"Train the Trainer" class on Romblon Island

Jan (my dear wife) and I just completed a "Train the Trainer" outreach class on Romblon island. We were able to teach over 40 people -representing 14 churches - how to play the ukulele and to present the gospel through music. What we did is to provide the music sheets with chords that have related scriptures on the back. Most of the students that we taught had a musical background and had a ministry to young people. This was by design. We teach them and then they teach others within their own congregation followed by teaching others outside of their respective congregations. There were some attendees who did not meet the qualifications that we requested for them to participate in the course, but even so, most did qualify and the class was very exciting and successful. As a result of this class, overtime, we believe that several people will become disciples of Christ. This is a conservative estimate based on the reasonable efforts of a few on the leaders outreaches.

We operate on the idea that people need to be participants in ministry to be disciples. The thought is that discipleship is more than learning and watching what others do. Learning to reach out to others with music and scripture not only helps those that are reached but also contributes to those that are reaching out. We know that the only hope is in Jesus and it is our great desire to see as many as our willing to become participants in discipleship through the scripture and using the ukuleles as a tool to excite people into participating. I like to say that being a disciple of Jesus is an active process rather than a passive one.

This ministry provides methods that can reach thousands of people over time. To reach thousands of people for Jesus also requires that communication occurs in the native languages and cultures of the teachers and the participants. This is why we are training Filipinos to be the teachers. We have learned that there is not just one culture here in the Philippines but many. Instead of being outsiders reaching in we need insiders reaching out to others in their own language and culture. I have been told that there are 107 languages spoken in the Philippines.

How can we reach them other than through the languages and cultures themselves.

What is interesting to me, is that it appears that there are other Christian organizations beginning to understand how to use the ukulele to reach others for Christ. How cool is that!!! The ukulele is perfect here because people are so excited about music in the Philippines and the ukulele is one of the least expensive and portable instruments that we can use. Although we have only taught approximately 2,000 people directly, the number that have become involved has increased to at least 4,000 to 5,000 people. With our new program of training the people to teach and do the outreach programs directly, the number of people involved will increase substantially. We are trusting in the Lord to help us provide the ukuleles since Jan and I are operating using our income from social security. In the United States, we are quite poor financially. Here in the Philippines, we are able to provide some of our income to continue the ministry since it is cheaper to live here. Our last train the trainer program cost about 2,000 american dollars that included leaving 50 ukuleles for use on the island of Romblon. The ukuleles are costing approximately $28. Travel expenses are also needed. We stay in modest places and travel mostly by motorcycle, trike, and of course Ferries. EKB Ministries is setting up to help fund the expansion of this powerful ministry. Any help you want to give will be greatly appreciated and helps to enable us to extend our operation beyond Romblon Province.

Another interesting thing that we do is that we never speak against any denomination. We speak Jesus and only Jesus. We are not here to debate. We only speak about following Jesus. This is what we teach the trainers to do. We have learned that many people that will not come to an Evangelical church will choose to come and learn in a covered court (common community structures used for community events and basketball games) to learn how to play the ukulele and learn about Jesus. We do not promote buildings or structures. Like the song, we speak Jesus. The trainers are taught to start n outreach by "prayer walking" in the areas that they want to evangelize. Then, the trainers go back into these locations and offer to teach ukulele to people. Then when the children learn, many of the parents will come to hear the children present the Christian music that they have learned. This is an opportunity to offer bible study to the adults by setting up studies within homes in the area. And so it begins. No debates, no contests, only Jesus. In Matthew 28 the Lord calls us to make disciples. And so that's what we do. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord who brings us peace beyond all understanding! Amen.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

[7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.