Serving God in the Philippines

Why does World Mercy Teams choose to serve in the Philippines?

Did you know that there are over 7000  islands in the Philippines? And that nearly 100 million people live there? Or that many islands are ravaged by devastating Typhoons each year, leaving death and destruction in their wakes?  Keep reading to learn more about this country where the mission field is ripe for harvest (statistics courtesy of Operation World):

Who are the Filipino People?

Malayo-Indonesian Filipinos 94.2%.

Major peoples: Tagalog 22.3 mill.; Cebuano 17.7m; Ilocano 7.1m; Hiligaynon (Visaya) 6.9m), Bicol 4.3m; Waray (Samar/Leyte) 2.9m.

Tribal peoples 2.8%. In the more inaccessible mountain areas of: Luzon (46 peoples) 1.3m; Mindanao(43) 700,000; Mindoro(11) 280,000; Palawan(7) 90,000.

Muslim majority peoples 5%. 13 peoples, the largest (in Mindanao) : Maranao 1.1m; Magindanao/Ilanun 1.4m; Subanon/Kalibugan 63,000. On the islands south-west of Mindanao: Tausug 600,000; Sama(3) 300,000; Yakan 82,000; Bajau(2) 77,000.

Mixed race: 3.5%. Filipino, Spanish, American, Chinese, many speaking Tagalog.

Chinese: 2.1%. Urban, extensive involvement in commerce and industry.

Other: 0.2%. US citizens, Vietnamese, Arab, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, etc.

Literacy 95%. Official languages Filipino (based on Tagalog), English. All languages 169. Languages with Scriptures 8Bi 52NT 37por 44w.i.p.

Last year God opened the door for World Mercy Teams to bring the healing  touch of Jesus Christ to one of the HARDEST PLACES on this earth… To the Muslim tribes of Mindanao. How did He do this? He used our medical credentials to bring us in. He made it easy for us to share through the many who speak English who were able to interpret tribal languages. He connected us through the ministry of Pastor Wen, who regularly works with the Muslim tribes. Click here to learn more about the 2009 Mission.

Who is there to help us?

From our very first mission, we learned first hand about the incredible dedication to service that defines the Christian Church in the Philippines. Indeed, many churches have been involved in our missions, providing space, food, transportation and medical professionals. We have worked along side so many awe-inspiring pastors who have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with those who may have never heard otherwise.  

What happens after we leave?

The Churches we have worked with have always made the most of every contact made through our ministry. In one place, we would gather at the end of each day and they would tally the ‘results’, of often more than 100 who have made commitments to Christ through our sharing. Praise God for these Pastors who then arranged for followup so that none would be lost! The dedication of these Pastors is amazing. In one case, a Pastor made weekly trips with a disabled young boy to physical therapy that was coordinated through World Mercy Teams. Finally, the boy learned to walk and his mother began bringing him to Church!

Learn more about serving God in the Philippines through OPERATION WORLD .