Report February 2-25, 2026 Philippine Preaching
February 25, 2026th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 93rd PHILIPPINE TRIP FEB. 2-25, 2026
Dear brethren,
It is hard to realize 93 trips ago Jim McDonald brought me to the Philippines to preach the gospel in 1995. What a great blessing and privilege it has been through the years. The 60 sessions on this trip were mostly designed for gospel preachers, but we rejoice for the 15 souls saved by God’s grace when baptized.
“God, Give Us Christian Homes” has been the theme of this trip based on Psalm 127: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” L.A. Stauffer’s study of “Family Life: a Biblical Perspective” provided good outlines pointing to our duties as husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers. The classes were designed primarily for preachers in the hope they will scatter what they learned far and wide.
February 2-3 I flew from Louisville, KY to Manila where the next day Filipino brethren helped repack the boxes of Bibles and study materials I brought to ship ahead to various venues.
The first two days I taught deaf-mute saints who meet at Edsa-Pasay in Manila on the theme “Preparing for Eternity” with lessons on “Life and Death,” “When Peter Confessed Christ,” “Every Member at Every Service,” “Modest Dress through the Ages,” “After We Begin, What Then?”, and “Two Attitudes Toward God’s Word: Conservative and Liberal.” 49 and 52 attended and three obeyed the gospel, including a lady who can hear and speak and who took off work to attend. Tony Hornedo is the deaf-mute evangelist who works diligently with James Paet at Edsa-Pasay.
I flew to Tuguegarao, Cagayan on Saturday. On the Lord’s Day I preached to a full house at the Metro Tuguegarao church where Rody Gumpad labors. The study on “Modest Dress through the Ages” was well received. That afternoon I preached the same sermon out in the country at the Baliuag church served by Alfonso Danao and 10 souls submitted to Christ.
Over 150 attended classes February 9-12 on “The Home & Family” at the Metro Tuguegarao church of Christ. Rody and I divided the lessons in the workbook and I also presented material on “Modest Dress through the Ages,” “Selecting a Mate: The Lord Builds the House,” and “Man’s Leadership in the Home.” A preacher’s wife said the 4 days of lessons “hit the bull’s eye.” I spoke at the mid-week service on Psalm 23.
On the 13th I flew to Manila where James Paet joined me in flying to General Santos City in southern Mindanao. Jack Jaco came from Negros and Jonathan Carino from Cebu to help teach classes. Saturday was a rest day. Sunday I spoke on “Come Out of Her, My People” and “Modest Dress through the Ages” at the Balite church in General Santos City to about 50 souls where Delfin Alas preaches. Then, Salvador Parbo drove us out into the countryside to the Silway 8 church of Christ in Polomolok, a new congregation he planted in November. 80 souls heard “Back to the Bible” and two were baptized.
February 16-19 was devoted to the series on family life at a function room in a hotel in General Santos City with arrangements made by Jolly Julom and Salvador Parbo. Jack and Jonathan helped teach the lessons. 68 souls participated in the four days of classes. All the same lessons taught at Tuguegarao were repeated at General Santos City. Open forums generated much healthy discussion.
Friday-Saturday a lectureship was conducted at the Lanton church of Christ in General Santos City where Jolly Julom is an evangelist. Over 60 souls heard sermons on the theme “United, We Stand!” Jonathan and Jack joined me in teaching as we emphasized the importance of preachers standing united in the truth and in love for each other. Open forums added fruitful discussion. Sunday I preached on “Come Out of Her, My People” and “Modest Dress through the Ages” at Lanton in the morning to 60 souls. Over 100 heard my sermons on “The Lord Is Our Shepherd-King” and “Victory in Christ” at the Kyumad church in Maasim, Sarangani where Alan Moyak preaches. They desperately need help to finish the church building.
Monday I returned to Manila and bought 409 Bibles in Filipino dialects Tuesday. Wednesday brought me home to Donna and the saints at the Hebron Lane church in Shepherdsville, KY by God’s good grace!
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook