eVANgelcal van - an Urgent appeal

In 1997, we received a gift of a second-hand 14-seater Mazda van. Though it had no power steering, and required a lot from the driver to drive it, especially on the long distances, it has served the needs of the mission centre faithfully. From moving the missionaries around to various venues of outreach, to the weekly ministry outreaches to Montalban, (an hour’s drive away on days without traffic jam) to meeting all the travel needs of the mission centre. Recently, during a thunderstorm, it was also converted into a make shift classroom with the missionary-teacher seated at the driver’s seat facing the back of the van, with 25 kids squeezed onto the 2 rows of seats.

However, after more than a decade, the trusty van is showing signs of aging. Since a few years ago, it had gone on an overhaul, a radiator change, the compressor of the air conditioning needed a few changes, full body repair work, and rust is now even visible to the naked eye. When it rains, it leaks as well, this can be tricky when we have equipment to transport to our ministry sites; amplifier, musical instruments, teaching materials etc.


Because Mazda has now phased out this particular make of van, it has no resale value in the market. It still runs on gasoline (not diesel as most vans are) and can run only 6-8 km per litre.

We are in urgent need of P800,000.00 approximately US$20,000.00 to purchase a new locally manufactured van. After making all the preliminary fact finding, we found the Mitsubishi L300 to be the most economical, since we only need a simple van to serve our needs, no additional accessories will be added. The mileage is 10-12km per litre of diesel.



We are making this urgent appeal now, the rainy season is arriving, the rust is getting worse from week to week, every time we close our door, some rust is falling out. It only takes 40people to contribute US$500 or 200 people to contribute US$100. If this call is in your heart, if you know someone, or have some idea of how we can purchase this van, please, feel free to contact us immediately at our email found on this blog. Thanks and God bless you!

Community Experience - Mike Arents

"My name is Mike Arents. I'm from the Netherlands and am 27 years old . After being a seminarian for the past 9 years, I completed my theological studies, and now decided to join ICPE Philippines for 'Community Experience'. The missionary call in my life was already present a long time ago, but God led me first to the seminary. Now I want to find out whether my missionary call is a call from God to join the ICPE mission longterm.

Although I have been to ICPE Manila a few times before. many things are still the same and familiar, but there are also many changes. Especially the community and the places of mission outreach. So far I really feel at home here and I feel very welcomed in the community. Being surrounded by only women and one married man is quite a change in my life. So far I only lived in communities of only men. But I have to say that everyone is very nice and so I feel OK with it now.

Also the missions we go on build me up. It is great to share the Gospel with people in Montalban, and our recent outreach to a local seminary was very nice. It is great to be back in the heart of Asia, being surrounded by Filipinos and other Asians here in our house. My heart goes out to them and I can experience God's love through them."

Being part of a bigger CHURCH!

World Youth Day, here we come! One more day to go and we're excited. Much has been done, much has to be prepared, some are packing, some are practising.

From the Philippines, a small group of us will journey on to Melbourne for the Days in Diocese and then onward, on a 13-hour bus journey to Sydney.

In Melbourne, there is an exciting event happening; FIREBRANDZ, our very own ICPE youth festival happening in Brunswick at Our Lady Help for Christians on July 8 and 9. Days of sharings, concerts etc!

In Sydney...For those of you who are coming to World Youth Day, we invite you all to come visit us at the Vocation Expo at the Convention Center, Sydney 15th -18th July. Booth E09.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you usually do each day?
Besides community prayer, daily Eucharistic celebrations, serving each other through in house ministries like cooking, cleaning, we also have times of worship, preparation for ministries and outreaches. We run weekly ministries for children and adults at a relocation township near a rubbish dumpsite. A monthly youth leaders formation. And ad hoc invitations from different parishes, seminaries,

How do you live?
We depend on Divine providence and that includes partners in mission who have been supporting us in prayer, in kind and through monetary support.

What is the formation all about?
This is a two year formation program designed to build up future ICPE missionaries who will be full time in the mission.

What programs do you run?
In the Philippines, we have been running Life in the Spirit seminars, Emmaus Experience (2 weeks), School of Humanitarian Work and Christian Formation (3 months), Pastoral Care School (3 weeks) etc...

Do you take vows?
No, but we live according to the Christian values and acknowledge covenant commitments for varying periods of time such as 2, 3, 5, 10 years or lifetime.

Are singles consecrated for life?
Consecrated life is not mandatory in the mission, and those who do choose, they make private promises.

What about married couples and their children?
They live in the community as full time missionaries as well. Their family life is preserved, and the children go to regular schools and lead regular lives. All ICPE missionaries do not hold jobs outside of the community. We depend on providence.

I am interested in your life and work, but I am still unsure, what can I do?
There are opportunities to 'Come and see', experience life alongside full time missionaries for a period of time. One can also attend a School of Mission at the various mission centres. Do check out our official website for upcoming schools. www.icpe.org