Shofar Mission

NEWS UPDATE

APRIL 2021 Greetings!

It has been a long while since we have been able to fellowship as brothers and sisters in the Lord. COVID-19 has changed the world and has forced a distance between us that is measured in more than just kilometers. The unity that Shofar Mission has strived to achieve is a loving fellowship between believers that goes beyond denomination or church affiliations. We are anxious “to get back to it!” We know that God is fully in control, and through these difficult days we have sought to acquire the understanding and lessons that God desires to teach us as His children. At Shofar Mission, we are currently planning and preparing for that eventual “open door” of ministry and discipleship that will soon return to us. All of you are our partners in this pursuit of God’s kingdom glory! Shofar Cable TV We are preparing for a return to MINISTRY TRAINING INSTITUTE classes with the first and second classes (Part 1 and Part 2) being “SPIRITUAL We are pleased to announce the expansion of our STRATEGIES—A MANUAL FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE.” cable TV broadcasting to viewers throughout This is an issue that is so needed in our world western Cebu Island! Shofar TV is now available on channel 46 for all Toledo Cable TV subscribers in today! Often as believers, we are unaware of , , Pinamungahan, Toledo City, Satan’s methods against us, how to recognize Lutopan, and . spiritual warfare, and what to do when we are Our 24/7 broadcasting includes a variety of biblical called to battle! teachings by pastors from the and We are also making plans for youth leadership around the world, children’s programming, science, history, movies, and more. To view a sample of our summits and university campus retreats, as we programming and a daily lineup, please visit want to come alongside your individual church shofarmissions.com/cabletv. fellowships to strengthen and equip each of you to Viewers throughout can watch Shofar minister more effectively. TV on Cebu Cable channel 187. For those in We miss all of you and look forward to reengaging Balamban and Asturias, tune in on ATD Community Cable Vision Inc. channel 37. our friendships and fellowship, and hearing about all that God is doing in your churches! God bless… Pastors and church leaders, invite our viewers to you are in our prayers, and we are sure we will see attend your church! If you would like Shofar TV to feature your church on our station, please send us you all soon! your meeting times for weekly worship, location, and contact information. Please contact our office to submit your information or scan the QR code to Pastor Tim Dodson fill up the form here: Director, Shofar Missions Philippines How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

ISAIAH 52:7

Toledo Cable TV Staff with Shofar TV Staff, March 2021

WHAT OUR VIEWERS SAY

“Blessed day... “Me and my wife are “I’m very glad that I’m always watching now viewing your Shofar TV is now Shofar on programs. Thank you available on Toledo Cebu Cable.” very much for the Cable. God bless.” enlightening prsentations for who God is...we like the Cebu Cable Viewer, Bible Study every 5pm. Jenson, Toledo Cable TV City Glod bless to your Viewer ministry.”

Toledo Cable TV Viewer Street Level what it says. We are not a church, and we do not seek to replace the church in students’ lives. Our aim is to provide a community where college Campus Ministries students can find true friendships rooted in Christ’s uniting love, give opportunities for students to Some of the most formative years in a person’s life serve and engage with their campus and are their late teens and early twenties. ’It s a community, and equip them to be healthy disciples transition unlike any other—where one must in their local churches. decide to set their childhood down and stand up to face adulthood. Add to it the pressures of family, friends, and trends—who can possibly survive it? WEEKLY BIBLE Thankfully, Jesus didn’t leave us to figure it out on DISCUSSIONS our own. It has been over a year since we all gathered in Street Level Ministries exists to help students in person at the Street Level Ministries Headquarters their journey of navigating college, work, and for a free dinner and Bible discussion. However, the adulthood—all while putting Jesus and His Kingdom pandemic hasn’t stopped us from growing as first. We believe the purpose of life is to follow disciples. Every Friday night, we gather on Google Jesus—and it doesn’t begin after college! Our goal Meet, open the Bible, and discuss it. In fact, we’ve is being Christians with our life and commitments— even been able to fellowship with friends from SLM doing tangible things that grow our faith and make branches in the USA! Truly, the Kingdom of God a direct impact on the Kingdom of God. knows no borders! College students and recent graduates are All college students and recent graduates are welcome to join our weekly meetings where we welcome to join us on Fridays at 6:30pm on Google discuss the Bible and how to practically live out Meet [meet.google.com/nmi-nvif-wvh].

WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE Volunteering for WOTS Magazine is one way that SLM members can put their time, talents, and abilities toward the work of God. Our team is spread across five cities in the Philippines, yet we’ve stayed connected online to keep producing thought-provoking content. In January, we printed the most magazines we’ve ever printed—1,500 copies—and distributed them throughout the Visayas. Students at the University of the Visayas can get a free copy at the Accounting Department on campus in Compostela, Danao, Pardo, , , Toledo, and Main. In April, we joined WOTS USA for a Phygital Writing Workshop. To find out how to get involved, message @wotsphilippines or text 0928.430.5307. Read online at readwots.com.

STREET LEVEL RADIO Another way for SLM members to participate in God’s mission is by volunteering for Street Level Radio, our online college radio station. Students can learn how to produce content, host live shows, and use radio broadcasting to reach students with the gospel. We broadcast globally at streetlevelradio.com and on the SLR App for Android (available in the Google Play Store). We also have local Wi-Fi networks in where listeners can stream for free—at the SLM Headquarters, Teofel Hostel, Roadside Café, and the University of the Visayas—Main Campus. Listen 24/7 for Christian, Pinoy, and Indie music, biblical teachings, local events, and more.

OUTREACH In March, we set up our booth outside of Knockbucks Café in Toledo City and gave away free coffee drinks to UV students! We are planning to host more events and meetings in Toledo this year. If you are a college student or recent graduate and want to join our branch of SLM in Toledo, message @streetlevelministriescebu to get connected.

Photos from Top to Bottom 1 - Guests from SLM USA join us for a Friday meeting 2 - WOTS Magazines at UV-Main Campus 3 - Street Level Radio volunteers meet with Burning Dog Radio volunteers in the USA 4 - SLM Coffee Giveaway at Knockbucks Café in Toledo City Exploring Creation Science

In a world with technology at our fingertips and Google just a few clicks or taps away, many students look to online resources for the answers 4-6 and 7-12. Daily Bible reading is an important to their questions: “How did I get here? Did time set aside each day to spend with God. These someone create me? Isn’t the Bible outdated? It’s are available for download in our Virtual Library at cool to say I don’t believe in anything and that I’m shofarmissions.com/creationscience. In February, an atheist in science class, right?” we also added Daily Bible Reading Plans for school With these questions and more, we embraced the staff and teachers to use. If you need access to the unique school year and got to work despite the reading plans specifically for staff, please message pandemic. Opportunities were given to provide @shofarcreationscience or text 0928.430.5307 for both digital and print lessons for students. Though login credentials. the format changed, the mission stayed the same. Ultimately, the goal of our unique curriculum is to After all, the Bible remains the— same pandemic give evidence to students that science supports or not. creation. Virtual lessons are available two days per While we teach Scripture in our lessons, we believe week for students in Grades 4-6 and one day it is important for students to understand why they per week for students in Grades 7-12. Private believe what they believe (and not just take our lessons for specific classes are available using word for it). Last July, Exploring Creation Science Google Meet or Zoom. Each lesson includes video started Daily Bible Readings for students in Grades teaching, Scripture, lecture, and experiments. COMING SOON... At the end of May, we will finish a four-part series, “All About Animals.” This series deals specifically with God’s special design in the genetics of birds, chickens, pigs, and insects. Students in Grades 7-12 will take an in-depth look at ecosystems around the world. During the month of May, we will also teach separate special lessons for students in grades 6 and 12 which deal specifically with beliefs as they move up or graduate. Many students fail to realize their beliefs will be challenged as they move up, so these lessons equip them to give a reason for their faith and belief in science and the Bible. Starting in June, lessons will be all about examining the evidence to see God’s creative handiwork through fingerprints, DNA hair samples, and handwriting. Every human has a unique set of fingerprints, DNA, and handwriting. There may be similarities, but none are identical. Join us as we examine the evidence and see how God specially created each and every human being.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh- and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. EPHESIANS 6:11-18

Photos from Top to Bottom 1 - New series starting in June 2 - Zoom lesson for students at Nazarene Christian Learning Center, Banawa, Cebu City 3 - Students watch an experiment to create fog 4 - Printed Explore booklets for modular learning BRANCHES

MINISTRY TRAINING hofar Mission is located in the queen city of the south—Cebu City. We have INSTITUTE been established and working in the Philippines for more than a decade. God shofarmissions.com/traninginstitute has given us a love for Cebu and has opened the doors for us to find friends and ministry partners all over the island. This provides us a network of unique ministries

with which to work together to see God glorified throughout the Visayas. UNIVERSITY Street Level Ministries Currently, in the city, we work with university students through our campus organization Street Level Ministries. Students are able to participate in God's mission streetlevelministries.com/cebu at their university by volunteering for Word on the Street Magazine (our global facebook.com/streetlevelministriescebu college magazine) or Street Level Radio (our online college radio station). We also [email protected] teach science from a creation perspective to primary and secondary students Word on the Street Magazine through Exploring Creation Science. readwots.com/philippines Throughout the Visayas, we have established a Ministry Training Institute, which facebook.com/wotsphilippines provides biblical leadership training for pastors and church leaders. We also support [email protected] local youth groups through Shofar Youth Network, where youth can attend camps and conferences, request teaching materials, and apply for grants. Shofar Cable TV Street Level Radio broadcasts wholesome Christian programming in Eastern Cebu on Cebu Cable streetlevelradio.com (channel 187) and in Western Cebu on Toledo Cable TV (channel 46) and ATD facebook.com/streetlevelradio Community Cable (channel 37).

We are not your typical Western mission organization. We try very hard to break PRIMARY EDUCATION the stereotypes of the well-intentioned but often ill-prepared missionary work that is Exploring Creation Science sometimes represented in the world. We do this by intensive planning and training, as well as diligently seeking to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As such, shofarmissions.com/creationscience we hope for a unique and fresh move of God in the Philippines today. The bottom facebook.com/shofarcreationscience line is that we are in it for lasting fruit. [email protected]

YOUTH Contact Us Shofar Youth Network shofarmissions.com/youth CEBU CITY USA facebook.com/shofaryouthnetwork 201 K&J Building Believers City Church [email protected] J. Llorente St. 621 Wilson Ave. Cebu City, Cebu 6000 Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA 54751 BROADCASTING +63.928.430.5307 +1.715.235.4977 Shofar Cable TV shofarmissions.com/cabletv [email protected] [email protected] Cebu Cable—187; Toledo Cable—46; facebook.com/shofarmissions jfbelievers.com ATD Community Cable—37 shofarmissions.com