Digital Operation Jabez

Digital Operation Jabez (DOJ) 2021

“For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.”

Habakkuk 2:14

The pandemic situation in our country provides a unique opportunity for us to make history in the way we reach the Philippines for Christ. Cru Philippines took the challenge to host the first-ever Digital Operation Jabez* which runs from March 28 until the month of May.

Why digital? We believe that when Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful it also includes people occupying the Digital Space. The 2020 statistics tells us that there are five billion unchurched people in the world, 49% of which not connected with any follower of Jesus. There are 5.16 billion mobile phone users (Philippines on top of the list), 4.57 billion internet users, and 3.81 billion active social media users. Through digital avenues, people can now have access to the good news of Jesus.  With billions of people using the internet, mobile phones, and social media, there is no hindrance to the advancement of the gospel, pandemic or not. Helping fulfill the Great Commission is now just a click away. 

Cru is using different digital tools and apps in training participants for this Digital OJ. Presently, Cru Philippines has commissioned 42 teams with partner churches to help saturate the Visayas and Mindanao with the gospel digitally.

The Operations Team, led by Wilfrench Talaue and Rose Jane Abueva, successfully held the training despite poor wi-fi connection in the provinces. Six churches in Ifugao with forty participants enlisted for the training! The Evangelical Church of Palompon, Leyte, led by Pastor Billy Niaceg, sent eight youth leaders to participate while the pastor of Grace Driven Fellowship Cebu, Ptr. Garry Lagahit, brought eight members who are new Christians.  That Sunday, March 4, these eight people were baptized! One of them shared the link on how to know Jesus to 2,000 of his friends in Facebook!

Truly, our creative God continues to harvest souls this pandemic, now through online. To God be the glory!

 *Operation Jabez (OJ) is Cru Philippines’ ministry initiative to go and reach the unchurched areas in the Philippines with the gospel of Jesus Christ to train partner churches in evangelism, discipleship, and planting churches. The goal of OJ is to BLESS the Philippines: Build partnerships with churches to reach every sector of the nation with a wide variety of resources. Leverage digital tools to equip disciples and partners to Win, Build, and Send. Explore and evaluate the digital mission trips to discover lessons learned. Synergize (combine or coordinate the activity of two or more agents to produce a joint effect greater than the sum of their separate effects). As we work with students, marketplace leaders, athletes, pastors, local believers, educators, medical personnel and many more, we can see great results, indeed. Sustain the momentum for further multiplication as we continue the collaboration by providing training, resources, and mentoring opportunities.