“The Word of God reminds us of something very simple yet very deep: we were never meant to walk alone.” With these words, Rev. Antonio Reyes, president of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), opened the first FORO in the Asia region on February 27. He continued, “The proclamation of Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins is too urgent for isolation.”
Other LCP members in attendance included South Luzon District President Rev. Henry Paul Roa, LCP business manager Mr. Jojo Fuliga, Mr. Leo Parotina, LCP treasurer, and Vicar Nelson Matencio. The Office of International Mission (OIM) in Asia was well represented by Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionaries: Managing Director Global Mission Operations and Interim Regional Director – Asia Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier, Rev. Dr. Walter Steele, Rev. Paul Nelson, Rev. Matthew Wood, Rev. Steve Mahlburg, and Mr. Matt Wasmund. The FORO opened with a brief prayer service, after which Nelson led the participants through discussion and dialogue related to the partnership between the LCP and LCMS. FOROs are designed to foster relationships between missionaries and partners, focusing on collaboration for the sake of sharing the Gospel, showing mercy, and planting Lutheran churches.
“In a world that values independence, the Church is called to interdependence,” shared Reyes at the beginning. Lutheran ministry in the Philippines began in 1949 and the LCP and LCMS have enjoyed many years of partnership. Despite this desire to collaborate, Reyes reminded the listeners that “in the end the Church’s mission is not about us working together; it is about Christ working through us together.” To this end, the FORO model incorporates five elements: ministry reporting, mission education, budget discussion, cultural experience, and worship.
On Saturday, the delegates traveled five hours northward to the mountainous highland province to visit Lutheran Theological Seminary in Baguio. There, Rev. Teodorico Taran, president of the seminary, warmly welcomed the group, flanked by seminary students and fellow professor Rev. Wilando Roa. After a campus tour and further ministry details, the participants gathered to discuss issues relevant to the seminary, including accreditation, property usage, raising up church workers, and developing theologians equipped for ministry in the Philippines. Afterwards, the group visited the construction site of the new LCP Lutheran Center in Baguio, a four-story multipurpose building that will provide over 35 guest rooms and total bed capacity of over 100, in addition to meeting and conference space, a kitchen, and room for a coffee shop on the ground floor.
On Sunday, the LCMS guests joined their LCP hosts for Divine Service at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in the middle of Baguio. St. Stephen was built by LCMS missionaries in 1964 and today continues to grow in its Word and Sacrament ministry. Before returning to Manila, FORO attendees witnessed aspects of a significant local cultural event. Baguio’s Panagbenga is a flower festival that celebrates the resilience of the people of the Benguet region who suffered a devastating earthquake in 1995. Thousands of visitors flock to the city for this annual event.
“It is an affirmation of the long-standing partnership that the LCP and LCMS have had,” stated Fuliga. “It’s a great opportunity, that, as this partnership grows, there are new avenues for us to work on together. That’s the beauty of this all. We are looking forward to growing the ministry through this new FORO.” At the close of the event, Rev. Paul Nelson remarked, “The tools we use to administer the gifts of God’s people for the work of His Church change with time, but the goals always remain the same – His glory in bringing the Good News of saving grace in Jesus Christ to more and more people.” By God’s grace, this partnership will be further strengthened for the expansion of God’s kingdom.
