Scheduled Trip: January 18 – February 12, 2010
For several years, a great deal of time and effort has been invested in trying to reach denominational preachers with two or three days of lectures in various places. Though doors have been largely closed for study with denominational preachers in this country, many such opportunities have been available in the Philippines. The power of the gospel has been clearly seen as many denominational preachers have obeyed the gospel as a result of such efforts. Despite being told that they will suffer the loss of their financial support from their denomination without any promise or prospect of future support for preaching the gospel, many have obeyed the gospel and seek to spread it to others, enduring enormous hardships. Their self-sacrificial work has been a large factor in causing the continued and rapid spread of the gospel across that country. Numerous congregations have been started by such brethren. With this great blessing, a great challenge has also been presented -- the need to ground those in the truth who have recently come out of denominationalism and train them to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2). For them to effectively preach the whole counsel of God as commanded, they must have some false concepts of the denominations fully purged from their thinking and a firm foundation of Bible doctrine must be laid down. Failure to do so will limit their effectiveness in spreading the true gospel and possibly increase the likelihood of their apostasy. The Bible pattern shows us that those converted in the first century were revisited in order to confirm their souls (e.g. Acts 14:21-22). The Lord willing, I plan to return to the Philippines from January 18 to February 12, 2010 to help in efforts of both types.
For several years, a great deal of time and effort has been invested in trying to reach denominational preachers with two or three days of lectures in various places. Though doors have been largely closed for study with denominational preachers in this country, many such opportunities have been available in the Philippines. The power of the gospel has been clearly seen as many denominational preachers have obeyed the gospel as a result of such efforts. Despite being told that they will suffer the loss of their financial support from their denomination without any promise or prospect of future support for preaching the gospel, many have obeyed the gospel and seek to spread it to others, enduring enormous hardships. Their self-sacrificial work has been a large factor in causing the continued and rapid spread of the gospel across that country. Numerous congregations have been started by such brethren. With this great blessing, a great challenge has also been presented -- the need to ground those in the truth who have recently come out of denominationalism and train them to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2). For them to effectively preach the whole counsel of God as commanded, they must have some false concepts of the denominations fully purged from their thinking and a firm foundation of Bible doctrine must be laid down. Failure to do so will limit their effectiveness in spreading the true gospel and possibly increase the likelihood of their apostasy. The Bible pattern shows us that those converted in the first century were revisited in order to confirm their souls (e.g. Acts 14:21-22). The Lord willing, I plan to return to the Philippines from January 18 to February 12, 2010 to help in efforts of both types.
The first part of the trip will be to follow-up on lectures with denominational preachers in the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod. This part of the trip has been added to my plans only in the past three days. Lectures were held in both cities during my last trip and were very well received. Since that time, several denominational preachers have made the commitment to obey the gospel and many others are asking for further studies going into more depth on issues still of concern to them. The brethren working with us during these efforts in the Philippines (Jonathan Carino & Jack Jaco) have urged that we "strike while the iron is hot" to take advantage of the great interest.
The second part of the trip will be for a preacher 
training program in the city of Tuguegarao. The students who have attended these classes in years past have open doors through their preaching that have led to a rapid spread of the gospel throughout northern Luzon. This training effort will concentrate on some of the older preachers in the area who have asked that we help with more extensive teaching to them since they have seen the rapid growth in many younger men who have gone through the training. Rody Gumpad, Lordy Salunga, Ron Halbrook and I will be teaching in this training program scheduled for January 27 to February 12, 2010.
My estimate for total expenses for my part of this trip is $9500. The last trip left me with a surplus of $580 and will be put towards this effort. Given the fact that this trip had to be advanced one week earlier than planned, I need to raise funds as quickly as possible. Any help you might be able to provide towards this effort would be greatly appreciated. If you know of others who might be able to help, please give them a copy of this letter. There is no way I could be involved in this work without the generosity of churches and individuals interested in this work. I am very thankful for the help of each one in past trips.
training program in the city of Tuguegarao. The students who have attended these classes in years past have open doors through their preaching that have led to a rapid spread of the gospel throughout northern Luzon. This training effort will concentrate on some of the older preachers in the area who have asked that we help with more extensive teaching to them since they have seen the rapid growth in many younger men who have gone through the training. Rody Gumpad, Lordy Salunga, Ron Halbrook and I will be teaching in this training program scheduled for January 27 to February 12, 2010.My estimate for total expenses for my part of this trip is $9500. The last trip left me with a surplus of $580 and will be put towards this effort. Given the fact that this trip had to be advanced one week earlier than planned, I need to raise funds as quickly as possible. Any help you might be able to provide towards this effort would be greatly appreciated. If you know of others who might be able to help, please give them a copy of this letter. There is no way I could be involved in this work without the generosity of churches and individuals interested in this work. I am very thankful for the help of each one in past trips.
While in the Philippines, I provide daily reports on the work done to all interested in the work. Daily reports keep all informed about how the funds are being used and the progress of the work. Those reports are available to all on my daily e-mail list as well as this blog which has the report together with pictures. Every effort is made to keep people involved and informed about the progress and challenges of these endeavors. If you would like to be added to the e-mail list, please send me a post requesting to receive the "Philippine Updates" and I will gladly add your name to that list. Again, please pass this request to others whom you think may be interested in this work. Thank you again for your kind consideration of this request. Your prayers for our efforts would be greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you as you strive to serve Him.
Brotherly,
Harry Osborne
303 S. Czech Hall Rd.
Tuttle, OK 73089
405-381-9055 (Home phone)
E-mail: harryo@pldi.net (E-mail address at home) or rfh2005@pldi.net (E-mail address away)
Brotherly,
Harry Osborne
303 S. Czech Hall Rd.
Tuttle, OK 73089
405-381-9055 (Home phone)
E-mail: harryo@pldi.net (E-mail address at home) or rfh2005@pldi.net (E-mail address away)
