Final Preparations for Philippine Preaching April 4-26, 2016
Dear brethren,
God willing, I leave for the Philippines Monday, April 4. I look forward to this trip and the potential for many good results. When we faithfully plant and water, God gives the increase. Filipino brethren are diligently preparing for our work together.
This work is no more important than the work anywhere else, but it is a harvest time in the Philippines and doors truly are open wide on every side. I am about $5,000 short at this time to cover all the expected expenses. I have recently concentrated on raising funds for the victims of a yearlong drought and am in the process of sending about $5,000 which has been donated to various locations in southern Mindanao where the most severe conditions persist. This need will extend for the next several months. I do not regret that this $5,000 is going to the drought victims, I only wish it could be more. Thank you to everyone who has sent or will be sending for the saints suffering in the drought!
Meanwhile, I have to be realistic and make arrangements to cover the expenses for this trip. Jesus is the bread of eternal life and I want to provide this blessing as well as physical needs wherever possible. I am not alarmed because these trips have taught me to trust in God’s providence. Only $248 remained after all the expenses were paid for the February trip, but that means the needs were met. I have learned again and again that God will provide the needs if we will do His work.
Any help which arrives after I leave can still reach me because Donna can relay the funds to me. And I will also handle some expenses by using a credit card and will pay those bills when I return home.
Please pray for my safety and success on this 62nd trip, and pray that God will be glorified in all our endeavors for Him. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11).
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
Ron & Donna Halbrook
3505 Horse Run Ct.
Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954
PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES!
March 2, 2016th Year of Our Lord
Dear brethren,
God blessed me by permitting me to join Jim McDonald preaching in the Philippines in 1995 and now my 62nd trip is planned for April 4-26. It is a harvest season in that land and there are open doors on every side. Many souls are being saved as citadels of sin and error fall before the power of the gospel. Paul wrote of “the weapons of our warfare” being “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” and “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
God willing, I will arrive in Manila on the evening of April 5, spend one day preparing boxes to send ahead, and then fly to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on the island of Mindanao. April 7-10 will be devoted to visiting churches in this region to proclaim the gospel to sinners and to edify the saints. Over the last 20 years this area was hit hard by the “one covenant” doctrine spread by Jim Puterbaugh, Wallace Little, and Filipino preachers under their influence. Puterbaugh said we were wrong in past years to teach about the two covenants because God had only one moral covenant. He claimed God allows all divorced people to marry new mates under the terms of this “one covenant.” Several preachers who fell under the spell of this false “one covenant” doctrine are opening their eyes and repenting. I hope to preach on “The Two Covenants” (Gal. 4:24) and to encourage them to stand firm in the faith.
Classes are scheduled in Pagadian City for preachers on April 11-15 to study the book of Revelation using Dan King’s new workbook and also Mike Willis’ workbook entitled Then Comes the End. I will distribute several workbooks on Revelation for comparative study and a few copies of Robert Harkrider’s Commentary on Revelation. This will involve some expense but will equip Filipino brethren to become able students of Revelation and to better refute the rampant errors of premillennial theologies which pervert the “one hope,” promote denominationalism, and cause division among Christians (Eph. 4:4-6). It will be a joy to see Ramon Carino, and Jonathan Carino will come from Cebu City to help us.
After finishing the classes at Pagadian City on the afternoon of April 15, Jonathan and I will fly to Cebu City on the island of Cebu. The next day we will visit the brethren at Bogo City where Rupert Ramirez and Gil Suico preach. After preaching in Cebu City on Sunday, we will fly to the City of Bacolod, Negros Occidental on the island of Negros. An aged preacher in the Baptist Church is willing to join us for the studies planned for two days in Bacolod. Churches in this area are growing and many souls will attend.
On April 20 I will fly to Manila on Luzon. During my February trip, I preached at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City which houses 23,000 inmates. We utilized a Presbyterian building in the Medium Security sector and baptized 21 precious souls. The Presbyterian leader was so impressed with the lessons that he invited me to preach there again. I have scheduled April 21–22 for the prison.
A congregation meets at the home of Jimmy Battung in the City of Paranaque. He is a decorated and retired police chief. Jimmy and his wife will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 23. He wants me to preach and they will renew their vows. They will invite many friends who will hear the gospel.
On my last Sunday I will preach at the RDC sector of the prison. Then on the 25th I hope to go to the Philippine Bible Society and order Bibles in Filipino dialects as funds permit. Also if funds permit, I hope to print and distribute more song books in Filipino dialects.
Since I will be traveling alone, I alone will be responsible for all expenses in these places. Sacrificial saints who donate funds make all this work possible! Individuals needing a legal tax deduction may write checks to Help A Neighbor. Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954. Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21). Thank you, thank you!
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com
P.S. There is a dire need for English songbooks! I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.
To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com