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ABOUT US

Our Story and Mission

In June 2021, we were united in marriage, bound by a shared passion to serve Jesus Christ and make His love known to the people of the Philippines. Our journey together began not just as a couple, but as partners in a mission much greater than ourselves.

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Emalinda, a Filipina who grew up experiencing the harsh realities of poverty, carries a heart that beats deeply for her fellow countrymen. Having felt the weight of struggle, she has developed a profound love for the Filipino people—an unshakable compassion that drives her every day. Her vision is clear: to see the love, mercy, and hope of Jesus Christ transform lives across her homeland.

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Gerry, who stands beside Emalinda with unwavering support, shares in this dream. Together, we believe in the power of God’s love to heal hearts, bring joy to the oppressed, and shine light in dark places.  We are committed to bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to every corner of the Philippines—pouring out mercy, compassion, and grace to those in need.

Our mission is simple: to reflect Christ’s love in everything we do, to serve with humility, and to share the message of hope that changes lives. With hearts full of faith, we are dedicated to building a future where the Filipino people experience the deep and fullness of God's love.

Sponsor a Child - Light & Hope Philippines
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Outreach Mission

To spread the Hope, Love, and Light we find in Jesus Christ by being His hands and feet in the Philippines. Through prayer, teachings, and actions, we are committed to demonstrating His love and offering His transformative power to all we encounter.

Canned Food ready for distribution

Food Ministry

Our food ministry in the Philippines is dedicated to meeting the physical hunger of those in need while offering spiritual nourishment through the love of Jesus Christ. We aim to provide not only sustenance but also hope, compassion, and community, demonstrating Christ’s care through the sharing of meals and the provision of support.

 

Through this ministry, we strive to be a beacon of His light, offering both food for the body and nourishment for the soul to all who are hungry.

Clothing Ministry

Our clothing ministry in the Philippines seeks to serve communities by providing essential clothing to those in need. We are committed to demonstrating Christ’s love through tangible acts of kindness, offering not only physical warmth but also dignity and hope.

 

By meeting practical needs and creating a sense of community, we strive to bring the light of Christ to those who need it most, fostering compassion and supporting the most vulnerable among us.

Clothes Donation
carrying a goat for the Goat and Chicken mission

Goats & Chicken Ministry

Our Goats & Chicken Ministry in the Philippines seeks to empower families and communities by providing sustainable resources through livestock. By distributing goats and chickens, we aim to create opportunities for self-sufficiency, economic growth, and nourishment.

 

Through this ministry, we demonstrate the love of Christ by meeting physical needs and fostering hope, all while encouraging families to thrive and grow with the support of their new livestock.

Seeds of Hope Ministry

Seeds of Hope Ministry in the Philippines is dedicated to planting seeds of faith, hope, and transformation in the hearts of individuals and communities. Through the distribution of seeds, agricultural training, and community support, we aim to foster self-reliance and sustainability.

 

By nurturing both the land and the spirit, we seek to empower families to grow their own food, provide for their needs, and experience the abundant life that Christ promises.

Growing Plants
Volunteers Packing Food

Community Center Ministry

Our Community Center Ministry in the Philippines is committed to being a place of hope, healing, and support for individuals and families. Through providing resources, programs, and a safe space for fellowship, we aim to strengthen communities by meeting both spiritual and physical needs.

 

By offering education, counseling, and outreach, we seek to reflect Christ’s love and compassion, empowering people to grow, connect, and thrive in a supportive environment.

Communities Served

We are dedicated to serving the underserved communities of the Philippines, bringing hope, compassion, and the love of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to walk alongside families and individuals, meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with practical support, education, and resources. We aim to empower these communities to thrive, fostering unity, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging as we reflect God's love through our actions and presence.

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As we begin our missional journey we will be emphasizing and concentrating our impact on a regional level.  However, as we seek and partner with Christian organizations and Churches throughout the Philippines our missional reach may and will extend outside the region to the innermost and remotest areas of the Philippines

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Current Mission (2025)

Regional Location:  Sibagat Agusan del sur, Philippines

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Estimated population:  36,000

5 Year Missional Move

Locations:  Sibagat, Tubay, Magallanes, Santiago, Tubay, and Cabadaran City, Philippines

 

Estimated population: 170,000

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10 Year Missional Move

Locations:  Sibagat, Tubay, Magallanes,

Cabadaran City, Santago, Jabonga, Butuan City, Nasipit, and Bayugan City,   Philippines

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Estimated population: 730,000

Philippines

Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa

For God, People, Nature, and Country

Location

The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia.  It is surrounded by water, in the west by the South China Sea, in the east by the Pacific Ocean, in the south by the Sulu and Celebes Seas, and in the north by the Bashi Channel.  Its capital and main port of entry is Manila. Much of the country is mountainous and prone to earthquakes and eruptions from around 20 active volcanoes. It is often buffeted by typhoons and other storms. 

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Land Area

The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,100 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers.  It has three major island groups-Luzon in the north, Visayas in the middle and Mindanao further down in the South. 

 

Population

The current population of the Philippines is about 118 million people. Filipinos are basically of Indo-Malay racial stock, mixed with some Chinese and Spanish ancestry.
 

Climate

The country has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons-wet and dry.  November – February tend to be the cooler part of the season while March to May are hot and dry.   June to October tend to be the rainy season with July and September characterized by typhoons. 

 

Language

The national language is Filipino, which is based on the language of Tagalog, the national language.  There are eight predominant languages spoken:  Tagalog, Cebuano, IIonggo, Bicol, Waray, Kapampangan, and Pangasinense and with more than 87 dialects in the country. English is also considered an official language as it is taught, spoken, and understood throughout the Philippines and used in business, government and schools.

 

Religion
More than 80% of the population is Roman Catholic. Other major religions include Muslim and Protestant.

 

Literacy

The literacy rate in the country is 92.6%

 

Poverty:

  • 2024 – 13.6% (16.0 million people)

  • 2023 – 15.5% (17.5 milllion people)

  • 2022 – 15.5% (17.9 million people)

  • 2021 – 18.1% (19.9 miliion people)

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Monetary Unit and Unit of Measure
The unit of currency is the Philippine peso (PHP).   The Philippines generally use the metric system in most trade and transactions.

 

Brief History of the Philippines

A Spanish colony for more than three centuries, and named after a 16th Century Spanish king, was taken over by the United States in the early 20th Century after a protracted rebellion against rule from Madrid.  Spanish and United States influences remain strong, especially in terms of language, religion and government. Self-rule in 1935 was followed by full independence in 1946 under their own constitution.

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Spanish Colonial Period:

Ferdinand Magellan came to the Philippines on March 16, 1521 and claimed the country for the Spanish crown. A colonial government was established in Manila in 1571. Spain introduced changes in the political, social and cultural life of the people. One of these is Christianity.  In 1896, the Filipinos staged the first nationalistic revolution in Asia against the Spaniards. The 1896 Revolution was the culmination of revolts against Spanish oppression. The death by musketry of Dr. Jose Rizal who led the reform movement fueled the fires of revolution.  On June 12, 1898, leaders of the revolution declared the country a sovereign state and proclaimed the first Republic of the Philippines. Meanwhile, Spain declared war against the United States over Cuba and was defeated. As an offshoot, the Philippines were ceded to America by Spain through the Treaty of Paris.

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The American Influence:
Under the Americans, agriculture, commerce and trade rapidly developed. Among the changes they introduced were: the modernization of transportation and communication, the improvement of banking and currency, the American system of education, literature, language, arts and sciences. During the outbreak of the Second World War, Japan occupied the country. In 1945, the Americans liberated the country and granted it Independence on July 4, 1946.

 

People Power
In 1972, Martial Law was declared by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Political repression and economic deterioration during the Martial Law years resulted in the historic "People Power" Revolution on February 25, 1986. This led to the proclamation of Corazon C. Aquino as President of the Philippines. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia.

 

The Government Today

Presidential Form of Government.  The Philippines today is a democratic and republican state with a presidential form of government as provided under the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Separation of powers are ensured through checks and balances among the three branches of government; the Executive, represented by the President and his/her Cabinet; the Legislative, represented by a Bicameral Congress composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and the Judiciary, with the power of judicial review.
 

Autonomous Muslim Mindanao Region
One of the country's uniquely decentralized local governments is the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The ARMM was created by law to allow the four provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the southern island of Mindanao to have an autonomous regional government. As an autonomous government unit, the ARMM is authorized to initiate and attract direct foreign investments for the development and growth of its mainly Muslim population. 

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Some key dates in The Philippines' history:

  • 900AD - Laguna Copperplate Inscription, mostly written on Old Malay, is the earliest record of a Philippine language and the presence of writing in the islands.

  • 14th Century - Indian cultural traits such as linguistic terms and religious practices began to spread in the Philippines.

  • 1542 - Spanish expedition claims the islands and names them the Philippines after the heir to the Spanish throne.

  • 1896-98 - Philippine Revolution: Filipino revolutionaries fight against the Spanish colonial authorities in an attempt to win independence.

  • 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the US navy destroys the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States

  • 1898-1902 - Philippine-American War: Tensions arise after the United States annexes the Philippines under the Treaty of Paris at end of the Spanish-American War rather than acknowledging the Philippines' declaration of independence.

  • 1941-1945 - The Philippines are occupied by Japan during the World War Two

  • 1946 - The islands are granted full independence and renamed the Republic of the Philippines.

  • 1965 - Ferdinand Marcos is elected president; he declares martial law in 1972.

  • 1986 - Marcos ousted in "people power" revolt after claiming victory over Aquino's widow.

  • 2001 - President Joseph Estrada is forced out by a military-backed "people power" uprising.

  • 2014 - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel group signs a peace deal with the government, ending one of Asia's longest and deadliest conflicts.

  • 2022 - Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son of the previous President, is elected president.

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