Mindanao Leadership Training Seminar

The main focus of our trip to the Philippines was the Mindanao Leadership Training Seminar.  This was for all pastors, ministers, and leaders, along with their wives.  We had a very busy schedule, but we also had a tremendous time in the Holy Ghost.

Confession time:  I did not take notes during the preaching.  We were in back to back to back services and as I write this, many of the messages blur together.  I don't remember everything I ate last week either, but I was definitely fed both spiritually and physically!

Bishop White on the first night with our amazing translator Pastor Balmas

We also heard good singing by the young men who are attending A.C.T.S. Bible School.

Our schedule went like this:

Wednesday 6:00 p.m. - Pastor John Collins

Pastor Collins

Thursday
5:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. - Missionary Nathan Weidner
9:50 a.m. - Split sessions:  Men - Pastor Johnny Burgess/Women - Sis. Kathy McElhaney
10:30 a.m. - Break
11:00 a.m. - Split sessions:  Men - Bro. Les McElhaney/Women - Sis. Annette Carrier
11:50 a.m. - Missionary Nathan Carrier
6:00 p.m. - Bro. Everett Messner (Dedication of the Messner Building)

Sis. Carrier with her translator, Sis. Michelle

During my session on Thursday, I taught a modified version of Lessons from the Peloton (you can read both parts here and here.)  None of the ladies had ever ridden a bicycle before and only one brave soul was willing to give it a try!

Friday
5:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. - Missionary Nathan Carrier
9:50 a.m. - Split sessions:  Men - Pastor John Collins/Women - Sis. Lindsy Weidner
10:30 a.m. - Break
11:00 a.m. - Split sessions:  Men - Bro. Les McElhaney/ Women - Ma'am White
11:50 a.m. - Missionary Nathan Weidner
6:00 p.m.- Pastor Johnny Burgess

Some of the sessions went longer than planned.  Even when the speaker finished in his allotted time, we had a time of prayer between sessions.  On Friday, our ladies sessions finished before the men had their break so we got to hear Les.  He did an outstanding job preaching, "One Link in the Chain of the Good Fight of Faith."  Many have gone before us, paving the way for revival, and we want to keep that chain strong and see revival continue!

Ma'am White told us before we went on the trip, that it is a tradition for ministers to give their tie to their translator after the service.  Pastor Balmas translated for Les three different times, so he scored!  This picture was on Friday as Les presented Pastor Balmas with a tie he bought when we were in Italy in 2011.  Pastor Balmas makes a note on each tie he receives - who the minister was and what he preached.
 

It was a wonderful time and I pray that the result will be even greater growth and revival in the months and years ahead!

P.S.  This link will take you to the entire photo album, there are just too many pictures to put in a few posts!  Go right HERE!