On Easter Monday, 13 April 2009, Pastor David Rhodes left the United Kingdom and returned for a fourth time to the heat and humidity in the Philippines. Alonso Mantilla had put together another exciting and busy schedule; as he had done in 2005 and 2008. This trip involved the islands of Cebu and Leyte. The theme of the mission was ‘Moving in God’s Power and Revelation’ as in 2008. David spoke at seven different locations on this trip, which included four two day seminars. Alonso Mantilla also preached to the gathered leaders at the seminars
It was a frosty early morning as he caught a bus to Heathrow Airport and after a few hours he was flying off to Cebu via Hong Kong. On Tuesday he met Alonso as arranged at the Cebu Mactan Airport and was driven over to Cordova. David stayed there in the home of Pastor Mel Indoc; which was just across from where Alonso lived. This became the base for the mission where they returned to between seminars to repack and get ready for the next stage in mission.
Wednesday morning at 9am saw the first of nine straight days of ministry begin. In the seminars David spoke on how God will release ordinary people in power so the glory goes to the Lord. The Great Commission says all disciples should be taught to obey all Jesus’ commands; which include healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. As disciples then do this, the presence of God will be manifested in power. David said how Moses requested to see the glory of God and that God revealed as much of his glory as Moses could handle. Even today God is still willing to answer such requests to enable us so we can be emboldened to do the works of God. David said that visions and dreams will increase as God pours out his Spirit on all people; and Christians will know an explosion of prophecy. Every disciple needs to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and be willing to speak out what they receive and do what he commands. The messages were received well by all the leaders.
As in 2008, David shared in every place a vision about keys that unlock riches and a future that God has set aside for every individual. In the vision David had a large key that opened a vault door as in a bank. Others then received a key or keys to open their own security boxes. In a previous prophetic word, David had been given keys to the Philippines; as he used these he would be given keys to Wales.
As before, in a prophetic act, keys were handed out to those who came forward and powerful encounters took place. Many were again deeply touched by the power of God.
Other ministry times included prayer for healing, a release of God’s glory and prophetic revelation, as well as commissioning people in the healing ministry. Pastor David Rhodes prayed for all who wanted to move out in healing, that all that God had poured into him would be poured into them. Again and again people were aware that the Lord was really touching their lives.
The first seminars were held in a Church linked to the Nissi Academy, Marigondon, Lapulapu. Bishop Edgar Bantigue had offered them the use of the church. Ongoing building work, including the erection of a balcony, will eventually result in a building that will seat 2,500 people. In each venue the morning and afternoon sessions started with worship led by teams from the local churches. That first Wednesday evening an extra meeting was held in the church led by Pastor Mel Indoc in Cordova. People of all ages received a fresh touch of God through the word and ministry. The second day of seminars continued with even more demonstrations of God’s power. Everyone was thankful for the ministry and promised to pray for the success of the mission and for Pastor David Rhodes in the future.
At 4.30am on Friday David and Alonso caught a bus up to Bogo in the north of Cebu. The seminars were held in Restoration of Life, Mt. Brez, Pandan, with Pastor Edel and Belly Catadman. David had fond memories of this church as he had ministered there on a Sunday afternoon in February 2005. David also met Rolly E Gerones, Randy and Edelyn Taghoy; contacts made in his first trip in 2005. Edel and Rolly both shared about people healed in 2005 that are still healed now.
Soon after 9am another two days of seminars began. The numbers may have been smaller but the power of God was released over the two days of seminars. David and Alonso stayed for two nights in the same pension house in Bogo as they did in 2005 but had their meals with Edel and Belly in their home. The young musicians received particularly powerful ministry.
On the Sunday morning after a breakfast which included chips, corned beef fritters and rice, Edel and Belly took them over to Restoration of Life church led by Pastor Joe Demecillo in San Remigo. David spoke and ministered in the Sunday morning service. The Spirit of God moved powerfully among the people. After a shared lunch in the church David and Alonso caught a bus down to Cebu City and then travelled on back to their base in Cordova.
An inter-church outreach meeting was held on the Sunday evening in a covered basketball court; where worship bands from several different fellowships, including Alonso’s own church, took part. People from the churches joined with many local people of all ages, and watched as the bands took turns to play on the stage. David Rhodes was given an opportunity early in the evening to share the gospel and offer ministry to any who wanted it. At the end of the event several came and received the ministry of healing.
On the Monday they went south of Cebu City to Word International; which meets in a room at the back of the Sports Complex in Naga City. Two more days of seminars began and the power of God continued to be manifested. At one point the leader of the meetings could not stand to minister because of the glory of God in the place. The power level just kept on increasing with each meeting. David and Alonso had stayed overnight on Monday in a local hotel.
As soon as the final meeting finished in Naga City David and Alonso had to get back to Cordova. There was only enough time to change clothes, pack a bag and travel to the port in Cebu City. At 8pm a direct ferry was leaving for Baybay in Leyte. The boat arrived at about 2.30am but they stayed on the boat until 5am. They went to the church where the meetings were being held and met up with Pastor Jessie Ebahan and his family. After some refreshments they went to book into a local hotel. At 9am on Wednesday morning the last two days of seminars started at Victory for Christian Revival Fellowship at Parkway Christian Centre.
That Wednesday evening, in David’s fifth message that day, the preaching was about healing and what followed was a powerful time of ministry. Many miracles took place. It started with two men, who had both damaged their right elbow and shoulder in accidents, instantly receiving healing. People with eye problems, including one who had cataracts, were healed. A partially deaf young man was healed. A very old man who was deaf received healing and came back the following night repeating “I can hear”. People with ailments including migraines, breathing problems and numbness in limbs were healed instantly.
Early on Thursday morning David and Alonso were invited to have breakfast with some of the pastors. The fish could not have been fresher as it had been brought ashore that morning. After the seminars there was another evening meeting in which David spoke from Isaiah 61. As the whole gospel is preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit the next generation will be one born of power. They will be oaks of righteousness; they will restore and rebuild what has been ruined in the past. The final time of ministry was glorious as young and old together sought a life changing encounter with the power of God.
Several times during this trip the local leaders prayed for David and Alonso, assuring them of their continued prayers. They left Baybay at 5.30am on Friday morning taking a bus up to Ormoc. They caught the 8.20am Supercat boat back to Cebu City and then took a taxi to Cordova. Randi and Edylyn met up with them again at Alonso’s house. Later that afternoon, on the way back to the airport David called into the Nissi Accadamy Church to say a final farewell to Bishop Edgar Bantigue.
Soon after 5pm David had to say goodbye to Alonso,his family and Randy Taghoy at the airport and go through departures to start the long journey home. There was a delay on the flight but there was plenty of time in Hong Kong to catch the flight home to Heathrow. After another four hours on the bus he met up with his wife Ann, and just the short drive to get home.
There had been 37 sessions in 9 days in which David Rhodes had preached 30 times and Alonso Mantilla 7 times. Several times every day, prayer ministry was offered and received with great effect. God’s power to bless and heal was much in evidence.
Right from the start of the mission the Filipino people were open to receive all that God wanted to pour out. It was clear that as each day went by the level of power was increasing. The Bible makes it clear that if people come to God hungry for more of him, he will satisfy their need. If only we in the west could know this kind of hunger for God, the power and blessing would break through and our nations would be transformed.
Links to notes on seminars - Teaching Outlines (page 1 of 3)
