he Philippines for Christ has been an ongoing vision of Lakeside Christian Centre for a period of twelve years, in that time the ministry has extensively evangelised the southern regions of the 7,000 island nation.With a strategy that encompasses a city the aggressive evangelists conduct a series of well planned mini rallies that culminate in a central stadium where a huge night rally continues for five nights.
The major emphasis is on salvation and healing, however, the strong unity that comes to pass by the local churches continues long after the crusade team has returned to Australia.
The following report is from Pastor Robert Hooke,
an Assemblies of God Pastor who handles the promotional Ministry of Philippines for Christ and it says it all...
The night air was full of the fragrance of tropical flowers and alive with music and colour. The evening was cool because of the afternoon rain and the spiritually hungry crowd was growing steadily, soon over 4,000 needy people would be gathered in the vast auditorium. The tension was building with supernatural electricity, the expectancy for miracles to start happening at any time was high and the atmosphere was charged by the tangible force of faith. Souls would be won to Christ tonight, lives would be changed forever, and the miracle working power of God would turn this city right-side up.
The team of Australians talked and laughed together to take the edge off the excitement.For the last 10 days they had lived as Jesus had lived, the Bible had exploded into life, and they had jumped right into it. these very ordinary Christians had been exposed to an extraordinary experience, they had participated in a tremendous power encounter, as the kingdom of God had clashed with the power of darkness and Jesus was proved to reign supreme in every situation. They had witnessed the mighty Spirit of God perform miracles, before their own eyes, and using their own hands. They had seen over 7,000 people publicly receive Jesus as their saviour as they preached the gospel.
For some it was the fulfilment of their dreams, for some, the hope that they had held onto for many dry years was suddenly realised before their eyes, it was a dynamic exchange of power... God’s power for theirs. Nothing could have prepared them for the reality of the supernatural outpouring of grace that was flowing through their lives, these 2 weeks would change their lives forever, they would never be the same again!
You are reading abut the recent “Philippines for Christ” miracle crusade that took place in Ormoc City October 1998.
The vision for “Philippines for Christ” was birthed by God 12 years ago in the heart of a local pastor, Rev. Bill Pryor, senior pastor of Lakeside Christian Centre, Gold Coast. Since that time Pastor Bill and his wife Pat have faithfully lead teams of inspired Christians from all over Australia and New Zealand, from all walks of life, from all church backgrounds and from all ages into these dynamic city wide miracle crusades in 17 Philippine cities. (Many cities have been visited several times).The only common link between these people is a desire to be used by God to share His love with a dying world and a hunger to see the supernatural power of God at work in their own lives.
We believe that the Christians in Australia need to work together to reach this world with the gospel and make a real difference, since in these days we have the opportunity to do so. God is calling his people to unity and this is exemplified in the strategy of “Philippines for Christ”, where ordinary Aussies come together to work side by side with fellow Christians from a Filipino city in unity, to lift up the name of Jesus.
Months before each crusade, the preparations begin.
The Filipino churches fast and pray and are trained for their part in this great operation. The Australian team is formed and personal preparation and training begins. The costs of the entire crusade are shouldered by the Australians and given as a free gift to the body of Christ in the Philippines. It is “Philippines for Christ” policy to safe guard the well-being of the Australian team to ensure they can do the best possible job for the Lord and every consideration is given to ensure the comfort and good health of every team member, this includes among many things, top class, air-conditioned hotels and delicious, wholesome food.The crusade begins, teams of enthusiastic, spirit-filled Australians converge on a bustling Philippine city. Each morning the team attack the kingdom of darkness with guerrilla style preaching. Hundreds give their life to Christ, hundreds are set free from sickness, and begin to spread the good news to the villages.
That night the team return to a central venue and have a mini crusade complete with lighting and music. Thousands turn to Christ and see the power of God fall.
The second week is generally concentrated in the same style, only this time in the inner city, market places, bus depots and the business centres. The main city auditorium is prepared and the major crusades begin. The word is out “Jesus is alive and Well” the people come in droves bringing the diseased, crippled, deaf and blind.
The local church workers are given the responsible task of follow up, using materials that “Philippines for Christ” provides, and each convert is followed up with a weekly bible study in their own homes for 6 weeks, and by then the transition to the local church should be complete.
Since 1986 over 250,000 people have registered for salvation during these crusades.Pastor Alex Eduave the Philippine National Director of “Philippines for Christ”, estimates that the crusades have effectively resulted in over one million souls begin swept into the Kingdom of God. Due to the close knit Filipino culture, when one convert is visited in their own home for a personal bible study, usually their family, friends and neighbours will join the study, and make their own decision to follow Jesus, and the harvest multiplies. Each city we have ministered in, reports the success in great growth and continuing unity among the churches.
Do you believe that our God is the God of miracles? that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:4), and His power has been made available to us.
So when was the last time you prayed for someone and blind eyes began to see, deaf ears “popped” open, demons were cast out and paralysed limbs began to function?
This is your opportunity! Do you hunger for the power of God to be real in your life? Do you yearn for God to use you to heal people? Do you desire to preach the gospel with signs and wonders following?
Do you have a dream to serve God and it hasn’t been fulfilled yet?
Make the decision to make your dream into your reality.
“Philippines for Christ” Miracle Crusade are a “hands-on spiritual university” for anyone who want more of God. Till next time,
See you soon!
Pastor Robert Hooke : hooke@mail.smartchat.net.au.
