AC History in the Philippines
History
The 1950’s were a time of rapid growth, particularly on AC mission fields. Rev. Clarence Kirby, editor of Advent Christian Missions (USA), chronicled the growing burden for the Philippines that had arisen among Advent Christians in North America: “The fact that nine young people (the number has increased to twelve) in three different locations across the continent felt the leading of the Lord to enter this new field led us to ask the Toothes to undertake the opening of this work.” The Philippines became an Advent Christian outreach in 1953 with Frank and Frances Toothe as missionaries. They were joined in 1955 by Betty Allen and Bessie Smith and in 1956 by Howard and Anna May Towne. Thus, Advent Christian work in the Philippines has grown continually, with many others following the leading of the Lord to labour in this field. The country is a collection of over 7,000 islands in southeast Asia. Most of the 75 million Filipinos live on eleven of the islands.
Present
The Bishop of Philippines Advent Christian Conference
(approximately 30 churches) exists independently of the American Advent Mission of the Philippines. The pastors are well trained and doing a fine job of leading their churches. In 2004, an orchard was started with financial assistance from New Zealand and over 500 trees were planted. Within a few years, these trees will be fruit bearing, with the fruit being marketed and the profits used to support pastors and church planters. This is a progressive conference with good leadership.The AAMP has a limited ministry of providing further training to the churches in our Advent Christian Conference. Jeff and Penny Vann's ministry includes training seminars, preaching, and translation work.
Current AC missionaries' (Jeff and Penny Vann, Jeff and Rhonda Walsh and their three children, and 'Kiwi' Grant Aldridge) primary work is training, which is done through the ministry of Oro Bible College. In 1971, Advent Christians developed this college, which is becoming well known in Asia for its high quality academic standing. All of the buildings have been remodelled and upgraded, including a boys' dorm, a girls' dorm, a library and classroom building, and new faculty housing. A majority of this work has been carried out by New Zealand-led Work Teams and sponsorship. The computer lab is fully functional with air conditioning and an internet service. The College is led by President Nely Gamayon who is currently in the process of completing her PhD. Jeff Vann is the Academic Dean at OBC, scheduling classes and teachers. Jeff is also in charge of managing the registrar, library, and personnel departments, plus he teaches full time in Bible, Theology and language classes (Hebrew, Greek and English). Penny Vann’s position at OBC is dean of field education, coordinating with local churches and other organizations to ensure that our students receive good on-the-job training while attending college. She runs the student internship program and a program that organizes the first-year students for the government-mandated civic welfare program. She also teaches a full load of Bible and Theology classes in her spare time. New Zealander Grant Aldridge serves as primary support personnel. His official title is Business Manager for the mission. Besides this, Grant also does many things that help Jeff and Penny, OBC, and the churches.
OBC is a fully accredited four-year college that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. The College employs 17 people, most part-time. The campus is in Cagayan de Oro (pop. 1 mill.) on Mindanao. OBC is the only government recognized Bible College in the region, and averages 50-60 students each semester. 2004 was first year under the government recognition for the bachelor's degree program. The College had its largest graduation class in 2005. Planning for upgrade to seminary level is under way. Jeff and Penny went home on furlough in April 2005 and Jeff attending Gordon-Conwell Seminary to work on his ThM degree.
Because of your support to their ministry, Jeff, Penny, Jeff and Rhonda and Grant are able to make a difference in the lives of the Filipino people.
