By Mikee Natinga Norico
The Grace Church Houston Mission Team poses for a group photo with University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy following a courtesy call at the BOT Conference Room.
On August 3, 2026, the Grace Church Houston Mission Team paid a courtesy call to Central Philippine University (CPU) President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy at the BOT Conference Room.
The meeting served as an opportunity to welcome the 18-member mission team and recognize its ongoing outreach initiatives in Iloilo and Antique, carried out in partnership with local churches and communities.
According to the mission team, the primary purpose of their visit is to help spread the Gospel by supporting churches and ministers in sharing the Good News, demonstrating God’s love through hands-on service, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. The mission also aims to encourage the personal spiritual growth of its members by allowing them to serve beyond their comfort zones while gaining a deeper appreciation of global needs.
During their stay, the Grace Church Houston Mission Team visited several communities and partner organizations, including Alimodian, Iloilo, where they collaborated with the University Church Medical Outreach Team; Dalipe, San Jose, Antique; the CPU Kindergarten; the Aeta Community in Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo; and the CPU University Church God’s Grace Ministry for Work Students.
The team conducted various outreach activities in these communities, including Vacation Bible School (VBS)-style outreach programs featuring crafts for children in Alimodian, San Jose, and Lanit. They also distributed rice to families at all outreach sites except the CPU Kindergarten, donated books to enhance the classroom libraries of the CPU Kindergarten, and conducted feeding activities in San Jose, Lanit, and the CPU University Church God’s Grace Ministry for Work Students.
Composed of 18 members, the delegation was led by Mission Pastors Jon and Sydney Burkley and Mission Leaders Jaja and Joe Tan. They were joined by Angelina Barreda, Debria Brown, Ura White, Jane Fotiades, Caleb Gendron, Sarah Mwaniki, Priscilla Moore, Therese Moore, Arnold and Jocelyn Ortiz, Roman Rama III, Bessie Ramirez, Clarissa Soliz, and Gracie Washington.
The courtesy call highlighted the shared commitment of Grace Church Houston and Central Philippine University to Christian service, community outreach, and global partnership while opening opportunities for future collaboration in advancing faith-based ministries and extending compassionate service to communities in need.