The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), into which the Presbyterian mission churches merged in 1948, continues to witness and celebrate individual Christians who offer their lives as agents of change in this land of hardship. Professor Ben Bokingo is an agriculturalist of deep faith who served on the faculty of Silliman University his entire professional life. Now retired, he acts out his compassion for the small, rural churches that are unable to generate the $50 a month needed to maintain a pastor.

In his home he conceived of a plan for rural churches. “Plant a mango tree,” he explains with excitement. “In only four years, not forty years, we will be out of the wilderness.” Bearing grafted mango seedlings he visits congregations throughout the region and explains, “Planting one seedling and giving it the proper care will bear you fruit in four years, enough fruit to support your pastor for two months.” He continues, “The good news is you can plant six seedlings and your pastor can stay with you for the whole year.”

Rural congregations know that when mango trees begin to bear fruit they will bear every year for years to come. The promise of a mango is one small witness in building expressions of hope in this land of hardship.

PC(USA) People in Mission
United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP): Rebecca Lawson, YAV site coordinator/ecumenical relations, Rev. Dr. Paul Matheny, professor of theology, Rev. Mary Nebelsick, professor of Old Testament, Carlton Palm, spiritual formation and field education • Young Adult Volunteers, community development interns, UCCP: Kristin Stroble, Ted Hamilton, and Anna Nichols

Partners/Ministries
UCCP: Bishop Eliezer Pascua, general secretary • National Council of Churches in the Philippines: Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, general secretary • Union Theological Seminary • Silliman University: Dr. Augustine A. Pulido, president • Silliman University Divinity School • Southern Christian College • Presbytery Partnership: Sacramento Presbytery with the UCCP

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
M. Tammy Gish, FDN
Patricia K. Gleich, GAC