Free Gospel Missions, The Philippines

The Philippines

An Introduction
By:
Rev. Chester H. Heath
Missions Director,
Free Gospel Missions

   The first missionary to go from this organization was Joseph Warnick in 1921. At that time the name was "United Free Gospel And Missionary Society", which was changed to Free Gospel Church Inc. in 1957. Rev. Warnick came from Hawaii with two Filipino ministers. They went to the Northern area of Luzon Island and started a number of churches. They also built a concrete church at San Nicolas which escaped damage in an earthquake some years back and is still in use today. Some of the other congregations they established are still existent.
   In the mid-1920's another missionary, Franck Porado, came to help with the work at San Nicolas. It was only a few years later that Rev. Warnick went to be with the Lord. Rev. Porado continued the work with Pastor Lastimosa, (a Filipino). They established other congregations, some of which are still functioning. These congregations were located in Ilocos Norte and Isabella provinces.
   In 1931 Rev. Porado returned to the United States on furlough and did not return to the Philippines until after World War II. However, the Filipino brethren continued the work. In 1937 they opened the United Free Gospel Bible Institute. (We understand this was the first Pentecostal Bible School in the Philippines). In the few years prior to the war, there were over 30 graduates from the school.

    Of course World War II was a very difficult period for the Philippines; with the fall of Corregidor, the Japanese occupation, and the infamous "Baatan Death March" that caused the death of so many American soldiers. The National Highway North from Manila passes along some of the same area as that march.
   The missionary work suffered greatly during the war years. It was impossible to transfer funds for the work. All these factors resulted in the work languishing for many years.
   About 1959 Rev. and Mrs. James Floyde went to the Philippines and attempted to restore vitality to the work. After several years of labor, they retuned to the USA for furlough with much remaining to be done. They were prohibited from returning by family responsibilities, and the work made little progress for several years.
   As years passed without a missionary to send, and the work seemingly at a standstill, we began to wonder if further effort and investment of funds would be wise. Perhaps, it was thought, we should concentrate on the Sierra Leon work which was growing. Then in rapid sequence two events seemed to be divine guidance to continue the work. First, was a call from a woman unknown to us, stating, she had been saving money for many years for the work in the Philippines. Shortly thereafter we learned that a senior in the Bible School at Export, felt a call to the Philippines.
   Things speedily fell into place. And a few months after graduation, in December 1979, Rev. Lyle Berg and family were on the way to the islands with a vision and determination to move the work forward. Overcoming several obstacles, and by wise leadership the work once again returned to vitality.
   Early on, Brother Berg discerned that the key to growth was to begin training nationals for the ministry. Thus it was that Faith Bible Institute was founded. Starting in a very small way it grew quite rapidly. Land was purchased and the current beautiful campus was built with much labor over several years. Also coming to help in the work were David and Wendi Cook. Brother Cook had much of the responsibility of the Bible School, and Brother Berg, acting as Field Superintendent, concentrated on expansion and development of the entire mission.
   Both of these families spent many years there and saw considerable growth with many new congregations, and the areas of ministry expand from Isabella and Ilocos Norte to additional provinces. Several other workers have come to help for varying periods of time. Sister Tammy (Chappell) Manuel and Sister Gail Bechtol worked faithfully for many years. All of these are now here in the USA continuing their ministry.
   The Mission is now in the capable hands of Rev. and Mrs. Michael Petit, who come to us with 22 years each of preaching and teaching experience from Free Gospel Bible Institute.
   The Philippines are a whitened harvest field indeed and Free Gospel Mission is reaching out to take the gospel to as many as possible. Your prayers and financial support make it possible. Thank you for remembering to pray for this work and the personnel involved.

Free Gospel Missions, The Philippines

An Introduction By: Rev. Chester H. Heath Missions Director, Free Gospel Missions

An Introduction
By:
Rev. Chester H. Heath
Missions Director,
Free Gospel Missions