Pastor Alvien De Guzman, a native Filipino, was not looking to start a new church. Instead, he was looking to be faithful to God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions. When his former church body strayed the truth, De Guzman reached out to WELS World Missions, asking if WELS would consider doing mission work in the Philippines. We began partnering with Law and Gospel Lutheran Church to bring the message of God’s grace in Christ to a country where 81% of the population is Catholic.

From his congregation in Novaliches, a suburb of Manila, Pastor De Guzman is using support from WELS to expand outreach. Worship services are offered in person and livestreamed to members and prospects alike. Through the TELL network, video devotions are posted online for viewing throughout the Philippines and beyond. WELS’ Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) is currently providing training for future Filipino missionaries, one of whom currently serves a mission post in Laguna province. WELS Multi-Language Productions is working with Pastor De Guzman to translate Luther’s Catechism and other materials into the local languages of Tagalog and Cebuano. WELS Christian Aid and Relief has provided humanitarian aid to support to member families who are the poorest of the poor. The WELS affiliated ministry Friends Network is sending volunteers to Manila to create additional connections for sharing the Good News.

Fast Facts

• Law and Gospel Lutheran recently installed an associate pastor to serve a satellite ministry in San Pedro City, Laguna Province.
• Due to the popularity of social media, the Philippines has been called “The Social Networking Capital of the World.”
• The majority of Catholics in the Philippines are called (in Tagalog), “KBL” members: Kasal (wedding), Binyag (baptism), and Libing (funeral).