New Life mission trip to the Philippines, July-August 2006. Click on any picture for a full-screen view.

Day 4: Evangelistic concert at Bicol University Tabaco City campus.

On July 30, more than 400 very receptive students came to the Evangelistic Concert that was held at Bicol University Tabaco Campus. The students who attended were college freshmen taking up NSTP (National Service Training Program), a three-unit subject required in college. Bibles and evangelistic tracks were distributed to each attendee. The Legazpi City youth band performed first, and Mike Morrison gave a testimony on his experience at a university, finding his need for Jesus Christ. Mike and the American teens answered questions asked by some students. There was more music by the San Pablo band, the teens did their two skits, Anthony and Ben gave testimonials, and the NewLife teens played several songs.

Rey Taniajura, speaking mostly in Filipino, gave a stirring evangelistic message. Most of the students put up their hand when he asked for people to accept Christ. Almost all the students stood up when San Pablo Pastor Claro Ting led them in a prayer.  Were they sincere, or was this just a group response? NSTP Coordinator Dino Brizuela (faculty member in charge of the ROTC) asked them if they want to have activities such as what they just had, and the students immediately shouted “yes” – it was a sincere response. Mr. Brizuela noted that he had been born a Catholic and married a Catholic, but he was not quite so sure now, because he had never seen a response like this in his own church! After the event, dozens of students asked the American teens to sign their Bibles, or to have pictures taken with them. Dr. Manzano now has the challenge of giving these young people some discipleship.

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