How Korean church can preach in Philippines? (press review)

A missionary of Korean church “Manmin” Sharon Cho told us in exclusive interview how to bring the Gospel to people in Philippines and also exposed some shocking facts concerning immorality in the country and spiritual resistance against the work of God.

So what is the situation with Christianity in the Philippines?

Protestants make about 8% of the Philippines’ population. The most of the rest are Catholics. And these eight percent, it is very difficult for them to take care of themselves because most of them have financial problems. So the country is Catholic, the government helps Catholics and the evangelical pastors have financial problems. Most of the rich people attend the Catholic Church and poor people attend the protestant church. It’s important for born-again pastors to have extra jobs so that they can survive. From time to time they depend on the foreign crusades. They help foreign ministers who pay money so they can feed their families.

Do Evangelical churches experience pressure from the Catholic Church?

There is no pressure. They try to relate to each other but not very close. They hold the distance.

I believe the south of the Philippines is totally Muslim. Are there any conflicts between Christians and Muslims?

Yes, most of the Muslim population moved to the Island of Mindanao. Most of them are against the government and want to create their own country. But the government tries to reconcile with them. The actual situation is not good.

What ways do you use to evangelise people? Do you just go the streets or visit people’s homes?

I just go from house to house. Catholics in the Philippines worship a bit more different. Everywhere they have this statues of Santo Nino, which is considered to be a great relic, it became like an idol to them. So I just visit people and we talk about the Bible, I try to tell them the truth, it is my mission. We also organise pastors’ seminars. We gather local pastors and leaders and introduce them to the messages of our senior pastor, Dr. Jaerock Lee.

So the attitude toward the Manmin church is good and friendly?

Before they met our senior pastor the attitude was negative, they listened to the rumours. But after listening to his message, after seeing the power of God, they were amazed. They said: “We never saw this sort of ministry, we long to listen to the messages from Manmin church.”

Is there a difference between the temper of Philippinos and Koreans? And as a consequence is there a difference in how the services are held?

There is a difference. There is much humility and respect to God in Koreans. In the Philippines they sing and dance. They try to use the worship time to bring joy to themselves, not to actually come and worship God. There is also no education about morality and sanctification. I saw much sexual immorality in the Philippines. Men sleep with their daughters, granddaughters. It is just ridiculous. When I first came there it was random but now it became normal. There are many homosexuals who do everything to show people their attitude and lifestyle.

And this is not just in big cities, but everywhere?

Yes, this is everywhere. So they really need the holy Gospel and the power of God.

What are the plans of the Manmin church? What do you plan to do in the Philippines?

First of all we must deliver the message of sanctification of Manmin to the local pastors. When people hear it they begin to understand what our Father God wants.

Are missionaries from Europe and the United States welcome to come to the Philippines? What is the attitude toward them? Or is the attitude toward the Asian missionaries better?

I don’t know really. It seems they are welcoming everyone because when a missionary comes they receive an opportunity to get a job. If pastors or missionaries come from abroad they organise seminars or crusades. And in order to do that they need a local pastor to help them. So for local ministers it is a way to survive. Almost all local churches are ready to receive missionaries from other countries.

What would your advice be to those people who consider becoming a missionary to the Philippines?

First of all they have to be ready to survive a very hot weather. The average temperature is about 35 degrees. And the level of the air humidity is about 85 to 90. In terms of a spiritual advice I would say that there is a very strong spirit of religion in the country. People really need to receive true faith. When I come to Korea it is very easy for me to pray, I can easily hear the Holy Spirit. In the Philippines you would need a very strong prayer life and a companion who would help you to meditate on the Word of God and fight with the spiritual resistance against the work of God because it is very strong.

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TAGS: Sharon Cho Manmin Dr. Jaerock Lee Philippines

[08/29/2010]

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