55 Baptized into Christ at New Bilibid Prison

Rody Gumpad, Atoy Franco, Ely Ebuanga and Larry Ebuanga again picked me up and we proceeded to Muntinlupa for the last day of the gospel meeting at the New Bilibid prison. There were 142 present for today’s lectures.

Again today, we began with singing and a prayer before the lesson. I preached on “Why Baptism?” and Rody Gumpad did the interpreting. We had a thorough study of the New Testament’s teaching about the nature and purpose of baptism in the gospel of Christ. Common errors of the religious world about baptism were examined and contrasted with the word of God. The audience was attentive and receptive to the teaching, often answering questions that showed a correct understanding of the points being made.

Rody Gumpad then gave some words of exhortation in Tagalog ending with the extension of an invitation for people to obey the gospel. Though it was clear from comments over the three days of the meeting that several were considering obedience, we were still surprised at the number who responded to confess Christ and be baptized – 55 souls! As I understood it, that number included the 6 who confessed Christ on Wednesday, but were awaiting the permission of the prison to have access to a place where they could be baptized. So, those 6 plus 49 others were baptized at a trough in the laundry area immediately after the service. We rejoiced with the angels in heaven at this wonderful response!

This response was the result of the diligent work by Willie and Kenneth Pastor in preparing these hearts, doing so much teaching of the truth, and showing godly examples of the gospel being lived before these people daily. Both are doing a great work, but the increased number of Christians has presented a challenge that requires the help of others.

The newly approved permit for meeting and work being done in the prison has actually extended the number of facilities opened to faithful brethren beyond what was previously allowed. The meetings over the last three days have been at the RDC facility which is the intake part of the prison. From that facility, inmates are assigned to one of the three main parts of the prison: (1) Maximum Security, (2) Medium Security, or (3) Minimum Security. Willie Pastor can only help in the RDF facility where he is confined. This gives him access to teach the gospel to all as they are entering the prison system.

Kenneth Pastor is helping Willie in the RDC unit and meeting with the Christians each week in Medium Security where the vast majority of those baptized have been assigned after being converted during intake at the RDC facility. (About 90% of those baptized today are scheduled for transfer to the Medium Security prison.) Though the permit for meeting grants the right for work in all of the facilities, there has been no one able to help in either the Maximum or Minimum Security areas. So, there is an immediate need for some brethren in the Manila area to help in these areas as well.

When Kenneth presented this problem to those of us helping in this effort over the last three days, he noted that the permit secured allows an additional 5 men to work in these facilities. The additional men are needed for the permit to be automatically renewed by assuring that meetings will take place each week in all facilities. By the first of March, he would like to have this help secured.

Ely Ebuanga committed to help and to encourage his three sons and one son-in-law, all of whom preach, to help by meeting each week with the other areas of the prison. The problem is that these brethren will need funds for travel by bus, jeepney or other means to get to the prison. To provide for 4 of those 5 to come each week and help in the other facilities, our estimate of the cost is a total of $350 per month. If anyone is able to help with this urgent need, whether in part or the whole, please let me know and I will put you in touch with brother Ely so that we can get these meetings started as soon as possible.

As always, I am more thankful than words can express for the help provided by so many good brethren allowing me to participate in this very fruitful work! May God bless each of you for your work in His service.