The Philippines (1988, 2002, 2006, 2008)

Manny Carlos spent a year with us and went back to Manila in 1987 and shortly thereafter went into full time ministry with Victory Churches. In the summer of 1988, McDowell traveled to Manila for a series of seminars and meetings. Over 300 people attended the multi-night seminar covering topics on Christian education, Biblical economics, foreign policy, providential history, and others relating to Godly reformation. Those in attendance included officials from the Mexican and British embassies and Makati City Hall, a former presidential candidate, two judges, one legislator and pastors and staff workers from twenty different churches.

On campus in the Philippines, Stephen also spoke at the two most influential campuses in the country: De La Salle University and University of the Philippines. At DLSU, about 300 political science and economics students and professors gathered to hear Stephen speak on “Christian Economics.” Most of those in attendance were socialists or liberation theology teachers. At UP, a campus known for its left-leaning political radicals, Stephen’s topic was “True Revolution: Where Does It Begin?” For this meeting only the presidents, vice presidents and faculty sponsors of about 150 recognized student organizations were invited. These were the leaders of UP. The capacity crowd of fraternity leaders, student government leaders, and communist front group leaders heard an unforgettable message about Christian character and the fallacies of liberation theology, communism and socialism.

In 2000 Pastor Manny Carlos, now one of the most influential pastors in the Philippines, visited us again in Charlottesville and then we accompanied him on his visit to Gordon Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach. (Robertson had been a member of Manny’s church for a few years in Manila.) We helped provide Carlos with materials and training for opening Christian schools in his country which he went on to do. Then in 2002, Stephen McDowell traveled again to Manila, Philippines, where over the course of one week he taught thousands of people in the Victory Leadership Institute on the topic of Biblical Education and God and Government, plus to speak at a number of Victory Christian Churches. Victory Fellowship had started a Christian school to produce students who will literally disciple their nation, and provide Biblical leadership in every sphere of life. Stephen conducted a three day seminar for their teachers, parents, and other interested people. Around 250 people attended this event, which not only included educators from their school, but public and private educators from throughout Metro Manila. The principal of the largest public high school in the world, with over 23,000 students, was one of those in attendance.

Stephen also taught a three-day God and Government seminar attended by many present and future leaders in government and business, including 2 congressmen, a judge who is probably next in line for the Supreme Court, and a member of President Arroyo’s staff/cabinet. Stephen had consultation meetings with various leaders and educators and also spoke to three churches on how to fulfill the cultural mandate.

In 2006 Mark taught in Manila churches and a seminar for leaders. Met with Mrs. Marcos and many other present leaders in the government. In 2008 Mark visited leaders there for a day in the spring and then returned to teach in various churches and leader’s seminars again. Books were published there.