Looking back on the history of the Church after it was established by Jesus Christ, we find that there are so many attempts to stop its growth. But Jesus Christ’s words always prevail (Matthew 16:18). He said, “I will build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The true Church of God continues to do the Work of God, including the proclamation of the true Gospel to a world spiraling toward destruction.

As we faithfully watch the progress of God’s Work internationally, in these last days, particularly in the Philippines, we have no doubt that God continues to bless His Church in its task of preaching the great commission of disseminating the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the coming Kingdom of God.

If we look back at the time when United Church of God started in the Philippines in 1995, particularly in Bacolod where it started, we find that there were only a few (around 33 people including children) attended the first Sabbath service under United Church of God.

God has blessed the Work of His Church such that in a little more than two years time, the growth of the membership rose to over a hundred throughout the Philippines. Yet, the last half of 1998, the Church suffered a set back when about half of the membership joined a group whose leader separated from UCG to form his own organization.

But the Work and the membership of the Church in the Philippines continued to grow as we came under the guidance and direction of the Home Office.

The Church, in its eleventh year of existence now, is still young. In the Philippines, there are more than twenty congregations located throughout the archipelago plus one in Sabah, Malaysia, served by eight elders and assisted by a few local leaders. Today, there are about 600 members in this area.

God has blessed us with a National Office which is positioned to serve the needs of our brethren and subscribers here in the Philippines and perhaps other parts of Asia as well. Beginning July 1, the work in Asia will be coordinated by our Senior Pastor, David Baker. Let us pray that God will use us to help others in the region receive the wonderful gospel of the soon coming kingdom of God.

We have many milestones in the work of God in the Philippines, and we are looking forward to more growth as we continue doing the work of preaching God’s truth as He calls more people to His Church.

Now is the time for the Church to sprint in His Work as events prophesied in the Scriptures come alive through their fulfillment.