The Macedonian Call

A Bible worker receives a call from a distant village.

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:9, 10.

“A few faithful missionaries are even now planting the standard of truth in fields far away. Publications are multiplying in many languages. These silent messengers are enlightening thousands. But as a people we come far short of moving forward as fast as the providence of God opens the way. Our General gives the command, ‘Go forward.’ Thousands are thirsting for living truth. The Macedonian cry is coming to us from every direction, ‘Come over and help us.’ We look about us, and inquire, ‘Who will go?’ O that every follower of Jesus might respond: ‘Send me. I long to do something for my Master.’” East Michigan Banner, September 29, 1909.

The weather was agreeable for travel when an old friend called me on my phone. “Brother,” I heard the familiar voice. “Come over to where I am living now.”

“What is your exact address?” I asked. “How far away are you?”

To reach the village where my friend lived, it would require three hours of driving by motorcycle, and then a hike into the mountains.

“Well,” I said to myself, “It is not too far.” I called my co-workers, who are more like brothers to me: Robeth Tambunan, Jun Salazar with his son Tonton, and
Brother Edgar Taborete. I invited them to join me on my journey.

After hearing my friend on the phone, I considered this a Macedonian cry for help from his mountain village. “I must answer the call,” I thought to myself. I packed up my generator, amplifier and sound box, tying them tightly to the back of my motorcycle.

After three hours of driving by motorcycle, we arrived at Proper Poblacion of T’boli. “If we stop in the village of Lamlait, we can safely leave our motorcycles there,” Brother Robeth suggested.

When we arrived in the village of Lamlait we did leave our motorcycles there. Datu, a friend in the next village, volunteered to bring some of the items we needed for preaching. He placed them on the back of his horse to carry.

It took three hours of hiking to reach the village of Damlas, where my old friend lived. I met the leader of that village, and began to explain our intentions.

“We belong to the Jesus Is Lord church,” the leader explained.

“Would it be okay if we preach in this village?” I asked.

He nodded his head yes. “We have been waiting so long to hear more messages from God.”

The meetings began. As we talked about the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, interested glowed in the leader’s eyes.

“You know what, Temtem,” he approached me afterwards. “I know that your message is true, and I know Saturday is the true day to worship, because I can read
it in the Bible.”

How happy I felt to hear these words fall on my ears! How thankful I was to watch as the people accepted the messages of God.

Finally, an announcement was made in the village. “Our Jesus is Lord church is now a Seventh-day Adventist church, because this is the only religion that preaches the whole message of the Bible.”

Location: Philippines

Author: Temtem is a Bible worker in South Cotabato on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

How You Can Help

Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead Temtem as he nurtures this new congregation far up in the mountains and that this new church will remain strong in the Lord.

Donate by sending your gift to Mission Projects International marked “Philippines” to:

Mission Projects International
PO Box 506
Republic, WA 99166-0506

For online options, visit: www.missionspro.org/donate