Off the Grid

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

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Series Code: OTG

Program Code: OTG000019


00:01 Adventist World Aviation is an aviation based ministry
00:04 with the mission of reaching the unreached people
00:06 all around the world.
00:08 Currently they have mission outposts in Guyana,
00:11 Alaska and the Philippines.
00:13 Today, we travel to the Philippine Island of Palawan,
00:17 where Adventist World Aviation has an airbase.
00:22 Adventist World Aviation primarily focuses their efforts
00:26 on aviation operations and support. However, they also
00:31 do much more to minister to the local people.
00:34 Evangelism is an important component of what
00:37 Adventist World Aviation does both internationally
00:40 and domestically.
00:42 That is building the kingdom of God in the hearts of people
00:46 is always the first and foremost objective,
00:50 and that is just what they are doing here in Palawan today.
02:04 Adventist World Aviation has had a presence here
02:06 in Palawan for over 8 years.
02:09 Their airbase and mission outpost is in the heart of the
02:12 community of Sagpangan. Within the community is a
02:18 simple bamboo church which, Adventist World Aviation
02:21 leadership helped plant.
02:24 Years ago, a series of evangelistic meetings was held
02:28 here in this area, which lead to a bountiful baptism.
02:31 Shortly after, a simple bamboo structure was built
02:36 for the new members to worship in.
02:38 Since then the church membership has continued to grow.
02:42 Sadly to say, the building is deteriorating.
02:46 Now, years later, Adventist World Aviation leaders
02:49 are back again to visit the church.
02:52 They plan to restore and grow the membership while improving
02:56 the house of the Lord here, in Sagpangan.
03:00 We are standing here in the Philippines in Sagpangan.
03:06 We are here with our lay pastor, pastor Edgar.
03:09 Pastor is our airbase manager. For the lack of a better term.
03:15 Edgar is been working with Adventist World Aviation
03:18 now for nearly 7 years, yeah 7 years.
03:23 Edgar, we have worked hard to build this church here
03:29 in this area. I know that Adventist World Aviation
03:32 was crucial in the formulation of this church here in Sagpangan
03:37 Just right next door airbase, really just basically
03:40 across the street. Isn't it?
03:41 Edgar tell us, how did this church get it's start?
03:46 It started when I first came here in 2007. There was an
03:55 evangelistic meeting here with the request of Nemy Marcelo.
04:02 When I came, the evangelistic meeting was already started
04:09 And many were baptized, 55 souls.
04:14 Because we did not have any church, we went to different
04:21 houses to have a meeting, but we were so many,
04:25 so we did this church.
04:28 Nemy is our Adventist World Aviation ambassador here.
04:32 Nemy had asked Adventist World Aviation if we could help
04:34 sponsor evangelism here. Seeing there is an airbase was
04:38 in this area some time ago. We have no Adventist presence here
04:43 Up until then, about 7 years ago So we held a series of meetings
04:47 here. It was a great success resulting in a church plant.
04:53 A church plant not only needs people,
04:56 but it needs a place to worship in.
04:58 Ric Swaningson, president of Adventist World Aviation
05:02 speaks with the Palawan Mission president about
05:06 working together to expand the church here in Sagpangan.
05:10 It is always the goal of AWA to support the world wide
05:15 Seventh-day Adventist Church and work together
05:18 to grow the kingdom of God in the hearts of people.
05:22 So we are standing inside the sanctuary here which was just
05:25 freshly built it's as I look around Edgar, it looks like
05:29 this sanctuary, it looks old, but really, how old is it?
05:34 2008, so it's already 6 years old.
05:39 It is 6 years old and it's suffering some
05:42 condition problems, isn't it?
05:44 Jah, because of the termites are coming very fast.
05:48 They say this place was on top of the house of termites.
05:54 Termites are really fast eating the light materials,
05:59 as you can see.
06:01 2008 the church was built. Since than there's been great
06:06 amounts of deterioration. Of course termites are a problem
06:11 all throughout the Philippines, but it has especially been
06:14 a problem here. I think the devil would like to destroy
06:16 what we are doing here.
06:18 Termites of course, the weather conditions. We had enough money
06:22 to put a metal roof on this structure,
06:25 which has saved this building I think, hasn't it?
06:27 That is the reason why this building is still exists today
06:33 because of this roof.
06:35 When it was originally built 6 years ago,
06:37 the Sagpangan church also included detached
06:41 mission housing, and an exterior children's room.
06:45 At the time, there was not enough funding to put metal
06:49 roofing on these exterior structures.
06:51 So within a few short years, unfortunately the buildings
06:55 have completely deteriorated due to the natural elements.
06:59 Now all that is left, is the one room church, with no place for
07:03 the youth to meet, and no place to house
07:06 Bible workers for this area.
07:08 This foundation actually is the remnants of a construction
07:13 that happened just 7 years ago. Is that right? Right!
07:18 This is our children's department,
07:20 our children's department, they would sing and had their Sabbath
07:24 school songs here and worship here. They would have children's
07:29 programs going on here. I understand even maybe the
07:31 pathfinders would meet in here from time to time.
07:34 This was their building.
07:35 Unfortunately we didn't have the money to put the metal roof
07:39 on this structure. It was just a typical flat roof
07:41 on this structure. As a result of that the weather has totally
07:46 deteriorated the building to where it is gone. A common lawnmower
07:49 was able to care of the cleanup after the deterioration.
07:53 That's how poorly, quickly deteriorated.
07:56 Had we had a metal roof like we have on our church over here
08:00 this building still would be here. Again a metal roof
08:03 doesn't sound like it's a lot of money. Something as simple
08:07 as that. If we can get the right construction material
08:10 build this thing back up again. Due we need this?
08:13 Yes, we really need it. Because we do not have any
08:17 children's division.
08:18 We don't have a shelter for children and the youth.
08:23 This church desperately needs to rebuild both their
08:26 children's room and their missionary housing.
08:30 The work they are trying to accomplish here is being greatly
08:33 impeded with the lack of facilities.
08:36 Without housing, no long-term Bible worker
08:40 can come to this area.
08:41 And without a place for the children,
08:43 their growth potential is extremely limited.
08:47 So it is the prayer of Adventist World Aviation, to be able to
08:51 restore and expand this church.
08:55 One of the goals of Adventist World Aviation is of course
08:58 to continue supporting the work that we done
09:00 again just a matter of tools.
09:02 We fly the mechanics in to work on our equipment here.
09:06 We fly the construction workers in here to work on our project
09:10 to build a church and to continue maintenance.
09:14 Unfortunately as this church was built during
09:17 the economic decline. Funding has been less than desirable
09:23 As a result our church is suffering for it.
09:26 Now one would think, why isn't the local church membership
09:29 just jump in and pay for the church?
09:31 No money!
09:33 What seems to be a simple expense to us, could be
09:38 a year's wages to a local, that lives in remote areas
09:43 of the Philippines. You know, quite often we take for granted
09:47 the simple things in life, but a $100 is a lot of money here.
09:53 The materials here, sadly for metal roof and for timber
09:58 and all the other things is about the same, as it is
10:01 in the United States. It might be a little bit less.
10:03 But none the less, when it is out of reach, when it takes
10:07 a year's salary just to put up a simple wall. It becomes
10:12 extremely difficult for our locals to be able to that.
10:15 So it is our hope and our prayer that we'll be able to continue
10:17 to support our church here, that we affectionately call our
10:22 little home church here for our AWA airbase.
10:25 We are proud that we have pastor Edgar on our team.
10:29 He is our airbase caretaker and he makes sure that the church
10:33 is well taken care of as well. We are hoping that we will be
10:35 able to accomplish some good work here in our church,
10:39 so we just thank you. I hope you'll pray for what's
10:43 taking place in our little church that AWA was involved
10:47 in helping structure and build. So thanks for your prayers.
10:51 Renovating the church building is not the only concern
10:55 of Adventist World Aviation. The primary focus is on
10:59 filling the inside of the church with souls.
11:03 Yes, evangelism is a large part of the Adventist World
11:06 Aviation's work.
11:07 One of the things that Adventist World Aviation is trying to do,
11:12 is of course lead as many as many souls to Christ.
11:15 Aircraft is just tools, means to an end.
11:20 We use our tools the best we can to build churches,
11:24 to heal the sick, to help the poor. What ever we can do.
11:29 What Jesus would do. In the Bible. He spent more time
11:32 healing, and walking and talking amongst the people.
11:36 We're excited, that Adventist World Aviation is able
11:38 to sponsor continued evangelism here, it's not a - evangelism
11:43 is not an event, it's a process. It's ongoing.
11:46 Adventist World Aviation is sponsoring evangelism right here
11:50 at the airbase church and throughout this area here.
11:54 This is our primary concern right here.
11:57 We want to see this church flourish. Our church can
11:59 currently can seat probably how many, would you say?
12:03 50, We can hold maybe 50
12:06 That's if we pack them in real tight.
12:08 We need a larger church. This one is in desperate need
12:11 of repair, so the appeal is that we can continue to grow.
12:16 And continue to expend our church here at the airbase.
12:21 The AWA team has assembled a group of Evangelists from
12:25 North America to come and conduct meetings in this area
12:28 for the next couple of weeks.
12:31 Adventist World Aviation is doing everything possible
12:34 to grow and expand the airbase and the church here in Sagpangan
12:40 Holding meetings here to reach new souls will surely
12:43 grow the church family. However the old church
12:47 building is already at full capacity.
12:50 For AWA, expanding this church building is a high priority,
12:54 so that they'll be able to welcome many new sheep
12:58 into God's fold.
13:18 Adventist World Aviation called 9 evangelists to the Palawan
13:23 Island to hold meetings simultaneously
13:26 throughout the island.
13:27 Gene Porter, a rancher from Oregon felt impressed to
13:32 respond to Adventist World Aviation's call for evangelists.
13:37 Gene was invited to stay in the home of Edgar and his family
13:42 so that Gene could live in the community
13:45 he came to minister to.
13:47 I am Gene Porter and I was at the Sagpangan church.
13:54 About 3 years ago my wife died. I thought you know one on the
14:01 ways I can get back at the devil I am not strong enough to get
14:06 back at him. But one of the ways I can get back at him, is if I
14:09 do more of God's work. And so this is the second mission trip
14:13 that I've been on since she's died. I hope to do many more,
14:17 not just mission trips, but helping out
14:19 in my own local church also.
14:24 Evangelism is important to me, because I want the Lord
14:30 to come back. One of the things that He is waiting on, to
14:34 come back is to get this gospel spread to the whole world,
14:38 so that everybody has a chance to make their decision for
14:41 or against Him. And the sooner that He comes back,
14:45 the sooner I will like it.
14:49 Holding this crusade is very important to Gene. He truly
14:53 wants to make an impact here in the hearts of the people
14:56 and grow the church.
14:58 Since the current church building is so small,
15:01 the meetings in Sagpangan are scheduled to be held
15:06 in the down town plaza, under the open sky.
15:12 The site where we were at, was called the town plaza.
15:16 There was a basketball court and some bleachers there and a stage
15:23 so we set up on the stage and set chairs out on the basketball
15:28 court for the people to be able to watch and there were people
15:31 on the bleachers also.
15:33 The town plaza is essentially a basketball court with a
15:37 stage beside it. It's not an elaborate set up,
15:41 but it's all that is needed.
15:43 The simplistic nature of the meetings doesn't discourage
15:48 Gene or the people from attending.
15:50 Each evening, community members bring chairs
15:53 from their homes, so they will have a place to sit.
15:56 There is also a bleacher for people to sit on.
16:00 Each night, the outdoor basketball court is turned
16:04 into an amphitheater.
16:06 Since the meetings are held in the town center,
16:09 they are in the public eye and many people are curious,
16:14 they stop to listen to Gene preach. For the next few weeks
16:18 Gene preaches every night. And the community responds
16:22 to his messages. Hundreds of people, both children and adults
16:26 are curious to hear the message of God's love,
16:31 that Gene presents to them.
16:33 Our response was more than they were expecting. We probably
16:40 averaged. We would average over a 100 people a night there.
16:45 I think one of the reasons why so many people are coming out
16:48 to our meetings because we are holding them on neutral ground.
16:53 If we held them in the church here. It was not near big enough
16:57 to hold all the people that are coming. We were told, that
17:01 if we held meetings in the town plaza, that there would be many
17:04 more people that would come and that is holding true.
17:07 I think the church has really supported in helping to bring
17:13 people to these meetings.
17:14 Each night's meeting begins with a children's program.
17:20 Up to 80 children flock to the plaza nightly.
17:24 Excited and eager to listen and learn.
17:28 They do crafts and listen to Bible stories.
17:32 As Gene looks into the children's faces, he wonders
17:36 what will happen to these children
17:39 after his meetings are over?
17:42 Friends, there is clearly a desperate need here to rebuild
17:47 the youth room at this church, so these children will have
17:51 a place to worship.
17:53 Following the children's program Gene turns his attention
17:57 to the adults. They seem to be a bit more shy and often
18:01 listen from the shadows.
18:03 As the meetings progress, the bleachers fill more and more.
18:08 A diverse group of people attend the meetings including the local
18:12 leaders, police officers, as well as the pastor
18:16 of another denomination.
18:18 Night after night Gene unpacks the mysteries of the Bible
18:23 and the audience soaks in the news like a sponge.
18:28 Holding meetings in an open air settings doesn't go
18:31 without challenges however.
18:32 Weather, especially in the topical setting of the
18:36 Philippines can be quite challenging.
18:39 With no roof, one would think rain would give reason
18:43 to stop or cancel a meeting.
18:45 But this is not the case here in Sagpangan.
18:49 Undeterred, Gene preached through the rain,
18:53 and the audience stays to listen.
18:55 They were so focused on hearing the message, that
18:59 they didn't let a little rain drive them away.
19:01 Instead, they sit in the rain attentively.
19:05 I would like the people from my meetings to know
19:07 that Jesus Christ loves them so much, that He gave up
19:12 all heaven and He came to this earth. And He died to pay
19:15 the penalty for each one of our sins and that there is nothing
19:18 that we can do to make Him love us more.
19:21 I hope the people here can see that there is hope no matter
19:27 what they are faced with and that they realize that
19:31 their hope is in Jesus Christ.
19:44 While Gene is holding his meetings in Sagpangan,
19:48 other meetings are also being held within 20 miles distance.
19:52 One of the meetings is being held in the Bagong Sikat area
19:57 with Joseph and Jimmie Story. The Storys are retired ministers
20:03 who also have a desire to make an impact in this area
20:06 of Palawan.
20:08 They have given their entire lives serving the Lord
20:11 and desire to continue sharing God's love in their retirement.
20:17 I am a retired pastor from the Dakota conference. We are
20:22 from Hot Springs South Dakota. This is my wife Jimmie.
20:26 We've been working in the village of Bagong Sikat.
20:30 On the island of Palawan. We been working with the church
20:36 their Seventh-day Adventist Church. We had a retired pastor
20:40 working with us. We've been reaching out to people there
20:45 in that village.
20:46 The Story's have much different accommodations then Gene.
20:50 They are stationed in an existing church.
20:55 Holding an evangelistic series in a foreign country
20:58 brings with it many unknowns, including the people's
21:02 reception of the message. Opening night of the meetings
21:06 could be a very nerve racking thing when you don't know
21:10 what to expect, or how the people are going to respond.
21:13 But they move forward in faith.
21:17 Well, the first night we didn't think anybody was coming.
21:22 Started off nobody was there no children came. We were ready
21:30 for a health program. Nobody came. We started singing
21:34 a little bit. We had just a handful of workers,
21:38 maybe 6 people and we started singing and all the sudden
21:41 the people came. And we had 80 people there that night.
21:47 As the night progresses more and more people attend the meetings.
21:52 The children's program especially is overflowing
21:55 with excited kids.
21:56 It's clear just by looking at them how trilled they are
22:01 to have a program going just for them.
22:04 For an hour each night, they sing, they do crafts and
22:08 listen to stories all focused on their best friend, Jesus.
22:13 Last night we had, I counted 44 children and I am not sure
22:20 I may have stopped counting too soon. There were a whole lot of
22:24 children there. Altogether we had over 120 people there.
22:29 It's growing. It seems to be an interest in what we have
22:33 to present and the Lord is blessing.
22:35 Pastor Story is paired with another local retired minister
22:40 to translate for him.
22:42 The pastor that I am working with is proved to be
22:46 a very fine man, I just really enjoy working with him.
22:49 I have enjoyed working with the AWA personnel.
22:53 Everyone here is just been great And the people out there that
22:57 we're working with are just special people.
23:01 They're really nice. Both my wife and I are really enjoying
23:07 the fellowship with these people.
23:11 Winning hearts to Jesus is Adventist World Aviation's
23:16 main objective.
23:17 Aircraft and aviation are tools used to expand their reach.
23:21 Reaching people with the good news of the gospel message
23:25 is always the primary focus.
23:27 Here in Palawan, the evangelists are able to do just that.
23:32 And the people are responding to the Biblical messages
23:35 they hear each night.
23:38 We had decisions for Christ, We had decisions for baptism.
23:45 We had people who are in the valley of decision.
23:48 It's been a very exiting time. Winning souls is what it's about
23:57 I just enjoy reaching out. I'm also a nurse practitioner,
24:02 but I found, no matter what I am doing, I am ministering.
24:06 That's just what God has called me to do. Because I like to see
24:12 people come to the Lord, be baptized
24:15 and get ready to meet Him.
24:16 I've done mission trips. Evangelism mission trips
24:20 on several occasions. The Lord has blessed me,
24:24 given me souls for His Kingdom. Many people has been baptized.
24:30 I am just looking forward to seeing more of that happen
24:32 Seeing people get ready to meet the Lord.
24:35 I guess I just have to say that's something that I really
24:40 enjoy seeing happen.
24:42 This evangelistic crusade has left a spiritual birthmark
24:48 on both the attendees and the presenters.
24:53 I would say it has confirmed again my love of doing
25:01 evangelism and we have enjoyed working together, we always have
25:08 I guess personally it's been a good experience. I've enjoyed it
25:16 In reaching out to others, and helping them prepare,
25:20 it helps us too. It's an opportunity to be fellow workers
25:25 with our heavenly Father. With the God Head and with the Angels
25:31 The biggest thing I find that people everywhere
25:34 even though cultures are different, people still respond
25:40 to love. Respond to the message of the Bible and
25:44 the soon coming Savior.
25:45 I would like everyone to remember Jesus. He is our hope
25:53 He is our salvation, He is why we are here.
25:58 The Bible unmistakably has a transforming power
26:02 that was at work here in Palawan.
26:04 At the end of the 2 weeks, all 7 meetings come to a close
26:09 across the island.
26:11 The evangelists are incredibly happy with the work
26:14 God has done through them.
26:16 As a result of the meetings, over 150 souls were won for
26:21 the kingdom and baptized into fellowship with Jesus Christ.
26:26 On the last Sabbath in Palawan, the evangelists were given
26:31 the honor of having a mass baptism.
26:33 Joseph Story, an ordained minister, was among those
26:38 that were baptizing the new believers.
26:40 Joy and excitement filled the air.
26:43 God's church family here in Palawan has grown again.
26:49 We praise God!
26:51 I found out with these evangelistic meetings they take
26:55 a lot of time and energy. Sometimes you wonder how much
27:00 good you are doing, but when you see all the baptisms
27:02 that come from it it makes it all worth it.
27:08 If AWA is not around here, maybe the church would not be here.
27:15 We need to keep working for Jesus till He comes.
27:17 It's become very evident that there is a desperate need
27:22 for a new church building.
27:24 The membership now has outgrown the current structure
27:28 here in Sagpangan.
27:30 It is the goal of Adventist World Aviation to provide
27:34 the needed updates and expansions for this church,
27:38 so the church body can continue to grow and thrive
27:42 as a new expending family of God.
27:47 Please continue to keep Adventist World Aviation
27:50 in your thoughts your prayers and your giving.
27:55 As God's loving hope of salvation is shared with every
28:00 person here in this island of Palawan Philippines.
28:05 Jesus said in the great Gospel commission of Matthew 28:19-20
28:11 That we are to go into all the world.
28:13 Well Adventist World Aviation is dedicated to doing just that.
28:18 There are now over 7 billion people that live on planet earth
28:22 And 2 billion of them have never heard of Jesus Christ.
28:26 Out of that 2 billion, 800 million of them are only
28:31 accessible by means like aircraft, or through aviation
28:34 support. Adventist World Aviation goes into those
28:38 unreached areas of the world.
28:40 Bringing the good news of Jesus Christ.
28:43 Through aviation we're able to bring health, hope
28:47 and life eternal. Through aviation we can spread
28:51 the Gospel message to the far corners of the world
28:54 and show them the love of Jesus.
28:57 The message that we bring them is absolute hope.
29:00 We do not do this alone. Jesus calls everyone of us
29:04 to be a part of this great work of reaching the unreached
29:07 of this world.
29:08 We desperately need your prayers
29:11 If you would like to get involved or find out
29:14 more information about Adventist World Aviation
29:16 Please call Three Angels Broadcasting Network
29:20 and ask for Adventist World Aviation.


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Revised 2015-08-12