Pray For
- wisdom and guidance for our national leaders, especially Bishop Tereso Lanzon Jr.
- increased passion and mission mobilization efforts of Free Methodist Missions Philippines (FMMP)
- success for the “Life Pathway” Mentoring Program and engagement
- realization of our TINGUHA 2026 (Dream/Goals) to be realized
- more students to attend seminary and Bible college to be equipped as future church leaders
- more scholarship supporters for the seminary and Bible college students, and continuing education for faculty and pastors
- peace and unity of political situations and national leaders
- the success of the “FreePH2025 and Beyond” and the planting of community churches through campus ministry in Ilocos, Bicol Region and Zamboanga Peninsula Region
PRESENT MINISTRIES
The Free Methodist Church in the Philippines celebrated its 75th anniversary with 12 conferences, 392 established churches, 39,390 members, 198 ordained ministers, 170 ministerial candidates, 341 assigned lay ministers and 800 leaders in development. Training occurs at Light and Life Bible College and John Wesley Training Institute, preparing leaders for ministry and global missions. The church partners with ICCM and Compassion International to support children through the Philippine Social Ministries. The FREE LIFE Community strategy aims to reach youth on campuses, and FreePH2025 and Beyond sends student missionaries to three Philippine regions without an FMC presence. The church also sends missionaries to Creative Access-HK, Creative Access-PN, Australia and tribal groups in the Philippines. The plan to send missionaries to Fiji in 2026 adds to the Philippines significance as a mission-sending church.
OUTREACH TO THE WORLD
The church in the Philippines has missionaries in Creative Access Asia – HK, Cambodia, Australia, Creative Access Asia – PN and among tribal groups in the Philippines.
ORIGINS
In 1949 missionaries Walter and Gertrude Groesbeck and John and Ruby Schlosser transferred from China to the Philippines. They settled on the island of Mindanao. The first Free Methodist church was constructed at Bunawan. Other missionaries soon joined the two couples. A Bible school was begun in 1955.
Country Leader
Bishop Tereso Lanzon, Jr.
The Philippines General Conference
MISSIONARIES
David Clemente
David Clemente is currently based in the U.S. but serving Asia. As a member of the Asia Leadership Team, Dr. David Clemente regularly travels to consult with pastors and supervise selected Asian leaders. He is an Asia Area Assistant Director overseeing FMWM interests...
Roger Stone
Roger Stone has been an affiliate missionary since 2008. He and his wife, Vangie, work in consulting with Ayta Mag-Indi and Ayta Mag-Antsi teams translating the Old Testament and the Ayta Ambala team translating the New Testament. They are also involved in promoting...
Prayercast | The Philippines
Love Asia 2.7 – Free Life
Recent Heartbeat Articles
A Journey of Light and Life
The Light and Life Bible College (LLBC) was born in the jungles of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines, with a vision that still burns brightly...
A Cross-Cultural Union Fueling Asia’s Faith
Helri and Phuong’s story transcends borders. It is a story of shared passion for Jesus. Helri, an ordained elder from the Free Methodist General...
Saying Yes to Unexpected Opportunities
My story begins in Baguio City, Philippines. I was 11 years old when the Free Methodist work began in our city. At an early age, I established a...
Why Are You Singing
“Why are you all singing?” the neighbors asked Ms. Holly (not her real name). Ms. Holly is a cross-cultural worker living in Country-VN. It is...
Building It Together
The fire started in a tightly packed neighborhood down the block. The fire brigade managed to control the fire keeping the home from being a total...
COUNTRY STATISTICS
General Conference
- Population: 107,377,267
- Evangelical Christians: 13.93%
- FM Work Opened: 1949
- FM Churches: 372
- FMC Membership: 36,390
- Bishop: Tereso Lanzon, Jr.
- Ecclesiastical Accountability: Free Methodist World Conference
Photo Credit: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Join the ministry in The Philippines
Church Planting & Development
Funding the Philippines Church Planting & Development (CPD) account will help resource the following people and strategic initiatives:
- Training, equipping and supporting a small army of church planters who continue the expansion of God’s kingdom in the Philippines.
- Training new pastors and church planters, as well as training to strengthen ministries of those who pastor existing churches.
Extra Mile Projects
Ahon Street Ministries
This project provides funding to tutor, provide health care, and teach life skills to children who are currently living on the garbage dump of Butuan City. Additional orphans are being cared for and housed in a separate facility. Watch “Take Out From,” a video about the Ahon Street Ministries
Amlan Church Plant
Funds from this Extra Mile Project will be channeled to the Philippines General Conference to complete the building of the church structure in Amlan, Cebu, Philippines. The church began through connections with a Filipino FM lady living in Pennsylvania. Superintendent Rev. Allan Prochina visited the lady’s home town in the Philippines to introduce the Free Methodist Church. A group of people meeting in a home participated in a discipleship program, then in baptism. The group grew in number. Land was donated to the group to build a church structure. A work team from Pennsylvania has plans to travel to the Philippines in 2016 to help build the church.
Philippines Crisis and Compassion
Funds given to this project are used to support pastors, church members and the destitute due to medical emergencies, weather-related calamities, hunger and other crises. One example is Pastora Pol Guazon, who had a kidney transplant in 2005 and needs expensive medications for the rest of her life.
Kamuning Ministry Center
The Kamuning ministry center is the first of many holistic discipleship centers planned for Metro Manila. Its multi-faceted offerings will include theological training through the John Wesley Theological institute (JWTI), Internation Child Care (ICCM) child sponsorship center, sex trafficking intervention (Set Free Movement), worship center and housing for ministry leader.
Light & Life Bible College
Light & Life Bible College trains leaders for the Free Methodist Church in the Philippines. The school is becoming a Liberal Arts College.
Light & Life Bible College Student Scholarships
This project provides scholarships for needy theological students at Light & Life College in Butuan City.
Philippines National Pastors’ Support
This project provides additional funding for Filipino church planters and missionaries.
Philippines Ministry Support
This project provides funding for medical, evangelistic, and holistic social ministries in the Philippine General Conference.