REACHING INMATES WITH THE GOOD NEWS
Resty and Mel Enguerra, IM Southeast Asia
Philippines Prison Ministry: Gospel Transformation Behind Bars
We’re excited to share timely updates from Resty and Mel Enguerra, Indigenous Ministries’ Southeast Asia Coordinators. Since 2021, Indigenous Ministries Southeast Asia (IM SEA) has partnered with Jesus Our Hope Family Church (JOHFC) to minister to inmates and their families in the Philippines. Through this partnership, we regularly provide basic food support—especially rice—along with food packs for families and educational assistance for the children.
How the Jail Ministry Began
On July 16, 2019, Engineer Ernesto “Ian” Monasterial—now a pastor—responded to an inmate’s request for a Bible and Bible study. Ian and his son brought bread, coffee, God’s Word, and worship songs to the Angono Custodial Jail. That first visit became a weekly Bible study.
When the COVID lockdown hit, inmates (now referred to as Persons Deprived of Liberty or PDLs) faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and toiletries. They began texting Pastor Ian for help.
He responded again. Despite the risks of the pandemic, the Bible studies and food distribution continued. God protected and provided. Authorities witnessed life transformation among the inmates and gave the ministry unrestricted access to the detention centers. Weekly Saturday Praise and Worship services began, and inmates responded to the gospel in powerful ways.
Expanding the Reach: Bible School Behind Bars
In April 2022, Mel and Resty Enguerra visited four detention centers where JOHFC ministers. The Jail Ministry Team includes former PDLs—now pastors and volunteers—who serve faithfully. On that day, more than 800 men and women participated in worship throughout the day.
By October 2022, a Bible school launched inside the detention centers. Resty shared, “On my visit last February, I witnessed 80 inmates receive certificates after reading the entire Bible and journaling for three months.”
In June 2023, a second graduation took place. This time, 19 inmates were awarded certificates for completing the Bible reading and journaling three times in just a few months.
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THIS VITAL MINISTRY:
Please continue praying for these inmates to be grounded in God’s word so when they are released from jail, they will not be influenced by the world. Pastor Ian shared that some of the released inmates tend to return to jail within a year or so; he also noted that when the men know they are prayed for and are participating in the ministry, many of the inmates stay out of prison.
Sign up for Resty and Mel’s newsletter: resty@indigenousministries.org. To donate generously, click HERE and under “Now Choose” in the dropdown select “Southeast Asia (Enguerra).”