BalikBayanihan logo
The National Association of Filipino American United Methodists (NAFAUM) will hold its 16th convocation in the Philippines on January 3-6, 2018, a first outside the United States. The historic Central United Methodist Church in Manila will be the venue where Filipinos around the world are invited for celebration, worship, study, and visioning. In its 30 years of existence, NAFAUM had always held gatherings around the U.S. to be close where Filipino United Methodists were. Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, was the site of the 15th NAFAUM convocation in 2015.
BalikBayanihan is the theme for the gathering. The term is coined from common Filipino words as bayan (nation), balik (return), bayanihan (cooperation), and ani (harvest). “Therefore, Go,” the message of the 2016 General Conference theme highlighted by the imposing image of Mount Hood in the State of Oregon will echo in Manila. For a contextual presentation, Mount Mayon, a sister volcano, will superimpose on the General Conference logo when NAFAUM visits its roots. In their native tongue, the message is the same, stronger perhaps: Dahil dito kayo’y humayo. The undergirding reason for BalikBayanihan2018 is mission. NAFAUM will follow essentially the Theology of Mission of the UMC based on Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission. Participants will engage in mission projects during their stay in and around Manila.
BalikBayanihan hopes to attract Filipino UM Christians in diaspora, their friends, and neighbors. Leaders in the denomination are also invited to discover or rediscover opportunities on what a global or worldwide church requires, and to be one in spirit with Filipinos as people of faith. The convocation is open to United Methodists in the Philippines to share life experiences with the visitors recognizing that while the visitors are on a “mission trip” to the Philippines, the Filipinos on the ground are constantly living the experience.
Convocation organizers have highlighted to potential visitors the following:
- To come see why the UMC in the Philippines is thriving and growing, and learn what core values drive this growth.”
- To hear the aspirations of Filipinos, feel their energy, and sense their inner joy and peace that makes their witness in church and society vibrant and robust.
- To join in mission projects with co-workers who are already in the field for the eradication of poverty and oppressive systems and social injustices inflicted on the Filipino people and their land;
- To engage in conversation with seasoned messengers of the Word who speak from heart and experience; and
- To share in repentance for the lack of systemic partnership between Filipinos in diaspora including missed opportunities for mutual growth in discipleship and servic
Among other speakers, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tapia is slated to give the keynote message. The Rev. Dr. Bener Agtarap representing the General Board of Discipleship will conduct workshops on congregational development and redevelopment. Dr. Christian Van, executive secretary for the Asian American Language Ministries (AALM) has indicated that the General Board of Global Ministries is supporting this NAFAUM event through his office.