After being here since 2006, in a small two story house and constantly over crowded, we are praying to get our own building and land.

This is not an easy task as the Philippines is not like America where all the churches can help raise the funds. We have a few churches that are faithful to support us and a few individual supporters.

Hopefully, this campaign will give us exposure to those who have the means and the desire to help us build our church. We pray to accommodate the poor children in the area to learn the Gospel, be educated and fed, move on to high school and college. They will then get careers according to their goals.

The Biggest, little Church in Payatas

Started in 2006 almost 20 years ago by Rev John J Wilson.

He is affectionately known as “Pastor Jack”

He started Payatas Baptist Church as a recipient of donations made to Payatas Mission Outreach. This was a 501c3 Non-profit based in California, U.S.A.

Pastor Jack arrived in the Philippines with his wife, Malou and two daughters. Laura was 4 years old  and  Linda was just 6 months and flew to the Philippines at the feet of her parents, in a basket.

After arriving this missionary family set up a Bible study in two areas of Payatas.

Within 3 months they had rented a small two-story building and started their official Church.

We added to the Church daily as the Apostles did. Unfortunately, the size of the population of the Church usually does not exceed 85% of it’s capacity. We, however, filled it over capacity.

It has been tight for us for years. Someone suggested we get a bigger building, but when you are in the poorest area, the people cannot sustain the cost.

So, we figured out ways how to reach the people with the Gospel which has been, and still is our goal.

We started door knocking where our members would go out into the streets to give out tracts and start conversations with the locals. We started a two-by-two ministry where our teams would visit houses and start Bible studies in their homes. We have a weekly visitation program where some of us go directly to homes of locals and ask to share the word with them. Usually, we bring a small bag of rice as they can use it and it is a great, get your foot in the door tactic.

We have reached countless thousands with the Gospel. The total will only be seen when we meet Jesus.

Additionally, we have had long range plans. Besides teaching the Bible in our Church, we teach academics. We teach children by following what they are learning and strengthening it.

We give them incentives for good grades which include 100 pesos for those who get 80’s and above across all their studies. Jollibee meal for those over 85, Kenny Rogers for those over 90 and for those who have 95 and above, they get Kenny Rogers and 1,000 pesos!

Most of the kids get those incentives. We have seen these kids excel in their schooling.

And, we have a feeding program for the kids.

We did not stop there. We have raised funds for those graduating so they can attend a good college. Not a mediocre one but a good one.

We are seeing the first fruits of that program as we have had 6 graduates, a few more will this year and others are in the process of going to or through college.

To top it off, we also teach music. Over 50 kids have learned to play an instrument such as, Violin, Guitar, Piano, Ukelele, Accordion, Harmonica, Flute and recorder.

We have had, medical missions, movie nights, food distribution, clothes distribution (with toys for the kids,)

We have had 2 medical clinics. Unfortunately, we had to close them because we could not afford to keep the doctors.

I could go on and on.

This tiny little Church has done more than some of the giant ones.

That being the question, what could it be if we had the facilities?

What if we had a Church with a 1000 seat sanctuary? We could have at least two services. One in English and one in Tagalog. What if we had a school with grades K-12? Right now, about 5 of our students are graduating as teachers. What if we had a medical clinic (we know how to do it) with an x-ray machine, ekg and other equipment along with a doctor?

All it takes is funding.

We won’t be able to see it from thousands of people because thousand of people don’t know about us.

We need organizations to assist us.

I pray this message touches your heart and you can see the vision that I have seen for 20 years.

Let’s build a legacy together.

In conclusion, all donations are valuable to us. Whether it be big or small, God sees it all. God bless you as you bless others.