Miracle pastor plants a church
Elmo Dialing, our field’s Jesus Film / Church Planting Coordinator, walked in my office the other day with some Photos. They show a new church plant on the island of Panay begun by pastor Roger Piolo. This is an answer to pray in several ways. First, that new churches are being planted on Panay! This is wonderful news! Panay Island still has very very few churches for it’s population size of 3,643,010. Only 32% of the communities have an evangelical church of any kind (4.68% evangelical). Or we can say that 68% of the communities still have NO church! Second, that God has miraculously healed and used Pastor Piolo to start this work.
A few years ago pastor Piolo was ridding on the back of a motorcycle, as so many do without a helmet. As they rode, they smashed into a truck and he went flying through the air – landing on his head in the middle of the road. His skull cracked on the pavement and his brain began to swell greatly. His ears, eyes, and even nose disappeared in a huge swelling wounded mass. As God would have it, pastor Piolo landed at the driveway of one of the only neuro-surgeons on Panay. This Doctor owned the only hospital where neuro-surgery could be done on Panay at that time. People managed to get Pastor Pilo to the hospital and the text messages flew around telling people what happened, calling for prayer. Surgery was estimated at 400,000 pesos, about 9 years wages, but the District Superintendent gave his OK to go ahead with the surgery.
At the same time people began to come to the hospital to pray. Pastor Piolo had become the pastor of a church that was deeply troubled and divided. Members from both sides of the divide gathered to pray for their pastor in that hospital waiting room. Not only did they pray – they paid!!
Just a few days later pastor Piolo walked out of the hospital. The swelling was gone. There was no memory loss or any nerve damage! The members of his church had reconciled with each other and his bill was paid!
About 2 months later I met pastor Piolo at the entrance to his home and he shook my hand. He looked normal, if a little weak.
Now Jesus has given him strength and wisdom to start a new church in Villa Panian Estancia. This is a daughter church of the Estancia Church of the Nazarene. They have 25 adults and 40 children in regular worship. Please pray that they grow in grace, love and giving. Pray that they mature in Christ and start a daughter church.
Pastor Piolo speaks to the new congregation
Nipa Style church
Tags: church planting, evangelism, miracle, Panay District