Helping to Reach the Agta people

Helping to Reach the Agta People

In January 2010 a team from LMI went to the Philippines to minister in seven churches, two school assemblies at Union School International, and to conduct leadership seminars in three areas: Davao Del Norte (Samal Island); Tugegaro City in the Cagayan Valley (Mindanao Island); and Baguio City (Luzon Island). 

Approximately two hundred pastors, leaders and church workers attended the leadership seminars. Rev Jonathan Winter (LMI's Mission Associate & Coordinator for the Philippines) said, 'The LMI Leadership Seminars were well received and appreciated by all those that attended in the various locations... [they] were a channel in which to challenge, remind, educate, revive, refresh and inspire pastors, leaders and church workers.’

In addition to conducting leadership seminars and being involved in church work, LMI’s team had the opportunity to spend time with the Agta people, a Filipino tribe that is in the early stages of being reached with the gospel. Rev Winter ministers amongst this tribe, and following the team’s experience LMI launched a Philippine Project to assist the work of sharing the gospel with the Agta tribe by equipping those working to share the love of Jesus with them.

For more information about this project please consult the Philippine Project 2010 leaflet which you can find on the downloads page of LMI’s website under "promotional literature." www.lmi-org.net  

You or your church could be a part of helping to reach the Agta people for Jesus!

 History of the Agta People by Rev Jonathan Winter.

 The Agta people are believed to have been the original inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. They are one of the world’s few remaining populations of pygmies. The Spanish colonizers of the 16th century called them Negritos, a term that is still widely used today. Culturally, they are a very non-confrontational, shy people and nomadic in nature. So when the Polynesians and later the Spanish started arriving in the Philippines, the Agta simply retreated and moved away. After a while, land ran out and there was no longer any place to move away to, so many of the Agta have become intermingled with the rest of society. Unfortunately, they are looked down upon by their neighbours, and they lack any cultural pride so many seem to believe other people's view of them.

Their people name has become an insult - when someone does something foolish, you might call them “Agta”.  Sometimes the Agta people don’t like to be “Agta” and therefore have tried to blend into the culture that surrounds them. Many are illiterate and as a result are often taken advantage of by their neighbours.They continue to live in the mountains of northern Luzon (the largest Island of the Philippines), and are primarily hunters and food gatherers, much as their ancestors were hundreds of years ago. The Agta are one of the few remaining unreached people groups in the Philippines, due to the lack of mission, discipleship work amongst them, and the lack of indigenous Agta churches established.

Jonathan Winter will be visiting N. Ireland from 22nd March – 8th April to promote the work of LMI in the Philippines, and highlight in particular the Philippine Project. If you would like him to come and speak in your church about what God is doing amongst the Agta people, please get in touch with Thomas McClean on 02890458362 or 07802824610. If you would like to hear Jonathan speak during his visit a full list of the places and events at which he will be attending will be posted on LMI’s website under “events” nearer the time.