Perspective — Philippines
I am from the Philippines, and I am grateful that our IMC family can witness God’s faithfulness among people from many tribes, cultures and nations.
I still remember the first time I saw the global church gathered in Germany. I was amazed. For a moment, it felt like I was seeing a glimpse of heaven: people from different places and languages, yet all praising the same God in their own languages, in their own ways.
It reminded me that even in differences, we truly are one family in Christ.
But as we all know, the Christian life is not always easy. Along with joy, there are also burdens.
Buy one, get one
I grew up in the church as a pastor’s kid. Both of my parents are pastors, so I grew up seeing not only the joy of ministry but also the burdens that come with it. It’s a “buy one, get one.”
In the past few years, our church community experienced some painful moments. Some workers and churches left. And as young people in the church, many of us did not fully understand what was happening or had happened. It was something the elders carried. As youth, we simply felt the loss.
People we used to worship with were suddenly gone. Ates and Kuyas who had been part of our lives. Relationships changed. And we had questions we did not know how to ask.
For me, it felt like a kind of heartbreak. Because when people leave, it feels like something in the family has broken.
But even in those difficult moments, I have also seen something hopeful. I have seen members continue in faith despite their own burdens.
Faith amid hardship
I wanted to understand more about the burdens our pastors carry. So I asked some of them to share their hearts with me.
A pastor shared that one of his deepest burdens is for the well-being of pastors in our district: to improve their economic situation, repair church buildings and provide more opportunities for pastors and lay workers to be equipped for ministry. Yet even while carrying these concerns, he continues serving faithfully, trusting that God will strengthen the church and its leaders.
Another pastor spoke about the many responsibilities they carry in ministry. Many pastors serve with limited resources while also caring for their families and raising their children. Yet despite these challenges, they continue serving faithfully, trusting that God will provide for their needs.
One pastor shared a very personal testimony. At 69 years old, she needed a very expensive heart surgery. At first, she hesitated because of the cost. But her family reminded her that we serve a God who hears prayer. Churches prayed, people prayed and through God’s provision, the surgery became possible.
Through that season of sickness, she saw God’s faithfulness. And even now, in her 70s, she continues serving the Lord with the life God has sustained.
Another pastor spoke about the burden of unity in the church. That unity does not happen overnight. It takes patience, humility and love. Yet even when it is difficult, they continue working for peace and understanding within the church.
Two young pastors also shared the challenge of leading congregations where many members are older than they are. It can be intimidating at times, but they continue stepping forward in faith, learning to lead with humility while faithfully serving the people God has entrusted to them.
Listening for hope
Listening to their stories helped me understand more deeply the burdens of ministry. And what they shared was only a small glimpse of everything they have been through. Yet I also heard how the community of believers helped carry those burdens with them; strengthening them along the way.
As I listened, I also heard something else. I heard faith. I heard perseverance. And I heard a deep trust in God. Even in hardship, they continue serving. Even in uncertainty, they continue trusting God to provide. Even through difficulties, they continue loving and leading the church.
Through this, I have also seen hope in the community of believers. I have seen churches continue worshiping together. I have seen people praying for one another. I have seen pastors and members choosing to keep serving together.
In the Philippines, we have a beautiful value called bayanihan – the spirit of helping one another carry burdens for the good of the community. There is a saying: “Magaan ang mabigat kapag nagtutulungan.” (Heavy becomes light when people carry it together.) I believe this is also what the church is called to be. Galatians 6:2 reminds us: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Sometimes ministry is difficult. Sometimes unity takes time. Sometimes the burdens feel heavy.
But when we stand together as the family of Christ: praying, supporting and encouraging one another, we begin to see God’s faithfulness.
My hope for our churches, and for the global church, is that we continue living in this spirit of solidarity. Because the truth is, the church has never been perfect. We carry wounds. We carry questions. We carry burdens.
But we also carry something greater: faith, hope, and the love of Christ. And one day, we will all stand together before God: people from every tribe, every language and every nation. Worshipping God. Just like through MWC events.
—Blessing Joy Turqueza is a member of the Integrated Mennonite Churches, Inc., in the Philippines. She is the Asia representative on the YABs Committee (2025–2028). She spoke this reflection at the Renewal 2026 event in the Philippines in March 2026 “Solidarity in the family of Christ: Sharing burdens, sharing hope.”
