September 2025 Trip Update

I’ve just returned from a two-week trip to the Philippines, and I’m grateful to share that it was both productive and deeply encouraging. From visiting churches and meeting with pastors to advancing plans for the coffee farm project, God’s hand was evident every step of the way. This update will highlight the key moments from the trip, both in ministry and in the growing vision for coffee planting and processing in Mindoro!

Planting and Processing

By God’s grace, and even amidst political and violent challenges in the region, we were able to travel safely to the Tinis-An church with the permission of the Philippine Army. There, we met with Pastor Biro to discuss the next steps for the coffee farm project.

The plan is to begin planting seedlings on one hectare of church land by the end of 2025. In the following year, Pastor Biro will clear and prepare five hectares of his own land for planting. Once the seedlings take root, it will take about three years before the first harvest - after which coffee cherries can be picked every year.

To ensure the best outcomes, we are connecting Pastor Biro and his community with Marilou and Paul, two leaders in the Mindoro specialty coffee movement. Their expertise will be invaluable in equipping our partners for sustainable, high-quality production.

During this trip, we also met pastors in Lisap who already work with 21 Mangyan groups, many of whom grow coffee. Unfortunately, they currently sell to commercial processors several hours away without training in the best harvesting practices. We hope to bridge this gap by connecting them with Marilou and Paul so their crops can reach their full potential.

We also received clarity on a long-discussed idea: establishing a coffee processing facility. The vacant land across from Batuhan (the first ERF church plant) is emerging as the ideal location. Recent infrastructure growth in Bongabong and conversations with industry leaders confirmed this direction. Our vision is to purchase high-quality coffee from farms in the Bongabong area and process the cherries to be able to sell to roasters in both domestic and international markets. Between now and our next trip, we’ll be working on detailed plans and phasing for this facility.

Sunday worship at Batuhan was a joy, filled with both familiar and new faces. The congregation just completed their new youth building, and it was encouraging to see the growing energy in their youth ministry.

The gospel is spreading in the Mangyan communities of Bongabong. Pastor Biro has started a bible study in Sepaco at the base of the mountains, while the two other mountain churches in the ERF network continue to thrive. Plans are underway for the construction of a church in Sepaco so that this Bible study can move out of its temporary bamboo structure into a permanent home.

Testimonies of God Moving

Throughout the trip, the Lord gave me remarkable clarity and vision - not only for the coffee project but also for how it integrates with the wider ministry.

One highlight was speaking with Cyril from Arbiter Coffee. While their mission isn’t focused on Mindoro specifically, their work in educating locals about specialty coffee is preparing the island to embrace high-quality production. Since 2023, dozens of new coffee shops have opened, reflecting a growing market that will be ready when we begin selling beans.

Another encouragement was seeing the rapid development on the island. When I first visited in 2020, Bongabong was primarily farmland with only scattered small structures. By 2023, a few new roads and buildings had appeared. On this trip in 2025, I was struck by the pace of growth (new hotels, bridges, and modern infrastructure are reshaping the community). Most notably, a major coastal highway is now under construction right behind the church that neighbors the planned processing facility. What once seemed like an obstacle - transportation - God is already providing a solution for.

This trip was a powerful reminder that God is moving in both the ministry and the marketplace. Through coffee farming, processing, and gospel-centered partnerships, ERF Christian Ministries is poised to bless communities, strengthen churches, and open new doors for sustainable impact in the Philippines.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Together, we are witnessing the Lord weave His purposes into both the soil and the souls of Mindoro.