Our Missions
Over 30 years ago, the first team came to Manila and encountered poverty and need at every street corner. We quickly sensed that God loves the Philippines and that he wants us here to share his love. So our homes and ministries were established as vessels to share God's love and salvation.
Testimonies
I am Fernando, 56 years old, happily married with three children. I started using marijuana in 1983 and eventually moved on to shabu (methamphetamines) in 1989. My adolescence was marked by uncertainty, as I was unable to complete my education and my life was in a downward spiral. In 1996, my sister told me about HELP International's rehab and I decided to try the program. I met Jesus there, but our relationship was very reserved at first. After completing the program, I managed to finish my education, but I relapsed again in 2013. My life was deteriorating noticeably, so I went to rehab again. But this time it was different. I had a deep encounter with God and was given a new life. I was "born again" and this transformation had a profound impact on my heart, my mindset, and my relationship with Jesus. Since then, my perspective on life, my family, and my service to God has completely changed. From 2014 until today, I have served God with dedication and am now seeing the fullness of God's promises in my life. I look back with gratitude for God's goodness and mercy that he has given me so abundantly and faithfully.
I am Bobot Magsombol, married with five children. In 1994, when I was only 23 years old, my parents entrusted me with their business. At first I managed it well. But in 1997, my wife and I started using the illegal drug shabu. Gradually, I neglected our business and eventually it failed and was closed down. I also accumulated debts and no-one was willing to help us because people saw that we were addicts. At that point, I realized how low I had sunk because of drugs. Finally, we found the Set Free Center on the internet and decided to go to rehab in 2011. Four months into our rehab, I had an encounter with Jesus while kneeling at the cross. There I experienced his love for the first time, accepted him into my heart and acknowledged Jesus as the Lord and Savior of my life. From that moment on, my life began to change completely. In May 2012, we completed the program at the Set Free Center. Jesus gradually put our lives back in order and rebuilt the broken relationships with my siblings and children. With God's help and grace, I was able to slowly pay off our debts and our children were able to go back to school. Today, they have all completed their college education! My wife and I returned to the Set Free Center in 2019 as staff where we still work today - God is truly good and keeps his promises!
Tondo
Tondo is a district in the heart of Manila that is home to about 630,000 people and known for its poverty, slums and crime. The district has a huge container port and houses the waste industry. Since 2017, we have been regularly going there to pray and to do outreaches, and since 2019 we have a base there, from which we are reaching out to the community around us. We do outreaches to slum areas on a regular basis. Furthermore, we are worshiping and host bible studies in our house, welcoming especially young people for discipleship and giving them just a place to be, as they often come from very impoverished backgrounds.
We believe that God is calling them out of all the human impossibilities and into his wonderful kingdom. God sees each person and has a calling for their lives. We are praying that many people will come to know Jesus and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit so that their lights will shine brightly in this dark place.
City Mission
Outreaches – As we worship Jesus, the atmosphere changes. We go to different neighborhoods in Manila to openly worship Jesus, share the gospel and pray. We see the presence of the Holy Spirit filling the places we go to and people encountering him right there in the dark and dirt. This is what our hearts are beating for - to proclaim the powerful message of the cross, believing that it will change everything!
Prison Ministry – For many years we have been going to prisons, bringing food, but more importantly, we are bringing new hope to the inmates. It is simple and yet so powerful. As Jesus said in the gospels, "When I was in prison, you visited me.” We love spending time with the inmates in the presence of God and sharing the word of God. We have often seen people deeply touched and getting filled with new life. Some of our staff are former inmates who are now living free and changed lives, bringing the Good News into the prisons themselves.
Relief Goods – Approximately 25 typhoons hit the Philippines each year. In most cases, people who are already in need lose all their belongings and end up with nothing. When necessary, we partner with other organizations and participate in relief efforts to bring practical help and the gospel to the victims.
