A Ray of Hope in the Storm: Extending Christ’s Love to Cities Affected by Typhoon Carina

A Ray of Hope in the Storm: Extending Christ’s Love to Cities Affected by Typhoon Carina

  • July 31, 2024

Last week, we woke up to dark gray skies and the deafening sound of heavy rainfall as the southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon Carina ravaged our nation. Over 1.3 million lives were affected by severe floods and landslides, prompting rescue operations in several areas. The cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Marikina were the hardest hit across Metro Manila. 

The floodwaters rose high, making streets impassable and submerging homes and establishments.

In times of darkness and despair, our church locations across the nation opened their doors, providing refuge from the storm. 

Displaced families sought comfort and shelter in many of our church locations that served as emergency evacuation centers.

Victory locations in Pampanga, Bataan, and Bulacan opened their doors to evacuees.

With eager hearts, many brought donations across Metro Manila, immediately packing relief goods and non-food essentials like medicines, hygiene kits, school supplies, and cleaning materials. 

We’re grateful to our church members who generously donated, and volunteered to sort and pack relief goods.

Not long after, these goods were distributed, opening doors to pray and speak a word of encouragement to affected communities.

Our churches came together to provide relief goods across Metro Manila and in the hardest-hit communities in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Marikina.
Aside from their basic needs, the affected families were in need of something deeper–a glimmer of hope through heartfelt prayers and compassionate words.

Through your efforts, prayers, and heart of service, over 5,873 families in around 22 cities, 3 municipalities, 95 barangays, 14 campuses, and 23 villages/subdivisions as well as our Real LIFE scholars and church members experienced God’s love.

Thank you for reflecting Christ’s compassion and comfort through your wholehearted generosity, opening doors for the gospel to be proclaimed and demonstrated.

Let’s continue to pray for God’s peace, comfort, and provision as our nation recovers from this calamity. Amidst the darkness of this world, may God’s love shine through His Church so that more people will come to Him and find everlasting salvation and hope.

Our Mission Continues

Our Mission Continues

  • May 13, 2020

Our mission to be God’s hands and feet continues in this season. Here’s how our church in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, has been reaching out to those in need in the city.

 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: Since May 1, 2020, the entire city has gradually transitioned from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the general community quarantine (GCQ).

While the city observes the “new normal” under the GCQ, some establishments and modes of public transportation have been allowed to operate at a reduced capacity. A “no mask, no entry” policy was imposed for everyone’s safety. A COVID Shield Control Pass (CSCP) was also issued by the local government unit to manage the movement in public places.

Though some offices have resumed operations, a significant number of workers are still displaced by the pandemic. Most of what they were able to save were depleted during the ECQ. Aside from the displaced workers in the area, there are also a number of students in different universities that are unable to go back to their respective towns and provinces (like Batanes, Calayan, and Ifugao) because of the lockdown.

Because of the current situation in the city, our church there has been actively continuing its relief efforts. During ECQ, our church in Tuguegarao initiated donation drives for food and medical supplies for Real LIFE scholars, frontline healthcare workers, and barangay officials stationed at checkpoints. Now, during GCQ, they are actively monitoring the condition of our church members and stranded students on different campuses.

   

With the help of our Victory group leaders, pastoral staff, and volunteers from Every Nation Campus, our church in that city is continually distributing relief packs to affected students and families. Just recently, they visited the Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines, International School of Asia and the Pacific, and the Cagayan State University, where there are approximately 64 students inside the dorms and roughly 75 students living in boarding houses in nearby subdivisions.

It is the hope and prayer of our church in Tuguegarao to continue doing what God has started through them. As long as there are families and students in need, they trust that God will provide them the means to be an instrument of His love and provision.

 

Aside from preaching the gospel, our mission also involves demonstrating God’s love to others. In this time of crisis, may we continue to be His hands and feet to those in need.

 

You can know more about our relief efforts by visiting victory.org.ph/GoodNews2020

Lawin victims receive new housing as relief efforts continue

Lawin victims receive new housing as relief efforts continue

  • December 2, 2016

A month and a half since Typhoon Lawin (international name Haima) struck the Philippine provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Ilocos Sur, thousands of affected families continue to rebuild from the devastation. Clinging onto their faith in God and the generosity of their countrymen, they work to rehabilitate their homes and livelihoods.

Several relief operations have ended, but other rehabilitation efforts continue, including that of nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Last November 25, Bishop Manny Carlos, Victory Philippines Chairman, and Pastor Gilbert Foliente, Victory Philippines Executive Director, met with Habitat for Humanity and signed a memorandum of agreement that would give us the honor of helping several affected families rebuild their homes.

We stand with and pray for our countrymen affected by Typhoon Lawin. Our churches in Cagayan, Isabela, and Ilocos Sur have been working to aid those affected, and we invite everyone to continue to keep our countrymen in your prayers. Together, let us call on the Lord and trust that He is near to us, especially our brothers and sisters affected by the typhoon.

Lawin victims to rebuild homes; Victory happy to help

Relief Efforts for Yolanda Ongoing

Relief Efforts for Yolanda Ongoing

  • November 10, 2013

Haiyan Relief web iconOn Friday, November 8, typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) made landfall in the city of Tacloban, Leyte. Thousands of families have been displaced, infrastructure was damaged, and many are in need of basic goods and medical attention.

Join us as we begin relief efforts for those affected by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Our Victory centers are now accepting donations for flood victims.

If you’re on Twitter and would like to like to participate in our relief efforts, please tweet using the hashtag #yolandarelief.

WHAT TO DONATE

The following items are a priority for those affected:

  • Instant noodles

  • Canned goods

  • Bottled water

  • Biscuits

  • Coffee

  • Mats and blankets

CASH AND CHECK DONATIONS

We also accept cash and check donations through BPI direct deposit. Please check out the info below:

Disaster Relief Operations – Peso Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0063-3205-52
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: PESO Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

Disaster Relief Operations – Dollar Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0824-0569-27
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: DOLLAR Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

ONLINE DONATIONS

Victory is now accepting online donations for our relief efforts via credit card or BPI Express Online.

To give via credit card, please visit http://victory.org.ph//give/creditcard.

  1. Just fill out the online form.
    1. Enter your local church. Please select Others if you don’t attend a Victory location in Metro Manila.
    2. Type of giving. Please select Disaster Relief.
    3. Amount.
    4. Frequency.
    5. Your name and email address.
  2. Clicking on Next will take you to PesoPay, where you will complete your transaction.

To give via BPI Express Online, please visit http://victory.org.ph//give/bpi.

  1. Get your Reference Number. Enter your email address in the box provided to receive your Reference Number in your email.
  2. Enroll Victory in your BPI Express Online Account.
  3. Give. You may enter the following Additional Reference Number, depending on your Victory Center:

Victory Philippines (99000)
Victory Alabang (99026)
Victory Caloocan (99035)
Victory Fort (99002)
Victory Greenhills (99043)
Victory Makati (99057)
Victory Malate (99022)
Victory Metro East (99049)
Victory Muntinlupa (99060)
Victory Nova (99034)
Victory Ortigas (99028)
Victory Pasig (99030)
Victory Pioneer (99042)
Victory Quezon City (99018)
Victory Santa Rosa (99044)
Victory U-Belt (99001)

If you’re looking to participate in relief efforts, you may email partners@victory.org.ph.

Together, let us share God’s love and be His hands and feet in these times of need. God bless you as we work together towards helping our countrymen!

Monsoon Relief: How you can Help

Monsoon Relief: How you can Help

  • August 11, 2012

Metro Manila and its neighboring areas were devastated by a monsoon that ran for a total of three days. We encourage you to help our brothers and sisters in need by helping in our relief efforts of volunteering at a local church nearest you! Please check out our infographic below for more information. Feel free to share it with your friends, too!

To download, right-click the image and select ‘Save As’ (for Windows) or ‘Save Image As…’ (for Mac).

Monsoon Relief infographic

Note: By contributing to this project, ministry partners acknowledge that funds given to Every Nation will be directed to provide assistance to those affected by this disaster, and redirected, as necessary, should the funds contributed be in excess of the need. Every Nation partners as well with other non-government organizations who work in these areas.

Hope in the Ruins

Hope in the Ruins

  • January 27, 2012

A month has passed since Typhoon Sendong ravaged Mindanao. God brought different groups of people together to work as one in rebuilding Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

One team of medical professionals, known as the Victory Health Professional Volunteers, visited six barangays in Iligan to administer much-needed medical aid. The team was led by Dr. Jojo Rivera and worked in partnership with Operation Blessing.

The volunteers extended different forms of support.  Medical missions were held in various places where tetanus vaccines, wound treatments, vitamins, and hospital assistance were administered as needed. A total of 1,037 patients received medical attention and more than a third of them accepted Jesus into their lives.

Part of the mission was to do Kids Church service-type activities and art therapy with the kids.

A support program called Holiday of Hope and Cheer was also organized, this time for the youth. By conducting art therapy classes, the volunteers were able to help young children overcome the shock and trauma that the typhoon has caused them. Several teenagers were also treated to a free lunch in nearby fast food chains and were given clothing allowance. 225 young people accepted Jesus into their lives through this outreach program.

Other forms of relief included the distribution of relief packs, sacks of rice, and carpentry kits. Clean-up efforts were also conducted in some of the affected areas.

Janelle Pacete, one of the volunteers, recounts, “This experience personally touched me and taught me how to be very grateful for the things I normally take for granted. To me, it could just be another one of the inexpensive (fast food) meals. To them, it meant an experience of a lifetime.”

The kids enjoying their free lunch treat

Various forms of support are coming in, left and right, but the need still remains great. Let’s continue to include Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in our prayers.

  1. Pray for emotional and physical strength for the victims, that they will rise above their current situation and look into the future with renewed hope and joy.
  2. Pray for strength, wisdom, and fear of God for the local government officials in this time of recovery.
  3. Pray for more opportunities to share the Word of God during this season.
  4. Pray for strength for our leadership teams in Victory Iligan and Victory Cagayan de Oro as they continually minister to affected families and individuals.
  5. Pray for more volunteers to invest their skills and resources into rebuilding these cities.

There’s much hope for Iligan!

We are in faith that God will move mightily in spite of all that has happened to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. Thank you for your support and for praying with us!

You can still participate in the ongoing relief efforts. For more information on how to give, click here.

Strength After the Storm

Strength After the Storm

  • January 19, 2012
A month after Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi), Victory Cagayan de Oro is currently in the rebuilding stage, helping grief-stricken families in the area in various ways: visiting the sick in hospitals, offering financial aid, and coursing relief goods to accredited non-profit organizations, to name a few.

Empowering the victims through counselling

As for Victory Iligan, the church has implemented its rebuilding program. They started off by building relationships with affected families, inviting those who live in nearby villages to spend a day at the Victory Iligan center. After engaging and encouraging the victims, the church blesses each one with goods based on their need: medicine for the sick, shelter for the homeless, and financial support for failed businesses.

Aside from receiving emotional empowerment and support, some of the victims also came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior through these rehabilitation efforts. These individuals left with not just supplies and relief goods, but also a personal relationship with Jesus.

We are in faith that our brothers and sisters in the Mindanao region will pull through in this calamity! Please continue to pray for grace, strength, and wisdom for our leaders in the area. Let’s also seek God for His comfort for the victims at this period of their lives.

Happy to serve!

Typhoon Sendong Relief Efforts

  • December 21, 2011

We are all grieved by the tragedy that has befallen Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and other parts of Mindanao. From our congregation in Cagayan de Oro alone, more than fifty families have lost homes and possessions as a result of this calamity. We are all crying out for God’s comfort and mercy for all those who’ve lost their loved ones, and who need help to recover from this ordeal.

As a church, we immediately responded to help the city in practical ways. Victory Metro Manila has sent financial aid to help with their relief and rehabilitation efforts. We are also coordinating with Operation Blessing to assist in disaster response in the area.

Our churches in Mindanao have also taken part in this effort. Victory Cagayan de Oro has opened their center as a temporary shelter for those who lost their homes in the floods. Our leaders in Cagayan de Oro have also risen up to help their community by taking up a special offering to help their members with the relief efforts. Victory Pagadian, Victory Zamboanga, and Victory General Santos have sent financial aid as well.

How we can Help
Our senior pastor in Victory Cagayan de Oro, Pastor Janssen Torredes, is currently coordinating Victory’s relief efforts for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. According to Pastor Janssen, the most practical way to help right now is to help fund the relief efforts. The immediate need is to provide food and water for the affected families. Our team in Cagayan de Oro will take care of purchasing, packaging, and deploying the goods to the affected families.

How to Give
Let’s do what we can to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. We are accepting cash donations for those afflicted by tropical storm Sendong.

Here are ways on how you can give to Sendong relief efforts:

NOTE: For more information on how to give online, please visit victory.org.ph/give.

  • Through your local congregation
    • Please indicate “Sendong Relief Efforts” on the “Others” field on the offering envelope

Thank you for your Christ-like compassion and service to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. Let us continue praying for those who have lost loved ones, and for those who are participating in relief operations in the affected areas of Mindanao.

Note: By contributing to this project, ministry partners acknowledge that funds given to Every Nation will be directed to provide assistance to those affected by this disaster, and redirected, as necessary, should the funds contributed be in excess of the need. Every Nation partners as well with other non-government organizations who work in these areas.