When Pastor Brian Najapfour asked us if he could bring his Michigan-based mentor/professor for a talk here in the Philippines, we were excited; not because we know who Dr. Joel R. Beeke is, but for reason that we (as Filipinos) are really ‘welcoming’ to foreigners. And they could noticed it.
Dr. Beeke lectures to pastors
We started promoting Dr. Beeke’s talk for men, which he titled “Reforming the Man of God”, almost two months before May 6, 2009. As an additional bonus, his wife Mary will join him and will give a separate talk on “The Law of Kindness” to women. Through sending SMS to friends, posting announcements, and broadcasting announcing the event over Far East Broadcasting Company (Radio DYVS), we were able to inform the local Christian community in a less costly, far-reaching, and efficient manner. We actually informed the people with no single idea how this person would deliver. All we know is that he is the President and Professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Michigan, a well-known resource speaker in the US, and a writer of books we haven’t even read. We just trusted what Pastor Brian recommended. Dr. Beeke’s talk will then become the fifth SMO Lecture Series we have been organizing for the benefit of our leaders and students, and for pastors and laypeople from other ministries. (Previous Lecture Series were given by representatives of Grace to You-Philippines, Way of the Master-Philippines, Ravi Zacarias International Ministries-Singapore, and that of Pastor PJ Tibayan, a youth pastor based in the US. All of the events were well-attended and drew positive comments).
When the Beeke’s finally arrived at Trinity Christian School, the venue of the talks, 100 men and 150 women were eager and ready to hear what Dr. Joel and Mary have to say.
Dr. Beeke and Mary relaxes with the staff
During the next four and half hours, the professor concisely shared church history with emphasis on the Reformation period. The seriousness of the study of God’s Word during that time in history cannot be underestimated. Dr. Beeke also talked about the richness and impact of the teachings of John Calvin (a timely message especially at a time when Christendom remembers the life and works of Calvin 500 years after). He ended the session by giving emphasis on the importance of prayer in the life of the believer. The talk was a heavyweight.
On the other side, Mrs. Beeke shared to the women the book she wrote about kindness. She poured her thoughts on biblical and practical insights on how to live godly lives as a wife, a mother, and a Christian to both fellow believers and unbelievers. Timely, real life experiences, and interesting questions were asked enabling a lively and informative discussion among the attendees. Despite the humid air in the women’s venue, Mary’s talk was like a breeze of cool air spreading much needed encouragement to women who were there.
Since Dr. Joel and Mary spoke days earlier in Manila, the warm couple were tired and would need some kind of relaxation. We brought them to Mambukal, a mountain resort where they could swim on a pool or dip on a hot spring. They did both and more. In his personal reflections on his Philippine visit (which Pastor Brian furnished for us), Dr. Joel wrote some interesting observations on their Mambukal trip. The account writes – “The villages we drove through on the way out were very interesting—bamboo huts, many little businesses set up roadside, sugar cane fields, water buffalo plowing rice paddies, rice spread out on the roadside drying for the day, pigs being unloaded at a roadside market, and children playing everywhere. The park is situated on a volcano, and sulfuric hot springs bubble up from the ground. The vegetation was green and lush. We took a hike to see three beautiful, consecutive, mountainside waterfalls. It was good exercise after being inside for days, but it was hot and humid. There was an area where hundreds of large bats love to hang out (literally) in the trees, above the sulfuric fumes. When they flew, their wingspan was about 15 inches. For lunch, we chose from many trays of pork, fish, squid, and chicken (all unrefrigerated), and the cooks grilled our meat for us. Every meal is served with rice. We enjoyed all the food and never suffered any ill effects from it.”
The Beekes with Filipino friends
In our time we spent with the Beeke’s we were comforted with the thought that theologians with doctorate degrees (deep and serious they may be), and with great books to their credit are actually humans – just like us. They get tired and they sleep (we saw them really sleeping in the air-conditioned rooms we rented). And they enjoy the simple life and the mundane, like eagerly wanting to take pictures of a rice grain being dried on a highway, a native water buffalo beside the road, or a cockfighting arena.
The Beeke’s are a nice guests to host. They appreciate our Filipino hospitality and they take note of it. Dr. Joel writes – “The Filipinos are generally quite poor but very friendly; they are always smiling and, like all Asian people, are most respectful. Even a five-year-old child who shakes your hand will bow slightly and lightly bump his or her forehead against the back of your hand as a gesture of respect.”
And in his final note he wrote – “Ministry in the Philippines has vast potential. The Filipinos are industrious, eager to learn, and moldable. They battle much ignorance and embrace numerous caricatures about the (Reformed) faith, but this much is sure: the fields are white and ready to harvest in the Philippines!”
Enjoying God's creation
We thank our friend, Pastor Brian for bringing us a gift. It was a privilege to have welcomed Dr. Joel and Mary, they brought an affirmation to our Filipino hospitality and fortified our faith in the God of Abraham, Moses and Isaac, and in the same God of Luther, Calvin, and Edwards.
To you we say Mabuhay! (Long Live!)
(Dr. Joel R. Beeke’s books include: Meet the Puritans, The Soul of Life (The Piety of John Calvin), and Living for God’s Glory, among others. His wife, Mary Beeke’s first book is The Law of Kindness. Know more about Dr. Beeke by visiting www.puritanseminary.org).
