Participants:
Series Code: OTG
Program Code: OTG000023
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00:01 Adventist World Aviation is an aviation based ministry
00:03 with the mission of reaching the unreached people 00:06 all around the world. 00:07 Currently they have mission outposts in Guyana, 00:10 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. 00:29 However, they also do much more to minister to the local people. 00:34 Evangelism is an important component of what Adventist 00:37 World Aviation does, both internationally 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. 00:49 And that is just what they are doing here in Palawan today. 02:04 Adventist World Aviation has assembled an evangelistic team 02:07 and traveled to the Philippine Island of Palawan. 02:11 The group of 7 evangelists have traveled far to come to Palawan 02:15 to hold evangelistic meetings for the next few weeks. 02:18 The meetings will be conducted simultaneously, every evening 02:21 in different site locations scattered around the island. 02:24 Each evangelist is assigned to a local church and is also 02:28 partnered with Bible workers to translate for them. 02:31 The goal of Adventist World Aviation is always to reach 02:34 the unreached. 02:36 Here in the Palawan Islands, 02:37 the evangelists aim to do just that. 02:40 To reach new souls for the kingdom of Heaven. 02:43 Adventist World aviation's primary focus is to reach the 02:47 unreached in this world with the love of God 02:50 and the gospel message. 02:51 One of the many ways they do this is by holding evangelistic 02:55 meetings both domestic and international. 02:58 On today's episode of "Off the Grid", we travel with an AWA 03:03 evangelistic team to the Philippine island of Palawan. 03:08 For the past few months, Adventist World Aviation has 03:11 been working closely with local pastors in Palawan to prepare 03:15 for this large evangelistic crusade. 03:17 Each location site was assigned an evangelist, as well as 03:20 a translator to help assist the international team. 03:25 The AWA team that traveled to the Philippines has within it 03:29 a wide range of evangelism experience. 03:32 Some of the evangelists have been preaching for over 20 years 03:36 while for some, this is their very first time holding meetings 03:40 Regardless of their experience level, all the team members 03:44 are excited to beginning their meetings. 03:46 Before they begin preaching however, the entire group 03:49 comes together for a meeting with the local church leaders. 03:52 The mission president and Adventist World Aviation 03:55 leadership. 03:57 They are briefed on some vital cultural information and given 04:01 helpful advice when interacting with new interests. 04:04 They are given a few last words of encouragement, before they 04:07 meet their translators and head out to visit their sites for the 04:11 very first time. 04:13 Each of the evangelists are assigned a translator to assist 04:16 them over the next few weeks. 04:18 Introductions are made and it seems, 04:20 instantly friendship bonds are created. 04:24 The translators and other local church workers have been 04:27 working tirelessly to prepare for these meetings. 04:30 For months they have been working with the local people 04:33 and "preparing the ground" for the gospel message. 04:36 They have gone out into the community and worked with 04:39 the people, and invited them to the meetings. 04:44 As the time arrives they are all anxious to begin their meetings. 04:47 Each evangelist settles into their site location and begins 04:51 working with the people and sharing the good news of the 04:53 gospel with their audience each evening. 05:07 My name is Charlene West, I am from Colton California. 05:10 I am the director of project development and evangelism 05:15 for Adventist World Aviation. 05:18 My son Aaron and Melissa and I had been at the Urduja church 05:25 It's actually in the village of Princess Urduja 05:30 We have an amazing group of church members there 05:33 that are coming. Very active. 05:35 They each been going out to the village to talk to people. 05:39 To invite people to come to the church. 05:41 Our church structure is basically 4 walls 05:45 that are concrete blocks and the roof. 05:48 It's a very simple church, but it's a very happy and, 05:50 lively church. 05:52 People are still welcoming there 05:53 They just make you feel at home. It doesn't matter if the site 05:59 has concrete, or drywall, or if it's paved, or unpaved it's just 06:05 they make you feel welcome. They make you feel happy there. 06:09 The people at the Urduja church are very receptive 06:13 to the messages they are hearing. 06:14 Both young and old come and listen to Charlene and Aaron 06:18 West present the gospel. 06:20 The people are curious and hungry for more Bible knowledge. 06:24 It seems that the local Bible workers have done a great job 06:28 working with the local people and preparing the ground 06:31 for a great harvest. 06:32 They planted seeds in the community in faith that their 06:36 efforts would be blessed and grow. 06:40 The audience listens attentively night after night. 06:43 After each meeting, they go home and invite their neighbors 06:47 to join them. 06:48 The simple church structure is packed full of people each night 06:52 The Wests are graciously accepted into the community. 06:56 The meetings grow each night. 06:59 The audience literally sits on the edge of their seats 07:02 and listen eagerly to the words coming from the pulpit. 07:05 Like a sponge, they soak in all the messages, 07:08 always thirsty for more. 07:10 I am getting a lot of people, that are sitting in their pews 07:14 and they are leaning against their pews, 07:15 trying to get as close as they can. 07:19 A lot of people nodding, a lot of smiling faces, 07:23 when we're talking about the love of Jesus Christ. 07:27 The look on their faces goes from hopeless to full of hope. 07:35 That right there is life changing. 07:56 We're in an area of people, that are looking for GOD, 08:00 or trying to have a relationship with God. 08:03 And so they opened up their hearts to us. 08:06 To be able to learn the Bible principles and wanting to become 08:10 part of the church, that does study the Bible. 08:13 The church members when they come, 08:16 they love to hear about Jesus. 08:19 They love to bring people from the community 08:23 into our meetings each night. 08:25 The West's want to be a good example to these people 08:29 and teach them how to share Jesus with others. 08:32 When we go home, our goal is for the people here in Palawan 08:38 those, who have come to our meetings, those who have made 08:40 decisions to be baptized and even the current church members. 08:44 We want them to have a new love and understanding of the Bible. 08:50 We want them to fall in love with Jesus all over again. 08:54 Or even for the first time. 08:56 But not only that, we're hoping, that they have 08:59 learned to become disciples. 09:01 And to be able to go out and duplicate what we have done. 09:05 As we are preaching to them at night, we're giving them tools. 09:09 We are giving them the Scripture materials for them to go out 09:12 and share that information with their family and friends, 09:16 who may have not wanted to participate during the time 09:19 that we were there. 09:20 When Jesus gave us the great commission, 09:23 to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. 09:26 That's what we are wanting to teach them to do, 09:29 during our meetings. 09:30 We're here doing that. Now when we leave we want them 09:34 to continue doing that among their own people. 09:39 Everyone here at the Urduja site has a passion and love for 09:43 the work they are doing here. 10:26 My name is Delmar Austin and I am ministerial director for the 10:30 Illinois conference. 10:31 Delmar is another evangelist that has traveled to Palawan 10:35 to share Jesus in this area. 10:36 His meeting location is in the central church of Narra. 10:41 Pastor Delmar has been in ministry for many years now. 10:44 He is a seasoned evangelist and is continually looking for 10:47 opportunities where he can use his gift of evangelism. 10:51 We have the privilege of working with the Narra church. 10:56 The church that is downtown in the town of Narra. 10:59 We had good attendance, from church members 11:03 and interest alike. We probably had 70 to 80 people, who were 11:08 coming on a regular basis to our meetings. 11:12 The people seem to be very open and responsive to the preaching 11:18 of each Bible presentation. The laymen in the church of Narra 11:24 they just did an outstanding job a spectacular job of working 11:29 with the people there. 11:31 I was really blessed to be in the Narra Church. 11:35 Pastor Delmar has Mar to help him 11:37 preach the message each night. 11:38 The 2 work together seamlessly as they present the gospel 11:42 to the people here in Narra. 11:44 And the people respond positively to the messages 11:47 they are hearing. 12:07 Pastor Delmar and Mar are both honored and pleased 12:10 to see what God Is doing through them. 12:13 As they preach each night, they see people accepting 12:16 the messages and make decisions to follow Christ. 12:19 Pastor Delmar takes time every day to interact 12:23 with the congregation and create important friendship bonds. 12:26 He knows that this is an important part of his work here. 12:30 It's the work that God called us to. To try to reach others. 12:34 And to tell them of the goodness of God. 12:37 We do evangelism in many different ways. 12:41 Evangelism of course is not just public evangelism. 12:45 Evangelism is witnessing to people around us. 12:48 It's showing them God's love. It's ministering to the needs 12:52 of the people and then it's taking the opportunity 12:57 to bid them to follow Jesus Christ. 13:00 We do that when we preach and teach the word of God. 13:04 Here in Palawan we had the opportunity of doing evangelism, 13:09 public evangelism. We've had the opportunity every night 13:14 of preaching Biblical messages and making calls and seeing 13:18 people respond to the bidding of the Holy Spirit. 13:23 And we've been very pleased with the results that 13:26 we've seen from that. 13:27 But evangelism has to do with the whole way that we live. 13:31 It has to do with the way that we relate to people. 13:35 We need to have the Spirit of Jesus in everything that we do. 13:39 And we need to be concerned about the world 13:41 and about reaching out to them and connecting with them 13:45 in practical and helpful ways. 13:48 Evangelism is not just preaching certain doctrines. 13:52 It is coming close to people. Relating to people. Caring about 13:58 their needs. Understanding them. And by doing that, 14:03 having the opportunity of leading them to Jesus. 14:06 showing them what Jesus is like. I think we had the chance 14:11 to do that. We've taken time almost every day to go out 14:16 to someone's home and to sit down there. Sit down with them 14:20 talk with them. Open the Bible with them. And of course pray 14:24 with them. Just these short times that we had together 14:28 with them has helped to create a very important bond. 14:32 Pastor Delmar has reached not only the people in the audience, 14:35 but the messages he preaches each night have had an impact 14:39 on his partner as well. 15:09 I feel that we've had in a special way an opportunity 15:13 to come and be fishers of men here in Palawan. 15:17 And to be part of the harvest that's taking place. 15:20 We've had the opportunity of visiting men and women. 15:24 We've had the opportunity of talking to them about Jesus. 15:27 We've had the opportunity of giving them calls. 15:32 Surrender their lives to Christ and to be baptized. 15:37 We've just rejoiced at the numbers that have responded. 15:43 And of the large harvest that we see that's taking place. 15:47 So we just praise the Lord that God called us here to Palawan 15:51 to be a part of His work. 16:04 David Tice is one of the evangelists joining Adventist 16:07 World Aviation in Palawan. 16:09 This is his first time holding evangelistic meetings, and he is 16:13 very excited about the opportunity to share God's love. 16:17 My name is David Tice. I am from Charles city Iowa, in the States 16:21 I am visiting Narra, in the Philippines. 16:27 David is stationed at the Malatgao Seventh-day Adventist 16:30 Church near the village of Narra 16:32 He instantly falls in love with his church and the people 16:35 that begin attending. 16:36 This is my first overseas evangelistic series. 16:43 I can't believe the excitement, that I am having where the Lord 16:50 is now working in me and through me and 16:52 the Holy Spirit coming down and He is giving me the words to say 16:56 The message that I'll be giving to them for 18 sessions 17:01 will be a message of hope. Most of them are poor people. 17:05 Who live very basic lives, very simple lives. 17:09 It's nice to see their expression to have hope. 17:15 Find something to grab a hold to and find hope in the Lord. 17:20 In the Lord's coming. Every night I felt the spirit in me. 17:25 I felt this power into the words that I can speak. 17:28 I actually felt I was speaking to their hearts. 17:32 Every night we've had people, who decided to be baptized 17:38 and come to Christ. 17:39 There is no doubt about it, David has a passion for these 17:42 people, and for sharing the word of God with them. 18:42 The power that I could feel with the Lord working. 18:48 It wasn't me but it was the Lord working in me and through me 18:53 the Holy Spirit. I can't explain the joy - it is to stand up 19:03 and have the Spirit speak through you. 19:05 There is no greater joy in this world that I can define. 19:09 then speaking the Word of the Lord 19:12 But than, when the Holy Spirit kicks in, and you are saying 19:15 things that you believe in, but than you can't even 19:19 conceive that you've thought of. And the words are coming out 19:22 out of your mouth. There is no greater blessing than that. 19:26 And than to see the reaction of the people as they're sitting 19:28 back there. Very tired from working all day. 19:31 And they lean forward to listen to every word that comes out 19:37 of your mouth about Jesus. 19:44 There is no doubt about it, the Lord is touching souls 19:47 in the Malatgao church. 19:48 Night after night new people make the decision to give their 19:52 lives to Jesus Christ. 19:53 The messages from David and the Holy Spirit working 19:57 on hearts, urge them to make the commitment for baptism. 20:00 The entire church is revitalized. This small church has now 20:05 doubled in size as a result of these meetings. 20:07 But it was not from the workings of man, but rather, 20:11 the outpouring from God. 20:13 This trip is very inspiring. And I found out that like everybody 20:21 has told me before I've ever started. When you make a trip 20:24 like this for the Lord. You come back a new person. 20:27 There is no way you come back the same way like you were 20:31 right before you left. And the feeling is out of this world. 20:36 There is nothing I can say that can match the feeling that 20:41 you get for the Spirit working in you and through you. 20:47 To bring the Word to them. I found out this isn't my work 20:52 I am just a pawn, somebody's servant, that the Lord is using 20:58 to work. 21:03 The privilege I got, was to do it through AWA. 21:09 They are the ones that gave me the privilege to 21:11 making this experience. To come here to the Philippines 21:17 and to experience a joy. It was truly exciting, 21:23 but it isn't what I did, that is the most exciting part 21:26 it's what God did. 21:28 God used somebody like me, who's very first mission 21:32 outside the United States. 21:33 and He could speak through me and to me. In such an exciting 21:38 way that I can put this message to the people. 21:41 I think maybe that's the most exciting of the whole trip 21:45 and even working with AWA is the way the Lord can work 21:51 through them and through me to make this a better world, 21:56 to prepare this world for His Second Coming, because 22:00 He doesn't want to loose one person. That's our job 22:05 Our job is humans, Christians. We are to go out and take care 22:11 of the world. Not just ourselves we are to go out and take care 22:16 of others. I believe it is beyond our local towns. 22:20 We go out, the Lord opens the doors to the people of the world 22:26 and take care of them. 22:46 Belinda Munez is another member of the evangelistic team. 22:49 She is also new to evangelism. This is her first time holding 22:53 meetings on her own. Belinda however feels right at home. 22:57 She herself is Pilipino, so she is bringing the gospel message 23:02 to her own people. 23:03 My name is Belinda, I am from Huston Texas. 23:08 I had the passion for evangelism I believe it is one of my gifts. 23:13 And I don't want to waste that particular gift that God 23:17 has given me, so I can invest it for His Kingdom. 23:22 Belinda is stationed at the Sandoval Church. 23:24 For the past few weeks, the church members have been 23:27 busy preparing for the meetings and inviting 23:29 their neighbors to attend. 23:31 The entire community is excited and anxious to hear 23:34 the messages that Belinda will be presenting to them. 23:38 When the meetings begin, the church is filled to capacity. 23:42 Young and old file into the small bamboo church and listen 23:45 with anticipation. 23:47 The messages captivate them, as they contemplate new ideas 23:51 that they have never been taught before. 23:55 The very first night that I preached, I preached with the 23:58 knowing that God was with me. And the people were so moved 24:02 They had about 47 people there. They were really excited 24:06 about the whole thing. But the news, the good news about 24:09 our Lord Jesus Christ, most of the people do not know yet. 24:14 We ended up having a get together with the people. 24:18 The children were so exited with the projects. And the people 24:22 still really wanted to know more about God. 24:24 Evangelism is preaching the Gospel, the message of our 24:30 Lord Jesus Christ every tongue nation and kindred. To every man 24:33 women and children, so that we could preach God's Gospel. 24:38 In that we continue to share it with others. 24:42 Belinda delivers the message each evening with the help 24:45 of her translator, Bong. 24:47 They both have a deep desire to see lives changed 24:51 here in Sandoval. 25:10 I want to win souls for God in Heaven. To bring glory to Him, 25:14 because this is my mission also. And to help my brothers and 25:20 sisters to know Christ. Just as I came to know Christ. 25:23 To give them salvation and to free them to know Jesus 25:27 with their relationship to put their heart on Jesus. 25:30 Belinda is confident that she is here in Palawan for a purpose. 25:34 She felt God call her here, and she knows that He is with 25:38 her always. 25:39 When you preach the Gospel, the Lord will be with you. 25:43 And give you strength to do it. A double portion of His strength 25:46 I think the people, who are coming night after night 25:49 is because they are hungry for the Word of God. 25:50 This particular church site, where I am, although there are 25:54 not very many people. There are only about 6 families. 25:58 They continue to invite their friends and their relatives 26:02 and those who are around them to share the gospel. 26:05 But I do believe that the reason why they come night after night 26:08 because they are hungry for the word of God. 26:12 They know that we are living in the last days and so they 26:16 tell their brethren, what Jesus has done for their lives. 26:19 That what Jesus has done for their lives, is what Jesus is 26:21 going to do for their lives if they knew Jesus and His love 26:26 and His message of love to them. 26:28 There is no doubt about it, the messages are making 26:31 a deep impact on all those that listen. 26:34 Each evening, the crowd grows with new faces; all curious to 26:38 find out what their neighbors are so excited about. 26:41 The children's program swells beyond capacity. 26:45 Each night, well over 80 children swarm the small church. 26:49 They sing, they color, and they learn about their savior. 26:54 90% of these children are not Adventist or even Christians. 26:58 This is such an amazing opportunity to share Jesus 27:02 with so many at an early age. 27:05 It's overwhelming for me, because they have accepted to the point 27:11 Who Jesus was and I was able to share my life story. 27:15 How I met Jesus. 27:16 So I believe that when we go by the Word of God, 27:20 when we know that we have Christ in our heart and we have 27:22 the hunger to preach His gospel And no one can stop us. 27:25 I believe that where ever I go and I do that the Lord 27:30 will always be with me and He will always walk with me 27:33 before me and by me. 27:35 I believe that I was sent here by God to preach His Word. 27:39 So I know that where ever I am, God is with me as well. 27:42 That He will protect me, that He will always defend me, 27:45 because He is my refuge and strength. 27:58 Gene Porter, a rancher from Oregon felt impressed 28:01 to respond to Adventist World Aviation's call for evangelists. 28:05 About 3 years ago my wife died and I thought, you know 28:13 one of the ways I can get back at the devil... I am not 28:16 strong enough to get back at Him, but one of the ways I can get 28:20 back at him is to do more of God's work. So this is 28:23 the second mission trip that I've been on since she has died. 28:26 I hope to do many more, not just mission trips, 28:30 but helping out in my own local church also. 28:33 Holding this crusade is very meaningful to Gene. 28:37 He truly wants to make an impact here in this area 28:40 and grow the church. 28:41 Evangelism is important to me, because I want the Lord 28:47 to come back. One of the things that He is waiting on 28:52 to come back, is to get this Gospel spread to the whole world 28:55 so that everybody has a chance to make their decision 28:59 for or against Him. 29:00 Since the current church building is so small, 29:02 the meetings in Sagpangan are scheduled to be held 29:06 in the town plaza, under the open sky. 29:08 The site where we were at, was called the town plaza. 29:13 There was a basketball court and some bleachers there, 29:18 a stage and Sue sat upon the stage. And set chairs out on the 29:23 basketball court for the people to be able to watch and then 29:27 there were people in the bleachers also. 29:29 We were told that if we held meetings in the town plaza 29:33 that there would be many more people that would come. 29:35 And that is holding true and I think the church has really 29:40 supported and helped bring people to these meetings. 29:44 For the next few weeks Gene preaches every night, 29:47 and the community responds to his messages. 29:50 Hundreds of people, both children and adults are curious 29:54 to hear the message of God's love that Gene presents to them. 29:57 I would like the people from my meetings to know that 30:01 Jesus Christ loves them so much, that He gave up all of Heaven 30:06 and He came to this earth and He died to pay the penalty 30:09 for each one of our sins. And that there is nothing 30:12 that we can do to make Him love us more. 30:15 I hope the people here can see that there is hope 30:19 no matter what they are faced with and that they realize, 30:24 that hope is in Jesus Christ. 30:39 While Gene is holding his meetings in Sagpangan, 30:42 a short distance away in the Bagong Sikat area 30:45 Joseph and Jimmie Story are also working hard to share Jesus 30:49 to the Pilipino people. 30:51 The Storys are retired ministers that also have a desire to make 30:56 an impact in this region in Palawan. 30:58 They have spent their entire lives serving the Lord 31:01 and want to continue to do so in their retirement. 31:05 I am a retired pastor, from the Dakota conference, 31:08 We're from Hot Springs South Dakota. This is my wife Jimmie. 31:13 We've been working in the village of Bagong Sikat. 31:19 on the island of Palawan. We've been working with the church. 31:23 Their Seventh-day Adventist Church, had a retired pastor 31:28 working with us and we've been reaching out to people there 31:33 in that village. The pastor that I am working with has proved 31:36 to be a very fine man. I just really enjoyed working with him. 32:15 Soul winning is Adventist World Aviation's main objective. 32:19 Aircraft and aviation are tools used to expand their reach. 32:24 Reaching people with the good news of the gospel message 32:27 is always the primary focus. 32:29 Here in Palawan, the evangelists are able to do just that. 32:34 And the people are responding to the Biblical messages 32:37 they hear each night. 32:39 We've had decisions for Christ. We've had decisions for baptism. 32:47 We have people, who are in the valley of decision. 32:50 It's been a very exciting time. The winning souls is what it's 32:56 about. What God has called me to do, because I like to see people 33:00 come to the Lord to be baptized and get ready to meet Him. 33:04 I guess I just have to say that something that I really enjoy 33:09 seeing happen. 33:10 Both my wife and I are really enjoying the fellowship 33:17 with these people. The biggest thing I find that 33:20 people everywhere. Even through cultures are different, 33:24 people still respond to love, they respond to the message 33:29 of the Bible and the soon coming Savior. 33:32 I would like everyone to remember Jesus. 33:39 He is our hope, He is our salvation. He is why we are here 33:45 This evangelistic crusade has left a mark on both the 33:48 attendees as well as the presenters themselves. 33:51 Not only was the audience impacted, but the local Bible 33:56 workers and translators were deeply moved as well. 34:41 The Bible unmistakably has a transformative power that was 34:45 at work here in Palawan. 34:47 At the end of the 2 weeks, all 7 meetings come to a close 34:52 all across the island. 34:53 The evangelists are all incredibly happy with the work 34:57 God has done through them. 34:59 As a result of the meetings, over 150 souls were won for 35:03 the kingdom and baptized into fellowship with Jesus Christ. 35:09 On the last Sabbath in Palawan, all the evangelists and the 35:12 people they have been working with the past few weeks, 35:15 come together to worship and celebrate 35:18 all the decisions for baptism. 35:20 They all come together at the Narra Church. 35:22 The church is overflowing with excitement and joy. 35:26 Before the service begins, each of the evangelists meet 35:30 with their baptismal candidates and give them last words 35:33 of encouragement and preparation. 35:35 These people are not strangers anymore. 35:38 The evangelists have come to know them as personal friends, 35:41 and they are overjoyed to have one last opportunity 35:44 to minister to them. 35:52 The Narra church is filled to capacity. 35:55 So many come out to support and celebrate 35:57 the new members of their church family. 36:00 The evangelists are given the opportunity to see just how 36:04 many lives they have touched over the past few weeks. 36:07 Hundreds of people cram into the church. 36:20 Even the over flow areas are filled beyond capacity. 36:24 People bring anything they can sit on and find a spot to sit 36:28 outside the church windows, so they can be 36:30 a part of the service. 36:32 Undoubtedly, this is a joyous celebration. 36:35 The family of God is growing here in Palawan. 36:46 Pastor Ric Swaningson, president of AWA, has the 36:50 honor of sharing one last message with the congregation. 36:53 He unpacks the Bible and shares with them 36:56 the opportunity to join into an eternal relationship with Christ 37:00 The message is powerful. The Holy Spirit moved many. 37:05 Pastor Ric gives one last appeal to accept salvation. 37:10 Without hesitation, almost every hand raises to accept the call. 37:15 The church comes alive with people who are excited 37:18 to join God's family! 37:28 As the people come forward, Pastor Ric and the local mission 37:31 president pray over the people. 37:34 What a powerful response to the Word of God. 37:37 Hundreds of people stand as they accept Jesus Christ 37:40 as their Lord. 37:42 The evangelists look out over the sanctuary 37:45 and are moved to tears. 37:46 They are so honored to have had a part in this work 37:49 here in Palawan. 37:51 They know God has used them, as powerful instruments 37:55 to accomplish His work. 37:59 After the service, everyone piles into the buses to head towards 38:04 the water for baptism. 38:05 It takes 6 bus loads, of people piled in, to transport everyone 38:11 to the baptismal site. 38:13 No one gets left behind. The baptism is held 38:17 at a local spring just a few miles away. 38:25 People encircle the entire pool area excited to be a part of the 38:30 baptismal celebrations. 38:32 It was wonderful, it was existing. The day was perfect. 38:39 The sky was shining, the clouds were just rolling past. 38:43 It couldn't have been a more beautiful day. 38:45 The people came in excitement. I could hear the little girls 38:51 and little boys as they ran past the pool just so excited 38:54 jumping up and down. 38:55 The pool, the water of the pool just glisten and I could see 39:00 the reflection of the Adventist World Aviation sign which was 39:05 fun and exiting to see that. 39:07 8 pastors get in the water and together begin 39:11 baptizing the crowd. 39:12 Pastor Ric, Joseph Story and Delmar Austin are all ordained 39:18 ministers, so they join 5 local pastors in the water. 39:22 Crowds of people enter the water to become born again. 39:26 They are watching the people to get into the pool 39:28 and seeing them when they came out of the water. The look of 39:32 excitement. It's just like they knew what they had just 39:38 participated in. They were following Jesus' example. 39:42 They knew the beauty of it, they knew the importance of it. 39:46 And then hearing in the distance you can hear the song 39:49 "Surrender all to Jesus" Just kind of floated through the 39:53 crowd as they sang. And when they come up, it didn't matter 39:57 who is being baptized, but just because there was somebody, 40:00 that was giving their heart to Jesus. They came up 40:03 out of the water. The crowd just cheered and clapped for joy. 40:08 Because more people have become part of God's kingdom. 40:16 It's an amazing moment to see somebody make that decision. 40:23 Especially when you know that some of the people being 40:26 baptized where people that came to your meetings. 40:29 That you watched them night after night as they were listening 40:33 to the Bible doctrines being preached. And you could see 40:36 on some of the peoples faces that they weren't sure about 40:41 that particular doctrine. But they still came back 40:44 the next night. Though Sabbath. The sermon that we did on the 40:49 Sabbath, there was a number of people that were really 40:54 questioning that. Weren't sure if they could give up, what they 40:56 their whole lifestyle for that. But they came back the next 40:59 night, but than on top of that they were here and 41:02 they were baptized. 41:04 Some of the people that were baptized were actually 41:07 church member's children. And it's fun to see when... 41:14 As a church member to see your own child - doesn't matter 41:17 the age - being baptized. It's amazing! 41:21 As the evangelists watch, they can't help but be moved. 41:25 It made me feel wonderful. I even started getting 41:29 a little teary eyed. Especially with one of the baptisms. 41:32 She is an elderly lady, who we went and visited. 41:37 She made her decision for it. We were just teary eyed, 41:44 best feeling you can possibly imagine. 41:48 The baptism today was an extra wonderful event. 41:54 We call it... today was a high Sabbath. For we had baptisms 41:59 come from all the churches. 42:03 Our church I know, we had 35 baptisms out of the church that 42:09 I was at. It was very existing to see people here, 42:17 how their lives now became changed. 42:19 as they came into the water and came out new. 42:23 It's exciting to see the Lord working. It wasn't our work 42:28 It was the Lord's work that was done today. 42:32 I've never had a chance myself personally to be involved 42:37 in so many baptisms at one time. Where we had 8 pastors 42:42 all in the water. Baptizing 8 people at the time. 42:47 I lost count as far as how many people went through there. 42:56 There were special people from the church I was at. I was 43:00 very happy to see those make the commitment to follow Jesus. 43:06 And it was very exciting to see them go in and cleansed and 43:11 come out of the water a new person. 43:14 You can't help, but change one's life. As I told them good by, 43:19 I told them that their coming in my heart they'll be part of me 43:26 for the rest of my life for what I've experienced here. 43:30 This is why we are here is to bring them into 43:32 the kingdom of God. 43:35 Yes, when these people, that I'd been working with would come 43:39 to me and I put them under the water... that was really special 43:44 That was special! 43:45 That was a very rewarding experience 43:48 to see people that you've been working with for 2 weeks. 43:54 They have made a decision for Christ, than to see them 43:58 be baptized. Have the opportunity to be baptizing 44:01 some of them. That's just very exciting. 44:04 You get connected with people. you personally get to know them. 44:12 As you're preaching every night you're preaching to them. 44:16 You're looking at their faces, you're talking to them and 44:20 to see them responsive and to see them make those decisions. 44:26 It's very important, because they are more than just faces 44:30 out there. They're friends now. You've stayed at their home. 44:34 You've stopped in their home. You've visited with them, 44:37 you've prayed with them. 44:38 And you feel a real bond with them. So it's just with a lot 44:44 excitement that you had a chance to baptize them. 44:46 We spend so much time with these people and we visit them. 44:50 We hear their stories and hear their pain hear their difficulty 44:53 And we see them come up out of the water with so much joy 44:57 in their face. And it's just a feeling that can't be described. 45:01 And they were people coming to your meetings you realize 45:04 one of these days when you all get to heaven, we're there 45:07 together in Heaven. These are people that you are going to sit 45:11 under the tree of life. Talk together and maybe even 45:16 reminisce about being in Narra on Palawan island. 45:21 It's an amazing thing! 45:23 Each of the people that were baptized received a Bible 45:26 in their native tongue. 45:28 The entire crowd was overcome with joy. 45:31 This event could not have happened without the 45:33 dedicated work of the translators and local 45:36 Bible workers. 45:37 Their passion to serve God was an intricate part of making 45:41 today's baptism a reality. 46:41 These evangelistic meetings here in Palawan undoubtedly 46:44 have left an everlasting impression. 46:46 God's church family has grown again. 47:53 Even though the meetings are over and the evangelists will 47:56 return home, the new members of the Palawan Seventh-day 48:00 Adventist church are not left here alone. 48:05 So you wonder, what's going to happen to the new re-baptized 48:08 church members here on Palawan island. The Bible workers and 48:12 the lay workers will continue working with them. 48:16 And will disciple them and help them to become part 48:19 of each of the churches that they became introduced to. 48:24 So that will create a longing, lasting relationship 48:29 with the church members and we'll help them in their growth 48:33 through Jesus Christ. 48:35 Jesus said in the great gospel commission of Matthew 28:19-20 48:41 that we are to go into all the world. 48:43 Well, Adventist World Aviation is dedicated to doing just that. 48:48 There are now over 7 billion people that live on planet earth 48:52 And 2 billion of them have never heard of Jesus Christ. 48:56 Out of that 2 billion, 800 million of them 49:00 are only accessible by means like aircraft, 49:03 or through aviation support. 49:05 Adventist World Aviation goes into those unreached areas 49:09 of the world, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ. 49:13 Through aviation we are able to bring health, hope 49:17 and life eternal. 49:19 Through aviation we can spread the Gospel message 49:22 to the far corners of the world. To show them the love of Jesus. 49:26 The message that we bring them is absolute hope. 49:30 We do not do this alone. 49:32 Jesus calls everyone of us to be part of this great work 49:36 of reaching the unreached of this world. 49:38 We desperately need your prayers! 49:40 If you would like to get involved, or find out more 49:44 information about Adventist World Aviation 49:46 Please call Three Angels Broadcasting Network 49:49 and ask for Adventist World Aviation! |
Revised 2015-08-24