Philippines

The Filipinos are of mixed descent, but predominantly Malay. They also have Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, European and American heritage. Islam spread to the southern islands from the 13th century when 13 ethno-linguistic groups embraced Islam. They still have a strong Muslim identity.

In 1521 the islands were seen by a European explorer and in 1542 the Spanish claimed the archipelago and named it in honor of their King, Philip II. Missionaries arrived soon after.

Conversions were rapid. Some were forced, but many were from seeing the ceremonial splendor of the Roman Catholic rites that aroused fear and admiration. The work of the missionaries established Spanish rule and united most of the Filipinos through a common religion.

Conflict with Muslims in the south began in the early days of Spanish influence and continues today. Some ethno-linguistic groups in mountainous areas did not embrace Islam or Christianity and remained animistic.

The islands were relatively quiet until the late 19th century when several groups united to rebel against the Spanish and claim independence. The Filipinos were gaining ground in their battle for freedom, and just when independence seemed within reach, the islands were ceded by Spain to the USA. Filipinos found themselves facing a new colonial government. The U.S. established military rule and tensions resurfaced.

American policies changed direction several times, but by 1936 agreement was reached to grant independence. World War II intervened, and Japanese occupation caused widespread destruction. However, the Republic of the Philippines was formally proclaimed on July 4, 1946.

Rebuilding the country economically, socially and politically took decades. The corner seemed to have been turned when Ferdinand Marcos was elected president in 1965. But unrest followed and in 1972 Marcos declared martial law, by which he ruled until 1986. He then fled the country after rigged elections brought the population to the streets. He took undetermined amounts of illegally-gained wealth with him.

Corazon Aquino, wife of murdered opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., became president. Her government survived seven coups but had limited success in addressing the economic situation, taming the excesses of the military or lessening the impact of the communist and Muslim secessionist guerrilla wars.

Fidel Ramos was elected president on a minority vote in 1992; the first democratic change of government for 26 years. (Aquino’s government was democratically elected but only recognized after the People Power Revolution that drove out Marcos.)

Under Ramos the country saw a measure of economic growth and stability. In June 1998 Joseph Estrada was elected president for six years. However he was ousted after corruption scandals in early 2001 and replaced by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose administration also battled charges of corruption. The current President of the Philippines is Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino III.

Most Filipinos mixed the Catholicism of their Spanish conquerors with their own animistic (spirit worship) beliefs. Even today Filipino Catholicism, or more accurately “Folk Catholicism,” is mixed with animism.

With American rule in the early 1900s came religious liberty. Evangelicals came to the Philippines and began to plant churches. By the end of World War II, these had become liberal.

Together with a number of other mission societies, OMF International began work in the Philippines in 1951. Workers were initially assigned to assist Chinese churches in Manila and Davao and to share the gospel with the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro. Many churches have since been planted which support their own pastors.

OMF International is involved in essential services to the church in the Philippines: theological training (training Filipinos as they launch out in cross-cultural missions, both within the country and abroad), literature production, Bible translation, work with the urban and rural poor, work with tribal groups, primary health care, literacy and other support functions. There are many fast-growing cults. The church needs to present a clear message of biblical Christianity.

• Rural church planting.
• Christian education and leadership training.
• Ethnic Muslim minorities.
• Missions training.

• Evangelism and church planting.
• Theological teaching.
• Development work.
• Teaching missionaries’ children.
• Short-term placements.

• The turmoil, suffering and rapid changes in the nation have prepared millions to seek a personal faith in Christ. Praise God that growth has been marked in all evangelical groups.
• The government needs prayer. Courageous and unpopular decisions on moral, social and economic issues need to be taken. Pray for Christians in positions of power.
• Pray for a humble sensitivity on the part of Western missionaries as Filipino Christians are seeking an identity of their own.
• Pray also for safety. Missionaries have been threatened, kidnapped and even killed by guerrillas and criminal gangs.
• In Manila 3 million people live in squalid shanty-town slums, some living on and from the city rubbish dumps. There are 900 depressed areas in the city, 400 of which have no church. Most of the churches are in the more affluent areas.
• Of the Chinese population, 3 percent are evangelical Christians.
• Student ministry has developed despite obstacles to open evangelism. Pray for the development of strong witnessing groups in schools and universities.
• There are more than 100 Christian bookstores in the country. Few countries are better served by Christian television and radio.

People who have not heard the gospel:

• Muslims: Five million in 13 ethnic groups, mainly in Mindanao.
• Mindanao: Many of the 24 Manobo tribal people groups are isolated, and outreach to them is limited by warfare and intimidation.
• Settled central mountain peoples of Luzon.

The church faces critical challenges:

• How to give a biblical response to the gross inequalities and corruption in society.
• Rapid growth with inadequate discipling. The proliferation of new groups, often led by those with minimal training and almost no accountability, has given rise to doctrinal distortions, fanciful interpretations and problems such as corruption.
• Praise God for outstanding Filipino leaders, but their numbers are too few. Pray for the theological and Bible colleges (there are more than 100).
• The lack of spiritual unity across denominational lines.