In 2011, CMC has continued to grow in terms of membership, area coverage and churches planted:
1. We now have a total membership of 4395 Pastors in our networks from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao..
2. Twenty eight (28) new networks were added to our movement bringing the total number of CMC Networks to 293
3. We have opened networks in six (6) new provinces bringing our presence in 64% of the provinces.
4. Two hundred thirty one (231) new churches were planted this year bringing the total number of churches planted since CMC was started (2007-2011) to 1422.
It is interesting to know that based on the report of PCEC (Phil. Council of Evangelical Churches), 3,000 new churches were planted in villages that used to have no church over the last 5 years.
Having planted 1422 new churches under the church planting movement plus 219 new churches in our evangelistic campaign (for a total of 1641 new churches), we can safely say that CMC have made substantial contribution to the church planting effort in the Philippines.
This becomes more interesting if we consider that there are over 60,000 Pastors in the Philippines. With only 4395 Pastors in our networks, we in CMC only represent 7% of the total number of Pastors in the country yet we have contributed substantially to the church planting effort in un-churched villages over the last 5 years.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
CMC have also grown in many ways this year.
1. PCEC Membership
We have been formally inducted as a member of PCEC (Philippine Evangelical Churches of the Philippines), the umbrella organization of all evangelical churches in the nation. Our membership in this organization will give us access to all mainline and independent churches and will also help our movement in many ways.
2. New Networks
We are also continuing to link arms with like-minded ministries recognizing the exponential power of unity. In addition to our existing partnership with CPI (Church Planting Institute), Aglow International, Bible League and other ministries, we have also formalized our partnership with MBM (Micro Business Mentors), One Hope International, LAMP (Love Asia Missions Partner) and E3 (Equip, Evangelize, Establish).
MBM is a Christian organization that seeks to bring economic transformation in poor villages by training the people to become responsible entrepreneurs and granting interest free micro-loans.
One Hope (used to be Book of Hope) is distributing reading and other materials to transform the minds and life of the youth through the book they are giving and small group discussions.
LAMP seeks to mobilize missionaries and nationals to work together to bring the whole of Asia to Jesus.
E3 are helping churches and leaders to Evangelize their nation, Establish Christians and churches and Equip them for evangelism and church planting.
3. CMC Asia
Last year (2010), in partnership with CMC International and Love Asia Missions Partners, we started our plan to extend CMC to other Asian nations with a consultation meeting with some key leaders in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. We did a follow up visit this year and during this visit we have started 5 CMC Networks in Vietnam, 4 Networks in Cambodia and have set up a CMC Advisory Council in Thailand. We have also helped a partner ministry, E3 in establishing over 30 Pastors network in India.
During its development stage, the CMC of these nations needs our help. We will devote some of our time in the coming years to empower them. You can also help us in any of the following:
- Participate or bring crusade teams (to some nations who are open to this type of ministry) and work with local CMC networks to plant churches.
- Conduct trainings or seminars on evangelism and church planting or hold conferences to talk about and reinforce the 5 Pillars of CMC namely: Vision, Unity, Discipleship, Stewardship and Servant Leadership.
- Financial help in our travels to these nations, bibles for new believers and roofing subsidy for new churches. Platforms such as feeding program, water wells and the like are also needed as an important component to gain entry and plant a church in some villages. You can also help financially in this area.
We will continue to expand our work in Asia. We will be going to Malaysia and Indonesia February of next year and from there proceeds to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
4. Expansion of Scope
As we seek to forcefully advance God’s Kingdom, we realize that we cannot just confine the work of CMC to planting village churches. Some who believe in the vision and goals of CMC have jumped the fence and started planting churches in non-traditional locations. Churches were planted in ships, prison house, and even in Muslim homes.
- Four (4) Churches were planted in ships with the Ship Captain leading the group as Pastors
- At least 2 Churches were started in prisons. A Discipleship program is also conducted to prepare the inmates to become church planters when they are released from prison. At least 2 churches have been planted by released inmates.
- Ten (10) house churches are going on in Muslim communities.
Because of this expansion in scope, we are changing the Vision of CMC from “A Church in Every Village” to “A Church in Every Community” with community defined as a group of people in any location who have decided to study the Bible and Worship the Lord together at least once a week.
Once more thank you for our Partnership. I am looking forward to working with you again in 2012 and even in the years to come. Let us continue to work together to forcefully advance Gods Kingdom through evangelism and church planting. God bless you all.
Jill Boyonas