This One’s Personal

Thirty-five years ago, I arrived in the Philippines as a young woman, appointed by the Board for World Ministries to serve as a Peace & Justice Intern with our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). My specific assignment was to Kalauman Development Center in Dumaguete City, a small seaside city in Negros Oriental, in the central Visayan region of the country.

I’d just finished my first year of seminary, and was not at all certain I’d return to finish those studies. I was feeling unclear about God’s call on my life, unconvinced I was “called” at all. I knew I needed to be stretched, to test myself and my faith. I longed for a global experience of the Church, to be catapulted out of my comfort zone into fresh understanding.

I got my wish.

That year in Dumaguete challenged me in every way imaginable. I was humbled frequently by unfamiliar language and routines that left me unsettled and more dependent on others than I would have liked.   I discovered internal reservoirs of courage and strength I did not know I had.  I recognized in new and disturbing ways my privilege as a white, middle class, United States citizen. As the weeks turned to months, my faith shifted and expanded to fit a widened world view, shaped by all who were my everyday teachers in that amazing global classroom.

The dictatorial Marcos regime had ended just four years prior to my arrival; the People Power Revolution (“EDSA”) deposed him in 1986 and forced him into exile. It was an exhilarating time in the Philippines, democracy restored by a movement of the people. But conflict and dangers remained. Skirmishes between guerrilla fighters and government forces were commonplace, especially in rural areas. The newly restored democracy was still fragile. Deep poverty and inequity plagued the country.

Such ministry often exacted a high price. Working among the poor to improve their circumstances could get you labeled a ‘Communist’, and that brought dire risk. Some were forced into hiding.  Others were ‘disappeared’. Some were even assassinated. Their discipleship carried bitter costs.

It’s over three decades later now, but conversations with Filipino friends and Global Ministries partners over these last few days revealed a sobering truth: it is still risky here to name injustice out loud, to bravely stand with the marginalized. “Anti-terrorism” laws and a formalized “anti-insurgency” program have made “red-tagging” even more widespread. Pastors and other church workers who are simply doing faithful ministry alongside those who suffer are sometimes harassed, framed for crimes they did not commit, and imprisoned. Fear is a weapon used to silence protest and halt prophetic work. It all takes a toll: on the institutional Church, on pastors and leaders, on congregations and communities.

All those years ago, I marveled at a faith that could require such sacrifice. I was moved by ministries that were gently loving and stunningly brave. That experience clarified my sense of call and lit a spark for the global church that has never dimmed since.

And it causes me to wonder now: will we meet this moment that now confronts us in the United States with a similar witness? Will the threats and scare tactics meant to silence and subdue us fall flat in the face of our prophetic courage?  Will our discipleship be willing to encounter some risk? Will we be faithful through it all?

God of gentleness and power, teach us the ways of faith when the world tests and challenges us. Help us be brave. Lead us to minister with the fierce hearts of prophets and the embracing love of Jesus. Let us learn from the example of our global partners, and draw near to one another in solidarity. Amen.

The Reverend Shari Prestemon began her service with the national ministries of the United Church of Christ in January 2024. As the Acting Associate General Minister & Co-Executive for Global Ministries she has the privilege of overseeing several teams: Global Ministries, Global H.O.P.E., Public Policy & Advocacy Team (Washington, D.C.), and our staff representative to the United Nations. She previously served as pastor to local UCC congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin; the Executive Director at the UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi; and as Conference Minister in Minnesota.