“. . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31) We are endeavoring to continue to be faithful to the Word of God in our ministries at International Baptist Church of Dumaguete City.
August began our college’s academic year. We have started with our largest student body to date, 24 students all coming from within IBC.
I have enjoyed getting to know the freshmen, as I teach them for the first time, and the seniors, who are heading into their fourth and last year before graduation. In two months, I personally taught five classes. The first week was spent getting all of our students oriented to our college “culture,” while also teaching an interesting and encouraging class on angels. I taught our freshmen a week of classes focused on basic doctrines and personal standards. I also taught two weeks on the books of Nehemiah and Malachi. I have enjoyed observing the personal growth in our students as they continue to intensely study the Word of God, while also being busy in reaching souls in our city.
A lot of energy and preparation went into our annual Missions Conference, held September 24–28. Our theme this year was, “Open My Eyes; Break My Heart; Use My Life.” We enjoyed our guest preacher, Missionary Eddie Galyean, as well as six visiting Filipino missionary families, serving in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The preaching and presentations were informative and convicting, with many important decisions being made, including those yielding to attend Bible college and giving themselves to be preachers and missionaries.
God has been blessing our efforts in soul winning this year, with records of 5,950 saved, 443 public professions of faith, and 154 baptisms as of October 1. Our church-planting effort in the nearby town of Dauin, led by our graduate Bro. Nelson Duran, continues to make progress. In one year, Bro. Nelson has personally won over 300 souls, trained many of them to be soul winners, and brought a group to attend our Missions Conference.
Sadly, one of our teens, who attended regularly in the past, had a tragic motorcycle accident. He spent about two months in the ICU and has gone home without regaining consciousness. Please pray for God to bring eternal good out of a tragedy.
On the home front, we welcomed a new grandchild, Ryan Andrew, born to Caleb and Emily Christiansen, missionaries to Nigeria, on October 7. That makes Grandchild #23, and I am a blessed grandpa!
Thank you for your consistent prayers and support. Often, we can sense that God blesses our work here because of your prayers. Have a great and fruitful fall season as you serve the Lord!
Your co-laborer,
Scott Christiansen
-
- A full church during our annual Missions Conference
-
- Newborn Ryan with his sisters
-
- 2025 – 2026 Opening Day with 24 students
