Philippines

Faith Unshaken: A Church Reborn

aheckman — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:41:56 +0000

Faith Unshaken: A Church Reborn aheckman Thu, 09/18/2025 - 17:41

Faith Unshaken: A Church Reborn

January 12, 2020, will forever be etched in the memories of the residents of Batangas province in the Philippines. Taal Volcano, a picturesque natural wonder surrounded by a serene lake and a favorite tourist attraction, transformed from a tranquil beauty into a source of unimaginable destruction. The volcano, known for its deceptive calm, had been silently building pressure. And on that fateful day, it erupted with brutal force.

The eruption sent a massive plume of ash and smoke into the sky, blanketing the surrounding area in a thick layer of volcanic ash. "We were up there, it was so dark. There was thunder, lightning, and earthquakes," recalled one resident, describing the terrifying moments as nature unleashed its fury. Panic set in as families fled their homes, desperate to escape the suffocating ashfall. "As we walked, we were chased by dust and volcanic ash. We smelled of sulfur as we walked from Payapa to Tagaytay," another survivor recounted, painting a harrowing picture of their escape.

More than 316,000 individuals were affected by the violent outburst, but the 21,954 families living within the government-designated permanent danger zone bore the brunt of the catastrophe. Their homes, covered in ash, were damaged, and their lives were turned upside down. In the aftermath, many faced uncertainty, not knowing what lay ahead. "We did not know where to go, whether our children would be okay or if they could continue with their studies. We were always worried if we would have a place to return to after what happened,” shared another affected resident.

The Southern Tagalog District Church of the Nazarene sprang into action in the wake of the disaster. The response effort was made possible by the resources provided by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. The relief efforts were multifaceted, aiming to address the immediate and long-term needs of the affected communities.

During this time of struggle, hope arrived in the form of people who genuinely cared. "We got to know the Church of the Nazarene," said one community member. "They visited us and came to our homes, which were completely destroyed during that time. They prayed for us during their first visit. On their second visit, they brought relief goods, including notebooks for school. Then they even cooked for us when they visited us again. They gave us roofing sheets, and by the grace of God, with their help and the help of others, we were able to come back and recover our community here in Barangay Banyaga."

The response was comprehensive, encompassing cleanup campaigns to remove the ash that had settled like a suffocating blanket over the land. Crisis care kits and food items were distributed to ensure that the basic needs of the affected families were met. Building materials were provided to repair the damaged houses, offering a glimmer of hope amid the devastation. These efforts were carried out over the span of a year. During this time, relationships were forged, and a sense of community was rebuilt.

Amid the ongoing relief efforts, a missions team was formed. This dedicated group of individuals visited the affected communities weekly, offering support, comfort, and hope. The presence of the missions team’s members was a beacon of light in the darkness, and their efforts began to yield fruit in the form of strengthened bonds and a renewed sense of purpose among the residents.

The culmination of these tireless efforts reached a turning point in December 2024. On December 8, the Church of the Nazarene in Banyaga, Agoncillo, was officially organized. The church symbolized resilience, faith, and the indomitable human spirit. Rev. Jun Joseph Macas, the district superintendent, conducted the official organization of the church, with Rev. Cedric Levi Cuanang serving as the senior pastor and Rev. Aljon Requiero as the associate pastor.

The journey to this momentous day was not easy. It was marked by countless challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. Yet, through it all, the community remained steadfast, drawing strength from their faith and each other. The church that emerged from the volcanic ashes was more than just a building; it was a testament to the power of hope and the unyielding spirit of the people who refused to be defeated by adversity.

The story of this church is one of transformation and renewal. It is a story of how a community came together in the face of disaster, rebuilt their lives brick by brick, and found solace and strength in their faith. The church stands as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new beginning.

Today, the Church of the Nazarene in Banyaga, Agoncillo, continues to serve as a pillar of the community. It provides spiritual guidance, support, and a sense of belonging to all who walk through its doors. The church's outreach programs and community initiatives have become a source of inspiration, fostering a spirit of unity and compassion that extends far beyond its walls.

As the sun sets over the tranquil lake surrounding Taal Volcano, the church stands tall, a symbol of resilience and hope. To this day, the journey from the ashes has been remarkable, and the story of this church serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of the most daunting challenges, the human spirit can rise, rebuild, and flourish.

This story taken from the most recent issue of NCM Magazine. Read the rest of the issue here.

Philippines

Emergency Relief

From the Magazine

Looking Back, Looking Forward: The Impact of Holistic Child Development

aheckman — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 19:45:47 +0000

Looking Back, Looking Forward: The Impact of Holistic Child Development aheckman Thu, 11/21/2024 - 19:45

Looking Back, Looking Forward: The Impact of Holistic Child Development

Sarah*, a recent graduate of a Nazarene child development center in the Philippines, shared her inspiring journey during the center's anniversary celebration this year. From joining the center at age three to becoming a graduate and now a volunteer teacher for other children, Sarah's testimony highlighted the profound impact the center has had on her life. Keep reading for an excerpt from her remarks.

“I am Sarah. I was a sponsored child of the [child development center] program since I was three years old. [The center] trained me and equipped me holistically, taught me about Jesus, and allowed me to draw closer to God.

“Jesus showed a special love for children, welcoming them and blessing them ... that is also how the Church of the Nazarene welcomes children through this ministry.

“I understand that [the] program is not just teaching you about Bible stories, hygiene lessons, singing, etc. It’s not just about that, [it] helps you to go in the way you should go—which is God’s way.

“And [the center] is not just about being compassionate to the children ... [it] also teaches you to be a compassionate one, too. The blessing is not how [the] staff are kind, generous, and compassionate to me, it’s how it made me one of those—a kind, generous, and compassionate person towards others, too. God loves us so that we can love others.

“Thank you to my sponsors. Thank you to the teachers and staff who taught me since the beginning, until I graduated, and until now that I am the one teaching. Thank you to those people whom God used for [the center] to come into existence.

“All glory belongs to God. I’ll continue to surrender my life to God, to serve him, to reach out other people, to strive, to make a difference, to be a light and salt, to lead, to use my gifts for his glory and lastly, to make Christlike disciples of all nations.”

You can make a difference in the life of a child or teenager like Sarah today. Your monthly gift of only $30 USD will provide a student with a strong foundation that supports their growth from childhood through adolescence and beyond. Learn more at ncm.org/sponsor.

*Children’s names are changed for protection.

Holistic Child Development

Child Sponsorship

children and youth

Philippines

Joy, Despite Obstacles: A Child Sponsorship Story

aheckman — Wed, 10 May 2023 20:29:57 +0000

Joy, Despite Obstacles: A Child Sponsorship Story aheckman Wed, 05/10/2023 - 20:29

Joy, Despite Obstacles: A Child Sponsorship Story

MAY 10, 2023 · BY AMY HECKMAN

Marsha* is a sponsored 17-year-old girl in the Philippines. She’s overcome many challenges across the years, including her family losing their home when Super Typhoon Rai hit the nation at the end of 2021. The storm damaged or destroyed millions of houses, at least 16,000 schools, and 330 health clinics, eventually impacting close to 10 million people.

Marsha, her mother, and nine siblings live in St. Bernard, a town that was almost completely destroyed by the Typhoon. Dan Balayo, child development coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Region Church of the Nazarene, reported that all families of children served by the Nazarene child development center in St. Bernard were directly impacted by the storm.

The Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines responded immediately to the needs of the most vulnerable population, distributing relief goods and establishing safe spaces for children to process traumatic experiences from the storm.

Thankfully, Marsha’s family survived (as did all the families of other children at the center), but they had to move into an evacuation center right before the holidays.

At the time, Marsha shared this with her sponsor, saying, “It was really sad that we didn’t celebrate our Christmas at our home. Despite that, we never gave up. We still celebrated Christmas with happy faces. We prepared spaghetti, pansit, and bread. We were happy because we were safe and healthy.”

When recovery efforts started, and school work began again in earnest, Marsha didn’t let this ongoing upheaval deter her from her goals. In the midst of recovery and rebuilding, Marsha received an award for academic honors at school.

“My heart is full of joy [because of] receiving the award,” Marsha wrote to her sponsor. “This allows me to study harder. I am thankful and bless God for everything He did.”

A little over a year later, finally back in her home, she wrote the update below. Keep reading to see how joy continues to be a hallmark of Marsha's outlook and attitude.

Child sponsorship gives children help right when they need it. When you choose to support a child living in poverty through sponsorship, you give them encouragement to continue to on through whatever obstacles come their way.

Learn more here.

“Hi, how are you? I hope you are doing well.

After a long time, I am going to write a letter for you, with lots of love. First, I want to greet you a happy new year. I hope that your new year will be one of the best in your life. I'm writing this letter because I want to share with you how I celebrate New Year’s...

I celebrate those great days with all the [fun] that I can. Two days before the new year, we started our preparations. We cleaned our house, got ready and we look forward to the great day with my family. I made a list of delicious food item on December 31st and prepared it with my sister. I had an amazing celebration with my family.

How about you? How do you spend your holidays? I hope you are enjoying those days.

Thank you for your continuous support and for the Christmas gift that I have received. May God continue to bless you more.”

*Name is changed for protection.

Child Sponsorship

children and youth

Holistic Child Development

Emergency Relief

Philippines

Emergency Relief after Typhoon

aheckman — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:42:18 +0000

Emergency Relief after Typhoon aheckman Thu, 02/10/2022 - 18:42

Emergency Relief after Typhoon

On December 16-17 of 2021, Super Typhoon Rai (known locally as Odette) swept through 11 of the 17 regions that make up the Philippines. The storm damaged or destroyed 1.7 million houses, 16,000 schools, and 330 health clinics, impacting 9.9 million people. Almost two months after the disaster, nearly 144,000 people remain displaced. The arrival of the typhoon followed two years of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which had already heightened the vulnerability of many communities.

In St. Bernard, one of the worst-hit communities, the local Nazarene child development center has confirmed that all sponsored children are safe and are receiving care and support.

Nazarene Disaster Response in the Philippines is working to establish ongoing partnerships with local churches, government offices, national agencies, and other relief organizations. These partnerships help relief efforts become more effective and reach more people in need.

Keep scrolling for pictures of the initial relief distributions and ministry to children following the destruction. Join us in praying for comfort and help for all impacted by this storm.

Photos courtesy of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Philippines

Emergency Relief

Compassion

Philippines

Philippines

Faith Unshaken: A Church Reborn

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Looking Back, Looking Forward: The Impact of Holistic Child Development

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Joy, Despite Obstacles: A Child Sponsorship Story

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Emergency Relief after Typhoon

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags