Last week Within Reach Global had a chance to speak to 75 student leaders at PLP University in Manila about the unique identity and God-given destiny of Filipinos. We challenged these future Filipino heroes to rise up to the occasion by doing something great for their nation in the midst of present difficulties. The response was incredible.
We gave a keynote presentation entitled “Know Your Identity. Pursue Your Destiny” that covered 490 years since the cross was first planted on the archipelago of 7,000 islands. We traversed from bloody battles to heroic uprisings, through foreign domination and into independence, challenging the university students with the question: What comes next? What are they going to do to recover and reclaim the God-given destiny of their nation?
This weekend we will be speaking at AMA, another prominent university in Manila. The student leaders have already arranged for many key leaders to be there, and the campus is buzzing with excitement for the message we will be sharing. We are honored to be able to sow into this generation for such a time as this.
The Philippines is recognized as the only Christian nation in the Far East, but it has long struggled with poverty and corruption. But there is a powerful hope stirring in the hearts of Filipinos today. Many are rising up with a spirit of makaDiyos, makabayan, makatao and makakalikasan (for God, for country, for fellowman and for the environment), reclaiming the wonderful destiny that God has for this nation.
There have been many prophesies over the Philippines by Christian leaders such as Cindy Jacobs, Lou Engle, Dan Balais, and others. They are all saying the same thing: the Philippines is called to be the fruit basket of Asia, a nation of David’s that will restore righteousness, and a missionary-sending nation to the world.
We at Within Reach Global believe in the destiny of the Philippines so much that we founded the Ako Ay Pilipino Movement, and co-published the Ako Ay Pilipino: Noon at Ngayon (I Am Filipino: Then and Now) coffee table book. Thousands have joined this call to change the nation. But it’s still just the beginning.
Recently we had a dream that we were speaking with the president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino Jr., about the Ako Ay Pilipino Movement. We believe that a powerful government-led partnership will be key in impacting millions of Filipinos around the globe. Many are already working in foreign nations, right on the cusp of reaching cross-culturally to people groups with the gospel of Jesus. We are excited to grab hold of this opportunity for the kingdom of God!
So how can you respond? Here’s an awesome way.
We have made the Ako Ay Pilipino: Noon At Ngayon coffee table book available at a special Christmas 2010 discount price. You can purchase it for yourself, or even better, buy a copy for a future Filipino hero in Manila. It’s only $12.00 (plus shipping for international orders) or $9.00 flat for a gift for a Filipino in country. Get one now, and make a difference in the lives of those on the edge of fulfilling the Great Commission.
Buy the Ako Ay Pilipino: Noon at Ngayon coffee table book now!
$12.00 (plus shipping for international orders:
$9.00 flat as a gift for a Filipino in country: