Posted on Apr 26, 2009 - 6:24pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
While here in the Philippines it is my God given opportunity and mandate to help the helpless. So many hurting people are here. Visulaizing the poor children hurt me the most. The Lord has provided for 2 poor children’s feeding centers through Global Family Outreach Ministry-Praise the Lord ! My heart is so heavy though because there is such a huge need to see the lost come to Christ. Everywhere I go, I share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit allows. To think how taxi cab drivers receive salvation tracts and immediately read them while driving and say “Oh Salamat Po sir”-Oh thank you very much sir in the English language translation. People here are hungry for the Word of God. I am from the USA where it seems dry and the Christian Filipnos call America “A Atheist Nation.” About 10% of Filipinos here have given their hearts to Jesus as Lord and Saviour but many are strong in their faith. Working diligently to see God glorified in all areas of their lives not just personally- Family, work, government, etc.. It is glorious to see how Jesus changes lives of those who diligently seek Him.
I have again applied for my Values Foundation Instructor card while here. This is a Program sponsored through the Philippine National Police. I teach Filipino police officials, governmental leaders about the importance of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Areas like respecting others because we are all children of God is taught, also why it is not good to take or accept a bribe is also taught with many other Biblical values are taught. Most importantly Salvation through Jesus Christ is ALLOWED.
The Rev. who is in charge of Values Foundation of all the Philippines asked me an interesting as well as a profound question… He said to me; “Pastor, when you go back to America, maybe you should teach this to your American Officials.” In my heart, I know it is well needed.
Thank you my Filipino Brothers and Sisters in Christ for reminding me what is most important in all societies around the world.
Posted on Apr 14, 2009 - 9:22am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
Greetings to all my fiends and family…
I wanted to share the following message that I hope and pray will touch your heart…
It seems we are on a fast track spiritually for good or for evil in all the world today. What I mean by “fast track” is this: The people of the day are multiplying spiritually either for the closeness and love of God or people instead are choosing hate, deception and evil. The divide is no longer blurred or as I say: “You cannot sit on the fence post any longer.”
Our nation here(currently the United States), is in the beginning of a great upheaval and spiritual unraveling. Thankfully some people here of every creed and toungue it seems are choosing to serve God by instituting Godly principles like the 10 Commandments, having student led prayer or student led Bible Clubs in school or just back to good old common sense. On the other hand, others have unfortunately chosen to pronounce their evil and wicked ways rather than God’s ways and what makes this harmful to all is their insisting of us True Christians to follow their evil practices or face persecution . Evil that I speaking of here can be found in 2Timothy Chapter 3.
I am preparing to defend God’s ways more and more. With the message of the Gospel, I am sharing God’s ways which are not at all condemning but rather for our best and full of His love. Just a few days ago we true Christians celebrated “Resurrection Sunday.” I am sure for most, we are so thankful for the true reason for “Easter” and knowing we are not left in this world hopeless or helpless because of what God did for us through His son Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary and bringing us to a loving place because He first loved us. Wow and Amen I say for the un-ending love our Father has bestowed before us and an example for us to live as true Believers In Christ.
We must be vigilant these days for the heart of many grows cold. There are many “wolves” out there who say they know Christ but have a hidden agenda of hate, greed, selfishness and will sneakily rob your home and your family from you. The time we live in calls for discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us and direct us in our thoughts and actions, He will also lead us to other True Christians. Jesus said Himself how to tell a True follower of Him…John 13:35 “They shall know you are my disciples by the love that you show one-another.” There it is; “love.” Hatred is the opposite of love. Where there is division because of rebellion, you will find hatred. Where there is selfishness and greed, you will find hatred. Where there is world view, you will find hatred but where you find the Lord, you will find loving obedience to Him and His command being followed to love one-another.
Count the cost(Luke 9:23), It is a difficult time to live in. Men(all people, all nations) are quickly being given a choice to follow whatever god they choose. Choosing the True Living God, or the god of this world. With The True God who made all Heaven and Earth comes eternal life through Jesus Christ and brings love(Galatians 5:22). Picking the god of this world which brings all ends of evilness, will in the end bring destruction.
We should choose carefully and quickly whom we shall serve this day…
Posted on Apr 08, 2009 - 11:32am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
I am in belief that for me and other Bible believing Born-Again Christians like me, The Lord Jesus Christ is returning soon. The Bible says that “no man knows the day or the hour” but we look at revelation of what Christ gave us; signs of His return and… to look for our Redeemer is drawing near.
Our position here on Earth should to be to focus on seeing our lives are blameless before Him and preach the Good News throughout the entire Earth. While many hearts are growing cold towards Christ we should not shrink from our responsibility to proclaim the risen Christ and the work He accomplished at the Cross. Instead, we should by faith believe He will empower us through the strength of the Holy Spirit. I do realize for some Christians it is a doctrinal struggle to even mention the name of the Holy Spirit. The truth being told however, The Holy Spirit is God, part of the Trinity of God. the Holy Spirit is available for all believers to help us, encourage us and counsel us on every matter and relationship before us today and everyday. Without the Holy Spirit and His leading, we are like nomads knowing not where we are going-aimlessly wandering everywhere and lacking what God would have us do for Him. It is my point here that we need and should rely on the Holy Spirit for every decision. The Bible says we should “pray without ceasing.” Our Lord will speak to our hearts if we are truly before Him in prayer and open to hearing His voice.
I also mention this about the Holy Spirit because for Christians around the world, first; this is “Holy Week.” We celebrate the death and rise of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as well as His work we could never accomplish; the remission of our sins before a Holy and just God.
Second; yesterday, while at a “Christian Bookstore” , I mentioned to the counter person that it was the Holy Spirit that led me to that store, I was driving by and although I had called that same establishment the week before looking for a particular item, and they informed me they sold no such product, I was led by the Holy Spirit to stop and purchase the item there. Sure enough, after stopping in, after telling me she had no item, she looked in her back storage room and found the exact item I had requested that she said she did not have in stock. She asked me yet again how I came to know the item was there in her store. I referenced the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many questions to me by her about the Holy Spirit followed.
I probably shouldn’t be amazed at her lack of knowledge about the Holy Spirit, but it did astonish me a bit and felt a prodding from the Holy Spirit now to write this blog; that there are others that proclaim to know our risen Christ but are lacking in their walk with the Lord because they don’t/can’t hear that “small quiet voice” that often is of the Lord leading us to a walk with Him that is of His best for all of us.
May I please suggest that while we all reflect in our prayer and meditation of the greatness of what God has done for us this “Holy Week”, that we go before Him and ask Him: “Lord, right now I will not ask you of anything of material but I praise You, Thank you and humbly please ask for You to reveal your perfect plan in my life today ?”
My prayer for you is; you would indeed hear His small quiet voice today.
Posted on Mar 26, 2009 - 7:23am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
For the past two years, I have adopted the Bible verse; Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage neither be thou dismayed for the LORD your GOD is with you where ever you go” as my primary Life verse.
Some of the events that brought fear on into my earlier life and why I was so afraid in life was partially for these reasons; When I was about 6 years old, I drown and died in a swimming pool at the YMCA, I was miraculously brought back to life by two adults(With The Lord’s help) and with much physical labor and effort by the resuscitators to bring me back to life. At about age 7, I was playing outside one day then another boy came along(whom I never met before) and asked me if I wanted to play. I said sure, we went up on a train trestle(I knew not to be there). Well, we were up there shortly then suddenly, I didn’t see him any more. I called for him loudly, then answering me back, I found he was 25 feet bellow and said he was on the sidewalk. I jumped up on the edge of the train trestle bridge, looked over and asked this boy how he got down there so quickly. He said he jumped. I didn’t believe him at first and he insisted I do the same…jump. I refused and ran down the trestle and down the hill to the sidewalk. When I arrived to where he was yelling to me just a few minutes before, He was gone, and never seen him again(No doubt it was satan or one of his demons to get me to jump to my death).
Later the following year, I was crossing a street where there was a stop sign except the car that was supposed to stop-didn’t stop. It hit me instead. I was about eight years old.
When I was growing up, I was always taller than most kids my age. I guess that gave a lot of older kids licence to beat me up. Many times I arrived home with cuts, bruises, fat lips from fights or the kid with the good aim and great throwing arm because every time he’d throw a rock at me, it usually gave me a bloody-fat lip. Its funny(not so ha ha) that even when my family moved to the country when I was 9 years old, the kids there picked on me there also.
All the time I grew up in a unhealthy family and I was the oldest and the only son so things were sometimes confusing to me. If you were a kid growing up in my area of Western New York and misbehaved long enough, it was pretty much usual to hear at some point; “If you don’t behave, we’re gonna drop you off at Father Baker’s Orphanage”. That used to scare the living stuffing out of me. That phrase was a pretty good motivator for any kid to be good. Bottom line though, just hearing I was going to be separated from my family was pretty scary stuff for me as a child at the time.
Many years later, I’ve suffered some pretty big blows in my adult life. Times of important people in my life saying they don’t love me or don’t care about me any more. There have been so many that for various reasons used the manipulation ‘button” or “game” to try and do some pretty good damage to me also. Adults are usually good at continuing to stick little pins in others when they are already down aren’t they? This is even true or sometimes common place in the church today.
I found my life changed when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I was a “new creature” in Christ-hallelujah. I felt some areas of my life were definitely different. One area remained some what slow to improve though-fear. So many fears that I carried from my childhood to my adult year. Here I am now 47 years old and now able to say, I have few fears. I do have concerns, don’t get me wrong. Concerns are different than fears though. Fears will keep you from doing so many great things, especially great things for God. Fear will keep you from God’s best in your life. Fear will keep you from His peace, love and joy. I want God’s best. I want Jesus to continually soak me in His presence through the Holy Spirit.
Looking at today’s world and societies, there is no doubt in my spirit that Jesus is returning soon. Whether you are a “Pre-trib” or a “Mid-trib” Bible believing Born-Again believer in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the times and events of Bible prophecy are being fulfilled. Growing hatred of Christianity is everywhere especially in these United States, Canada and parts of Europe. We are reaping a harvest of persecution for our faith partially because of our fears to stand up for our beliefs in the past. Now the time has come for the True Body Of Christ to reject fear and stand up for His righteousness.
For me personally, Come what may I say. I’m not asking for trouble or an open invitation from satan to douse me in his fiery darts or for the government to put me in jail but what I’m saying is simply this; God is in control. If I keep my focus on Him, God will help me to stand up to evil like David did in the Old Testament. Jesus said “Be not afraid what they can do to your flesh, but fear them that do harm to your spirit”(Luke 12:5). I want to have the full confidence and walk in the presence of our Living God knowing that in and through Christ, all things are possible because He loved me first.
What is your fear today?
Posted on Mar 21, 2009 - 1:40pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
Today’s (3/21/09) GFOM poor children’s feeding center in Pasig City, Manila-Philippines was graced by some visitors. While the children were eating, they were visited by helpers who were working with the rebuilding of the near-by Jesus Loves The Little Children Foundation Orphanage. Those orphans are not children that Global Family Outreach Ministry provides assistance, however the children who live in the poor area outside the orphanage do receive our help and blessings. We utilize the orphanage’s kitchen area to feed the children from the slum areas.
Some of the visitors were basketball players from the Philippine Basketball Association(equivalent to the NBA-not shown here) and members of Habitat For Humanity. They visited with some of the children and the children also shared their hearts with them. What a blessing as Pastor Jorlyn Relevo who is the Metro Manila Area Coordinator for Global Family Outreach Ministry was able to share the vision of GFOM with the coordinator of the PBA Basketball Players and Habitat For Humanity volunteer workers.
Posted on Mar 12, 2009 - 10:48am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
As I have been listening to some bad reports from other ministries, I hear of their economic struggles to meet basic requirements of their staff as well as those whom they serve. What disturbs me the most is the reports I personally recieve of the world wide economic food crisis;Food is becoming more and more scarce.
I had written some weeks ago about “God’s Economy” and I remain steadfast in my faith that God’s people will be directed and graceful to help those that are physically and even more importantly, spiritually in need. It is the open door of giving food that Global Family Outreach Ministry has had all along the ability to share Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to children and families. Without meeting the physical need of people, we may not be able to share the Gospel to the degree we currently see now. Currently in the Philippines,(Africa also where we plan to open our next poor children’s feeding center) many people are giving ther hearts to Jesus Christ because of the one meal per week. Can you imagine that for only one meal per week, that it opens wide the opportunity for children and their families to accept Jesus in their hearts ? What a blessing !
I personally am praying more and more to see the move of God around the world, to see many come to Christ in these last days. I have much work that I have been asked by the Lord and by others; to evangelize, and I believe I need to be free to travel and facilitate more and more poor children’s feeding centers so that children and whole families have the opportunity to give their hearts to Christ world-wide.
Yes, the news we currently hear sounds very sad, and negative, that somehow what I am asking is impossible but I say with faith it can and will be done. Will you please pray for me? Every 7 seconds a child somewhere around the world dies from malnutrition and worse if they are at the age of accountability, they lose out on eternity with Christ, Another lost opportunity to share Christ as well for not only a child, a family, a village or a nation.
In Addition to your prayers, please prayerfully consider giving financially to Global Family Outreach Ministry. I’m believing for many miracles on the road ahead. Many Blessings !
Posted on Mar 05, 2009 - 1:21pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
As Director of Global family outreach Ministry, I at times receive questions about GFOM and what we believe. Not everyone reads what we believe which is posted at both of our web sites; www.gfom.org and www.beaheronow.net. Our documents for our IRS 501c3 organization and also our paperwork in which we distribute to those whom we wish to share our vision as a ministry declares something that I believe is so very important; that is that above all else, the sole purpose is for Jesus Christ to be glorified as Lord and Saviour and people give their hearts to Him as such. We are NOT a humanitarian ministry. We do not feed children or give used/new clothing shoes and toys for the sole purpose of a humanitarian effort.
Some years ago I heard a missionary share that to fill someone’s stomach with food and then see that person later die without Christ in that persons heart, would result with that person in hell with a full stomach- I concur. Global Family Outreach Ministry is all about Jesus-His love, compassion and goodness. All these attributes of Christ is translated best when we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and what He did for us on the cross. I as well don’t believe for one minute that by simply giving someone a pat on the back to a lost soul will always result in seeing someone saved through Jesus Christ. I believe that every people group has needs whether physical, emotional and or spiritual. Some cultures require something more than others. What I mean by that is this; In third world countries, many are starving physically. That physical needs translates for us an opportunity to share Christ -spiritually. That being done then, we give some food to them so we can also share Jesus Christ as needing to become their personal Lord and Saviour.
I felt the need to share this information as many more persons from all around the globe are now inquiring of Global Family Outreach Ministry and what and more importanytly who we represent. Again, our main focus is Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to and for all. Everything else we do is secondary and for the sole purpose to fulfill the Great Commission as is in the Book of Mathew in the Bible.
Posted on Feb 24, 2009 - 2:32pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
Interested in medical missions ??? Global Family Outreach Ministry is looking for a volunteer Medical Missions Coordinator for a medical ministry outreach to the Philippines in 2009. We have been donated to us approximately 50 after care cataract eye care kits so we are looking for an eye surgeon and medical staff. Interested ??? contact Paul-at-gfom-dot-org.
Posted on Feb 24, 2009 - 9:08am by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
In the last 3 to four months I have had more time to reflect and to pray. I am so grateful for the opportunity to especially pray and seek the Lord and what He wants from me during my brief time here on Earth. It seems to me that one area the Lord is showing me more and more how to empty of myself and to ask for more and more of Him. In our recent days of deep pain from such problems of our economy worsening, families squabbling more and more, people looking to a person rather than God for answers, etc…, It is wholly necessary for all to pray and seek God more and more.
During the recent presidential election there were many words used by both major candidates but I believe the word used more often than not by both, was; “change.” That word “change” can take on many meanings and often in Western societies, it in fact does have plural or multiple meanings. You may ask a host of persons throughout society what that word means to them and most will give a different answer to some degree. Change is not necessarily a bad word, it may have a meaning to some that brings about something in mind that is good. For us Bible Believing Christians, change might mean there has been a revealing by the Holy Spirit as to what God would want us to do in our lives to come closer to Him. There may be some areas in our life that may need to be removed such as sin or an attitude that is not reflective of Christ so that when that area of sin or negative attitude is removed we find God there ready to help us grow with Him.
Most Christians I know have recently experienced ”change” all around them. Here at Global Family Outreach Ministry, we just celebrated one year of existence last month and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our Living God. Change however has been rapid and at times severe. A good change that I remember that was at first thought very negative was; last summer when we had just opened our first poor children’s feeding center in Guimaras, Philippines. We had been barely open for about one month and Monsoon “Frank” came through and nearly killed some of the GFOM feeding staff. Three to 4 feet of mud was everywhere. People were missing throughout the island and presumed dead. It was very sad. However God used this occasion to use GFOM and to take us to another level. Instead of feeding 50 children every week, we started feeding an entire elementary school of 160 children per week plus all the teachers-Alleluia. All for the same amount of money we spent to feed 50 children. God has allowed us to feed the 160 children and share Jesus Christ with those children every week ever since-Praise God.
Yes, change comes in many forms, I am continuously suffering persecution for my Christian faith. It seems at times there is an endless line of persons as of late who wish to take a turn at trying to hurt me or challenge my beliefs of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour or the Bible itself. Global Family Outreach Ministry has also been attacked by a group of witches and a local religious cult. What has become evil towards me, God is bringing change in me and using the evil to bring about good for His glory.
Yes, change isn’t always good but if we allow God to work in the midst of the problem, He will allow His goodness to shine and bring about glory to Himself.
Isn’t God good to bring about change in our lives ?
Posted on Feb 17, 2009 - 9:11pm by Pastor Paul in Uncategorized
I would like to alert everyone here especially in Western New York I discovered a Filipino born and imported religious cult here in ROCHESTER NY named Igelsia Ni Cristo. It is a religious cult and many of their religious buildings are very distinctive. Their doctrine denies Christ’s deity and as well believe salvation comes through the church only. These are just a few of the few cultic beliefs that err in comparison the the Bible. Every believer in jesus Christ should be aware of such cults. If you have any Filipino friends who are involved in this cult I wish to encourage you to please find out about this cult. As I was a full time missionary in the Philippines in the past, I have seen much damage to my Pilipino counrtymen from this cult. Please, if you live or work near this cult please again educate yourself about what and who they are so if you meet one of their cult members, you will be able to discuss why they err according to the Bible.