Between August 22 and September 1, 2008 I had the great privilege of ministering in the Philippines. For six years Leonardo F. Galanza Jr., a teacher at the Center for Biblical Studies in Antipolo City has been using my series on church history, The Most Glorious Institution. These works which include study guides for leaders and students are available through Mount Zion Ministries.
I was invited to present a modular course on church history. Speaking three hours each day on a topic of interest the story of the Christian church was explored over a five-day period.
Of particular concern to me at the end of my week was whether or not anything had been accomplished for the good of those I came to minister to and for the glory of God. When the question, "What can be accomplished in a week?" is asked without scorn or contempt, it is a valid inquiry. Is it worth all the time, expense, and months of preparation not to mention an exhaustive traveling schedule of twenty hours plus flight time? Perhaps the best people to answer that particular inquiry are those who sat under the teaching ministry. Here is what some of the attendees had to say. Their comments are presented as they were written. They are unedited.
Dear Pastor Murrell, I thank the Lord for His great and wonderful love & mercy. Once again He bestowed upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit through you the ministry of His word for the past week. I have been blest in many ways. I would like to mention some, first I was blest by the example of your life. Serving Him with passion, patiently and joyfully even in the midst of difficulties (like your journey when you came here). Furthermore I have been blest in the life of the people in the past how they suffered for the kingdom of God. It is an encouragement for me as I am going through my life's journey in serving God. I am especially blest with your sermons too especially the one about Forgiveness & Facing tomorrow without fear. How dark maybe my lot it reminded me again that surely a Christian have a victory in Christ. Thank you once again for your compassion. May the Lord add more years to your life and that many will be blest for His glory and honor. We pray that you can come again. I am a 4th year student now. In Christ, Adel
Beloved Dr. Stanford Murrell, Indeed, God is gracious to us because He sent a marvelous humble person like you...God be glorified! I would like to say 'Thanks be to God' for the precious words through you...I am so blessed with all the sermons and teachings that was centered in Christ. I really love it. God bless you richly, your family and ministry too. Sincerely in Christ, Angelyn
Dr. Stanford Murrell, We are so thankful for encouraging us & widen our knowledge. We just want you to know that you are a blessing. Your words of wisdom make us realize how important to know more about what we believe and what faith we defend. Hope to see you again soon. May God shower you a lot of blessing & may you continue to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. God bless you! Jeralyn
Pastor Stan, It is a great pleasure to have you, we are so thankful for learning what you shared to us. We hope that you can come back here again to tell us more in order to enlarge our learning. And we hope that you may proclaim or share all you have taught to us all around the world to make other people be inspired and blessed. Thank you so much and God bless you. I'm blest and I know that I am cause Jesus took control of my life...We will always remember you because of this song. If you want more song just contact me. Aluna! [Note. The student’s sang a special song one day for chapel that I found delightful and told them that – so they sang it again and again for me.]
Dr. Stanford, Thank you for sharing what you have learned & for loving all of us that you came in our midst for the Lord. May the Lord bless you more and your family and our brethren abroad. I Thess. 5:18 In Christ, Carla
Pastor Stan, Hope to see you again soon. Take care God bless you richly together with your family continue to be a blessing! Thank you so much for your encouraging lectures..you taught us to be faithful and to listen for God's perfect will for us. Taught us to be patient and do/obey what God wants us to do. God bless you!
On a personal level my journey to the Philippines resulted in the following observations.
First, the Filipinos are a generous people. I went to the islands to bring gifts of God for the people of God in the form of free literature and CD’s and ministering there without charge or collecting an offering. The people responded by giving me tokens of their love and affection and most importantly, their hearts.
Second, the Filipinos are a happy people. While not excessively rich in material resources they have a natural joy for living with a delightful sense of humor.
Third, the Filipinos are a loving people. They open their homes and give their hearts in generous displays of affection. They are not temperamental and territorial. They do not unleash a spirit of terror by quiet but demanding ways and cruel comments made in secret that wound. The biblical counsel for Christians is to let the conversation always be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).
Fourth, the Filipinos are humble people. At the Center for Biblical Studies the faculty works together. The people seek to co-operate and not compete with one another for power and positions. No one was found arguing who would get to do the bulletin or who should be asked for permission before the work of the ministry could move forward. God’s work was done God’s way according to gospel terms guided by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is honored and submitted to for the people realize the danger of allowing secular books to guide the ministry. Oh to be a people of one Book – the Bible. What a change would come to all of Christendom if God’s people would learn to co-operate and not compete. Were that to happen, humility would replace pride and progress would replace unnecessary childish divisions. While it is flattering to gain a personal following of "friends" it is far better to seek to dwell together in unity and not bring division to any expression of the body of Christ.
Fifth, the Filipinos are an attentive people. They carefully watch over each other and their guests to make sure everyone is comfortable. Such attentiveness brings peace to the people of God in particular for the love of God is shed abroad in the hearts.
After speaking for 20 hours over a five day period I had a chance to go to the island of Corrigedor where so much history was made during World War II. If you are not familiar with the story of the Filipino’s during World War II and the importance of Corrigedor in their narrative I would encourage you to find out the "rest of the story" especially from 1939-1945.
On Sunday morning I had the joy of speaking at the church pastored by Bro Leonardo F. Galanza Jr. He and his wife Hannah are doing a wonderful job in ministering to the people. There was a fellowship meal provided following the morning worship service.
At 3 AM the next morning, Monday, September 1, the long journey home began. This time I would not be stranded at the airport in Hong Kong for fifteen hours as happened on the flight into the country. It had been a profitable week in the service of the Lord. In the will of God I hope to return to the Philippines in 2010.
For those who would like to know more about this particular work in the Philippines please contact me and I will share with you how to help for help is needed in the following areas:
- Sponsoring a student. You could help to educate someone not only for time but for eternity.
- Food. Rice is a main staple of the food the student’s eat. A large bag of rice sells for $20.00 US dollars but will help feed a lot of hungry students. You could buy a bag of rice and feed the hungry.
- Books. Good Christian literature is needed for the school’s library.
- Prayer. Pray for the staff and faculty.
If the Lord so leads, plan to go to the Philippines with me. There is much work to be done and the fields are still white unto harvest. As good as it is to support those on the mission fields financially Jesus compels some to go to other nations as well. Perhaps the Lord is calling you, even if only for a limited time. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
