You Are Now Entering...The Panata Zone!

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In 2014 and 2015, The Clarks joined hands with Living Waters Asia and Emmanuel Baptist Church to pass out tracts, witness and interview those trekking up to Antipolo Church. EBC youth presented the Jesus Film at the gates of BBS&I
"The Panata Zone" happens the night before every Good Friday in Manila.  It truly is like traveling into another dimension of sights and sounds. 
 
Catholic pilgrims, mostly youth, make the long 20 km trek on foot or other means from Metro Manila eastward on Ortigas Avenue to the foothills of Antipolo Church.  

This brings them right in front of Baptist Bible Seminary (and our house and Emmanuel Baptist Church are just a block away).  

Why are they doing this?  For many it is a party night.  Yet, for many too it is their opportunity to show devotion to God, Mary and the crucified Christ.  In this they hope for a blessing from the Lord or an opportunity to appease Him so that sins may be forgiven and His wrath may be satisfied.

We have gone out there on that evening for 2 years now after realizing the amazing opportunity it allows us to interject the truth of the gospel.  
  • Emmanuel Baptist Church youth ministry shares a 30 minute version of the Jesus Film at the BBS&I gates
  • Tracts explaining the gospel of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone are handed out and conversations are struck up to talk about the gospel.
In 2014, we partnered with LIving Waters-Asia in this effort and in 2015 we partnered with EBC youth.

Please continue to pray for the outreach on this important Catholic holiday.  Pray the Lord will move in the hearts of these thousands upon thousands who sincerely believe themselves to be saved, yet biblically are not and are trusting in works still for their salvation.

EBC & the Jesus Film

The Jesus Film has a 30 minute version.  In this way the gospel can be heard more often.  BBS&I sits on a plateau area at the end of the 20km Ortigas Extension Boulevard, This is where the last and most difficult part of the trek begins up into the foothills and Antipolo Church.  It's a natural place to pause and rest Affording EBC, BBS&I and us to share the Jesus Film over and over.  

Witnessing

It really is an amazing evenings of sights and sounds when you serve in the Panata Zone.  We've seen some who are actually responsive to the gospel, YET, as they consider what it means, they will visibly not want to change what they are used to in their belief system, choosing to carry on with devotion to God through icons, statues and prayers to Mary.

How to Pray

Every year there are Filipino Catholics who actually dress up and go through Crucifixion!  They believe that this is the ultimate show of devotion to God as they are following in the example of Christ on Good Friday.  Pray for them to see that first one must be born again by faith alone, trusting Christ alone for a changed heart.  One cannot ever become good enough to reach heaven  ~ Ephesians 2:8-9.