Capital: Puerto Princesa City
Population: 737,000 (according to the National Statistics Survey, May 2000)
People: 81 races and cultural groups

With its 1,800 small islands, Palawan is one of the last unexplored islands in the Pacific. While blessed with beautiful and breathtaking beaches, its socio-economic situation is anything but desirable. Among the many social ills that plague the province, one of the most prevalent is gangsterism. Many of the young people in Palawan join gangs due to poor economic situations and lack of proper guidance and love.

Background on Love Palawan Youth Gangs Project and the D2Y2 Youth Centre.

Partnering with Ps. Bobot in Palawan through the Love Palawan Youth Gangs Project, AYA and Acts Church has been able to help establish a youth center in the heart of the city to reach out to these youth gangs (there are at least 4 major ones). Many of these youth – gang members and even gang leaders have come to know the Lord through this ministry and have turned away from their old lives of drugs, extortion and other vices to become more productive members of society. Some of them, including the biggest drug-pusher in Puerto Princessa, are currently serving in church and in the “D2Y2 Youth Centre”, armed with the desire to help other youths get out of their self-destructive ways.

Just before the end of 2004, Ps Bobot was proud to launch their first ever musical concert. The collaboration between various youth groups that came together to present interpretive dances, street dances, and mimes accompanied by songs recorded a whopping attendance of more than 600 people.

The D2Y2 Youth Centre officially became affiliated to ACTS Church effective from 1st February 2005. ACTS had been supporting the vision and efforts of Pr Bobot in reaching the gangs in Palawan since 2004. After discussion with Pr Bobot, a partnership was agreed upon in adopting his work especially when it involved discipling the emerging generation. A very exciting partnership between ACTS and Pr Bobot started in March of 2005. The official name change of D2Y2 Centre to The ACTS Church Philippines(ACP) was effective on 31 December 2006.

Some of the cool things that took place between the enemy gangs were a reconciliation and the ability to attend the same church service. The key leaders of these gangs were able to forgive and make a covenant of peace with each other! These youth were very keen to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they follow Pr Bobot to do evangelistic outreaches. They are really on fire for the Lord! They have given up selling drugs and gangsterism.

The ACP runs two services on Sundays and they started a dance ministry called Hip Hop Dance Ministry. In its infancy, the dance ministry already has three dance teams! As of May 2005, 30 young people who were under discipleship training were baptized! A great start in this church partnership.

The teams from ACTS Church , Subang Jaya that have been making trips yearly have been key in supporting Pr Bobot and Sis Klyer to run leadership training, initiate a children’s ministry program at ACP, and minister at their Sunday services. ACP continues to see many young lives coming to the faith in Jesus Christ!

Ever since ACTS Church Philippines (ACP) moved from the previous premise to a bigger and more spacious place, called “Capitol Pavilion”, their Sunday services have grown, and they are now hitting 270 people at the evening service and 70 in the morning service. With a total of attendees of 340, Pr Bobot and the leadership team are pushing to the next growth mark of 500 people by end 2008! The leaders of the church is being challenged to move forward with discipleship and follow-up of the new people. Exciting times for ACP!

Revival among the Terminate Gang Group

The Irawan group where the Terminate Gang group is active, has grown from 5 persons to 65 youth besides from the other youth that we fetch from other distant places. The hip hop group which we named JC (Jesus Christ) Movers who are members of this Gang are now joining Pr Bobot and the evangelistic team. These gang members have been really bless as they attend the evangelistic crusades. Pr Bobot is currently using a jeep to transport youth from distant areas to attend the evening services. The jeep is not enough to do the job as there’s already an overload! Their van is currently under repair. But even with the van it will still not be enough to bring all the youth that are hungry to come to hear the Gospel.

Prayer needs:

1. Leadership to take on more new discipleship small groups as the church is growing
2. Support of another vehicle to transport youth
3. God’s hand upon Pr Bobot and Sis Kleyr as they lead the church into greater heights of growth and discipleship