It was a joy for our Phoenix Church to send a number of people to Manila this summer. Manila had let us know that providing spiritual encouragement was a primary need in the Philippines and that our presence the previous year had done a great deal to help themheal some wounds and move forward in strengthening their church. This year God did even more by bringing brothers and sisters from all over Asia and the Southwest US together for a time of refreshment, encouragement, learning and spiritual feasting.

This year the Manila church hosted the "Asian Christian Jubilee" combined with the "Asia Pacific Leadership Conference" which was a 4 day event held June 21-24 and attended by many of our Asian churches including those who normally have very little contact outside their own country. Attendance was an amazing 5000 disciples from all around Asia and a number of US Churches. Members attended from:

Hong Kong
Thailand
China
Singapore
Vietnam
Cambodia
Guam
Metro Manila, Philippines
11 Provincial Philippine Churches
Phoenix
Denver
Albuquerque

The Phoenix contingent for the Jubilee consisted of Ken and Debbie Burford, Gordon and Theresa Ferguson, Jerry and Karen Jones, and Bob and Susan Wedin This group was involved in leadership workshops and a number of breakout classes on parenting and marriage. The Burford's, Susan Wedin and Steve Hiddleson had also helped the Philippine Church to host a great Teen Camp immediately prior to the conference which was attended by a number of teens from Phoenix (see separate article). Gordon preached the keynote message for the conference. Other speakers included Frank Kim from Denver, Ken Chau from Bangkok, Cesar Lopez from Cambodia, Koko Enrile from Manila, Bill Moulden from Albuquerque, and Wade Cook from Denver, as well as a host of other men and women from the Asian churches

The Ferguson's and Jones' were able to visit some of the provincial churches (Bagio, Olongapo City and Angeles City) and then hold 3 days of training classes resulting in certification of 47 couples to facilitate the Marriage Dynamics program.

All of those going to Manila felt that we received much more then we gave. It was a great time of relationship building with our brothers and sisters from Asia and we all feel our lives have been changed in a very positive way. We were deeply touched by the love and appreciation given to us by so many; it was truly humbling and touching to have that much love and attention lavished on us.

God was truly glorified and the Saints in Asia were strengthened and encouraged.

Amen!

Jerry Jones
Elder, Phoenix Valley Church of Christ