By Gordon Watson

In early February of this year, Hugh Pearce (Redeemer Church, Colchester, UK) and I (Gordon Watson, Hope Church, Sittingbourne, UK) travelled to the Philippines to spend a week with House of Grace Church in Taguig, part of Metro Manila. Our visit was primarily intended to forge new connections and strengthen relationships with churches exploring a deeper partnership with Relational Mission. I think we achieved that, and had lots of fun in the process.

How it all began

House of Grace Church has a rich history. The main church was planted more than twenty years ago by two friends, Arman and Rodney, who relocated from Dubai to Manila.

Within a few months, the church began to grow. As the community developed, Arman and Rodney recognised the need for someone with a strong pastoral gift to help lead and care for the growing church. They invited their friend Eden, a Filipino they knew from Dubai, to join them.

After Eden’s arrival in Taguig with his wife Fe, and their two sons, Israel and Joshua, the three friends formed a leadership team and remarkably, they are still faithfully serving as the elders of the church today - more than twenty years later!

Serving Taguig

Over the years, the church has continued to grow into a thriving community. Under the team’s leadership, the church has developed a strong culture of serving the city, particularly the poor. Every afternoon, around thirty street children from the local neighbourhood are welcomed into the church building and given a free cooked meal; one of many practical ways the church expresses the love of Christ to some of the poorest in their community.

Soon after we arrived, Hugh and I began meeting the many church leaders, their teams and members of the local church. We were encouraged to hear about the life of the church and how they are intentionally making disciples and raising leaders. The leadership team shared and sought input on a new discipleship pathway they have developed over the past two years as they look to further strengthen the foundations of their church culture.

Beyond the city

During the week, we travelled to visit three of the four House of Grace church plants they are establishing in the surrounding region of Laguna de Bay. These include communities in Wawa, Biñan, Santa Rosa, and Santa Ana, each led by faithful teams that serve their communities and proclaim the gospel. One night in Santa Ana, we spent time with the church praying on the rooftop of a home in the heart of its local community. It was a powerful time.

The Philippines itself is a fascinating and beautiful nation made up of many islands and influenced by cultures from the surrounding Pacific Rim. We noticed elements of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Australian influence, alongside a visible affection for American culture. Even the governmental structure reflects this, with a senate and systems of local government that resemble those in the USA.

Manila is also a city of striking contrasts. Many areas remain economically challenging, while others are among the most modern and prosperous parts of Asia. A short distance from Taguig lies Bonifacio Global City, often referred to as BGC. With its high-rise buildings and international businesses, it feels more like Canary Wharf or downtown New York than what many people might expect from Southeast Asia.

Alongside this prosperity, many communities face significant hardship. Despite these challenges, we were deeply struck by the resilience, warmth and faith of the people. Life in the Philippines can be difficult at times, particularly with the regular monsoons and typhoons that affect the islands each year, but the spirit, generosity and hospitality of the people were remarkable and deeply humbling.

Open doors

On Sunday, Hugh preached at the church's main worship gathering and delivered a powerful message about the beauty of the Bride of Christ and the church's call to prepare for the day of the wedding feast of the Lamb. It was an uplifting moment for the whole church, followed by a powerful time of prophetic ministry.

Towards the end of our visit, we also had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Taguig City, Lani Cayetano. The Mayor shared her heart for the city and was incredibly kind and generous in welcoming us. I was afforded the privilege of briefly sharing the Word of God with the city police force (about 80 officers in total) before they began their working week, something made possible through the relationships and reputation Eden and House of Grace have nurtured with the city over decades.

Hugh and I left grateful for the many new friendships and connections that had begun to materialise within the House of Grace family. It is exciting to see first-hand what God is doing in their part of the world, and to imagine the possibility of another fruitful gospel partnership emerging in the Pacific Rim, a region that is deeply significant in the heart and prophetic purposes of Relational Mission.

Praying for a fruitful future

Please do pray for Eden and Fe, Arman and Loida, Rodney and Tess and their wider leadership team as they continue to faithfully lead the church family together and support the increasing number of House of Grace church plants.

Pray for wisdom as they raise new leaders, explore appointing future elders and continue planting churches in the city and wider region. Please also pray for a potential planting team to emerge for the BGC area.

And lastly, pray for God’s protection and grace over the Philippines, a beautiful but often vulnerable nation. Our hope is that through Spirit-filled church families like House of Grace, the living Lord Jesus will continue to be made known and that many people will encounter His love and transforming power.

Growing Friendships in the Philippines