Here at Happy Church we have Outreach Groups ( community Bible Studies). They are held in barangay’s (neighborhood’s) all around the city and also in mountain areas. Originally they started outreaches because people could not always afford transportation into the main church. Today we still have these outreaches in place.
Several years ago, through a series of tragedies, the Lord put it in our hearts to start a Bible study and that one Bible Study has led to two more. Below I will share about them.
We had been praying for sometime about starting a bible study for young couples. Marriage is never perfect or easy and relationships are equally as difficult. We are blessed to have three very strong couples that are part of the Parents Squad, we met with them and shared some criteria for ministering to couples. They share scripture and a devotional that are specific to marriages and relationships. A few months back one of the husbands approached me and thanked me for being obedient in starting the couples ministry, he said,”this truly saved our marriage”. We have seen great things happening in this group, especially teaching them that Christ must be the center of our lives in order to be the center of our marriages.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
– Ephesians 4:2
Parents Bible Study
When the Tweens began meeting on Sunday evenings there was a big group of parents that waited in the church parking area. One Sunday I stopped and ask if they would like to have a bible study together? I said I will share some materials and help you find a leader! They were quick to tell me that they had been praying for this very thing ,and I should be the leader! So here we are two years later with a great group of parents who are hungry to hear and share Gods Word. Some weeks we share the same verse as the Tweens in hopes that this will open good communication in the home. Raising children in this world today truly takes a village. This group quickly has become a group of friends doing life together! Every Sunday after bible study they bring their food and eat dinner together. We have really grown to realize how important obedience to God is. They are a village to one another and are also reaching out to others in the church, like our seniors that can no longer come to church. We love doing life with the “Parent Squad”.
Tweens Bible Study
The Lord put it in our heart’s that this age (11-15) were really at risk. Influenced by the world primarily because of social media. Yes this is a third world country, but these young people have access just like the rest of the world. The Lord had raised up 5 leaders specifically for these kids. They meet every Sunday evening, worship together and then break out into small groups based on age and sex. They discuss topics that apply to “real life issues” lined up with a scripture. They are challenged to follow Jesus and not look to the world for answers. As they began to trust and share in their groups, we quickly realized , this was a huge need in the ministry here. There are 45-50 that attend every week. We have seen great friendships formed and lives changed as these young ones navigate this journey to becoming teenagers.
