Blog

Diaspora Ministry Works: Sharks turned Fishermen

Author: Noel Pantoja
Date: 31.08.2010
Category: Diaspora

Rate (1)

Currently 5.00/5

Favorite (1)

Translations

Submit New Translation
About translation

FROM LOAN SHARKS TO FISHERS OF MEN

Noel Pantoja, Philippines

I grew up in the Philippines seeing men in motorcycles wearing turban and long beard. We call them “Bumbay” when we were growing up. Sometimes adults would scare us that if we are not obedient the “Bumbays” would get us. These men are South Asians mostly from India who have migrated in the Philippines to do business. Many would call them "loan sharks" because of their five-six (5/6)business. Long before micro-financing were introduced and became popular, these migrants have seen its potential and have employed 5/6 to farmers, street vendors, market and ambulant vendors and the common people. Many of these financiers have grown their businesses from 5/6 to become giant corporations in the Philippines. Not anymore they ride motorcycle, spare some new comers, but Benzes and BMW’s.

Our country has welcomed tourists, students, business people and workers in our country. Next to Chinese and South Koreans, South Indians could be the third or fourth largest population of immigrants in the country. Millions from different countries have migrated in the Philippines.

In Metro Manila (the capital) alone, there are approximately forty thousand South Asians. You do not need to go to India or Pakistan to meet Sindhis and Punjabis. They roam the streets of Manila, or in classrooms of our universities and thousands in the call centres serving the global economy.

Recently, our church association, the Conservative Baptists of the Philippines, Christar organization and the Fil-Indian believers launched a partnership ministry to reach these people group. Today, a vibrant and growing congregation is worshipping the true Living God and ministering to South Asians in the heart of the business Capital of the Philippines – Makati City. CBAP has invited and commissioned couple from India to serve the growing ministry as their pastor.

Today many of the former loan-sharks are dedicated fishers of men who have joined the followers of Jesus Christ to disciple this people group in diasporas. We are also praying for new ministries to be started among Koreans, Malaysians, Indonesians and Chinese in the Philippines.

I join the hundreds of believers in this cause for the diasporas.

NP Philippines 8/31/2010

Keywords: Diasporas

Conversation Post Comment

Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down peterdanielcareysamuel (0)
Philippines

Dear Brther N0el Pant0ja, Enj0yed y0ur bl0g - Jesus turn1ng L0an Sharcs 2 F1shers 0f men..Amen, have had the pr1velege reachng Zu1d Asans here@Phls.Many have met JESUS.N0w w0rc1ng am0ng the 2500 medcal students and P1l0ts studyng here fr0m S0uth As1a.pPLEASE PRAY 4 MEDREV2010, 250 S0UTH AS1AN MED1CAL STUDENTS EXPECTED...DECEMBER 17-19@AUF ANGELES C1TY.GBU

Downloadable Attachments

18.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down samuelbandela (0)
United States

Noel, I really like the title your title. FROM LOAN SHARKS TO FISHERS OF MEN. I read it with much interest By the way, I am Sam Bandela. Some times my name shows up and other times its not coming up.

Noel, I had been to Philippines several times with my previous work as Asia/ Pacific Area Director for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). I was in Manila, Makati, Dumagetty, Cebu, General Santos, Midsayap, Davavu, and couple other places. Of course, I was in a business trips and never did come across these 5/6 business people except in Dumagetty City who owned the biggest and the best electronic story. They Mayer of Dumagetty was his good friend and in fact, we have had dinner at the Indian man’s house along with the Mayer of Dumagetty City.

I am truly pleased to see what’s happening among the “Indian Diaspora Community.” I learned a great deal of the Indo-Pilipino Church through Christar Inc., In fact, I was introduced to Christ through one of the Christar missionaries in India and the rest is history with my life. Now I serve on the Christar Inc., International Board of Directors.

When my wife and I was in Toronto, Canada, we were the members of First Philippino Baptist Church headed by Godfrey Catanus. We were members of that church for one year and they were a blessing to us when we first went to Toronto on Sept. 11, 1978.

I join with you whole heartedly; to pray that there would be more Diaspora churches in the Philippines among the groups that you mentioned. This gathering in Cape Town, which I call a “Fore Taste of Heaven on Earth” This will be a time for us to dedicate and rededicate ourselves to21st Century Evangelism and Church Planting.

Let’s make an effort to get connected with each other while we are together in Cape Town. I look forward to meeting you and many others from many countries.

10.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Pete_Houston (6)
South Africa

Encouraging article! Sometimes we don’t need to go out into all the world, when the world is coming to our doorstep (diaspora). We just need eyes to see the opportunities, such as your church has demonstrated. Lord, open our eyes that we may see.

01.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Noel_Pantoja (0)
Philippines
@ Pete_Houston:
Thanks for reading my blog notes on our recent ministry experience. Every country of the world are hosting diaspora people. Let us pray that the doors of Christian churches will be opened wide to reach thousands of visitors right at their doorsteps.

01.09.2010