Workers for the Harvest Ministries

A Brief Testimony from Craig McCord

My story is a long one, but I will shorten it.  God began to call me to get serious about His word, and serving Him.  By 2001, I sold all I had; my house, cars, everything except my Harley, and moved to the Philippines.  I had no training. Although I had sought such training at my church, I was amazed to discover there was none.

My simple plan was to provide a neutral ground for Catholics, and pagans, to come and study the Bible.  Since the Catholics will not go to a Protestant church, a place needed to be provided for them to see what was really in the Bible.  I furnished my home for that purpose.  Since the very poor children did not go to school, or have access to sports of any kind, I also had a plan for an AWANA like program where children could play in a grass field if they would listen to a short Bible study and pray with me.

I was able to implement the Bible study almost immediately, and some Catholics did come.  God began to bless my ministry right away.  Soon local pastors became interested in my Bible studies and asked me to share my vision with their congregations.  As I did, other pastors were soon calling on me to speak.  Next I was asked to join the Philippine National Police as a chaplain.  That allowed me to preach the gospel to government employees while they were on the clock!

Soon I was speaking somewhere several times a week.  I had to study intently all the time in preparation for my next sermon.  I had no training so I had to depend on God for every step.  Next I was approached by some pastors who wondered if I would travel to the remote mountain villages to preach.  I said, “Absolutely!”  Many of these groups are made up of very poor farmers that cannot read.  They are unable to feed themselves spiritually, so they depend on us to come and preach whenever we can.  For this reason our ministry trips are very important there.  Mountain tribesman often walk over an hour to hear the word of God, and refuse to leave when the preaching is over.

In addition to speaking in the little grass churches, we also hold outdoor meetings and invite anyone that wants to come.  I try to include as much Scripture as possible in my preaching because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). 

We have also opened areas previously closed to the gospel.  We travel to places (like Sumayong in the Mountain Province), and meet with tribal elders sharing the gospel with them.  In Sumayong two of the village elders prayed to receive Christ, and opened their area to our evangelism.  We then turned over the opportunity for weekly evangelism to the nearest Bible believing church.

In the course of preaching in these poor remote areas that have no doctors, electricity, or emergency facilities; it became apparent that many mothers still die in childbirth, leaving behind unsupported orphans who are often abandoned by their fathers, turned over to uncaring uncles, or even sold into prostitution.  As I saw what was happening to these precious children my heart cried out in anguish, and I sought God with fasting and prayer wondering what I could do.  I knew an orphan’s facility of some kind needed to be built.  When no group or church wanted to help, I started construction with my own retirement fund.  I ran out of money about half way, and God miraculously supplied the rest.  The Orphans Home (it is not an orphanage, it is a Christian home where those who were previously orphans find the love of Christ demonstrated), was finished, and began receiving children in January of 2003 and we are continuing to grow, by June 2006 our new dormitory will be complete giving us space for another 25 children.

We are seeking to be faithful to use this facility in every possible way to glorify Christ.  In addition to housing these precious children and teaching them in a chapel in the morning, and a Bible study at night, we also have; services, prayer meetings, fellowships, open Bible studies, and beginning this summer pastors training featuring seminary graduates, and professors from the Master’s Seminary.

God initiated this ministry, and has blessed it far beyond my ability to imagine, let alone accomplish.  I am currently seeking two degrees at the Master’s College.  When I am finished, God willing, I will return to my work there in the Philippines, and in Cambodia.  This Orphans Home is such a beautiful ministry, and we need and are seeking support from the brethren.  Any amount of assistance large or small is appreciated.  It only takes about $1,200. a month to run the whole facility including salaries of workers, the teacher and the pastor.  But, I am just a missionary / Bible student.  Will you help?