Mabuhay! My name is Jonathan Mason. My wife Kristi and I and our son Hudson Taylor are fundamental, independent Baptist missionaries reaching Ilocos Norte, Philippines for Christ. We are sent out of Heritage Baptist Church  in Wallingford CT, pastored by Thomas Bish.

Our goals as church planters are to start local, autonomous, indigenous churches pastored by nationals to reach the Northern regions of the Philippines as well as following the great command given in Matthew 28:19-20.

We thank all of you so much for your prayers.  

Recently, several verses have come to my mind. "Be still and know that I am God" and, "Why art thou cast down. Oh my soul and why art thou disquieted within me. Hope thou in God" 

We had been purposing to verify the salvation of all these who have been attending as well as find out how strong they are in assurance of their salvation. Because of this, we have been talking very systematically with each person. We realized very quickly that many who said they were saved, were not. The foundation of their salvation was that God helped them in time of need or when they were sick therfore they must be saved. We understand that this is the basic catholic belief. This has been challenging for many. Praise the Lord, some have seen this error and have truly trusted Christ.

We have also dealt with the matter of baptism. Even though many have said they have trusted Christ by faith alone, they need to be baptized so that their sins will be washed away. This teaching is prevalent among several "born-again" groups. These groups are basically charismatic. It has also been very difficult with several of the catholics who have accepted Christ. Even though they have accepted Christ, it is so engrained that they became a christian and became a child of God at their baptism. It is easy to refute with scripture but the tradition and thought process is deep. Praise the Lord, several have understood. 

As always, when the truth is going out, there will be attacks from Satan.