storyoA4C – ALL4CHRIST PHILIPPINES

It all started with "Haiyan"...

In November 8, 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda” in the Philippines) made landfall in the Southern part of the country. Under the Category 5 storm, it became one of the worst typhoons that the Filipinos had with 235mph wind intensity. The aftermath was extremely devastating. Tacloban, an Island of Leyte in Eastern Visayas, suffered most at about 90% of the region was destroyed. Approximately 14 million people were affected and 6,000 lost their lives. Among those who sustained damages were the churches and Christian communities that existed to reach the people for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Innumerable organizations initiated efforts of relief and development of the area. As the international communities coordinated to aid, the Action International Ministries also commenced their projects through its local division, Street Impact Team. The team focused on the restoration of schools particularly, in Eastern Samar Leyte. During the drive, someone suggested an idea to plan and meet with the affected pastors and Christian leaders to help them and their communities as well.

A gathering was held in Tacloban through the Christian Growth Ministries’ Pastoral Care Conference. Kuya Ron Stensgard helped with the funding of the event while C.G.M. sponsored the free books and Bibles. Many of the Christian organizations from Manila were also involved. About a hundred participants attended. During the event, Pastor Leo Galanza spoke about the “Theology of Suffering” while Kuya Ron talked about Leadership. Kuya Jeff Anderson and Pastor Lito De Guzman were speakers as well. A conversation among the hosts occurred, and they all shared with Kuya Ron’s desire, “Can we do this again?” By God’s permission, a conference in Bohol transpired through the combined endeavors of C.G.M., Action, and same-hearted individuals, including Pastor Leo and Kuya Ron.

When Pastor Leo visited San Francisco, U.S.A. for a speaking engagement with First Love Ministries International in September 2016, he also had a meaningful conversation with Ron and his colleagues about the possible ministry in the Philippines, specifically for the Pastors and Church leaders. By October 19 of the same year, another devastating typhoon hit the Philippines. Super Typhoon Lawin (International, “Haima”) affected the Northern part of Luzon. Again, Action International Ministries consolidated efforts for relief operations. The team went with Ron, Jeff, Pastor Luv, and Dave in December of that year. This time, a more organized vision was being nurtured in the group as seeded by the previous ventures. God led Ron with the desire to carry out meetings for the Pastors and Christian Workers similar to the conferences in Tacloban and Bohol but with regularity.

By God’s providence, three more conferences in just a week were hosted in February 2017 (Bacolod, Rizal, and Davao). There, the initial plans to form the A4C happened. Emerging from the Bacolod’s theme: “Leadership, Missions, Cross: Recalling the Basics,” the team conceived the main structure and direction of the ministry, including the name: All4Christ Ministries (A4C). Present to the meeting were Ron, Pastor Leo and Hannah Galanza, Pastor Luv and Eden Zacal, David Majam, Jeff Anderson, Mike and Tracy Burr, Pastor Lito De Guzman, Pastor Levi Posadas, and Adam Hussey. Kuya Brad Williams facilitated the discussions.

The team agreed that A4C would operate in the context of the ministry that deals with human suffering, the need for godly and responsible leadership, and ministry to the family. The established pillars or values of the group are Education, Exaltation, Empowerment, and Evangelism. As the mission is to go alongside Pastors and Christian leaders, a motto emerged as the team’s commitment: The life of the minister is the life of the ministry.

As the following activities transpired, the team was able to hold strategic planning to determine other aspects necessary for A4C to continue its ministries. The board members and different leadership positions were chosen. Also, Pastor Levi created the website for the team. The Lord had confirmed these efforts when the group was approved and registered on October 15, 2018, by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippine as a non-profit organization (All4Christ Philippines Inc.). Few individuals were added to the team in the following years: Pastor Rolex Cailing (Board Member) and Pastor Jhonn Mojica (Ministry Director). Recently, a counterpart group was organized based in the U.S.A. to help A4C in its ministries. The partners in the U.S. are led by Ron, Brad, Jeff, with Pastor Paul Cross and Pastor Corey Bjertness.

Because of God’s unfailing generosity, A4C was sustained to the ministry to carry out its mission to go alongside His laborers for the Kingdom of God. There were more than thirty conferences hosted in the Philippines for the last three years. These catered more than five thousand Pastors and leaders. About eight thousand books were distributed to these participants to help them build their resource library in the hope that these would help them remain faithful to their calling for the greater glory of God. May God lead the way for A4C to the people of His fold to go alongside with, to share and partner in the same heart and mind, and to surmount challenges until the One who forms A4C comes.

Rak Chazak Amats!