Global Missions officially announced that the island of Mindoro in the Philippines has reached its Phase 1 status, meaning that a new district has been established.

The Mindoro District is under the ministry supervision of the Southern Tagalog District, which also established the Palawan District in 2021.

The island of Mindoro lies in the southwest part of Luzon in the Philippines and is divided into two major provinces called Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. According to its local government website, it is the seventh largest island in the Philippines, with a total area of 20,244.51 sq. kilometers.

The place is well known for its famous natural diving spots, rivers, and several bodies of water, making fishing one of their main sources of income and livelihood among villagers. Fishing has also been used to reach out to people in the community, using Jesus’ disciples’ occupation in disciple-making, teaching, and preaching. They called it the “Pamalakaya,” a local term used for fishermen, and it has been contextualized as “fishers of men,” which is now used in their churches to catch people and lead them to a life-long journey with our Lord Jesus Christ.

They aim to see more new members adapt the concept of this discipleship to what is already familiar to them, making it easier to share the gospel with those who have not heard of it.

The new district is now home to five new churches in the following towns: Tayamaan, Tangkalan, Sta. Cruz, Sablayan, and Aroma. The ministry workers and pastors would like to experience and participate in more church-planting activities throughout its nearby communities and provinces to thrive in the upcoming years and be added to their new district.

The designation of Mindoro Island as a Phase 1 district materialized through the dedicated efforts and unwavering leadership of countless individuals who were committed to expanding the Kingdom. The collective contributions of former district superintendents, congregations, pastors, and lay members to this significant milestone are now woven into the fabric of this historic occasion.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific