Expanding the Reach of CCI Philippines

Dear Ministry Partners,

We praise God for the expanding reach of CCI Philippines, which now serves more than 3,000 students in 40 provinces across the nation. In September, nine new classes were launched with 69 students who are eager to be equipped for effective ministry. This growth reflects the faithfulness of God and the commitment of pastors and leaders who desire to be trained and to train others.

Our team also conducted four Teacher Training Workshops (TTWs), empowering 19 participants to become future teachers who will multiply the ministry in their own churches and communities. These workshops are vital to the mission of CCI, equipping leaders who will, in turn, equip others.

To strengthen the work, our staff in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered to strategize, pray, and plan for future expansion. This intentional collaboration ensures that the ministry continues to grow in both depth and reach, raising up more servant leaders to build Christ-centered churches throughout the Philippines.

We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and generous support. Your partnership makes it possible to train leaders who will impact their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, we are advancing the mission and multiplying ministry across the Philippines and beyond. Thank you for standing with us as we equip God’s people for His glory.

May God bless you,

Henry and Cora Ventura

CCI Philippines National Director

New Classes

In September, we witnessed the Lord’s hand at work as new classes were launched and new leaders stepped forward to help expand the ministry of CCI across the Philippines.

I traveled to New Life Community of Christ in Cabanatuan City to give an orientation for a new CCI class with 21 students. During the visit, I distributed books, socks, and shirts, and encouraged the students to study diligently, not just for their personal growth, but to be equipped to teach others. I also urged them to support CCI through prayer and financial partnership.

Dr. Gil Mata recommended Celso Dedace to serve as an Area Coordinator (AC) for Nueva Ecija. I encouraged them to form a small team of two or three teachers to oversee and expand the ministry of CCI in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces.

Pastor Jero Salem launched a new class in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, with 12 students eager to be trained.

Pastor Danny Ansag began a class in Dumalag, Capiz, with six students, under the guidance of Pastor Nonie Riconalla.

In total, nine new classes were started in September, welcoming 69 new students who are excited to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word and prepare to train others.

Each of these new classes represents future multipliers—leaders who will bring the gospel deeper into their communities and raise up more disciples for Christ.

The new class in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental

The new class in Dumalag, Capiz 

New Church

Pastor Patricio Leal Jr., one of Pastor Eloi’s students in Iloilo, planted a new church at Barangay Tarong, Carles, Iloilo. They are praying for their needs at the church, including a guitar and sound system.  

Training

We held four Teacher Training Workshops (TTWs) in September: two in Cagayan de Oro, one in Cebu City, and one online. We had a total of 19 participants, including a Samoan couple who are currently staying in the Philippines. Please pray that these TTWs will result in the opening of new classes.

TTW held in Cebu City

TTW held Online

Staff Update

To ensure the continued growth and expansion of the ministry, I strongly urged our coordinators to work together as teams in their respective regions. This collaborative approach is already bearing fruit as leaders pray, plan, and serve together with a shared vision for multiplication.

Luzon: The Luzon team has been consistently meeting online every month to pray and plan together, fostering unity and strategic coordination.

Zamboanga del Sur: Pastor Petrush gathered CCI teachers in Pagadian to discuss and plan how to expand the ministry throughout the province.

Camarines Norte: Pastor Marlon Bermas formed a team of teachers and ministry partners to help expand the work in the region. The team includes Pastor Marlon and his wife Judylen, Pastor Kim Elroy Concina and his wife Jhosa, Pastor Elmo Quilas and his wife Jasmine, Pastor Christopher Gandol and his wife Editha, and Brothers Jeric Gandol and Nimar Talento.

Cebu: Pastor Melvin traveled to Cebu City to fellowship and pray with Pastor Minguito and his family. This visit was a time of encouragement and planning for the continued growth of the ministry in Cebu.

Mindanao: Pastor Mabano is organizing an online fellowship and prayer meeting for the Mindanao team every first Tuesday of the month, strengthening spiritual unity and collaboration.

Dick Persons and I have also prepared the CCI Philippines Budget for 2026, ensuring that the ministry is positioned for continued growth and effectiveness. Through these coordinated efforts, our teams across the Philippines are uniting their hearts and hands to expand the reach of CCI, train more leaders, and impact more communities with the gospel of Christ.

Pastor Petrush in Zamboanga del Sur

Pastor Marlon Bermas in Camarines Norte

Testimony

Jordan Pelaleng, CCI Student Studying Book #7

Pastor Jordan is a member of the Tagoloanon tribe, and his wife is Higaonon. They and their two children live in Sumilao, Bukidnon, but started doing mission work in a tribal area called Alangilan in March 2018. They are doing this on their own, without a sending church. Jordan works at a company in town to earn a living and does mission work on weekends.

Jordan hikes through four kilometers of mountain trails until he reaches a river, which he must cross using a bamboo raft, provided the river is not too swollen. 

They baptized five people this year. There are 18 households in the community where he ministers, and 80% of them are now converts, almost 40 people. About 22 of these believers meet on Sundays. These are “lumad,” or “native,” or “indigenous people.”

He told me that CCI training has given him confidence in the ministry and taught him to focus on teaching biblical and Christ-centered lessons, rather than his own ideas. 

Please pray that the Lord will provide them with the funds to construct a church building and parsonage, with a total cost of about 50,000 pesos or 1,000 dollars. They also need materials for the children’s ministry. Below are some photos of Jordan and the people he ministers to.

Crossing Cultures International

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