A land of 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a country of contrasts. 

It sits in contrast to the other countries in Southeast Asia as the only Christian nation. But even Christianity is divided between a strong, traditional Roman Catholicism introduced by Spanish colonizers in the fifteenth century and an evangelicalism introduced by the American colonizers of the nineteenth century. 

Today around 80 per cent of Filipinos identify as Roman Catholics, though evangelical Christianity is growing. This growth was aided by the pandemic when church doors had to be closed and Christians had to find creative ways to share their faith. At the same time Islam is also increasing with a rise in the number of madrassa schools being established both within and outside of Muslim communities. Filipinos are peace loving people and so the seemingly unsolvable conflict in the Bangsomoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) region stands in contrast to the rest of the nation. 

Some regions are relatively unaffected by natural disasters while other regions are dramatically impacted.  The Eastern Seaboard region is one region where relentless typhoons and floods, which are increasingly destructive, make traditional livelihoods untenable. 

OMF Philippines is praying for new workers to work in partnership with other organisations and local Christians already serving in these two regions: Eastern Seaboard region and BARMM. Traditional models of mission and church planting strategies have not been fruitful in these areas and so we need to seek God and consider creative new approaches. Ultimately it will require godly men and women willing to live and work in hard to live places, depending on God for miraculous interventions and who will work hard with local communities to bring about transformation. We see God already at work in these places, calling men and women to himself in miraculous ways and through suffering and hardship. We are inviting people to come who are willing to learn language and culture, work alongside Filipino Christians to disciple, train and equip people so that they can live life to the full, as Jesus offers (John 10:10). 

Opportunities to serve in the Philippines:

Theological educators
Location: Asian Graduate School of Theology, Manila; Koinonia Theological Seminary, Davao. 

As the evangelical church grows in the Philippines, the need for leadership training and theological education increases. There are opportunities to teach at several Bible colleges and seminaries.

International school staff
Location: Manila and Davao 

OMF Philippines is involved with two international schools, which help provide education options for the children of cross-cultural workers. These schools enable families to continue serving overseas for many years.

Peace and reconciliation
Location: Southern Philippines (Davao, Cotabato, General Santos) 

We are looking for godly men and women with expertise in peace and reconciliation who will walk with those most deeply affected by generations of conflict. Those who can bring a message of hope, a theology of forgiveness and a practice of lament into their daily lives.

Urban development
Location: Cities of the Philippines (Manila, Davao, Cotabato, General Santos, Baguio)

We are inviting reflective practitioners willing to live among the poorest in society in the growing cities of the Philippines. Godly men and women who can help connect children and young people who can help men and women use their gifts and natural abilities to provide for their families. 

Rural and oceanic development
Location: Eastern Seaboard Region (particularly Samar)

Traditional methods of farming and fishing have become untenable in some of these regions due to the frequency and destructiveness of typhoons and floods. We are inviting reflective practitioners to come and walk beside people in this area, working in partnership with other likeminded organisations, in order that together, we might see these people flourish again, providing for their families. 

Non-formal theological educators
Location: Eastern Seaboard and BARMM regions 

Alongside Bible colleges, there is also a need for grassroots theological educators to come alongside church leaders who have not had the opportunity for formal theological education. The need for leadership training and assistance in understanding issues of governance is necessary in order to see strong, healthy churches established.

Find out more about opportunities in the Philippines at go.omf.org/phopp