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MMP (Mission Ministries Philippines) was founded in
1984 by Dr. Stewart DeBoer, former President of Asian
Theological Seminary. MMP was organized originally to
promote children education. Today, MMP has over 300
pre-schools established all over the country in
depressed communities. In time, MMP has broadened its
vision to focus on church-planting among the urban
poor.
MMP has a Board of Trustees composed of evangelical
Christians. MMP is a non-stock, non-profit
organization with more than 20 missionaries working in
various slums in Metro Manila. These missionaries also
comprise the corporate membership of the organization,
electing the trustees annually in the general
assembly. The missionaries are not paid salaries but
raise their support, by faith, through friends,
relatives and churches. MMP also accepts part-time and
short-term missionaries.
MMP embraces the statement of faith of Lausanne
Covenant and the World Evangelical Fellowship.
However, in line with its calling to be salt and
light, MMP will work with any denomination or faith.
MMP adheres completely to principles of sound
financial accountability as Gods steward. It also
respects human dignity and social traditions as
foundations for its community programs.
MMP trains all its workers. The ministry to the urban
poor is a unique ministry, requiring a solid grounding
in the teachings of the Bible regarding the poor. It
also requires skills in community development and
organization. All applicants undergo a 6-month
training program that prepares them not only to
minister effectively among the poor but also how to
raise financial support, how to work in a team context
and most importantly, how to maintain a spirituality
that can survive being in a depressing environment for
a long period.
To make the Gospel more relevant in an environment
full of hopelessness and helplessness, MMP introduces
holistic development programs that empowers the weak,
specially the mothers.
MMP has a track record of organizing mothers into
self-help clubs where they can mobilize capital and
not depend on outside funding, thus enhancing their
dignity.
For the most needy though, like the little children,
MMP has established over 300 pre-schools, run and
financed by the community, with initial capitalization
and training from outside.
Loans are also granted for livelihood for the poorest
of the poor and many children are being sponsored from
elementary school even until college.
MMP is working in slums throughout Metro Manila. It
has ministered in Payatas, Quezon City, Philippines,
since 1994, working with over 2,000 of the poorest of
the poor families in the country, most of whom are
working as scavengers in the dumpsite.
MMP has fought for the rights of the poor either in
court or in public fora. Many have been referred to
resources outside of their community, such as job
placements, market for their products. Many have also
been introduced to grants institution for their
project proposals. Intercessors also from different
churches in the Philippines and other countries are
praying with MMP staff for these people so that their
needs are met and some are freed from demonic
oppression.
When opportunities arise, MMP also assists the poor in
acquiring their own land, thus promoting security in
land tenure. This gives people HOPE the most crucial
factor in promoting development. MMP either provides
loans or borrows from the government for such program.
The people then pay monthly amortization.
The work of MMP centres on church-planting. We do this
in partnership with a middle class or wealthy local
church that has a burden to plant a church among the
poor. MMP upon invitation will send a team of
full-time missionaries to work with that local church
to plant a church among the poor. This helps to
connect the poor with the rest of society. It also
ensures that when MMP leaves, the partner church will
continue to nurture the newly born church.
Islam is a much maligned and misunderstood religion.
MMP believes that the people of Islam (from the word
Shalom, meaning PEACE) are as interested in peace as
the rest of us. We need to give them a vested interest
in this society, to make them a part of our society,
helping and enjoying in its development.
This will happen only when they are integrated into
our society. MMP helps facilitate that by working hand
in hand with them in establishing the only
Muslim-Christian Friendship Vocational School in Payatas.
This school provides skills in carpentry, computer,
sewing, baking and welding to improve their employment
potential as well as opportunities for Muslims and
Christians to study and work side by side. Only the
peace that comes from a deep respect of each others
culture and religion will endure.
Evangelism is prohibited here. Students instead are
encouraged to study both Islam and Christianity. We
need to demonstrate to Muslims that there are not just
bad Christians, there are also good ones.
If you want to get involved, you may
look at the following opportunities:
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You can pray with us for the ministry. You can ask
us for our prayer requests through my e-mail address.
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You can become an MMP missionary. Apply for mission
exposures either for week-ends or summer work in the
slums, or for life.
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You can also support financially either our
missionaries or our projects or the projects of the
churches we help.
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Your church can partner with us in planting an
urban poor church.
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We also accept donations such as medicines,
food, clothing, etc.
At present there are three depressed areas where MMP
is working. That means three teams are deployed in
partnership with a local church. Another team is just
waiting for deployment. After two years a team is
moved from its present area to another urban poor
area.
Click
here for the full MMP Web Site
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