Witnessing a Church Alive in The Philippines
Brittan Botzum sits among the children at a C4GOD Gathering at the GOD International Headquarters in The Philippines.
Today, I had the privilege of attending Community Church for GOD (C4GOD) Philippines, and it was deeply moving. This local church—planted and pastored by Clark and Rina Miller, long-time ministry partners with GOD International—is vibrant, joyful, and grounded in Scripture. The time we shared included worship, testimonies, a powerful reading of the Word, and a shared meal that reminded me of Jesus’ table.
Rina Miller (left) alongside Development Agent Jason Carpenter at a Community Church for GOD event in The Philippines.
What strikes me most is that the practices of C4GOD are not culturally bound. They are rooted in Scripture, making them truly global. Whether you are in Asia, Africa, or North America, the model of community taught at The Institute for GOD, our missions-based Bible college, holds true across languages and borders.
One testimony in particular has stayed with me. Mayjoy, a member of the church, shared about her healing—both mental and physical. She explained that her transformation didn’t come through external solutions alone but through the presence of a Christ-centered community, shaped by the Word of God. “With God and the help of these people, I am already healed,” she said through tears.
Testimonies are a special part of church services, and this one was particularly impressive to immersion student Brittan Botzum.
This kind of healing is what makes this missions trip more than just a trip. It’s what makes the work of GOD International distinct as a development agency—where community transformation is grounded in Scripture, relationship, and long-term partnership.
I’m grateful to be part of this work again this summer. Through the GOD Summer Internship, I’m not just studying abroad—I’m seeing firsthand what it looks like when God’s Word is lived out. When people gather in His name, the Church is alive. And here in the Philippines, that life is unmistakable.