A Report from the Philippines
February 2008, Bible Believers’ Bulletin
Years ago we took on the support of a native Filipino pastor in Baguio City named Ismael Sanchez. I recently got a report from a pastor in Denver, North Carolina, who visited him over in the Philippines.
I have never witnessed the workings of the Lord in preaching services like I did over there. I have been to countless ‘revivals’ across these United States. From what I saw overseas, we in America are “sunk.” Brother Sanchez is probably the finest man of God I personally know. He demonstrated a remarkable amount of wisdom conducting the events of that week. There were about 120 young people (ages 15–25) in attendance, along with pastors and some family. The grounds and dormitories were “packed.” We held three services a day for five days, with the young people awaking at 5:00 a.m. ready for Bible teaching. There was no problem with behavior all week and no rules laid out.
I believe there were about ten souls saved that week and eighteen men and women who committed to attend Bible school for three years. Some of them even gave up the Baguio University where they were planning to go to learn engineering, architecture, etc., to instead focus on learning the word of God.
Every service there was a huge response during invitation. The singing was loud, the services ‘alive,’ and the word of God exalted. The last night of preaching, many teenagers took off their ‘Rock’ T-shirts, occult bracelets, gave up their tapes and palm pilot video games, [and] questionable trinkets and toys. They one by one (unprovoked) laid them up front at the altar and left them alone. They then knelt down and cleansed their hearts. I have never seen anything like this before.
The pastors that graduated from the Institute are all fine men. Each one has begun a local, Bible-believing work in one of the towns or cities of the Philippine Islands.
The Filipino people are so loyal. Every one of these men read your literature, Dr. Ruckman. The whole time I was there, we would sit out under the stars at night and have little ‘preacher’ sessions. Your name was in much of the talks. They have learned a lot from your influence. They told me that you are the ‘big dog’ and they are ‘the puppies.’ Those men desire you to come over and preach so earnestly. I was asked to relay this request to you.
We passed out tracts on the street. The number of souls out there is astounding. We probably passed out around 400 Chick tracts just on about three street corners. The only people who shunned us were AMERICAN TOURISTS!
Ismael Sanchez is doing a tremendous job. His facilities at the Institute are very primitive. He needs an updated water supply. We ran out of water every day.
Literature over there is like gold. We brought tracts like Chick and your “Tell It Like It Is” and “Millions Disappear” to hand out. It was as if they were candy. The young people were exuberant to have them.
I hope this news . . . will be an encouragement to you.