The Military Ministry Report
11 September 2009 www.milmin.net
Lead Where You Are!
The former U.S. airbase in Clark, the Philippines,
endured an invasion of sorts on the 29th of August as
90 officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police,
Coast Guard, their spouses, and Christian workers
converged at the Oxford Hotel for the Christian
Officers Conference organized by the Military
Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). Among
the delegates were representatives from Bangladesh,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the USA. With
the theme “Lead Where You Are”, the meeting
challenged Christians from the uniformed services to
advance the Gospel wherever they may be.
The 3-day conference opened Saturday evening
with Major General Carlos Holganza, Deputy Chief
of Staff for Operations (J3) of the AFP, underscoring
the need for a fresh approach to the insurgency
problem, and how godly, caring, values-centered
leaders are central to this approach. In the course of
the weekend, Dr. Tom Roxas, CCC Director for SE
Asia, gave three powerful devotional messages based
on Acts 13:36, pointing out the need for Christians to
submit to God’s deliberate purpose for their lives in
their single allotted lifespan.
The conference drew inspiration from officers
whom God had blessed with spiritual maturity,
professional competence, and a faithful testimony.
Colonel Erwin Luga (ret), former Army officer and
now pastor of the PMA Christian Fellowship,
challenged the delegates to lead transformation in
their families, while Lt Col Joel Paloma, an Army
battalion commander deployed in Maguindanao,
shared his experience in leading transformation in
the field. The weekend’s high point was the stirring
challenge from Senior Supt Cesar Binag, the
architect behind the reform initiatives of the
Philippine National Police, for the delegates to lead
strategic transformation for the next generation.
If the action points of the delegates are any
indication, the impact of the conference will be felt
beyond the Clark perimeter: “I’d like to start a Bible
study in the Coast Guard,” “…at the AFP Medical
Center,” “… disciple men in the Navy,” “… lead my
[police] office in prayer,” “… be a submissive wife and
good mother to my son,” “… start a military ministry in
Indonesia,” “…in the Cambodian Army,” “… start a
prayer breakfast in the Cambodian Army.”
“How long will you wait before you begin to take
possession of the land?” Joshua asked the Israelites.
We have waited too long – and night is coming.
The time to lead for the glory of God is NOW!
L-R: Navy Captain Sam Felix
welcoming the delegates;
MGen Carlos Holganza AFP,
keynote speaker; and
Dr. Tom Roxas, devotional
speaker.
(Below) BGen Boonthouen of Cambodia and wife,
Chenda, came to know the Lord in January, 2009,
through a couples’ retreat sponsored by Cambodia
Campus Crusade for Christ. Two months later, they
organized a couples’ retreat for 70 Army couples. Worship …

Prayer …

(Above) Col Erwin Luga sharing his insights on how

to strengthen the family. Erwin also introduced the
Homebuilders Bible Study program designed to
reinforce marriages and the family.
The Word …
(Below) LtCol Joel Paloma sharing about the
challenges a Christian officer faces in the field.
Joel has started prayer breakfasts and small groups in
Samar and Maguindanao.

Claiming the nations …

(Above) Major John Jadloc regrets not having shared the

Gospel to his radioman who was later killed in action.
In 2008, John and other officers started a prayer breakfast
at GHQ. He is an active partner of the Military Ministry.
(Below) A potent mix of idealism and frustration drove Fun and fellowship …
Army Captain Geri Gambala to lead over 200 soldiers in
the “Oakwood Mutiny”. Sentenced to life imprisonment but
later pardoned, Geri now shares the true formula for
genuine transformation: faith in Jesus Christ. Geri is now
pursuing an M.A. in Transformational Leadership at the
International Graduate School of Leadership and serves as a
volunteer with the Military Ministry.

Sharing “war stories” …

Meeting fellow soldiers …

(Above) Police Senior Superintendent Cesar Binag is the
Chief of Staff of the Program Management Office of the PNP,
the office responsible for transforming the PNP into a
credible and effective organization. Cesar presented his sons
– the future generation – as an object lesson for the need for
generational transformation in the country.

Covenant to Lead Where I Am

By God’s grace and in the power of
the Holy Spirit,
having accepted the challenge of
Christ’s Great Commission,
I hereby covenant to live a righteous life
in obedience to God’s will as Covenanting to Lead Where I Am!
revealed in Scripture,
to strive for excellence in my profession in
service to God and country,
to minister the Word of God –
whenever and wherever the need or
opportunity arises –
and to disciple faithful followers of Christ
who will disciple others also.

Acknowledgments: We are deeply grateful to our donors

who helped fund the conference. Photographs are courtesy
of Major John Jadloc. For more photos and details, visit
our website at www.milmin.net.