Population

:
approximately: 800,000.
Number of churches:
200
MASBATE Percent of Evangelicals:
less than 4 % of the
population
one of the poorest
province of the
Philippines
Two church planting seminars were held in this province: One in Aroroy, a very remote town
and another in a bit progressive town of Palanas. Aroroy had their seminar on April 17 while
Palanas held their seminar the following day, April 18.
Pastor Ruthy Morata (left) a church planter
currently under the (extension)program is
a native of Masbate. He now plants
churches in Metro Manila. Pastor Lito
Apoya was an alumni of White Fields.
Pastor Lito is also a native of Masbate. He
planted a church in Manila and later, he
and his wife decided to go back to their
hometown province to minister there.
Pastor Ruthy transported the books to
Masbate sacrificially doing it for his fellow
Masbatenos. Pastor Lito Apoya organized
the Aroroy seminar.

Pastor Bong Hacar in brown t’ shirt with

Pastor Rey and Rovelle Escobido are both
graduates of White Fields program. They
just ended in the program last January
2006. Pastor Rey and Rovelle, after planting
a church in Placer, Masbate, moved in the
city to plant a city church. Pastor Bong
Hacar received a Laptop donated by
Grant Skoog! Pastor Bong organized a
seminar among the Baptist pastors of
Palanas and neighboring towns. All of them
received the book, 1 Peter. This book was
sent by Grace Community Church for
White Fields. Medicines were also
handed to them. We are so glad to be
together to minister with pastors of the
island.
Aroroy, Masbate seminar>
Aroroy is a two hour motorcycle ride on a long 56 kilometer rough and dusty road! Reaching
the town is such a relief. I got my buttocks and upper body sore after the ride.
More than 40
church planters
and workers
attended this
seminar.

Every one
received the
two books we
were giving out.
One is the
“Foundations
book” on
Systematic
Theology
donated by
Lucena Bible
Church. The
other one
is the E-Stages
manual.

Some participants even came from as far as Burias

island (6 hours by boat) and Sorsogon (5 hours by
boat). Some of them traveled more than a day.
The response in the seminar was very good.
 We went back from Aroroy that same
Palanas, Masbate seminar. day and the same route of dusty rough
road. We went at the home of Pastor
Ruthy’s relative which was near the
sea. At dawn, we got up and got ready
to travel to Palanas, Masbate where
the venue for the next seminar will be
held.

Pastor Bong Hacar

There were 85 pastors, churchplanters and workers from various parts of western
Masbate. There were also outreach workers from the mountains, Bible school students
and teachers as well joined the seminar. Participants show the books they received.
Church planters and pastors arrived from
far away areas via motorcycles. Some by
bus and other means of Transportation.

Huddle with workers

Pastor Weldie “bong” Hacar poses

with his wife and child with their
church as the background. The
banner bears the theme of the
seminar together with the names of
the speakers. The two speakers
were not able to make it at the
seminar.

The building of Pastor Bong is

provided by their denomination. If the
church plant has a big potential, their
denomination raises funds for the
new work.

It was a reunion of sort for White

Fields alumni in masbate. In the
picture:
Pastor Ruthy Morata, Pastor Rey
and Rovelle Escobido, Pastor Bong
and wife, Pastor and Mrs. Patricio
Apa.

We had a great time with all pastors

of two seminars. There is a need
for a regular training for pastors in
this region. They said, I only saw
two parts of Masbate, the need is
even more.

Reported by: Pastor Leo C. Ordiales

April 19, 2006