Only a few decades ago, the Bugkalot people were one of the fiercest tribes in the Philippines. Then, in the 1950s, the gospel slowly took root after some of the leaders met believers and came to faith.
Jen Hagen’s family was among the missionaries who moved to the Philippines to disciple and train Bugkalot believers.
Jen and her husband, Steve, were sent by the International Mission Board to the Philippines in 2005 to work with the Agta, another unreached tribe similar to the Bugkalot tribe Jen’s family ministered among. As soon as they could, they hiked to the village where Jen grew up to speak with many of the men her father discipled.
God used that conversation as the catalyst for Bugkalot believers to catch a vision to take the gospel beyond their tribal borders. Over the next several years, the Hagens worked with other missionaries to help the Bugkalot establish their own sending organization. So far, they have sent more than 20 believers to serve as missionaries among the Agta.
A tribe that used to bring death wherever they went became passionate partners in the life-giving gospel.
The Cooperative Program takes the Gospel to the nations and the neighborhoods. Your financial support through the Cooperative Program allows missionaries to build relationships and engage communities with the good news about Jesus.
Pray that the Gospel would take root and transform lives in tough places so that more people would come to faith in Christ.