Philippines

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, ecclesial life in the Philippines continues to provide wonderful opportunities for the brothers and sisters and young people to grow and development spiritually. In provincial areas brothers and sis-ters are generally able to meet together in their ecclesial halls or meeting places whereas in the major cities meetings can only be held virtually.
In recent months there have been some combined activities in the Philippines: In March, the Kalilangan Ecclesia host-ed a combined weekend for young people in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Local young brothers deliv-ered studies around the very moving and motivating events of “Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem”.
During the easter weekend, 2-3 April, a virtual 2-day workshop was held across the Philippines. The subject was "Maintaining Healthy Ecclesias" with the aim of discussing Bible principles about ecclesial growth and development and the practical application of these principles. The sessions were led by brothers Kel Hammond and David McClure from Australia and some sessions involved break-out discussion groups across the Philippine ecclesias.

The sessions covered a range of subjects including ways of growing the spirituality of ecclesias, preaching, pastoral love and care and solving ecclesial problems. The workshop also had the positive benefit of the brothers and sisters across the Philippines connecting with each (via Zoom) other during these challenging times.

Also, during the weekend of 9-11 April, the Philippines young people held a virtual combined CYC weekend. Bro James McCann from Australia led five studies on “Genesis – the Seed Bed of the Bible”. Four young Filipino brothers also gave talks on a variety of subjects. Over 150 young people were able to meet together in ecclesial halls to watch the studies via Zoom. This weekend was an enormous spiritual benefit to the Philippines young people.