March 19

Golden Opportunity to Train Filipino Preachers April 20-May 15, 2020

Dear brethren,

Rody and Tessie Gumpad started laboring in the gospel in the Cagayan Province in northern Luzon in 1984.  Through their efforts in cooperation with other faithful brethren, there are over 100 local churches within driving distance of Tuguegarao.

In past years I participated many times in teaching intensive preacher training classes arranged by Rody at Tuguegarao.  About 30 students of mixed ages were enrolled each year in a one-month program and sit-in students joined us every year.  As a result the gospel spread rapidly in this province and surrounding provinces.  These classes were extremely effective.  Numerous other American brethren joined us in teaching these classes from year to year until they were closed.

The classes were dropped about 10 years ago because of changing economic conditions plus the loss of a substantial financial supporter of the classes.  We greatly regretted the end of these classes and have often discussed the need to renew them.
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March 18

Philippine Preaching April 7-May 5, 2020

March 7, 2020th Year of Our Lord
                              
Dear brethren,

By God’s good grace Jim McDonald took me to the Philippines in 1995 and April 7-May 5 is set for my 78th trip to preach the glorious gospel of Christ in that land.  It will be a blessing to work with Craig Thomas, evangelist with the Westside church of Christ in Bloomington, IN.  Both he and his son Ryan have preached in the Philippines and Ryan is married to Jennifer Gumpad, daughter of Rody and Tessie.

The great harvest of souls continues in the Philippines.  Preacher training classes are crucial as new men are converted and as young men aspire to preach.  Paul urged Timothy, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:1-3, NKJV).  We will concentrate on the pressing need to train preachers in the truth and challenge them to endure hardness in this great work.
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March 17

Philippine Report February 4-25, 2020

Feb. 25, 2020th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 77th PHILIPPINE TRIP FEBRUARY 4-25, 2020

Dear brethren,

God poured out His blessings again by sending me to preach the gospel of Christ in the Philippines for the 77th time since 1995 when He used Jim McDonald to introduce me to this work.  Kevin Stilts on his first trip took to the work like a duck to water.  He is a deacon in the Lord’s church at Elizabethtown, KY.  I taught 45 lessons and 26 precious souls confessed Christ and were baptized to wash away their sins in his blood.  Many other lessons were presented as well by Kevin, Jonathan Carino, and Jack Jaco.

Luke described Paul’s audience at the synagogue in Thessalonica as “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).  Many Fillipinos manifest that same noble character.
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March 2

Sweet Homecoming by God’s Grace

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

After 24 hours of travel, I enjoyed a sweet homecoming by God’s grace when Donna brought me home from the airport in Louisville, KY a couple of hours ago.

The final report on this 77th trip will be prepared soon, but, meanwhile I thank God again for His mercies in allowing me the privilege to work side-by-side with our dear Filipino brethren during a time of great harvest in their land.  I am only an occasional visitor trying to hold up their hands, but I pray God to be with them every day.

Thank you to everyone whose heart, thoughts, prayers, and even financial help are focused on the cause of Christ in the Philippines.  In spite of poverty, these brethren press on in the work of the Lord.  In spite of repeated natural disasters, these brethren press on.  In spite of opposition and sometimes persecution, these brethren press on.  Christians everywhere can be lifted up by their example of dedication to Christ.  And I know the same thing can be said of Christians in India, Africa, and other places around the world.
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March 1

For the Joy of Providing Bibles

Dear brethren,

How do you express the importance and the joy of providing Bibles!  One of the highlights of sharing with Filipinos in the cause of Christ is providing Bibles for them to put into the hands of souls longing to know more about God’s Word.

I have just returned from the Philippine Bible Society where I ordered 830 Bibles in various dialects to be shipped throughout the Philippines.  Why such a large order?  The gospel continues to spread here and most of the people being converted live in poverty, struggling to feed their families.  In addition, the series of five earthquakes with over 3,000 aftershocks in southern Mindanao during October-December 2019 destroyed many homes and church buildings including their contents.  Thousands of people including many of our brethren are still struggling to recover.  In the wake of these disasters, our brethren continue spreading the gospel and again hundreds of precious souls are being converted to Christ.  A large percentage of these Bibles will go to Mindanao.
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March 1

Philippine Preaching February 19-24, 2020

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The last week of the work here in Manila has involved so much time and effort that I have barely been able to make a few notes each day but have not been able to prepare reports.  Wednesday the 19th marked the beginning of two days of Bible lectures for preachers held at the Edsa-Pasay church of Christ in Metro Manila.  Our theme was “United to Proclaim Christ” with lessons by Rody Gumpad, Lordy Salunga, and myself.

Rody started by examining the sin of Moses which prevented him from entering the promise land and pointing out ways we might fall into the same trap because of frustration and anger.  My first topic was “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom” (a verse by verse study of Matt. 5) followed by “Preserving Unity in Christ” (Jn. 17:17-21).  After lunch Lordy addressed “Brotherly Love.”  My next subject was “The Heart of the Preacher” (verse by verse study of Phil. 1) and last “Christ Teaches Total Honesty.”
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February 23

Philippine Preaching February 16-18, 2020

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Kevin and I split up Lord’s Day morning so that he could join Rody and Jhun Gumpad at the Edsa-Pasay church while James Paet took me to preach at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City with Ely Ebuenga.  Ely struggles to keep this prison work going because he lost some of his support including $125 per month for gas and other expenses involved in preaching at the prison (he is now driving a taxi to help meet his financial obligations, which reduces time for study and teaching).

The area where we meet has one wall and a partial roof but only a dirt floor which becomes muddy when it rains. $1,500-$2,000 would allow them to concrete the floor, build a small restroom and a baptistry, and make other basic improvements such as purchasing plastic chairs.
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February 22

Golden Opportunity to Train Filipino Preachers April 20 – May 15, 2020

Dear brethren,

Rody and Tessie Gumpad started laboring in the gospel in the Cagayan Province in northern Luzon in 1984.  Through their efforts in cooperation with other faithful brethren, there are over 100 local churches within driving distance of Tuguegarao.

In past years I participated many times in teaching intensive preacher training classes arranged by Rody at Tuguegarao.  About 30 students of mixed ages were enrolled each year in a one-month program and sit-in students joined us every year.  As a result the gospel spread rapidly in this province and surrounding provinces.  These classes were extremely effective.  Numerous other American brethren joined us in teaching these classes from year to year until they were closed.

The classes were dropped about 10 years ago because of changing economic conditions plus the loss of a substantial financial supporter of the classes.  We greatly regretted the end of these classes and have often discussed the need to renew them.

As a new generation arises and new souls are being converted to Christ, Rody decided it is critical that we should conduct these classes again.  They will be held April 20-May15.  Craig Thomas, evangelist for the Westside church of Christ in Bloomington, IN, will join me to teach during the first two weeks.  Harry Osborne and Lordy Salunga will teach during the second two weeks.  Among early enrollees are a 16 year old and also a 72 year old former Pentecostal preacher. Available slots are already filling up as word gets out.

Classes will include how to study the Bible, survey of every book in the Bible, basic Bible doctrine, the New Testament church, the life and work of a preacher, church history, issues which have divided churches, Bible geography, preparation and delivery of sermons, and learning to use Bible study tools (a reference Bible, a Bible concordance, and a Bible dictionary).  Time will be devoted each day to prayer and memorization of Bible passages.

Rody estimates he will need about $14,000 for his expenses in housing the men and providing their needs for one month.  Imagine the challenge of Tessie and her helpers getting up at 4:00 A.M. every day to prepare three simple meals for these students!  Providing Bibles and study materials will cost at least an additional $3,500.  By the time travel and hotel expenses are included, we will need close to $20,000.

Is it worth the time and money to be invested?  All of us who have taught in past classes and observed the results answer with a resounding, “Yes!  It is worth every effort, every moment, and every penny.”  Of course, only God can measure the eternal consequences of our labors in the gospel.  As Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase….For we are labourers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:6, 9).

Here are ways to make a donation:

(1) If no tax deduction is needed, send a check made out to Ron Halbrook and designate “preacher training program.”  Mail it Ron Halbrook, 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville KY 40165-6954.

(2) Individuals needing a legal tax deduction should make a check to Help A Neighbor, designate “preacher training program,”  and mail it to Ron Halbrook, 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville KY 40165-6954.

(3) Send a donation by PayPal to halbrook@twc.com (the account is Richard Halbrook) and be sure to indicate “sending to a friend” NOT “pay for item or service.” Include a note indicating the money is for “preacher training program.”  If a tax deduction is needed, state “Help A Neighbor, for preaching training program.”

(4) Of if you prefer to communicate with Rody directly about making a donation, feel free to contact him at rodycg1958@gmail.com and he will be glad to correspond with you.

Please include this effort in your prayers.  “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Ja. 5:16).

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.hebronlane.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com

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February 21

Philippine Preaching February 12-15, 2020

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Many denominational preachers were invited to join us for three days of study at a hotel function room in Iloilo City beginning Wednesday.  Before the first morning ended, 76 of us were gathered to cover the workbook entitled How to Study the Bible, the same series presented in Victorias City on Negros.  By adding the additional day, I will be able to teach a series also on “The Authority of Christ” while the other speakers deal with various first principles of the gospel.

After each of my first two lessons today on how to study the Bible, I opened the floor for questions, but everyone agreed the teaching was clear, so there were none.  They are hearing new things and need time to digest what they are learning.  Kevin followed with “Reasons for Bible Study” before lunch.  There was a lunch break for an hour, and then Jonathan, Jack, and Kevin completed the next five chapters of the workbook.
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February 20

Philippine Preaching February 9-11, 2020

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On the Lord’s Day Jack Jaco took Kevin to preach at Victorias City in the morning and to Bago City in the afternoon where Shem Tapagan labors in the gospel (where two precious souls yielded to Christ in baptism).  Jonathan and I went to the Talisay City church where Bob Senining preaches and assembled with 45 people.  My first sermon was “God Created All Things,” emphasizing God’s sovereignty in the universe and in human life.

Effectively utilizing background information in the Passover Feast, Jonathan presented a thorough study of the Lord’s Supper at Talisay.  After lunch Jonathan taught on differences between the Law of Moses and the gospel of Christ, followed by my lesson on “The Purpose of Our Lives.”  We then conducted an hour-long open forum covering questions about the two covenants, giving into the church treasury and individual benevolence, God’s willingness to forgive all sins including adultery, the spiritual state of the Gentile world during the Mosaic Age, drinking intoxicants, divorce, and other interesting topics.
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