Tag: ministry updates

Jul 08

Your Promises Are True

A Journey of Faith……. Teacher Claire Santillan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, a verse that one can hold on. But the journey is not always easy. Many times we struggle, making each turn a question of continuing or quitting. And yet God has a way to reach us and comfort us. Making His plans in our lives to come true.

The goodness of God has been an apparent pillar in the life of Teacher Clarita Santilla, or Teacher Claire, a partner teacher of Mission Ministries Philippines for over 2 decades and appointed as on-call supervisor.

Teacher Claire was of different faith before she became a preschool teacher. Although she had always been a woman of strong moral values, her faith had never been a central part of her life.

She came to know Jesus when she applied to a preschool managed by Christ Jesus Our Life church, which happens to be a partner school of Mission Ministries Philippines. The school’s mission to foster holistic development in children resonated with her deeply. As she began her role, she was not only introduced to a supportive professional community but also to the Christian faith. Teacher Zeny Ignacio, the pastor’s wife and the owner of the school, became her spiritual mentor.

What started as an ordinary job for her, as a means to alleviate her family’s daily needs, was God’s way of bringing her to knowing the Blesser of everything.

Her faith strengthened over time. And as she walks in her faith, another tragedy tested her. Her husband passed away leaving her with 4 kids. Her eldest, Andrea, at that time was only first year high school, Inah, grade 6, Tom grade 4 and their youngest Jerry was only one and a half years old. In the wake of her husband’s untimely death, Claire faced the daunting task of providing for her young children alone. Financial struggles and emotional turmoil became her daily companions. One would have crumbled, but Teacher Claire stood to her faith that God will never forsake her nor leave her.

As she worked day and night to sustain her family’s needs, she continued to grow deeper in God’s word. Embracing her faith in Jesus provided Claire with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. The biblical teachings emphasized the importance of trust in God’s plan, which helped her manage her anxieties about the future.

The life of Teacher Claire shows how God moved in different ways. How true that He will take care of the widows and the fatherless as mentioned in Deuteronomy 10:18. Despite all the struggles, 3 of her children are all degree holders now and her youngest is in high school. Teacher Claire would just be awed how God sustained them throughout the years.

One of her prayers is in Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my household we will serve the Lord” She serves in her church as one of the leaders and president of the Women’s Ministry Nationwide, and true enough, all her children have their ministry in their church.

Today, Teacher Claire enjoys her time travelling. Another blessing from God.

Truly God’s promises are true and dependable, a strong fortress, and the perfecter of our faith. When we face dead ends, tragedies, challenges and trials, God is always there to open new doors, a new hope. For the battles is not ours but His. He will fight for us.

Jul 08

Empowering Early Childhood Education

MMP’s 32nd ECE level 1 Seminar

The recently concluded 32nd Early Childhood Education Level 1 seminar, held from June 20-22, 2024, marks the commencement of Mission Ministries Philippines' Year-Round Seminars. This enlighteningevent brought together early childhood educators and practitioners via Zoom, focusing on the theme “Rekindling Your Passion in Early Childhood Education”.

The three-day seminar showcased speakers primarily from the University of the Philippines. Their presentations were largely based on the philosophy adopted by Mission Ministries Philippines. It was impressive to see how the speakers connected their content to the Developmentally Appropriate Philosophy endorsed by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)

The seminar highlighted the new Matatag Curriculum of the Department of Education, underscoring the government’s recognition of its vital role in shaping Filipino children. This curriculum aims to unleash the full potential of the new generation for national progress. MMP's curriculum closely aligns with Matatag, positioning MMP as a pioneer, having implemented it from the outset. Part of the Matatag curriculum includes teaching 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, which are also integrated into MMP’s Kidprenuer curriculum. This approach aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in children, preparing them to be future leaders not only in business but also in serving the Kingdom of God.

As the field of early childhood education continues to evolve, events like this seminar play a crucial role in fostering a community of informed and passionate educators committed to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate education for all children.

Apr 03

Early Childhood Education Seminar/Orientation in Baguio City

Praise be to God for the remarkable opportunity to lead a three-part series of Mission Ministries Philippines’ Early Childhood Education Seminar/Orientation in the picturesque locale of Baguio City last March 18-19, 2024.

The inaugural session was held at Doane Rest Ministry, drawing in enthusiastic Sunday School teachers guided by the experienced Teacher Lalaine Clark, alongside dedicated Masteral students from the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary under the mentorship of Prof. Raposa.

Another illuminating session unfolded at PBTS, graciously overseen by Pastor Onnie Avante, the Chairman of MMP Board, coinciding with the joyous celebration of the 30th anniversary of Jesus Our Life Ministries.

As we reflect on these enriching experiences, we fervently pray that the seeds of wisdom and inspiration planted during these seminars will take root deeply within the hearts and minds of all participants, blossoming into abundant fruit in the lives of the children they passionately serve. May God’s blessings continue to multiply the impact of our collective efforts as we nurture and educate the next generation, all to the glory of His name.

Apr 03

GEARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

As we step into 2024, Mission Ministries Philippines, embarks on its way to reinventing its programs in response to the changing system in education. And continues to give relevant and meaningful seminars as its expertise.

Last January 20, MMP conducted a seminar entitled “Building Blocks for Children’s Financial Literacy”. This aims to teach children learn basic skills that will set the stage for their good future in terms of financial literacy.

Professor Angelita Bajaro Resurreccion facilitated the said seminar. Prof. Resurreccion earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She is a seasoned expert with a wide-ranging proficiency in various areas. Dr. Resurreccion is the primary consultant of MMP’s KIDPRENEUR” curriculum, where young minds are nurtured with a business mindset from as early as preschool.

Another resounding successful seminar that MMP conducted was “Raising Children with Special Needs” last March 9, 2024. The seminar aimed for educators and parents to navigate children with special needs and recognized the red flags and what interventions can be done to help these children still reach their full potentials.

Face with the rising number of children with special needs the seminar was a huge success having attended with the full capacity of zoom participants of MMP.

The distinguished speaker is Professor Elizabeth Ann King-Santos, brings a wealth of expertise. Holding a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Walden University in Minnesota, USA. Her foundational education includes a Bachelor of Science in Family and Development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman where she graduated with honors, distinguishing herself as a Cum Laude graduate. Her comprehensive educational background, coupled with her steadfast commitment, positions her as an esteemed authority in the realms of family life, special education, and early childhood education.

Nov 06

First Refresher Course: Raising The Child’s Higher Order Thinking Skills

Learning is more than answering yes or no, memorization or reciting list of facts. It is in making sense of the information by analyzing and comparing or in short adapting a higher thinking skill. Learning to think critically is a life skill. This is the objective of the recent seminar conducted by Mission Ministries Philippines last October 28, 2023 at Proclaim His Name Christian Fellowship Church in Quezon City. It was the first face-to-face seminar after the pandemic.

The seminar was facilitated by Prof. Lynne Grace Hernandez, administrator and teacher of her own school, SEED. She has a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of the Philippines (Cum Laude) She finished her Master of Arts in Family Life and Child Development in U.P., Diliman and she is finishing her Doctorate in Holistic Child Development at Asia Graduates School of Theology.
The seminar aims to empower educators with innovative tools that will foster higher-order thinking skill among their students. It also helps the educators to go beyond what they usually do for their students but also for them to aim higher in teaching.

One of the highlights of the event was the hands-on workshops where participants actively engaged in practical exercises designed to implement high-order thinking strategies in real-world classroom scenarios. These sessions fostered a sense of empowerment among educators, equipping them with tangible tools to inspire intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking in their students.

Oct 14

A Word From The President

“Embracing New Beginnings – A Heartfelt Welcome”

Hello MMP family!!!! welcome to the start of a new school year! It brings me immense joy and pride to formally celebrate with you the opening of our MMP Partners’ preschool. This is a momentous occasion, not only for our partners but for the entire community that will benefit from the wonderful educational opportunities you are about to provide.

As we embark on a journey filled with hope, excitement, and the promise of nurturing young minds. You our partners have invested your time, energy, and passion into creating a nurturing and educational environment for our youngest learners, and we are truly fortunate to have you as part of our educational family.

Your preschool represents more than just a building with classrooms; it symbolizes the dreams and aspirations of our partners to make a positive impact on the lives of children. It signifies the beginning of a child’s educational journey, where they will explore, learn, and grow in an environment filled with care, guidance, and love. Mostly, it is a platform where you could intentionally share the gospel by offering a quality Developmentally Christian Early Childhood Education.

To our MMP partners, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication and commitment to providing quality christian early childhood education. Your hard work and determination have brought us to this moment, and we are excited to see the impact you will have on the lives of our young learners.

Thank you, and let’s make this school year unforgettable, all for God’s glory!!!

Oct 14

“Get Ready to Soar: MMP Welcomes the Exciting School Year 2023-2024!”

With the theme “Bridging the Gap from the Online Platform to Face-to-Face in Early Childhood Education,” Mission Ministries Philippines welcomes the school year 2023–2024 by hosting its annual Early Childhood Education seminars on August 10–12, 2023, for teachers, and on August 17–19, 2023, for administrators. As we advance into the post-pandemic season, MMP stays true to its calling by educating administrators and teachers on issues that are current with the times. The speakers for the aforementioned seminars provided their expertise not just in terms of theory but also on a practical level that the attendees could relate to using examples from their own experiences. This created a vibrant discussion as the attendees expressed their ideas and insights.

With the start of the academic year, four new schools adhere to God’s calling and partner with Mission Ministries Philippines. MMP welcomes the new partners, namely: Elyon Child Development Centre, headed by Ms. Mena G. Rivera, from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; and Racham Wilbeth School Inc., headed by Ms. Micciella Ma. Keina Jane L. Pabalate from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Thrivers Learning Center, headed by Pastor Robin Abano, from Dasmarinas Cavite, and Grace Christian School of Life, headed by Pastor Nimrod J. Embalzado, from Trece Martires, Cavite. Dr. Chonabelle M. Domingo, President and CEO of MMP, salutes these new schools as well as its renewal partners for their steadfast support over the years. Their continuous partnership and patronage of the books of MMP greatly help in accomplishing its mandate.

The Training Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education, another program of MMP in collaboration with Asian Theological Seminary, starts its new batch this September with 12 new students in the Child and Development module. The success of the previous batch in the online modality prompted the management to continue offering it online. This extends beyond borders and broadens the impact of early childhood education from the perspective of God’s word. As the Lord expands the tents of MMP, so does the growing number of speakers. MMP invites additional professors in the ECE modules to give quality education to our educators. This training certificate is PRC accredited and has six units credit approved by the Commission on Higher Education. Enrollment is still ongoing. For inquiries, you may email ecemodule.mmp@gmail.com or contact Ms. Erlyn Isidro at 09301434780.

MMP intends to resume in-person seminars, starting with this October 28, 2023, refresher course entitled Raising the Child’s Higher Order Thinking Skills. Learning is more than repeating a list of facts, answering yes or no, memorization, but making sense of information, comparing, analyzing, making inferences—in short, adapting a higher thinking skill. Learning to think critically is a life skill. This seminar will be at Proclaim His Name Christian Fellowship #8 Scout Madrinan corner Scout Tobias Sts. South Triangle, Quezon City. For registration, you may visit MMP’s Facebook page, MMPece.

Watch out for these upcoming activities: Show of Talent with Kids Bazaar, Christmas Party, Teachers’ Camp, Quiz Bee, and more.

May 04

“God’s Plan for Family: Nurturing Parenting Seminar”

A Parenting seminar was conducted by Mission Ministries Philippines and partner school Head Start Learning Center last February 8, 2023, at Bagong Silangang, Quezon City.

Dr. Chonabelle Domingo the speaker of the said seminar, highlighted the purpose of God for creating a family and the challenges faced by parents in today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing world. The lecture covers other topics like Understanding the Behavioral Problems, Nature of the children, and Disciplinary Measures.

During group discussions, participants had the opportunity to express their own thoughts and experiences, which sparked parent cooperation and networking. Parents can impart knowledge and insights and learn from one another during the event.

In the end, the attendees were grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as parents and expressed their appreciation for the organizers’ efforts.

May 04

ECE Seminar at K.I.L.A.

On March 17, 2023, Kids International Learning Academy (KILA) in Binangonan, Rizal, hosted a seminar on Early Childhood Care, organized by Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP). Ms. Elizabeth Anne King-Santos, an expert in early childhood education and the author of MMP’s Toddlers Curriculum, led the seminar as one of MMP’s on-call trainers and consultants. Ms. Santos is also a preschool owner and homeschool educator, a professor in the Training Certificate of MMP and ATS, and a regular speaker in the annual ECE seminars of MMP.

The seminar covered various topics such as Philosophy in Early Childhood Education, Assessment, Methods of Teaching, Classroom Management, and Classroom Discipline. The principal and part-owner of KILA, Ms. Joan Ong, organized the seminar. Ms. Ong is also the author of MMP’s Math Made Easy book and a former seminar lecturer.

KILA started as a small preschool in a small space in partnership with MMP in 2000. Over the years, it has grown into a prominent school in their area, offering Secondary education to the children of missionaries. The seminar marked a revival of their partnership with MMP.