Location: the Philippines
Transformational Impact: Our desire is to disciple and train young Filipino adults in Iloilo, Philippines, to become passionate servant leaders for Jesus Christ.
Ministry Focus: Although 70% of the Philippines’s population struggles with considerable poverty, over 20 million Filipino young people are seeking a brighter future for themselves and their families. We live in the city of Iloilo, an education hub with 135,000 students attending eight universities and six colleges.
In 2020, I (Elna) established a core group of eight young women attending university. Since then, this one small group has morphed into many more as each woman has become a leader in her own right. I continue to disciple and lead small groups of women on university campuses. I also seek to provide for students’ physical needs since many struggle to afford university.
I (Rod) am the director of Calvary Bible Institute (CBI), a 10-month modular leadership training school for mainly young professionals studying and/or working full-time. Having trained 100 students since 2012, we average 15-20 students per cohort. Local pastors teach courses that range from learning how to manage one’s finances to understanding the basic doctrines of the faith to becoming a servant leader.
Both of us desire to see God work mightily in young Filipino leaders so that they can help change the very fabric of Philippine society—all for His glory!
Your Impact: You will help train young Filipino men and women to become Spirit-filled leaders in their communities, to boldly witness for Christ.
Ministry History: I (Rod) attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 2000 with my Associate Degree in Theology. In 2009, I felt called to the Philippines, interning with a children’s ministry. During that time, I saw a considerable need to train young adults to become godly leaders. I (Elna) was born in the Philippines, accepting Christ in 2000 while at college. Sensing God’s call to full-time ministry, in 2014, I became an administrative staff at Victory Church in Iloilo, leading discipleship and small group ministries. I also led short-term mission trips across Southeast Asia. We then met at Victory Church, marrying in 2019.
Prayer Requests:
- For God to open more students’ hearts to receive salvation on Iloilo’s university and college campuses.
- For God’s wisdom as we seek to establish a student center in our city.
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