“As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and honour to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 8:23
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7000 islands off the coast of Vietnam, is one of very few predominantly Christian countries in Asia. This makes it an important centre for Kingdom growth – a potential springboard for the expansion of the Gospel across Asia. God established a resilient, relational and hospitable spirit in the Filipino people, preparing many to serve as faithful co-workers in His Kingdom.
We invite you to pray for Pastor Jazeril Laraño and Pastor James, two of these leaders serving in Palawan, as they help equip others to multiply disciples and churches across their nation.
We Can Never Work Alone
“When we think of expanding God’s Kingdom, we realise that we can never work alone,” says Harvesters’ Regional Director for the Philippines. True and lasting Kingdom growth depends on collaboration with local leaders who understand their communities, culture and challenges.
Pastor Jazeril Laraño is one of 25 Harvesters Licensed Trainers (HLTs) in the Philippines, equipped to train pastors using Harvesters’ discipleship and church planting material . He recently presented Phase A, focussing on spiritual disciplines and discipleship, for the first time. His reaction: “I really love how God would use us for His glory.”
Beyond the material itself, the experience of partnership was deeply encouraging for him: “[Harvesters] treats us like people who know the field,” he says. “They trust us with the material and give us freedom to present it in our own way.” This freedom allows Filipino leaders to contextualise training in ways that connect naturally with their communities. “For example, Filipinos love stories,” Pastor Jazeril explains. “We tell the stories — and they listen.”
Pastors Need to be Pastored
Like pastors all over the world, Pastor Jazeril and his fellow servants often feel isolated in the work they do. He expressed a reality shared by many leaders: “Pastors also need to be pastored.”
Through time spent together in training and fellowship, pastors experienced not only practical tools but spiritual encouragement. “This time, we felt pastored,” he said. “We felt that someone cares for us.”
Pastor James, who also serves in Palawan as a trainer and facilitator, agrees. “We have learned a lot through this ministry, especially in the area of church planting. We really felt the impact… and we were so blessed.”
Partnership not only strengthens ministry strategy — it strengthens those called to serve.
Discipleship, Soul Winning and Church Planting
As Pastor James expresses, the mission is to multiply churches and disciples. Despite being a mainly Christian country, many communities still lack a clear Gospel witness and active discipleship. In Palawan alone, more than 400 municipalities have no evangelical church. Learning this created a renewed sense of urgency among local leaders.
“I thought we had churches on every corner,” Pastor Jazeril reflects. “But this gave our people the burden to do more for the glory of God.”
Training is helping pastors rethink what constitutes a church. Instead of looking to numbers for success, they now look to discipleship. The focus has shifted to establishing churches with members that are “active, engaged in discipleship, in soul winning… and church planting,” says Pastor James.
Pray with us for the Philippines
Just as Titus was described as a co-worker and partner in the Gospel, let’s pray for faithful Filipino pastors:
- Thank God for leaders like Pastor Jazeril and Pastor James who are equipping others to make disciples.
- Pray for wisdom as local trainers contextualise teaching for their communities.
- Pray for the multiplication of disciples and churches in the more than 400 municipalities without evangelical witness.
- Pray for unity and encouragement among pastors serving in remote areas.
- Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. May they be true representatives of the one true Church and may they honour Christ in all they do.
