Fruit of the Ministry

This past week, I did something I don’t normally do. I traveled to other countries. My work is in the Philippines. A trip to Cambodia and Vietnam however, was to be a real blessing. It was a special time of meeting missionaries that we have known and some that we haven’t known. We saw their works and the countries and cultures they must work in.

Yes, those were Filipino missionaries that we visited. I must say, I was impressed with their dedication and progress. They are the pioneers in those countries, who are setting the bar for others to come behind them. They learned well and are establishing outstanding ministries.

We returned to Manila as the typhoon (hurricane) was leaving the countrie and made one of the worst landings I have experienced. I was actually afraid a wing would hit the ground before the wheels.

For the past 35 years, our life has been consumed with the marvelous and exciting life that God has given us in service to Him. It is what is known as MISSIONS.  After working on staff for several years in Texas and planting a church in Missouri, God made it clear that He would use us in the Philippines.  Of course, the call is a story in itself.

Having known some missionaries that we felt were great men of God, we knew how God had worked with them in their ministries and we wanted to be used of God in a fruitful way. We asked Him to bless us with similar fruit.  We entered the country of the Philippines with a desire to plant at least 50 churches through our ministry.  It has been far surpassed several times over.

What God does is amazing.  What we do is the question.  It has been our extreme joy to be and do whatever pleased Him.  In that time, we were also used of God, for 14 years, to be involved in the origin, building and operation of the Highlands Camp in the Philippines.  God used our desire for a camp for our churches, to make it happen.

Highlands Camp

2012 Family campers from churches out of our ministry

We have also developed and have been able to lead a Bible School that feeds our ministry of church planting.  Currently, we have 6 campuses in Central Luzon with those pastors and pastors wives that have been trained in our ministry, as the teachers.  Currently we have more than 135 students and more than 50 teachers.

Old School Buildings

New Buildings as of 2010

From this Bible School, we have been averaging planting about 5 new mission churches a year.  We are talking about independent, self-supporting churches.We are excited to see how these churches are growing over the years.  You see here an example of that growth.

Our Second Church

Second Church

That does not include the ministries that are in places of low incomes and must be helped on an ongoing basis.  Nor does it include the multiplied numbers of ministries that we call out-reaches that have no property of their own.  Meeting in living rooms and garages.

New Mission

New Mission

New Mission

Maybe you, like me, would wonder, “why me God. How can you use me?”  That is a legitimate question for anyone to ask. However, it isn’t what we are on our own.  It comes down to the fact that we are willing to be used as a conduit of Gods’ power.  There is nothing more exciting to be involved in and more rewarding than to see the harvest after 30 years of planting.

Whatever God might ask of you to turn loose, it is certainly small in comparison to what He will do with you and for you.  The continual, miraculous supply of all that is necessary, is simply amazing and thrilling to be involved in.

We have included a few pictures that should give an idea of what God has done in our ministry.  Even though there are many trials, even hardships along the way, when we consider the results, we can better understand the statement of the song, “It Will Be Worth It All, When We See Christ.”  There is nothing that could convince me that there is any better life.  Nothing could make life more worthwhile than to be used of God.  Especially in a place where no one wants to go. To a place that the people will have undying appreciation and love for you because you brought them the good news of Christ and His Blood.

As I type this update I am in the process of interviewing our students for this new school year.  New shelves and more books have been added to the library, new computer tables have been built, cleaning has been done.  Just a couple of things to take care of yet.

One of those is a new refrigerator for the kitchen for the dorm students. It seems that the old one died last school year and no one told me. Althoughi It is just a small 3 cu. ft., it is necessary for foods to be kept cold.  So, here we are, classes next week and no ref.  Also, no money to buy a new one. So, we are trying to do what we can to get one used or repaired.

I love the school year because it brings pastors together on a weekly basis so that we can fellowship.  Friends who are close and work together for the common purpose of training young men for church planting, as well as encouragement in their own ministries.

We did organize another church this past month and ordained two young preachers.  We are anticipating great things for the Lord in those young men.

Prayer request.  Gloria and I will be traveling a lot this school yea going to 5 campuses outside of Manila.. Driving from one campus to another.  We would appreciate prayer for safe travel in God’s will.

We have been so  busy this past month.  One of the pleasures of our ministry is the progress of the men, their families and their ministries.  Also, It is not unusual for us to be invited as the speaker of their  special occasions.  With so many churches, we do stay busy with anniversaries, weddings and other special occasions that happen.

We are opening a new campus this year.  That makes six now and means a lot of travel going to teach in each  Right now, we are spending most of our time getting ready for the opening of classes this year.   But it is our blessing to see young people who have surrendered their lives to serve God.  We enjoy being involved in their training and development

Our newest mission is underway this month and they have had more than 20 people attending those early services.  Much work will be done but I know that Larry has the commitment to build a work in that place.

One last thing. As I am typing, money is being spent and used to put on a new roof before rainy season starts.  We want to try to end the multiple water leaks . We are a little short of finances and would appreciate any help to get this paid for.

Dennis Ebert

As a report, we did have a great and very fruitful Family Camp, although it was down in numbers.  The Highlands Camp raised their rates about 40% above last year and it hit many people too hard. So, instead of the 850 we planned for, we had around 650 with a much smaller number of children.  Hopefully by next year, the cost will have been accepted or we can perhaps find another venue that will be usable.

We alsohad our Bible School graduation and  presented certificates of completion, diplomas and degrees to 88 students.  It was a blessing to see the young people who have accomplished their goals of completion, walking across that stage into another step in their journey toward serving the Lord.

To most children, summer is what they long for all school year.  Summertime is the time of play and “freedom”.  Freedom from the daily grind of study and boring classes.  However, for the adults, although summertime may mean vacations or the lake or golf or some other recreation that winter will hinder, it is still work time. Work never stops.

That is the same with us.  March begins our summertime.  For us, summertime is getting ready for the next school year, more  travel and many things to get done while we have the freedom from class schedules.  Although graduation is past and the Family camp is finished, nothing stops. it keeps on and on.  That is good because there is always something more to do that  can bring people to the understanding that we are alive and have salvation for the purpose of Glorifying Him.

That is the theme of our family camp this year.

Here in the Philippines, the month of March is the end of the school year.  We also have our annual family camp.  So, we have our family camp and Bible School graduation at the same time.  We have been working for a great occasion for both  this year.   Plans have been on going for the past 6 month.  Lessons, sessions, music, sports, and so much more.  We are anticipating about 850 campers this year.  We have invited another missionary here in the Philippines, Wayne Walley, as our guest preacher. 

Bible Baptist Seminary of the Philippines has more than 100 students that will receive a certificate of completion for the 1st and 2nd yr, or  diploma for 3rd year or Bachelor of Science degree for graduation. 

Please pray with us that this year will be a banner year for changed lives and graduates going out to the ministry.  Hopefully, we can have amazing pictures for you to see by next month. Stay tuned.

Well, we have finished the first month of the New Year.  So many things are happening it is impossible to inform you about everything.  We would like to tell about what we consider the most important.

In the months of December and January, we were involved in 5 church anniversaries, ordination of 4 young pastors and the survey trip for the place to begin a work of planting another baby church.   In that same period of time, we attended two Pastors fellowship meetings that are for the purpose of encouraging pastors in their stressful works.  Just like pastors in the States, these men come face to face with the struggles of the leadership of the local church of Christ. A lot of travel but not a hardship because so many wonderful things happened in the process.

This month is already starting out to be an exciting time for us.  Although there are always problems and Satan trying to defeat us through the confused efforts of someone who thinks they are doing right, God continues to use us in this place.  Isn’t it wonderful when God uses you? it is exciting to see God work in the lives of His young preachers.accomplish their calling.

Gloria and I have enjoyed the fellowship that we missed for the past year with these very dear and precious people.

After returning to the Philippines, things have begun to get very active.  With three Church anniversaries, two occasions of ordination of young pastors,  a survey trip,  as well as the normal Christmas activities of the Bible School, it is certainly an exciting time.  Along with the other activities, preaching is still our joy.

Only God knows what next year holds for us.  The ministry of Bible Baptist Seminary and the men who work together with us is very active.  Our ongoing plan is to see men plant churches.  That is the singular goal of our life and we have been blessed of God over the years, being involved with the activity.  The glory goes to God.

We hope that you have a very special Christmas this year and you can spend a lot of time with your loved ones during the holidays.

Dennis

That is correct.  We have made it back to the Philippines.  Our health issues seem to be settled for the time being.  Gloria is feeling so much better following her surgery.  My PSA test showed no signs of cancer.  That is such good news.

So, we are excited to be here and get into a routine again.  We already have many things scheduled and much to do.

Thanks for the prayer and concern for us and our ministry.

What wonderful thinigs we have to report.  God has brought us to the right doctors at just the right time.  Gloria has her gall bladder out.  Last Wednesday afternoon, she went through a fairly common porcedure that lasted only about 45 minutes.  She is currently recuperating.  Already, she is enjoying food again, without negative consquences, like belching, sour stomach, etc.  The doctor has said that after two weeks, he should be able to release her and we can begin plans to return to the Philippines.

For me, Dennis, I had my first PSA test.  That is the test doctors use as the first indicator of problems with cancer of the prostate.  It was 1.4 which indicates that there is no problem for us currently.  We are excited to know that.  Of course, the hope is that it never comes back. One year is the better test.

So, Lord willing, we will be back in the Philippines, without any health issues, by October.  Please pray with us about that.  It seems to have been so long since things have allowed us to move straight ahead in the ministry.  But, life is full of surprises. We just thank God for bringing us this far.

During this time, we have been in almost daily contact with our workers and pastor contacts, in the Philippines.  Things are looking good inspite of the difficulties.