MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES: SHARING JESUS AND EMPOWERING MANGYAN LEADERS

From November 2025 to early 2026, we had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Oriental and Occidental Mindoro with two teammates from the Jesus Film Project. Our purpose was to host a premiere screening of the recently recorded Jesus Film in four Mangyan languages: Hanunuo, Tawbuid, Iraya, and Alangan. These are four of the eight indigenous Mangyan tribes who can now watch the Jesus Film in their mother tongue. We organized premiere screenings and conducted Knowing Jesus (KJ) Training, equipping local believers to use segments of the film for evangelism and follow-up in their communities.

Getting to these tribal communities was an adventure in itself! Many were located far from the town proper, requiring long bus rides, mountain hikes, bridge crossings, and motorcycle rides on habal-habal. We slept on small church pews and even school tables. These experiences made our missionary journey both challenging and unforgettable, but also fun and full of adventure.

One of the most heartwarming moments was how the Mangyan communities welcomed us with their freshly harvested camote, tomatoes, ginger, and eggplants. Their warmth, hospitality, simplicity, and joy—despite living in isolated communities with limited resources and access to education—left us with valuable life lessons. We went there hoping to share the Good News, but we also learned so much from them.

For two days, we introduced the Knowing Jesus material and other ministry tools and kits to the participants, most of whom were church leaders and representatives from local churches in their respective areas. They learned how to facilitate group discussions, share their personal testimonies, and guide new believers using clips from the Jesus Film.

Tony and Ptr. Levi also trained them on how to run a Jesus Film outreach, walking them through the program flow and the proper setup and use of the equipment, including the projector and screen. We also had a witnessing time where they could apply the skills and tools they had learned. And this is one of the highlights of our trip—to see these church leaders take ownership of the training and confidently practice leading their own sessions.

After the first day of training, Angelina from the Hanunuo tribe shared the gospel with three young people who came to her late at night, having missed the scheduled session. She was grateful to have the tools to share Jesus with them.

Three brothers from the Alangan tribe walked down from the mountains for three days just to attend the training. Their eagerness to learn and share the gospel with their communities was truly inspiring.

Kuya Fred, a church leader from the Iraya tribe, was grateful to be refreshed in sharing the gospel using the Four Spiritual Laws booklet and stories from the Jesus Film.

Michelle, a public administration student and mother of two, heard the gospel during our witnessing time when I approached her and she prayed to receive Jesus.

One of the most moving moments was the gathering in the Tawbuid community, where the church was filled with people eager to watch and hear God's Word in their own language. Even those who couldn't walk were carried or assisted so they could attend. It was a truly tearful sight! About 245 people came and 55 responded to the invitation to receive Christ.

These were just some of the many reminders of how God is working through His people to bring the Good News to the Mangyan communities.

Join us in praying that this ministry among the indigenous tribes will continue to grow and bear fruit for God’s glory. Pray for the trained leaders to have boldness, joy, and wisdom as they bring the Jesus Film to new communities. May the seeds of the gospel planted in people’s hearts take root, grow, and bear lasting fruit.

Thank you, dear friends and ministry partners, for sending us through your prayers and generous giving to help the Jesus Film reach places where people can hear the Good News and come to follow Jesus! All glory to God!