One of the major drivers of diaspora missions from the Global South is the voluntary deployment t... more One of the major drivers of diaspora missions from the Global South is the voluntary deployment to another nation for the purposes of better employment and/or salary opportunities. Many of these employment opportunities will place believers among unreached people groups, either among the host population or fellow employees. As these Christian overseas foreign workers are trained for evangelism and church planting opportunities the potential for diaspora missions is vast. At the same time, the problems of OFW marriages and families are also huge. The missiological concern is that if we do not view these informal missionaries holistically their value to the overall missionary task will be greatly reduced. The following case study reflects upon the stresses of the OFW lifestyle on marriage and families as well as offering solutions that churches in the Philippines are discovering.
This paper surveys the childless couples in the Bible and how the Biblical world viewed childless... more This paper surveys the childless couples in the Bible and how the Biblical world viewed childlessness then. It also presents the general attitude of the Filipinos toward childless couples, the common struggles of and options available for the infertile couples in the Philippines, as well as some practical tips on how the Evangelical Churches can minister to their members who struggle with infertility.
This research is an evaluative, ethnographic study of the structures and activities of Filipino c... more This research is an evaluative, ethnographic study of the structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce family dysfunctions among Christian Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Data was gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with selected practitioners and mobilizers of Church-based OFW Family Ministries (OFMs). Transcripts from the interviews and field notes were examined using thematic analysis, comparative analysis, and content analysis. Findings reveal specific structures and activities of selected Evangelical churches that respond to the pre-field, off-site, and re-entry concerns faced by the OFWs and their families. Furthermore, data analysis reveals some positive effects of the OFW Family Ministry on husband/wife relationship, parent/child relationship, and the OFW families’ overall well-being. Careful examination of the documents also reveals key features of the OFM such as intentional ministry, ministry team, proper coordination, complex and challenging ministry, ministry structure and philosophy, holistic in nature, doable and transferable, emphasis on tentmaking missions, and material rewarding. By identifying the specific structures and activities of various OFMs, other local churches across the country now have models on how to minister to the OFWs and their families. Bible college and seminary professors can learn concrete ideas as they teach and equip pastors and leaders on how to set up OFW Family Ministry in their respective churches or localities.
This chapter deals with specific structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce ... more This chapter deals with specific structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce family dysfunctions among Christian OFWs.
This chapter discusses the biblical principles that should guide churches that seek to minister t... more This chapter discusses the biblical principles that should guide churches that seek to minister to the OFWs and their families. Seven biblical grounds are presented in this chapter that will direct the church’s path in ministering to the families of overseas Filipinos.
This paper deals with what the literature have to say about the effects of the Overseas Filipino ... more This paper deals with what the literature have to say about the effects of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) trend on the husband-wife relationship, parent-child relationship, as well as the over-all dynamics of the OFW families.
This paper provides a brief description about the OFW phenomenon and the need for further study a... more This paper provides a brief description about the OFW phenomenon and the need for further study about the Evangelical churches' response to the psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of the OFW families.
One of the major drivers of diaspora missions from the Global South is the voluntary deployment t... more One of the major drivers of diaspora missions from the Global South is the voluntary deployment to another nation for the purposes of better employment and/or salary opportunities. Many of these employment opportunities will place believers among unreached people groups, either among the host population or fellow employees. As these Christian overseas foreign workers are trained for evangelism and church planting opportunities the potential for diaspora missions is vast. At the same time, the problems of OFW marriages and families are also huge. The missiological concern is that if we do not view these informal missionaries holistically their value to the overall missionary task will be greatly reduced. The following case study reflects upon the stresses of the OFW lifestyle on marriage and families as well as offering solutions that churches in the Philippines are discovering.
This paper surveys the childless couples in the Bible and how the Biblical world viewed childless... more This paper surveys the childless couples in the Bible and how the Biblical world viewed childlessness then. It also presents the general attitude of the Filipinos toward childless couples, the common struggles of and options available for the infertile couples in the Philippines, as well as some practical tips on how the Evangelical Churches can minister to their members who struggle with infertility.
This research is an evaluative, ethnographic study of the structures and activities of Filipino c... more This research is an evaluative, ethnographic study of the structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce family dysfunctions among Christian Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Data was gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with selected practitioners and mobilizers of Church-based OFW Family Ministries (OFMs). Transcripts from the interviews and field notes were examined using thematic analysis, comparative analysis, and content analysis. Findings reveal specific structures and activities of selected Evangelical churches that respond to the pre-field, off-site, and re-entry concerns faced by the OFWs and their families. Furthermore, data analysis reveals some positive effects of the OFW Family Ministry on husband/wife relationship, parent/child relationship, and the OFW families’ overall well-being. Careful examination of the documents also reveals key features of the OFM such as intentional ministry, ministry team, proper coordination, complex and challenging ministry, ministry structure and philosophy, holistic in nature, doable and transferable, emphasis on tentmaking missions, and material rewarding. By identifying the specific structures and activities of various OFMs, other local churches across the country now have models on how to minister to the OFWs and their families. Bible college and seminary professors can learn concrete ideas as they teach and equip pastors and leaders on how to set up OFW Family Ministry in their respective churches or localities.
This chapter deals with specific structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce ... more This chapter deals with specific structures and activities of Filipino churches that help reduce family dysfunctions among Christian OFWs.
This chapter discusses the biblical principles that should guide churches that seek to minister t... more This chapter discusses the biblical principles that should guide churches that seek to minister to the OFWs and their families. Seven biblical grounds are presented in this chapter that will direct the church’s path in ministering to the families of overseas Filipinos.
This paper deals with what the literature have to say about the effects of the Overseas Filipino ... more This paper deals with what the literature have to say about the effects of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) trend on the husband-wife relationship, parent-child relationship, as well as the over-all dynamics of the OFW families.
This paper provides a brief description about the OFW phenomenon and the need for further study a... more This paper provides a brief description about the OFW phenomenon and the need for further study about the Evangelical churches' response to the psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of the OFW families.
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