responsible service in the world. (I Cor. 15:3,4; Acts 2: 32-39; John 20:21; I Cor. 1:23; II Cor. 4:5; 5:11,20; Luke 14:25-33; Mark 8:34; Acts 2:40,47; Mark 10:43-45) 5. Christian Social Responsibility
We affirm that God is both the Creator and the Judge of all men. We therefore should share his concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men and women from every kind of oppression. Because men and women are made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, colour, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he or she should be respected and served, not exploited. Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive. Although reconciliation with other people is not reconciliation with God, nor is social action evangelism, nor is political liberation salvation, nevertheless we affirm that evangelism and socio-political involvement are both part of our Christian duty. For both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and man, our love for our neighbour and our obedience to Jesus Christ. The message of salvation implies also a message of judgment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist. When people receive Christ they are born again into his kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world. The salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities. Faith without works is dead. (Acts 17:26,31; Gen. 18:25; Isa. 1:17; Psa. 45:7; Gen. 1:26,27; Jas. 3:9; Lev. 19:18; Luke 6:27,35; Jas. 2:14-26; Joh. 3:3,5; Matt. 5:20; 6:33; II Cor. 3:18; Jas. 2:20) 6. The Church and Evangelism
We affirm that Christ sends his redeemed people into the world as the Father sent him, and that this calls for a similar deep and costly penetration of the world. We need to break out of our ecclesiastical ghettos and permeate non-Christian society. In the Church's mission of sacrificial service evangelism is primary. World evangelization requires the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. The Church is at the very centre of God's cosmic purpose and is his appointed means of spreading the gospel. But a church which preaches the cross must itself be marked by the cross. It becomes a stumbling block to evangelism when it betrays the gospel or lacks a living faith in God, a genuine love for people, or scrupulous honesty in all things including promotion and finance. The church is the community of God's people rather than an institution, and must not be identified with any particular culture, social or political system, or human ideology. (John 17:18; 20:21; Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; 20:27; Eph. 1:9,10; 3:9-11; Gal. 6:14,17; II Cor. 6:3,4; II Tim. 2:19-21; Phil. 1:27) 7. Cooperation in Evangelism
We affirm that the Church's visible unity in truth is God's purpose. Evangelism also summons us to unity, because our oneness strengthens our witness, just as our disunity undermines our gospel of reconciliation. We recognize, however, that organisational unity may take many forms and does not necessarily forward evangelism. Yet we who share the same biblical faith should be closely united in fellowship, work and witness. We confess that our testimony has sometimes been marred by a sinful individualism and needless duplication. We pledge ourselves to seek a deeper unity in truth, worship, holiness and mission. We urge the development of regional and functional cooperation for the furtherance of the Church's mission, for strategic planning, for mutual encouragement, and for the sharing of resources and experience. (John 17:21,23; Eph. 4:3,4; John 13:35; Phil. 1:27; John 17:11-23) 8. Churches in Evangelistic Partnership
We rejoice that a new missionary era has dawned. The dominant role of western missions is fast disappearing. God is raising up from the younger churches a great new resource for world evangelization, and is thus demonstrating that the responsibility to evangelise belongs to the whole body of Christ. All churches should therefore be asking God and themselves what they should be doing both to reach their own area and to send missionaries to other parts of the world. A reevaluation of our missionary responsibility and role should be continuous. Thus a growing partnership of churches will develop and the universal character of Christ's Church will be more clearly exhibited. We also thank God for agencies which labor in Bible translation, theological education, the mass media, Christian literature, evangelism, missions, church renewal and other specialist fields. They too should engage in constant self-examination to evaluate their effectiveness as part of the Church's mission. (Rom. 1:8; Phil. 1:5; 4:15; Acts 13:1-3, I Thess. 1:6-8) 9. The Urgency of the Evangelistic Task
More than 2.7 billion people, which is more than two-thirds of all humanity, have yet to be evangelised. We are ashamed that so many have been neglected; it is a standing rebuke to us and to the whole Church. There is now, however, in many parts of the world an unprecedented receptivity to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are convinced that this is the time for churches and para-church agencies to pray earnestly for the salvation of the unreached and to launch new efforts to achieve world evangelization. A reduction of foreign missionaries and money in an evangelised country may sometimes be necessary to facilitate the national church's growth in self-reliance and to release resources for unevangelised areas. Missionaries should flow ever more freely from and to all six continents in a spirit of humble service. The goal should be, by all available means and at the earliest possible time, that every person will have the opportunity to hear, understand, and to receive the good news. We cannot hope to attain this goal without sacrifice. All of us are shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices which causes it. Those of us who live in affluent circumstances accept our duty to develop a simple life-style in order to contribute more generously to both relief and evangelism. (John 9:4; Matt. 9:35-38; Rom. 9:1-3; I Cor. 9:19-23; Mark 16:15; Isa. 58:6,7; Jas. 1:27; 2:1-9; Matt. 25:31-46; Acts 2:44,45; 4:34,35) 10. Evangelism and Culture
The development of strategies for world evangelization calls for imaginative pioneering methods. Under God, the result will be the rise of churches deeply rooted in Christ and closely related to their culture. Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture. Because men and women are God's creatures, some of their culture is rich in beauty and goodness. Because they are fallen, all of it is tainted with sin and some of it is demonic. The gospel does not presuppose the superiority of any culture to another, but evaluates all cultures according to its own criteria of truth and righteousness, and insists on moral absolutes in every culture. Missions have all too frequently exported with the gospel an alien culture and churches have sometimes been in bondage to culture rather than to Scripture. Christ's evangelists must humbly seek to empty themselves of all but their personal authenticity in order to become the servants of others, and churches must seek to transform and enrich culture, all for the glory of God. (Mark 7:8,9,13; Gen. 4:21,22; I Cor. 9:19-23; Phil. 2:5-7; II Cor. 4:5) 11. Education and Leadership
We confess that we have sometimes pursued church growth at the expense of church depth, and divorced evangelism from Christian nurture. We also acknowledge that some of our missions have been too slow to equip and encourage national leaders to assume their rightful responsibilities. Yet we are committed to indigenous principles, and long that every church will have national leaders who manifest a Christian style of leadership in terms not of domination but of service. We recognise that there is a great need to improve theological education, especially for church leaders. In every nation and culture there should be an effective training programme for pastors and laity in doctrine, discipleship, evangelism, nurture and service. Such training programmes should not rely on any stereotyped methodology but should be developed by creative local initiatives according to biblical standards. (Col. I:27,28; Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5,9; Mark 10:42-45; Eph. 4:11,12) 12. Spiritual Conflict
We believe that we are engaged in constant spiritual warfare with the principalities and powers of evil, who are seeking to overthrow the Church and frustrate its task of world evangelization. We know our need to equip ourselves with God's armour and to fight this battle with the spiritual weapons of truth and prayer. For we detect the activity of our enemy, not only in false ideologies outside the Church, but also inside it in false gospels which twist Scripture and put people in the place of God. We need both watchfulness and discernment to safeguard the biblical gospel. We acknowledge that we ourselves are not immune to worldliness of thoughts and action, that is, to a surrender to secularism. For example, although careful studies of church growth, both numerical and spiritual, are right and valuable, we have sometimes neglected them. At other times, desirous to ensure a response to the gospel, we have compromised our message, manipulated our hearers through pressure techniques, and become unduly preoccupied with statistics or even dishonest in our use of them. All this is worldly. The Church must be in the world; the world must not be in the Church. (Eph. 6:12; II Cor. 4:3,4; Eph. 6:11,13-18; II Cor. 10:3-5; I John 2:18-26; 4:1-3; Gal. 1:6-9; II Cor. 2:17; 4:2; John 17:15) 13. Freedom and Persecution
It is the God-appointed duty of every government to secure conditions of peace, justice and liberty in which the Church may obey God, serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and preach the gospel without interference. We therefore pray for the leaders of nations and call upon them to guarantee freedom of thought and conscience, and freedom to practise and propagate religion in accordance with the will of God and as set forth in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also express our deep concern for all who have been unjustly imprisoned, and especially for those who are suffering for their testimony to the Lord Jesus. We promise to pray and work for their freedom. At the same time we refuse to be intimidated by their fate. God helping us, we too will seek to stand against injustice and to remain faithful to the gospel, whatever the cost. We do not forget the warnings of Jesus that persecution is inevitable. (I Tim. 1:1-4, Acts 4:19; 5:29; Col. 3:24; Heb. 13:1-3; Luke 4:18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12; Matt. 5:10-12; John 15:18-21) 14. The Power of the Holy Spirit
We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father sent his Spirit to bear witness to his Son, without his witness ours is futile. Conviction of sin, faith in Christ, new birth and Christian growth are all his work. Further, the Holy Spirit is a missionary spirit; thus evangelism should arise spontaneously from a Spirit-filled church. A church that is not a missionary church is contradicting itself and quenching the Spirit. Worldwide evangelization will become a realistic possibility only when the Spirit renews the Church in truth and wisdom, faith, holiness, love and power. We therefore call upon all Christians to pray for such a visitation of the sovereign Spirit of God that all his fruit may appear in all his people and that all his gifts may enrich the body of Christ. Only then will the whole world become a fit instrument in his hands, that the whole earth may hear his voice. (I Cor. 2:4; John 15:26;27; 16:8-11; I Cor. 12:3; John 3:6-8; II Cor. 3:18; John 7:37-39; I Thess. 5:19; Acts 1:8; Psa. 85:4-7; 67:1-3; Gal. 5:22,23; I Cor. 12:4-31; Rom. 12:3-8) 15. The Return of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly, in power and glory, to consummate his salvation and his judgment. This promise of his coming is a further spur to our evangelism, for we remember his words that the gospel must first be preached to all nations. We believe that the interim period between Christ's ascension and return is to be filled with the mission of the people of God, who have no liberty to stop before the end. We also remember his warning that false Christs and false prophets will arise as precursors of the final Antichrist. We therefore reject as a proud, self-confident dream the notion that people can ever build a utopia on earth. Our Christian confidence is that God will perfect his kingdom, and we look forward with eager anticipation to that day, and to the new heaven and earth in which righteousness will dwell and God will reign forever. Meanwhile, we rededicate ourselves to the service of Christ and of people in joyful submission to his authority over the whole of our lives. (Mark 14:62; Heb. 9:28; Mark 13:10; Acts 1:8-11; Matt. 28:20; Mark 13:21-23; John 2:18; 4:1-3; Luke 12:32; Rev. 21:1-5; II Pet. 3:13; Matt. 28:18) Conclusion
Therefore, in the light of this our faith and our resolve, we enter into a solemn covenant with God and with each other, to pray, to plan and to work together for the evangelization of the whole world. We call upon others to join us. May God help us by his grace and for his glory to be faithful to this our covenant! Amen, Alleluia! YWAM Statement of FaithStatement of Faith Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation, to mobilizing as many as possible to help in this task, and to the training and equipping of believers for their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. As citizens of God's kingdom, we are called to love, worship, and obey our Lord, to love and serve His Body, the Church, and to present the whole gospel for the whole person throughout the whole world. We of Youth With A Mission believe that the Bible is God's inspired and authoritative word, revealing that Jesus Christ is God's son; that people are created in God's image; that He created us to have eternal life through Jesus Christ; that although all people have sinned and come short of God's glory, God has made salvation possible through the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that repentance, faith, love and obedience are fitting responses to God's initiative of grace towards us; that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth; and that the Holy Spirit's power is demonstrated in and through us for the accomplishment of Christ's last commandment, "...Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to 2/21/2008 if you ever want to visit us we are here:malaybalay city is here in mindanao, in the center mindanao is the biggest island in the southern part of the philippines and the philippines is located in asia |
Some creative tools used to present the gospel include 
Mercy Ministry is the "hands and feet" of making God known. YWAM helps meet some of the practical and physical needs of about 400,000 people annually. Caring for street children in South America; aiding in the recovery of drug addicts in North America and Western Europe; feeding and housing refugees and women in need in Africa and Asia, and operating ships that declare the good news practically and verbally, are just some of the ways in which helping hands are extended.
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