"The Values Instruction Class has been well received by the students, the classroom teachers, and the parents. We are very pleased."
A Teacher:
"Could you also teach Values to the lower Elementary grades in our school?"
A Parent:
"Through the Values Instruction Classes my child has become more obedient to me. I hope that you continue teaching values in the school."
A Student:
"...I am so glad that you are teaching me and I hope that you will teach us for a long time. These classes have also made my mother happy because I am telling the truth."
In February 2004, a handful of Christian workers, including Laura Bonney and Ruth Haynes (SEND Philippine missionaries) began to seek God's direction regarding the open door to teach biblical values in the public schools. In May 2004, an Executive Start-Up Committee for an NGO (non-governmental organization) was started with the vision being to see students rooted in biblical values for personal and national transformation. The initial curriculum, Truth and Honesty, was developed and test taught by more than 20 volunteers in 4 schools. All were amazed at how well it was received by students, classroom teachers, and principals.
In July 2004 President Arroyo issued the following statement: "...I would like to instruct our Department of Education to allow non-governmental organizations of various religions to teach values formation once again in our public schools."
By God's grace, VOICE Philippines was registered with the Philippine government in April, 2005. Under the program, churches are encouraged to "adopt" a nearby public school (elementary or high school) and serve that school by providing volunteers to teach a weekly Bible values class inside the classroom during school time. VOICE assists partnering churches by providing basic training and a biblically based values curriculum. The Bible is the stated "textbook" and is used during each class. Inside the classroom the program is "pre-evangelistic" with the aim to introduce students to the Bible and to build bridges of trust and respect between the local church and the school. Following each module, the adopting church is encouraged to hold an event to which students (and their families) are invited. It is at that time that the gospel is explained. As a result of this strategy, already several families have visited and started attending the churches from which the volunteer values teachers come.
Currently, there are two full time and two part time Filipino workers on staff. Five SEND missionaries are also assigned to this ministry. As of December, 2008, there are:
80 Churches partnering with VOICE
100+ Schools adopted by those churches
31,000 Students in the weekly Bible values classes
Eight of the planned 16 curriculum modules are now published and being used in the schools:
V7B - Respect & Friendliness (1st year high school)
V8A - Self-Discipline & Responsibility (2nd year high school)
During 2009 we trust to publish:
V5B - Kindness & Patience (5th grade)
V6A - Humility & Diligence (6th grade)
V8B - Obedience & Forgiveness (2nd year high school)
V9A - Thankfulness & True Love (3rd year high school)
Praise God for this wonderful opportunity to invest in the lives of the future generation for His glory. Please pray with us as plans for continued growth are set into motion and God provides both personnel and financial resources. (See Current Projects)
VOICE Staff (Nov. 4, 2008)
left to right, back row: Jake, Lillian, Laura, Ruth, Tony;
36,738 public
