Philippines Outreach

The Beginnings...

    The history of Philippines Outreach actually begins way back in 1988. At that time, Derek Johns was a student at the University of Georgia (UGA). Derek is originally from Eastman, Georgia. While at UGA, Derek met Celi at a local church. Celi is from the Philippines and was also a student at UGA. It is a long story but basically Derek fell in love with Celi. After Derek finished his studies at UGA, he followed Celi back to the Philippines and they were married there in 1990. Derek then returned to Eastman and was ordained to the Gospel ministry at a local church. Shortly after that Celi was also able to come to Eastman. God then guided Derek and Celi to return to the Philippines as missionaries with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). After completing the 6 month YWAM DTS in Atlanta, Georgia, Derek and Celi began missionary service with YWAM Balut (Smokey Mountain) in 1993. 

Smokey Mountain...

      The focus of the mission work at YWAM Balut was the people living at Smokey Mountain, the garbage dump of Manila. Approximately 15,000 people lived on and around a mountain of burning, stinking garbage. The people there were very poor and those in YWAM ministered to them in various ways. It was during Derek and Celi's time at Smokey Mountain that God really began to give them a heart for the poor people in the Philippines.

     In 1995, the Philippine government closed down Smokey Mountain and moved the people to various relocation sites. One of those sites was Dasmarinas, Cavite. A lot of people that Derek and  Celi were reaching out to on Smokey Mountain were moved to Dasmarinas, and Derek and Celi basically followed them there. Derek and Celi have been living in Dasmarinas since 1998.

 A picture of Derek in front of Smokey Mountain. This picture was taken around 1994. The "mountains" behind Derek were composed of piled up, burnt garbage.

Garbage was almost always burning at Smokey Mountain.

Growing and Expanding...

     In Dasmarinas, Derek and Celi continued to reach out to the poor and needy in various ways. God brought growth to the ministry. Churches were planted in Dasmarinas and also in Montalban, Rizal. Other ministries like the Tuberculosis Treatment Ministry were started. Students were sponsored to go to school. A ministry center was constructed in Dasmarinas. Outreach was begin in other locations like Indang, Cavite. Derek and Celi continued to serve with YWAM.

Philippines Outreach...

    Although Derek and Celi continued to serve with YWAM  in the Philippines (and still do until now),  the growth in the ministry necessitated the establishment of a mission society in the USA which would further help the expansion of the work in the Philippines and would enable more ministries and missionaries to be supported. In 2010, with the sponsorship of several churches in the Eastman, Georgia/Middle Georgia area, Philippines Outreach Inc. was officially established. Philippines Outreach exists to help facilitate prayer, outreach, financial assistance and other forms of support for the further expansion and growth of ministry to the poor in the Philippine Islands

 This is our present ministry headquarters in the Philippines. It is located in Dasmarinas City, Cavite. It took us about 7 years to complete this ministry center. We built it one floor at the time, as God provided resources.