News > North America

West Loop UBF (Chicago, Illinois)

July 16, 2012

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8

On July 18, 2012, I will fly to Manila, and stay for 2 months till early Sept. For the last 8 years, I have traveled to Manila each year and participated in the campus ministry with Philippines UBF. John 3:8 has always been my key verse because the wind of the Spirit has always been blowing constantly "wherever it pleases." The work of the Spirit I experienced in Manila is like nothing I have ever experienced in my 3 decades as a Christian. I wrote this report after my visit last year: Philippines UBF: An Indigenous Ministry. Praise and thank God!

Presently, there are 4 chapters in Manila led by Filipino leaders and all of them are thriving: Valenzuela City (main chapter): Dr. William Altobar. University Belt: Timothy Ipapo. Caloocan City (University of the East): Jonathan Reytos. Antipolo: Dr. John Talavera. #2, #3 and #4 are church plants in the last 2 years. Presently, they are building a new center in Antipolo with a projected cost is 10-12 million pesos ($250,000 to $300,000). They are praying to complete the main floor so that they may have the Christmas service there this year.

A few days ago, Sarah Altobar emailed me the following Bible study groups that I will lead each week that I am there: "We have 3 group Bible studies at Antipolo (Mon,Wed,Fri). At Valenzuela,Dr. we also have 3 group Bible studies (Tue,Thu,Sat). Also, Tue Univ. Belt, Tue,Thu at Caloocan City. So Dr. Ben be ready for these Bible study groups. God bless your trip. We are waiting to see you again."

By Dr. Ben Toh