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Philippines

The Philippines is a unique country. It has a distinctive blend of oriental and western culture which is unparalleled
anywhere else. The Filipinos are warm, friendly and outgoing people. They are quick to show hospitality to friends and
strangers alike. Due to the influence of almost 400 years of Spanish control the Philippines is the only predominantly
Roman Catholic nation in Asia although many of the pre-Spanish animistic practices and beliefs have been incorporated
into the worship and ritual of Filipino Catholicism. The willingness of the Filipino people to accept western ideas as well as
familiarity with Christian teachings has made the Philippines one of the most responsive nations to the Gospel yet at the
same time the strong religious traditions have presented formidable obstacles to widespread acceptance of the
message of salvation by Grace through faith in Christ.

From 1898 to 1946 the Philippines was controlled by the United States and the American influence is quite apparent in
Philippine society.

The nation is made up of over 7,000 islands located in the South China Sea north of Malaysia and Indonesia and 500 miles
west of Vietnam and Southern China. The islands are mostly mountainous with dozens of active volcanoes scattered
throughout. The country is divided into 3 major geographic regions. In the north is Luzon, the largest of all the islands of
the Philippine archipelago, where Manila is located. Most of the industry and manufacturing is in Luzon. The central
region is called the Visayan Islands. Cebu, the second largest city and a trading and business center is in the heart of the
Visayan region. In the south is the Island of Mindanao which is an area of vast natural resources and great potential.
Mindanao is where most of the Muslim Filipinos live. Davao is the largest and most important city in Mindanao and is an
important trading, industrial, and agricultural center.

There are over 75 languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines. The major ones are Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Ilongo
and Bicolano. English is also spoken and understood by many Filipinos. The economy is based on agriculture and
industry. The staple food is rice and the Philippines is the largest producer of coconuts and coconut products. Industrial
products include textiles, steel, fertilizers and handicrafts. Most of the Filipino people are poor. Political instability and
natural disaster have hampered economic development. Recently the Philippines has experienced relative peace and
secure government which has helped to maintain a number of years of high economic growth.

History of TCM in the Philippines

In the late 1950's several Filipino Christian men answered advertisements placed in a Christian magazine by Herbert
Palmer, the founder of THINGS TO COME MISSION. These men were sent Bible Study literature which explained
dispensational truth and the uniqueness of the Gospel message entrusted to the Apostle Paul. Desiring to learn more,
these men requested that a missionary be sent to the Philippines to teach the Bible and to help evangelize and establish
churches.

Vernon and Darlene Anderson were the first missionaries to respond to the request in 1958. They were followed several
months later by Joe and Pauline Watkins and other missionaries over the following years.

In 1959 TCM started INTERNATIONAL GRACE BIBLE INSTITUTE as a training center to prepare Filipinos for ministry in the
churches which were being rapidly established throughout the country. The establishment of churches and the training of
national leaders has always been the main thrust of TCM's ministries and IGBI has served as an integral part of that
strategy for over thirty years. Each year, pastors, evangelists, and Bible teachers have gone out from the school to help
reach the Filipino people with the Gospel. Several graduates of TCM's Philippine Bible Institutes have gone out as
missionaries to other countries such as Kenya, Brazil, and Indonesia.

Throughout the years TCM has expanded the scope of its ministry to use a variety of methods to proclaim the Gospel in the
Philippines. This includes translated and original literature, radio broadcasts, children's outreach, youth ministry, elders
training centers, crusade evangelism and others. The main purpose for all of these methods is to aid in the proclamation
of the Gospel and the establishment of God-honoring, doctrinally sound, self-sustaining churches with capable and
committed Filipino leadership.

Present Ministry of TCM in the Philippines

Things to Come Mission has over 500 recognized churches in 43 of the 79 provinces of the Philippines and they continue
to multiply at a rapid rate. Most of these churches are in the less evangelized rural areas which are in greatest need of a
Christian outreach. There are around 300 full-time pastors and Bible women and many more trained elders and lay people
that are active in the ministry of the local congregations. TCM operates two four-year Bible Institutes: IGBI - Ozamis
Campus and IGBI - Davao Campus, where over 100 men and women each year are being prepared for full-time Christian
service. There are numerous training centers established in various parts of the country to help prepare men and women
that are unable to go to one of the two full-time Bible Institutes. Each year visiting U.S. pastors are invited to the Philippines
to teach at a special postgraduate seminar to offer advanced training to selected pastors and leaders in the ministry.

Besides these activities, TCM has a literature ministry which provides Bible Correspondence courses, books, Gospel
tracts, Bibles and reference tools to the Filipinos free or at reduced cost. TCM also sponsors a number of local radio
broadcasts on stations throughout the country. There is a well-developed youth program which sponsors over 500
organized activities yearly at the local, regional and national levels. In addition, there is a Christian education ministry
which trains and assists the local churches in organizing and operating effective Sunday School programs.

Currently, only one missionary family is serving in the Philippines and the bulk of the ministry is directed and carried out by
the national leadership.