April 13, 2021
February 7, 2020 was an auspicious day in the history of the church in the Philippines. On that day, Edwin E. Vicente was baptized into Christ after studying all 22 books in the WEI curriculum.
Following his baptism, Edwin said, “This shift in religion can be interpreted as my chance to change myself for the better. I submit myself to Jesus Christ and his church. This is such a blessing. I am happy to renew my life.”
Since that day, Edwin has fought an uphill battle with Satan, but God has sustained him. First, COVID-19 struck the Philippines, and the school where Edwin taught was closed. Without income, he returned to San Fernando, his home town where his meager savings soon vanished. He then traded most of his possessions for a place to live. If a friend had not shared food with him, he might have starved.
Instead of complaining, Edwin gathered thirty people from the neighborhood and taught them what he had learned from WEI. God rewarded his faithfulness with temporary funds from two American couples. By faith, Edwin rented a house and transformed it into living quarters and a venue for teaching.
On April 6, 2021, Edwin and his volunteer staff celebrated the Grand Opening of a WEI Learning Center. Erben L. Gonzales, minister of the Calasiao church where Edwin was baptized, was the main speaker. The seventy people who attended the celebration were so deeply impressed by the ceremony that thirty parents asked Edwin to teach them the Bible.
Before the first class began, however, a violent storm ripped through the city and destroyed the canopy that had been erected over the outdoor classroom. Undaunted, Edwin rebuilt the canopy and continued teaching. Satan lost again.
The best was yet to come. After studying with Edwin, and Erben, and American Internet teachers, Edwin’s daughter, three volunteer assistants, and a parent were baptized into Christ.
To Edwin’s credit, he recognized his limitations as a relatively new member of the New Testament church, and he asked Erben to help him stay on track. In response to this request, Erben agreed to teach the new Christians via Zoom and to help establish a new congregation at the WEI Learning Center, preaching for them once a month. Bibles, song books, communion trays, and eaching supplies will soon be shipped to Edwin by a couple in Abilene, Texas.
Left to Right: Clemente (teacher from Calasiao), Shahant, Erben, Edwin, Marilu, Roda , Laila, and Amarah Claire (A.C.). These form the heart of a new congregation in the Philippines. A.C. now teaches young children at the Learning Center.
God has stimulated such growth in this work that the time has come to find a sponsoring church or a group of mission-minded individuals who can provide $600 a month to keep this ministry going.
