Mandate

The mission of SEND Philippines is to serve in strategic ways to  build up  the church in the Philippines and in other nations with and through the Philippine church.

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SEND History in the Philippines

The seal on the sidewalk at the center of FEBIAS College of Bible reads: "The Living Word for a Dying World." FEBIAS grad James Aberin, now a SEND missionary in Poland says, "These SEND missionaries came. They gave us their lives. Because of their commitment and their love, I am one of those who has been blessed. What an opportunity now it is for us as SEND missionaries to do the same."

FEBIAS College of Bible began with the vision of young soldiers who aided in the liberation of the Philippines at the end of World War II and fell in love with the people. On September 21, 1945, a group of soldiers and chaplains crowded into the tiny living room of a missionary couple that had survived the war. They prayed and committed themselves to start Far Eastern Bible Institute and Seminary.

On July 5, 1948, FEBIAS opened with 20 students. Twenty years later FEBIAS became an accredited college. About the same time SEND International and several other missions began Asian Theological Seminary. Almost every evangelical denomination or ministry in the Philippines has FEBIAS graduates on its leadership team. ATS graduates lead evangelical ministries all over Asia. Now that FEBIAS and ATS are entirely Filipino led, SEND International reaps the benefit as FEBIAS and ATS graduates serve with SEND missionaries in the Philippines and in other countries of the world.

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Local Church

Since the 1990’s the Philippine church has become increasingly aware of and committed to the call of God upon all churches to bring the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth. As with all members of the body of Christ, the Philippine church has a vital role to play in accomplishing this mandate. In recent years an increasing number of Filipinos are going out in missionary service.

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Global Christianity

The body of Christ is called to work one with another in fulfilling God’s missionary mandate. The growing breadth and depth of the global church requires increasing cooperation and partnership for effective utilization of resources, sharing of skills and experience and demonstration of the universality of the Christian faith.

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Global Opportunity

The English language has become the predominate language of the international community in commerce, government and cultural exchange. Teachers of English, especially those from Western English speaking countries, are sought after worldwide and have ready access to many people groups with which it is otherwise difficult to establish relationships. The Philippines has many Christians with a high degree of English language. Filipinos serving in non-English speaking countries regularly are asked for help in learning English.

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TESOL

There are currently three TESOL programs operating in the Philippines. In 1997 the International School of Theology (CCC) began a one-year program at its school in Manila. The program is taught by an expatriate missionary and the certificate is issued by ISOT. The program is currently suspended while the teacher is on home leave.  In 1999 the Asia Center for Mission (AoG) began a one-month TESOL program for their students. The program is taught in Makati, Metro Manila. The certificate is offered by ACM. In 1998 SEND International of the Philippines assumed responsibility for a six week TESOL program originally begun by YWAM and moved the instruction from Cebu to a city in Mindanao. Students come from both Asia and the West. In 2001 the Asian Theological Seminary will include the SEND program as a part of their summer studies program. SEND will conduct an abbreviated, non-certificate TESOL “tools” program in conjunction with an ATS short-term missions study program.

Interviews with the Philippine Mission Association, the leading association of missionary societies in the country, and several seminaries and Bible colleges indicate an interest in offering TESOL instruction on a much wider basis. Three schools (ATS, BSOP, FBC) have already requested assistance in setting up TESOL instruction for their missions students. Mission agencies and larger churches are increasingly sending short term teams on cross cultural trips.

Visit Asia's Center for TESOL's website.

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