Philippine Trip – Episode 9

Boni Arzadon came to Christ in 1964 during his third year in College through the Navigator Ministry. He is now 64 years of age. He is very inquisitive, always questioning things, including the traditional approaches to ministry and has developed a different paradigm for his ministry. He is zealous, always on the go, constantly witnessing, discipling and mentoring. I came to realize, being around Boni, how my life flow has diminished over the years. His life is a real challenge and motivation.

I asked Boni what motivates him in ministry. Without any hesitation he said, “The Great Commission—Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” He went on to say, “I really get caught up and excited that the Lord can mightily use anyone in reaching the whole world for Christ. And it’s going to work because God has said so. It has always been the Great Commission that has motivated me. Disciple nations – or nothing!” Witnessing and discipling are Boni and Luming’s (Boni’s wife) total focus and joy. But it was not always joyous and fulfilling. The first seven years were tough. Few converts, few disciples. But Boni doggedly hung on to God’s promises. The break came in 1971 when he moved from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines (about two hours south of Manila). It has a people population of 90,000. One of the campuses of the University of the Philippines is located in Los Baños.

The first month was given to prayer, praying for students as they were getting off the bus, going to classes, eating in the cafeteria etc. He claimed the promises of God, e.g. “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time” (Isaiah 60:22). He then began sharing Christ to as many as possible in a given day. Sometimes it would take him into the wee hours of the morning “arguing and persuading until they received Christ.”(Boni’s own words) God began to multiply the fruit. In the first year, 55 new converts were in a weekly Bible Study. In the second year there were 155. And at the end of the 3rd year there were more than 250 in small group bible studies.

The present ministry format evolved through studying the principles and structure laid out by Ralph Neighbour, Jr. in his “Shepherd’s Guidebook” which a friend gave Boni in 1992. It emphasizes the importance of establishing cell groups as people come to Christ with the objective of not only seeing these converts grow into Christ-likeness but also enabling them to form their own cell groups who in turn would continue the process. Cell groups are being formed nationwide. The ministry is beginning to exhibit exponential growth. Boni’s not a person given to numbers but based on the information I gathered I would estimate that at least 8,000 are attending a weekly cell group. The majority of cell group members were reached through their cell evangelism.

Churches have now been established around the cell group structure. Cell groups meet during the week. On Sunday the cell groups in a given area gather in a central meeting place for worship, prayer, testimonies and sharing of the Word. During the week they go out with the objective to share Christ with those within their spheres of influence. Evangelism is happening in the market place. For the most part, those who attend these churches are not spectators but laborers in advancing the kingdom of God.

These cell groups are reaching all ages, from children to seniors. They are reaching all classes—the poor, the middle and the upper class. Almost every occupation is represented—students, professors, professionals, tricycle drivers (a bicycle made into a vehicle that can carry three or four passengers), blue collar workers, farmers etc. These cell groups for the most part are heterogeneous. Often, different ages, different occupations will be represented in a given cell group. The Philippine culture is very inclusive, and family-oriented. All are welcome. However, men and women have their own cell groups. Special groups are formed and seminars are conducted to address specific needs—husband and wife relationship, raising of children, overcoming inhibitions and deliverance from bondage, etc. They have developed Filipino-oriented Bible Studies for their discipling process.

God has wonderfully provided sufficient funds to build a training center which accommodates about one hundred beds, a very nice meeting room as well as a worship hall and kitchen facilities.. The total cost was around $220,000 U.S. which came in totally from Filipinos involved in their ministry. Every Sunday they feed between 100 and 150 people, mainly those who are poor. There are always 15 to 40 people living and eating with Boni and Luming day after day. They have a huge round dining room table with a lazy suzan in the center. I lived with Boni and Luming for two days. Early in the morning I would see a number of those in training spending time with the Lord in a secluded area. Even though there were many people around, I sensed a very peaceful atmosphere. But Boni and Luming were constantly interacting with those in training. On one occasion. I asked Boni if he and Luming ever take a vacation? He chuckled and said, “What do you mean by vacation? The Lord’s ministry provides its own respites.”

Next: Philip Fores, Part 1