Shine! Kids Ministry

A word from the Children's Outreach Co-ordinators

Shine! Kids Ministry started in 2004 when Pastor Ric Bedicer (a native missionary from Mindanao) came to POCF as the Youth Pastor. Ric was encouraging the young people of POCF (Subic Church) to start evangelising and reaching out to children in the local area. So the young people, along with Ric and Rachel (Chrissy's niece, and missionary from the UK), began village outreaches in the local town of Subic.  

Every Saturday and Sunday the small team of young people would take their guitar into a few local villages and teach songs and memory verses to the children. After 3 years of regular outreaches, there was a burden in our hearts to expand this outreach work, so that the children could experience more of a church atmosphere and go beyond the limitations of ministry in the alleyways (where often there was little space to stand, let alone dance or sit down to colour).

In 2007, Ric and Rachel felt it was the right time to expand and look for a building suitable to bus children into from the surrounding villages. When the Senior Citizens of Subic heard their proposal, they were more than happy to give the free use of their beautiful building for this kids outreach.

Ric learnt how to drive the POC Bus and with the help of Tito and Edgar, POC's Jeepney drivers, and a team of 35 Young people, who were willing to give their time and energy to be a blessing, we were able to begin this new ministry.

Shine! is held every Saturday at 9am. The children are bussed in from local villages and they are excited every week to learn more about Jesus through, bible stories, Kids worship, memory verses and of course Games and PRIZES!!! This is especially nice for many of our children who are from poorer areas of Subic. For a few hours on a Saturday morning, they can enjoy having fun in God's presence!

SDC Girl's Home Outreach

Another branch of Shine Kids ministry is SDC Girl's Home in Olongapo City. This is a government- run children's home for Girl's, but it is more like a rehabilitation home for the older girls, as many who are brought to this home are brought on a temporary basis. Many of the younger children residing at SDC are abused, neglected or abandoned, whilst many of the older girls have been brought in because they have broken a village curfew, been caught stealing or found committing petty-crime, fighting, or are minors working in the local Clubs.

Our team has been allowed to visit this home, where the children and young people are locked in 24hours a day, (they are allowed out with special permission or to attend school). Every Saturday afternoon we visit SDC for bible study and fellowship. We share testimonies, sing songs, teach dances and other activities. We have seen this small ministry impact many young lives over the past 4 years that we have been visiting. Our young people are a great encouragement to other girls as they share their own testimonies of how God has helped them through difficult circumstances in their lives.

Each week the kids wait for us to arrive for bible study. They just love to have your attention, even for just a short time. It is clear to us as a team, how much they value our visits. These kids are so open to the gospel of Jesus, which is the hope these young people need to hear for their own lives, as many find themselves caught in depression when they are brought to the home. Away from their families and without the love and attention they each need, we encourage these kids to cling to Jesus, Put their trust in Him and see how "He will turn those things that were meant for evil....around for GOOD!" Genesis 50:20

We believe we are planting seeds in these children's lives that will one day produce fruit for Jesus! We continually pray for this ministry, as it is challenging for each one of us who works with these children. Our heart is that these kids will know and experience the Love of Jesus...and Never Forget it!

Please help us to pray for "Shine!" For it's financial needs, and that as we plant the seeds, the Lord will bring them to fruition.

Thank You for your support. God Bless,

Ric and Rachel Bedicer