Report by Pr Cornelius Koshy
About a year ago, Rev. Reggor shared with me his desire for a team of youths from Singapore to encourage the youths in the Philippine churches so that through the fellowship around God’s Word and the godly example of youths from Singapore, the second generation of Christians in the Philippines would be strengthened and stirred to be steadfast in the faith (Colossians 2:6–7).
Indeed, there is great benefit in having God-fearing young men and women, whose words and conduct bear testimony to a living faith and joyful service for Christ, to be role models for youths who often learn by example and look up to older brothers and sisters in church (Titus 2:6–8).
When I shared with the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship concerning the outreach to the Filipino youths, thirteen responded, and I thank God for them! God willing, more will share in this ministry of encouragement through future youth mission trips. We are also thankful to the Board of Elders for their prayers, and the support of a $1,000 love gift from the Mission Support Fund. Praise the LORD!
From the outset, I reminded the team that we were to be mission-minded. Though we are young (1 Timothy 4:12), God who “is able to do exceeding abundantly” will use us in special ways, “above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). We were to endeavour to be a blessing to the brethren. Dns Diana and I divided the various responsibilities so that every member of the team had an area to serve (Ephesians 4:7, 16). Preparation then began in earnest. To the praise of God, every participant served faithfully and with excellence.
The highlight of the trip was the combined youth retreat, attended by 86 participants, including about 40 youths from Cebu, Bohol, Bogo, San Antonio and Singapore. Five messages were preached on the theme, Forgiven to Forgive, together with two workshops on The Biblical Response to LGBTQ Issues and Managing Disappointment and Rejection. Besides the retreat, we joined the brethren for the Midweek Prayer Meeting, the Lord’s Day worship service, and also served in the Junior Worship and children’s outreach held at Sis. Ophelia’s home.
A week after the trip, Rev. Reggor sent us this encouraging message:
“Maayong Buntag (Good morning) Pr Cornelius, trust that everyone in the mission team has rested well after the 5-day ministry here in Cebu. The brethren here, especially the youths, are still talking about their experience during the retreat, particularly the lessons learned from God’s Word and fellowship. We had our prayer meeting last night and every one’s sharing their thanksgiving for the combined retreat and the mission team’s coming. Praise God!”
The following are brief reports of our daily activities, written by members of the mission team:
Wednesday, 24 June 2026 (by Titus Lim)
Upon our safe arrival at Mactan airport, Rev. Reggor and many brethren warmly welcomed us. That evening, the Cebu youths hosted us for an authentic Filipino dinner.
At the Midweek Prayer Meeting, the mission team presented a hymn, and Sis. Grace Ho testified of God’s faithfulness in preserving her and Bro. Titus Ho through a motorbike accident in December 2025, and of God’s sustaining grace upon Pr Kee How during his four-month ordeal following a brain haemorrhage and ongoing hydrocephalus.
Pr Cornelius then preached from 2 John 1:7–11 on the dangers of going back to the old ways, going beyond the limits set by God’s holy standards, and going with worldly people. The prayer meeting ended with prayers in small groups.
Thursday, 25 June 2026 (by Ruben Skariah)
We thank God for the safe journey to Carcar Eco Resort for the start of the combined youth retreat. After enjoying lunch together, Pr Cornelius began the opening message on the theme, Forgiven to Forgive. In the afternoon, Bro. Marcus, Ruben and Nathan organised games that helped everyone get to know one another better. The joy and laughter shared during these activities created a warm and encouraging atmosphere for the rest of the retreat.
Before the evening message, we had a special singing segment entitled “Meditations in Song”, where the chairman read out some lines to prepare the congregation to understand the lyrics in their biblical context, and then the congregation responded in song. At some stanzas, members of the mission team sang solos and duets, while at other times the whole congregation joined in to lift our voices to the Lord.
Friday, 26 June 2026 (by Nathan Resuma)
After breakfast, the Lord blessed us through Pastor Reggor’s morning devotion on the uncompromising stand of Daniel from Daniel 1:8. After Pr Cornelius’ third theme message, we had an interactive youth activity for buddies to learn more about one another. This was followed by the first workshop on The Biblical Response to LGBTQ Issues.
After lunch, we boarded the buses for an outing. At Estino Milk Station, some enjoyed ice cream made from fresh milk while others tried horse riding. At Mantayupan Falls, a group of daring youths went on a wooden raft under the waterfall! Most of us were content to dip our feet in the cool waters. We returned safely to Carcar Eco Resort for dinner and the night programme. The day ended with a time of prayer in pairs for various items and for one another before being dismissed to rest in our rooms.
Saturday, 27 June 2026 (by Jeremy Cheah)
The day began with a devotion by Bro. Johnny Rey from 1 John 2:15, reminding us not to love the world. He preached in English mixed with Cebuano, so that some of the youths who struggled with English could follow along! After the concluding message of the theme, and the second workshop on Managing Disappointment and Rejection, we shared a final lunch together with lechon! We thank God for all the fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Many were grateful for the new Christian friendships forged as well as old friendships rekindled.
At night, we gathered together with our Cebu youths for a dinner at Jollibee (a must-try in the Philippines)! Thereafter, some of us tried balut – a delicacy indeed! Thank God for keeping us safe, blessing us with journey mercies, and a wonderful time with our friends from Cebu.
Sunday, 28 June 2026
On the Lord’s Day, God’s Word from 2 Kings 5:20–27 warned us that if we run greedily into riches, we run certainly into ruin! We were exhorted once again on the dangers of covetousness and the blessings of contentment. Many in the team attended to the children at Junior Worship, teaching them lessons from the life of Ruth. After a sumptuous lunch fellowship, the team taught about 40 children the lessons from the global flood and Noah’s Ark at the children’s outreach, with the help of Bro. Clate, Julius and Johnny as interpreters.
Looking back, we give all glory to God for His goodness throughout this mission trip. While we went with the desire to encourage the brethren in the Philippines, we returned convinced that we ourselves had received far more than we had given. The warm Christian fellowship, the joyful spirit of service, the evident work of God among the brethren, and the opportunity to labour together in the Gospel were a rich encouragement to our own hearts. As we sought to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24), the Lord used the fellowship of His people to strengthen us all alike. We also witnessed the truth of Paul’s words: “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (1 Thessalonians 3:9).
May the Lord establish our youths in the faith, raise up more labourers for His harvest, and grant that future youth mission trips may likewise be used to strengthen His people and glorify His great name.
