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Omega Philippines Outreach - OPO - is the Philippines "daughter" organization of Omega World Missions. Under the guidance and direction of Omega, a national group of leaders was brought together to incorporate under Philippines law, with a Filipino board to direct its affairs. Omega holds one seat on the Board of Directors, and provides financial and administrative assistance for the ministry.
OPO is a ministry whose ultimate purpose is "to establish groups of local believers of the Christian Faith (in) people groups who have not been provided, and/or have not been taught with the Holy Scriptures, and who are linguistically, socially, or economically different so as to need a structured or organized fellowship of their own kind where they as new Christian Believers will feel at home." Founded in the belief that, once the Gospel has been transplanted across the cultural boundaries, indigenous people are best able to communicate the Gospel to their own people, OPO focuses on the "next towns" concept; whenever a local congregation is founded, local leaders are trained and equipped to lead, and they are encouraged to go to the "next towns" (barrios) and repeat the process. This challenge, elaborated by Omega founder Gene Adkins, was presented to a group of students and faculty at Mindanao State University in 1980. Several of those present have taken up the challenge, and formed a core group, joined over the years by many capable and dedicated Filipino youths, who have successfully planted churches in "virgin" fields. Rev. Adkins proposed a concept that has proved viable in this and many other situations: "When you plant the seed of the Word in the soil of a culture, it will bring forth fruit according to its kind." These churches are, in the truest sense, indigenous churches. The establishment of churches necessitates the development of local spiritual leadership - a discipling process that follows naturally. This is accomplished not only by OPO personnel, but by coordinating efforts with other Christian organizations. Because traditional evangelism is often not permitted, or is simply not effective, OPO uses the tools of literacy training, translation work and community development to effectively open doors and hearts for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The tasks of Bible translation and literacy work are not only effective tools of evangelism, but the Bible in the native tongue is a requirement for a viable indigenous church. In some areas, direct evangelism may be prohibited on threat of expulsion or even death. However, such things as health education, sanitary facilities and agricultural assistance are welcomed, and provide opportunities for ministry in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. Doors of discreet witness are opened, spiritual seed is sown along with the natural, and God Himself will provide the harvest in due season. |