Personal Witnessing in the Philippines

From humble beginnings to widespread outreach, one man’s journey of faith shows the power of perseverance, purpose, and walking with Christ throughout our lives.

The Journey Of Faith: Let’s Walk Together And Finish The Race

Everyone has their unique story in the service of the Master. Our environment leads us to experience differing trials in our lives. Our education, upbringing, and friendships all contribute to molding us. But along the way, humankind has only one destination in life, which is death. I always remember King Solomon’s counsel in his writings, “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3). God’s promise is clear: eternal life and God’s Kingdom. As Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15).

My Early Days As a Sunday School Student

I am from one of the ecclesias in the Philippines, the Mailag Ecclesia, located in Valencia City, Bukidnon. We are at the far southern end of the Philippines, about 700 miles from Manila. I grew up in a family of Christadelphians. My grandparents were pioneers of the truth in Mindanao. Although a poor rice farmer with limited oratorical skills, my grandfather was a fervent preacher of the gospel to all who entered his humble home.

He labored with other pioneers to establish a small ecclesia at Kalilangan and fostered a Sunday School. Muslim persecution forced many of the members to relocate to Mailag (about seven miles away). My earliest recollections were as a seven-year-old Sunday School scholar being faithfully taught Bible lessons by my mother and other teachers. I was thrilled to learn the Bible lessons, the action songs, memorizing Bible verses, and I enjoyed joining drama presentations.

The annual prize-giving presentation was a highlight of the year, as we demonstrated the lessons learned to our parents and friends. Over the years, I saw the need to personally commit to following the Master and be baptized. It took me two further years of Bible study, but the joyous occasion finally arrived, and I was baptized. Friday, December 17, 2004, was the day of my baptism at, exactly 11 am. I will never forget that day.

Taking The Obligation After Baptism

Baptism marked a profound turning point in my spiritual journey. I believe baptism is the first act of obedience, a commitment to live according to Christ’s principles by God’s command. This personal dedication fueled a desire to deepen my understanding of the gospel and share the teachings with others. Hereafter, I was very excited to teach Sunday School in my ecclesia.

Well, the next day became more complicated, which I didn’t expect to happen. The same month, the majority of our young people journeyed to another island for a CYC conference, leaving me with my grandfather as the only brethren remaining in the ecclesia. The following Sunday morning was my first memorial meeting as a brother. Since all of our young people had joined the conference, my grandfather asked me to assist in conducting the memorial meeting just two days after my baptism at sixteen years of age. I was very nervous, but with God’s help, I did my best. The following week, my grandfather asked me to prepare a short exhortation. I was very nervous and spent long hours in Bible study and preparation. However, I now understand it was integral to my spiritual development. 

The Trials Inside The Ecclesia

Over the following year, the number of brothers and sisters in the ecclesia declined as some moved away to study in major regional centers or for employment. Only two brothers were left in the ecclesia (me and my grandfather) for almost two years. There was no excuse for absence, and we both were called on every Sunday. I also taught the senior Sunday School and baptism preparation classes for students and interested friends. We also commenced teaching a “Preparing for Baptism” class for our interested friends, as young people from other ecclesias moved to our area to undertake tertiary studies at the local regional university and college. Our little ecclesia grew, and we commenced a regular CYC class and monthly activities for our young people. From humble beginnings, the ecclesia now numbers over forty brothers and sisters.

“Go You Into The Entire World & Preach!”

In my eighteen years of teaching Sunday School up to the present, most of the time has been focused on Sunday School work, CYC, and baptism preparation classes. I rejoice that some of my students have embraced the truth, gotten baptized, and are now assisting in the work. The transition from being a student to a teacher is a success, yet the work is still at its starting point, and we are not done. Over recent years, other young people have supported me in the work, and we progressively have set up weekly classes for children in other surrounding villages despite the opposition from other Christian faiths. Today, we teach more than 250 children weekly in five villages, with an expanded Sunday School of 180.

Lessons In Life: What Makes Us Strong?

The journey of my youth in ecclesial life unfolded like a sacred manuscript, each chapter revealing new dimensions of my spiritual identity. The youth conferences, with their vibrant energy and spirited discussions, were like an annual pilgrimage where I felt a profound sense of belonging. Amid workshops and worship, I forged friendships that transcended the boundaries of ordinary companionship, fellow travelers on the pilgrimage to understand our faith and purpose, and following our Master.

One of the transformative aspects of these conferences, fraternal workshops, and seminars was the realization that my personal journey was part of a larger life narrative that, God willing, will affect others’ lives. We were a generation bound by a common desire to explore the depths of our spirituality, question, seek, and enrich our faith as brothers and sisters of Christ. Those activities cannot be completed without “learning by doing.” It helped to shape me into who I am today. I aim to focus my activities on my ecclesia and its goals. Looking back, those formative years in the ecclesial embrace fostered my growth. The lessons learned, the connections forged, and the truths internalized become the bedrock upon which I strive to make God the center of my adult life. The journey was not without challenges and trials in life that have molded me to become strong in faith and ready to address the challenges every day of my life.

The Bible Education Center

My journey has led me to pioneer the Bible Education Center (BEC) in Valencia City with the financial support of overseas brethren. We rent a shopfront in the nearby city and use it as the focus of our preaching. 

The BEC is dedicated to providing free Bible study resources, engaging discussions, and weekly Bible study sessions to help people learn more about the Scriptures. Visitors are always welcome to join us in exploring Biblical teachings, particularly fundamental doctrines. Our office offers free Wi-Fi and coffee, creating a comfortable space for open discussions about God’s Word. In addition to our regular sessions, we also conduct lunchtime Bible lessons twice a month at Central Mindanao University, one of the largest universities in Mindanao, and we generally attract more than thirty students. Furthermore, we hold monthly Bible classes for Bangcud National High School senior students to extend our outreach. 

Another key part of our program is a monthly seminar at McDonalds. Like our other classes, we focus on doctrinal topics, followed by a one-hour Q&A session where attendees can engage in deeper discussions. With 90% of our attendees from diverse religious backgrounds, thought-provoking questions are always raised, making each session a rewarding yet challenging experience for myself and the young brethren. Both of these activities (BEC and McDonald’s seminar) commonly attract at least 30 or more attendees.

I engage with individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Christadelphian beliefs. The center serves as a focal point for discussion, study, and reflection for everyone who seeks the truth. Almost nine years in the BEC office have helped me a lot in terms of spiritual knowledge and understanding the doctrines of different religions, as we have plenty of visitors from various faiths. Some are pastors. It is important for me to know what their beliefs are. What is their history? And how do they attempt to defend their doctrines? Knowing their views helps us to answer questions and lead them to the truth. The BEC has become the best training ground for most of our young people in the ecclesia, and we are thankful that there is a place where everyone can openly learn the word of God. The BEC also allowed me to visit adjacent ecclesias in the Philippines, preach the word of God, and strengthen the spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. During a visit to a small ecclesia on an adjacent island, I met my wife, and we are now happily married with three young children.

Last year, we taught a total of 288 students across five different Sunday School areas near our village. The young people in our Ecclesia are deeply committed to teaching Sunday School, as many of us also grew up attending these classes in our early years. We currently have fourteen Sunday School teachers assigned to different areas. Each area has at least four teachers to cover the Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior classes, with lessons conducted on Saturdays and Sundays.

One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of proper classrooms. Many of our lessons occur under trees, in open spaces, or in the homes of non-Christadelphian parents who kindly offer their space. Before Sunday School begins each year, we conduct house-to-house enrollment, personally asking parents for permission to teach their children about God’s Word. While some decline, most welcome the opportunity for their children to join.

For younger kids, free Sunday School materials, snacks, and prizes are crucial in keeping them engaged and excited to attend. We also encourage our students to invite their friends, which has helped our Sunday School community grow steadily. The Cagayan de Oro City BEC office provides Sunday School notes and activity sheets. It also coordinates an annual two-day Teachers workshop in the Philippines to introduce the year’s syllabus and enhance the teaching skills of the national team. We are very grateful to our overseas donors, particularly the Williamsburg Christadelphian Foundation, for their untiring support.

The End Of The Journey Is When Jesus Comes Again 

Walking in the truth is not an easy lifestyle, as we need to avoid immorality and live like our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone who knows the truth should walk in the light as we are now sons and daughters of God and pilgrims in this world. The journey to the Kingdom of God is full of trials and tests that we need to run with perseverance, patience, and longsuffering, along with the character of our Almighty God. Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” We need to run the race with endurance. 

We pray that we can survive until the end, as Apostle Paul did, finishing the race and hoping for a crown of righteousness.

Michael Alesna,
Mailag Ecclesia, Philippines