Walking Together in Faith, Hope, and Community
September is Missions Month at Union Church of Manila (UCM), a special time when the church community celebrates God’s work through missionaries and partner ministries. Every Sunday the Missions Fair in the Fellowship Hall provides an opportunity for the congregation to meet ministry partners, learn about their work, and discover meaningful ways to participate in God’s mission of love and restoration.
On September 6, CBAP was invited to participate in the Missions Fair by setting up a booth to share updates about its ministries. The booth also featured VCO and soap products made by missionaries serving the Sangil community. Through these products and conversations, the ministry was able to introduce the congregation to the practical and spiritual work being carried out among communities in need.
Serving Through Education and Community Development
Among the ministries represented are Ralph and Divina De Asis in General Santos, whose Shalom2 ministry is developing an adult literacy program that integrates Bible Storying through Kitab-based materials. The ministry seeks to combine literacy education with God’s Word, building relationships and creating opportunities to share the Gospel in ways that are relevant and accessible to participants.
Education is also an important part of the ministry of Edwin and Alice Dalimbang in Northern Thailand. Their work includes church planting, discipleship, education, and community development. Through English classes, sports, Bible studies, home visits, and livelihood programs, they reach children and families while developing relationships within the community. They are also working toward planting a new church and strengthening community partnerships.
Mirasol M. Soriano continues the Bapa ministry through student sponsorship, tutorials, and family life programs. The ministry encourages students to grow in leadership and academics while helping them understand God’s love and His desire for a personal relationship with them. The ministry aims to support 21 preschool students, serve at least 100 families, and encourage families to explore knowing God through Scripture.
Rexie L. Altamirano likewise serves children and youth through contextualized preschool and literacy programs that incorporate Bible stories and Christian values. Through education, she seeks to help develop future leaders while creating natural opportunities to build relationships and share the Gospel.
Reaching Indigenous Communities
A significant part of these ministries involves walking alongside indigenous communities and communicating the Gospel in ways that respect their language and culture.
Allan and Lorena Capili serve among the Tigwahanon Manobo tribe in Bukidnon. Their ministry focuses on building relationships, sharing the Gospel, and discipling families and communities. They seek to demonstrate Christ’s love and create opportunities for people to hear and respond to God’s Word.
Joel and Meriel Quitco continue serving the Sangil community through Gospel training, VCO livelihood initiatives, education, and medical outreach. Their 2026 goals include conducting three ministry trainings, restoring VCO production to 600 liters per month for four families, organizing a medical mission, developing adult literacy materials, and studying effective cultural communication among the Sangil.
Junn and Anne Esteban also continue their work among indigenous communities through EthnoArts, Bible translation, and community development. Their recent ministry included dialogues and cultural assessments with the Calamian Tagbanwa community in Palawan, as well as participation in a media and distribution conference in Thailand. They are also preparing training focused on identity, culture, and the arts from a biblical perspective.
Following God’s Call
For some missionaries, the journey involves stepping into new places and trusting God for what lies ahead. Jonathan and Ana Calangian are prayerfully taking steps toward beginning a new ministry. Their desire is to build meaningful relationships, serve the community, and create opportunities to share the Gospel and make disciples. They ask for prayer for wisdom, open doors, committed workers, and God’s guidance as this new ministry develops.
Mitchell Sabas has sensed God’s call to reach the people of Timor-Leste. She is committed to serving as a cross-cultural missionary and doing whatever task God entrusts to her. Her ministry depends on trusting God for provision and inviting others to partner with him through prayer and regular financial support.
Ate Loi continues to give thanks for God’s faithfulness through opportunities to teach and share His Word. Beyond academics, she has been given opportunities to share Chronological Bible Stories with pupils and God’s Word with parents. She asks for prayer for good health, wisdom, and patience, as well as for the salvation of pupils, parents, friends, and relatives, and for deeper relationships with God.
A Mission We Share
Missions Month reminds us that mission is not simply the work of those who travel to distant places. It is a shared calling to participate in God’s work wherever He has placed us.
The ministries represented by CBAP’s missionaries demonstrate that sharing Christ’s love can take many forms: teaching children, developing literacy programs, training leaders, supporting families, creating livelihood opportunities, providing medical outreach, translating Scripture, planting churches, and building relationships within indigenous communities.
As we celebrate Missions Month, may we remember the missionaries who faithfully serve, the communities they walk alongside, and the God who calls His people to declare His glory among the nations. May we respond through prayer, encouragement, generosity, and active participation. Walking together in faith, hope, and community.
