Missionaries in Harm’s Way

Although nearly 3,000 foreign missions personnel are working in the Philippines, the Filipino church has grown to the point where it also sends missionaries overseas. And sometimes those workers, as tentmakers, face danger.

For instance, Galicano Afurong worked for a private company in Saudi Arabia, one of the strictest Muslim countries in the Middle East, but in his spare time he planted churches—until authorities learned about it. He was arrested last July for distributing Christian literature and deported after spending 28 days in jail. More than 30 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia have been arrested for sharing their faith, and several have reported intensive interrogations and abuse before being deported (CT, Aug. 10, 1998, p. 26).

In all, the Philippines Missions Association has 1,000 Filipinos working cross-culturally and aims to send another 2,000 by next year—1,000 overseas and 1,000 within the Philippines.

“Now it is time for us to get out of the crib,” says Bob Lopez of the Asian Center for Missions in Manila.

Even those arrested do not stop preaching. For instance, Filipino Rene Camahort became a Christian while in a Saudi Arabian jail. He was deported last month after spending three years and nine months in a Riyadh jail. Camahort had been arrested in 1995 when his employer, Al-Tayar Travel Agency, accused him of embezzlement. Camahort, who at six feet tall and 200 pounds is larger than most Filipinos, helped to physically protect his Christian inmates after converting.

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

The Coming of the Pragmatic Prophets: These activists are more than critics. They work the corridors of power to channel money and influence for good.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

What Makes Music Christian?

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from June 14, 1999

A Troubled Young Evangelist

Orthodoxy with an Attitude

Can Good Come Out of This Evil?

73,000 Teens Pledge Responsibility

Ministry Leaders Lose Tax Breaks

Gambling Panel Urges Moratorium

Evangelicals Target 'Marriage Tax'

Mall Gains Second Life As Church

Church Name-Dropping Pays Off

Religious Freedom Panel in Place

In Brief: June 14, 1999

Churches Reach Out to Refugees

Evangelicals Reject Religious Statues

Baptist Seminary Back in Business

Evangelicals Come Up for Air

Bishop Faces Genocide Accusation

The Criminologist Who Discovered Churches

Unbelievable?

Letters

Shooting Aftermath: Parents Take Aim at Hollywood

Harvest Season?

Preparing for Pilgrims

Church of the Web

Salvation Army: Newest General Wants to Save Souls

Editorial

The Long Road After Littleton

News

Sharon Baptist Discovered Welfare Ministry

Mr. Wallis Goes to Washington

God's Contractor

A Call to Evangelical Unity

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration

Guardians of the Lost Ark

Severe Mercy in Oregon

A Mother’s Strange Love

Dispatch from Sri Lanka: Bombs Away

Committing the Unforgivable Sin

View issue

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

Russell Moore’s Favorite Books of 2024

The top 10 picks of CT’s editor in chief range from dystopian fiction to philosophy, with a dose of Sabbath poems, Inklings, and country music.

My Book Sales Stink. But I’m Glad I Took the Publishing Plunge.

Even though the experience bruised my ego, God redeemed it in surprising ways.

Latino Christians Deserve a Straight Answer on Immigration

The Russell Moore Show

A Conversation with Peggy Noonan

The Pulitzer Prize winner ponders who we are and what we may become.

A Better Trans Conversation

As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on youth gender medicine, Christians must prepare to speak with love while holding fast to biblical truth.

Ethics Aren’t Graded on a Curve

President Joe Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden was wrong, and no amount of bad behavior from Donald Trump changes that fact.

News

UK Christians Lament Landmark Vote to Legalize Assisted Dying 

Pro-life faith leaders say Parliament’s proposed bill fails to protect the vulnerable and fear it will “create more suffering and chaos.”

Strike Up the Band: Sixpence None the Richer Goes Back on Tour

With its perennial hit “Kiss Me” still in our ears and on our playlists, the Christian band reunites with nothing to prove.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube