News at ABWE
Creation Science Training Center Dedicated
The new Creation Science Training Center was dedicated in the Philippines on May 8, 2007. Rejoice with us in this historical event: a dynamic new missionary training partnership established during the eightieth anniversary year of both ABWE and Doane Baptist Church in Iloilo City. Much credit is due to visionary Pastor Danny Balm Escobar, who since 2003 has challenged ABWE Philippines to partner with them to help make the church a “launching pad” for training and sending forth Filipino creation science evangelism ministries (and other creative evangelism ministries) into Asia and the world.
More than seventy-five invited guests, mostly from Doane Baptist Church and Seminary, attended the inauguration, which in this culture, would not be complete without catered food and a program. There were ribbon-cutting ceremonies for both the office and the multimedia training room across the hall. Pastor Danny Balm Escobar gave inspiring words of welcome, and Jerry Layton, ABWE creation science evangelist, followed with a brief history and vision statement. The main speaker was Craig Kennedy, the ABWE field team leader, who challenged all involved to keep our focus on reaching the lost through world missions.
After the inauguration in the afternoon, that evening the first training was held in the new multimedia training room. Over the next two days, we were privileged to interact with an elite group of trainees from among the church staff, seminary, and Christian school, as well as other interested teachers and workers from nearby churches.
Pastor Danny Escobar, Jerry Layton,
and Donna Layton
The closing activity was originally planned to be a banquet, but God had other plans for a more spectacular finish. Jerry Layton was able to speak to a group of 250 science teachers from all over the region immediately following the banquet. This invitation at a nearby university was arranged by a Doane Church member, in response to Pastor Escobar’s challenge to consider their workplace as an evangelistic opportunity. The presentation centered around Psalm 19 and Romans 1:20 and was enthusiastically received by the science teachers, many giving thanks afterward for the teachable spiritual applications (which Filipino teachers can still use in their classrooms).
Answers in Genesis provides thousands of pieces of literature and DVDs for the Laytons’ speaking and training ministry. In speaking about the new Creation Science Training Center in the Philippines, Dr. David R. Crandall, director of Answers in Genesis Worldwide, stated that, “This ministry partner will greatly advance the cause of creation all over Asia.” Pray that this new ministry and training center would train many people to introduce the world to our Creator and Savior.