Ministry in Manila
Did you know the top four universities in the Philippines are located in Manila, and the city hosts over 2 million university students? CO Manila started ten years ago, and its staff is laboring at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the top university in the country. These students are at the forefront of change in the country, and the country's next leaders are expected to come from this university. I had the privilege of chatting with a CO staff member who spent ten years laboring on that team. I was on a quest to discover why Manila is a strategic place for ministry and what it looks like to do ministry there. I walked away with a couple of new statistics to share and with an encouraged heart as I saw those facts become personal through stories of God growing his kingdom in and through CO Manila.
Approximately 10% of the Filipino population (12 million) work overseas, particularly in closed countries like the Middle East. 97% of them live in the 10/40 window (10°N and 40°N latitude line), where only 3% of missionaries serve. Three Filipino siblings (Chette, Den, and William) returned to the Philippines to study at UP Diliman after being raised in Saudi Arabia. These siblings got connected with Campus Outreach at UP Diliman, grew in their walk with the Lord, and were equipped to share the gospel. They have returned to work in Saudi Arabia with the passion and skills to share with their friends!
Spanish colonization led to the strong Catholic roots in the Philippines. Around 80-85% of the population identifies as Catholic, and the country has the third-largest Catholic population in the world, meaning many students come to university with a biblical foundation and worldview. Daniel, a freshman at UP, grew up in the church and confessed recently that his relationship with God has always been more about himself and what He needs to do for God. After processing the gospel over the last two months, Daniel has recognized his need for a Savior and for living a life of surrender. Daniel decided to give his life to Christ and has continued meeting weekly with a student leader to study the Bible. He has even attended trainings on prayer and evangelism.
While 80% of the population identifies as Catholic, less than 40% can be found in church on Sundays. Growing in faith is not a priority. Last month, a large group of students involved with CO Manila prioritized personal growth over a long weekend. Students in different stages of spiritual maturity were encouraged with the truth of how intimately and personally God knows them, how graciously he allows himself to be known by them, and how he invites them to make him known. One of the students, Sam, a 3rd year, shared that she is growing to understand that the more deeply and intimately she knows and enjoys God, the more her excitement grows to make Christ known!
CO SERVE has the privilege of supporting the staff in Manila. You can join in supporting this ministry in prayer. One opportunity is to join the annual Worldwide Day of Prayer, which takes place in April! Click the image below to register, and then share the opportunity with your friends!
