Since Leaving Manila and What I am doing now!

Thank you so much for your time and the answers you gave me. I will be praying for everyone mentioned. I am grateful to know about you and your family's ministry activities. Would love to get email addresses of any of these folks that wouldn't mind corresponding with me. I will be praying for you and with you in the days ahead and would love to hear from you concerning national issues and church issues.

Are you aware of any VCF or Every Nation outreach to Muslims? If so, would it be possible for me to correspond with the people leading those efforts? If not, would anyone there be interested in talking about the need to have one?

I am asking you so many questions, that you may be sorry you contacted me. Ha! I'm not sorry! I'm thrilled and ready to pray in earnest for your continued blessing and success.

I live in West Columbia, TX, and I drive 60 miles to work and 60 miles home every day. It's a wonderful extra two hours a day for prayer, worship and fellowship with Jesus. I am working with the Dow Chemical Company in Texas City, Texas. It is a suburb of Houston, and is the last spot on the mainland before the highway crosses Galveston Bay going to Galveston Island. I am an OSHA compliance Technician. That means I help keep Dow's work practices in maintenance and construction in compliance with US Federal Requirements for Environmental, Health, and Safety laws. I work as an inspector of work practices and conditions, and I get invited out to do motivational speeches to large projects, business groups/associations and businesses who are trying to improve their safety performance.
Every company in the US is required to track the work related injuries that happen in the course of each year and report it to the government. Insurance companies use these rates to set your company's insurance bill, etc. One other aspect of my business life that has crossed over with my ministry, is that I have pastored many, many people in the corporate community and related contractor communities, who do not have a church or minister of their own. I have married them and buried their children. As a result, some of these have given their lives to Christ and are planted/flourishing in productive local churches.

I am writing several books right now, and progress on this has been slow, because of the requirements of my job and ministry. More on that later.

My ministry license is maintained with a group called "The Fellowship" out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and we found a great Spirit-filled church in the Brazoria, Texas area, that is impacting the whole region. Beth and I have been there for 6 years. Before that, I pastored an Assembly of God church in Freeport, Texas. In the years, I traveled to preach in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, England, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and others. My job is keeping me closer to home these days, and I guess that is ok, cause many Muslims are moving to America. They are here in great numbers in Houston and the surrounding communities, and we are researching ways to build bridges of relationship to them.

American Churches have basically ignored them and I am praying, writing, and organizing prayer efforts to change that. At least they ignored them until 9/11. Now, the church people are struggling with feelings of anger and fear toward them, just like the general population. That is not right, but it is how things are now. Politically, the US is divided between wanting to fight the radicals who have declared war on us (Republicans) and ignore them and hope they go away (Democrats). The business people want to sell stuff to them and the Christians want to ignore them. With God's help, we won't stay that way. I am not a peacenik that says we can ignore the unlawful activities of rogues in and out of the United States. But as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am under a mandate to bless and pray for those who hate me, curse me, and say all manner of evil against me falsely, because of Jesus. I am not given the right to hate, or to ignore "the lost" of any group. I feel like the Muslims are a great frontier of evangelism, a new "treasure hid in a field," and that it would be worth selling out to claim a portion of this great treasure. 1.4 billion people claim to be Muslim... and a lot of them will come to Jesus if they are given a chance.

Thanks again, Emil, for making my day and letting me know how you are doing. I bless you and your wife and kids. I speak God's blessings on your business interests(I would like to more about what you do, also!). I bless your church and the churches associated with it. I am thrilled that you and many others who we are friends with, were wise enough to "jump" when Christian Life made the turn that they did. I could not have stayed for those changes.

With love and blessings,

Phil and Beth

What has happened in the Philippines since we left!

Phil,
I have commented on your letter in italics:
Emil,
Yes I do remember you. Thanks for the reminder.
Yes, my wife Beth and I worked for KCM and lived in the Avalon
apartments not too far from you and the Castillejo family.
I am so proud to hear from you and to know you are going on with God.
Do
you see any of our other friends? Like the ones you mentioned? I know
about Welson and stay in touch with Tecson. What about Chris and Joe
and
their families... Are they well? Do you keep up with them?
- Yes, Joe Fabregas is doing very well, serving God and lives in Malaysia. He attends our Every Nation Church in Malaysia. He is a businessman and has plans of moving to the U.S., Married w/kids
- Julius Fabregas is a pastor in Victory Christian Fellowship. He also heads a VCF ministry (TALENTS IN CHRIST)to actors and people in performing arts and media. He is married with kids
- Joe and Julius have been in VCF even before me and my wife joined the church.
- Chris Castillejo is based in the U.S. in Ventura California. He has been in the U.S. for more than 15 years. I know that he is active in his local church(I’m not sure if that is Jubillee Christian Fellowship). Chriss is still single
- I am in regular contact with these guys
How is Diane
Castillejo? What about Chris and Diane's Mother and Father?
Dian and her husband attend the church of Paul Chase south of Manila. I think that the parents of Chris also attend the same church.
Ricky and I
have seen each other here in the US several times over the years. How
is
he doing?
I haven’t seen Ricky for some time, but I get to talk to him every now and then. He is married.
When did you leave Christian Life?
Did you know Bobby Rebullida(I am not sure of the spelling) from
Christian Life? I will never forget how God used him in Bacolod, to
minister to a priest who had seen a vision of a man carrying a burgundy
Bible... It became a flourishing fellowship related to Christian Life
at
that time.
We left Christian Life when the church was turning to become Orthodox or Episcopalian Catholic. I don’t know the term, but they shifted into a denomination that is supposed to be a cross between catholic and Greek orthodox. We left when they started having liturgical masses once a month.
Bobby Rebulida (and a lot of others) left the church. Bobby started his own Christian church in Makati.
I have friends named Benny and Carmelita Langouan. They have started a
church in La Trinidad (close to Baguio) in connection with Paul Chase
and his ministries. Benny was his worship director for many years. Is
this the VCF fellowship you are a part of? I mean the same
organization...?
-I am not sure.
I would love to know about Jovie Galaraga, who was with the Foursquare
Denomination. I don't think you would know him, but he was a great man
of God with a good and honest heart. I had heard that he was publishing
some ministry magazines.
Yes, I know pastor Jovie Galaraga. In fact, he and his family have joined VCF 7 years ago. I think pastor Jovie works with us full time, I’m not sure if this is in VCF or in Every Nation .
Do you hear or see much of Eddie Villanueva? Does he and the churches
he
directed still stand in the truth?
I know that Eddie Villanueva’s church JIL (Jesus is Lord) is still going strong and are doing okay. We have close relations with JIL as a church.
Wow, Emil! Thank you for this contact. Stay in touch and let us be
prayer partners to anything you are doing that is an assignment from
God. I am working in a large chemical company that has branches in
Philippines, China, and all over the world. I manage industrial safety
for the construction and maintenance of the plants they build. I speak
to hundreds of people each week, to motivate them to pay attention to
safety as they try to achieve production goals. God has blessed this
job
and I am doing well and growing both financially and in spiritual
influence... And it pays for all the areas of ministry that I am still
involved with.
That is so true, we are all ministers. Some are called to the 5 fold ministry, and some are called to minister in different areas of society.
God Bless You, your Wife and your Children.
We are your friends and partners,
And willing servants of Jesus Christ!
Ps. I am full of questions because I love all you guys and am so glad
to
hear good news about your life and family!
Phil and Beth Strickland
What church and what company are you connected with?
God bless you guys
Emil & Crickette Abello

Emil,
Yes I do. Thanks for the reminder.

Yes, my wife Beth and I worked for KCM and lived in the Avalon apartments not too far from you and the Castillejo family.

I am so proud to hear from you and to know you are going on with God. Do you see any of our other friends? Like the ones you mentioned? I know about Welson and stay in touch with Tecson. What about Chris and Joe and their families... Are they well? Do you keep up with them? How is Diane Castillejo? What about Chris and Diane's Mother and Father? Ricky and I have seen each other here in the US several times over the years. How is he doing?

When did you leave Christian Life?

Did you know Bobby Rebullida(I am not sure of the spelling) from Christian Life? I will never forget how God used him in Bacolod, to minister to a priest who had seen a vision of a man carrying a burgundy Bible... It became a flourishing fellowship related to Christian Life at that time.

I have friends named Benny and Carmelita Langouan. They have started a church in La Trinidad (close to Baguio) in connection with Paul Chase and his ministries. Benny was his worship director for many years. Is this the VCF fellowship you are a part of? I mean the same organization...?

I would love to know about Jovie Galaraga, who was with the Foursquare Denomination. I don't think you would know him, but he was a great man of God with a good and honest heart. I had heard that he was publishing some ministry magazines.

Do you hear or see much of Eddie Villanueva? Does he and the churches he directed still stand in the truth? His church was running 8,000 when I preached there. I've heard 50, 000 now.

Wow, Emil! Thank you for this contact. Stay in touch. I am working in a large chemical company that has branches in Philippines, China, and all over the world. I manage industrial safety for the construction and maintenance of the plants they build. I speak to hundreds of people each week, to motivate them to pay attention to safety as they try to achieve production goals. God has blessed this job and I am doing well and growing both financially and in spiritual influence... And it pays for all the areas of ministry that I am still involved with.

God Bless You, your Wife and your Children.

Phil,

This is Emil Abello from Manila. Do you still
remember me. Tecson Chua said that he was in
contact
with you. How are you? What have you been up to.
Are you still in full time ministry.
Emil


Emil,
Thanks for contacting me.
It has been almost 25 years since I was there.
Could you help me out with some details of how I
know you?
I would appreciate it, if you don't mind.

Where did we meet?
What were you doing at that time?
What fellowship/church were you connected to?

Who are some of our other mutual friends?
Are you still in contact with any more of them or
only with Tecson Chua?

Sometime ago I was in Aruba, just off the northern
coast of Venezuela,
and I met a Filipino brother working there who was a
member of JIL,
Brother Eddie Villanueva's church.

What are you doing now, Emil?
I hope that you are continuing to serve the Lord?
When we came to Manila, Beth and I had been married
for only 3 years...
Now we have just passed our 29th anniversary.
I am 50 years old and I weigh a lot mote than I did
back then.
My two daughters are grown, and beautiful like their
mother.
They are both serving God in strong churches in the
Houston, Texas area.
The eldest of the two is married to a good man and
has given me two
handsome grandsons.
The younger of the two is called into missions and
is preparing herself
to be able to pay her own way and travel the world
as a minister and
servant of Christ.

I am preaching and teaching in my home church, which
is in a fast
growing coastal area, southwest of Houston. I get
invited out to hold
special meetings for youth and missions all over
this region.
I am more in love with Jesus than ever before.
He himself is the greatest gift and promise that
heaven has ever had to
offer.

Finally , in recent months, I have been involved in
Ministry to Muslims.
I am building a prayer network to encourage
believers everywhere to not
be influenced by the media to hate Muslims, but to
love them and give
them justice and for those who hate us... To bless
those who hate you
and pray for those who persecute you and who think
that they are doing
God a favor if they kill you. Pray, and then do
individual acts of
kindness for the ones you meet.

Please refresh and renew my memory and stay in
contact with me. It is a
great pleasure for me to hear from you. God bless
you, your family and
any effort you are making in His Name!

Your friend in Christ,

Phil Strickland

Overcoming Depression and Grief

Just a quick note to remind you...
When you are feeling like nothing is working like it should;
And the prayers you prayed to change them
Didn't feel particularly anointed;
It is time to begin to talk!
Not to others, but to your own soul.
Ask your soul, "What is your problem?"
Tell your soul to quiet down and listen!
" I serve the God of Abraham!"

What does that mean?
The God who led Abraham and kept his promise to Abraham,
Even though there was no book to read or map to follow.
"I serve the God of Isaac."
God kept his promise to Isaac,
Even though he Isaac was not as bold and forceful as his father had been.
"I serve the God of Jacob."
He kept his word to Jacob...
Even though he couldn't because,
Jacob was not the firstborn son.
Jacob was not his father's favorite.
Jacob was not as strong as strong as the brother who was.
Jacob was a weasel and a cheat.
And somehow, by letting Jacob be the victim
Of the same kind of schemes he pulled on others,
God changed Jacob from a schemer to a Man of Trust
And a praying man who prevails over his circumstances,
And a Prince with God, named Israel!
Wow!
Now, memorize this passage from Hebrews 13.7,8.
"Never forget the leaders,
Who first spoke to you the Word of God.
Remember how they lived and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is always the same (to you, as he was to them)
Yesterday, today, and for ever."

Then, remind your own soul of all the times
That things seemed dire, dark and,
That you felt completely alone.
And you prayed then and God came through.
Walk through it all again in your mind,
And quietly give thanks.

Thank you, Lord!
Thank you for what you did.
Thank you for bringing me through.
Thank you for breaking the sin habits
That used to seem would never be broken.
Wow. Wow. Amazing!
I worship you for who that situation in my life revealed you to be.

Now, remember and worship His Name.
He told Moses, "I Am."
Tell them "I Am" sent me.
Because, if that is who He was,
That is Who He still Am (Is)!

Now go do what you must today.
Praising God each step of the way.
Knowing he will see you through;
So live your faith in all you do.

Praise... the... Lord!

Stand For, Fight For, and Pray for Harmony

Last night, I was teaching a good sized group of Texas Christian people about the power and spiritual desirablilty of being in one accord. Or you could say, being in unity, or harmony.
Jesus thought it was so important for believers to BE BEING in unity, or in accord, that he said in Matt. 5 to stop all spiritual activity if you remember while you are doing it that your brother or sister in Christ has any grudge against you, no matter how small you see it.
You know what we American Christian's do? We say, "If you have a problem with me, that is your problem, not mine."
You had better get back in the Word of God, since you WILL give account of such thoughts and actions to the Lord.
Besides that, wouldn't you rather grow by obeying? Or grow even more, to be right and know you are right, and accept being wronged, for conscience' sake? This is an acceptable sacrifice of love in the eyes of God, who did that for you. If he had not, there would be no salvation.
As Jesus put it in Matthew 18. 19, 20 if two or three agree, I am the source of that agreement and your desires are on the right track.
Here is a desire on the right track. What if we all began to 'agree' that we Americans can be found in Jesus' description of the Laodicean Church described in Revelation 3. Then we might 'agree' that we want what he said they should want, for him to give us spiritual gold, refined in the fire; white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness (like our childish grudges and attitudes), and salve to put on our eyes, so that we can really see.
Every choice we make to relax and not take things so seriously at this point, has major consequences for our churches, our children our future and our country.
I call us all to remember the words of the hymn, "Rise Up O Men of God."
Rise up o men of God,
Have done with lesser things,
Give heart and soul and mind and strength,
To serve the King of kings!

And from the Lord of the Rings...
"Hold your ground-hold your ground! Sons of Gondor-of Rohan, mybrothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
The day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bands of fellowship-but it is not this day!
An hour of wolves and shattered shields,
when the Age of Man comes crashing down-but it is not this day!

This day we fight!

By all that you hold dear in this good earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West! "
Men, Women, Young, and Not so Young!

All of us, we can humble ourselves more than ever and stand together no matter what. On top of that we can stir ourselves to action now, so that we are found ready when the times come that try men's souls.