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As pressures of modernisation, commercial development and migration set on Palawan in the Philippines, many of the island’s indigenous people groups struggle to help the next generation flourish in their livelihood, culture and worship.
Indigenous communities are rooted in deep connections to the land, culture, faith and community. Taking this interconnectedness away hinders the pathway to human flourishing. Motivated by love for the people of Palawan, Pastor Philip Lim, his wife, Levy, and their young family moved to the island. Their desire to preserve the heritage and sustainability of Indigenous communities birthed OM's Ethnos Training Centre.
Through a vision and prayer, Pastor Philip and Levy were led to a spot in Palawan endowed with a spring, river and fertile ground that produces fruitful crops. They then made the area home to the Ethnos Training Centre.
The Lims grow their own food and produce household products while equipping others to do the same through sustainable and natural farming methods taught at the centre.
The team also built a cluster of unpretentious accommodations using bamboo, a sustainable material suitable to brave the harsh weather. Visitors can stay at the Eco Farm, which offers a tranquil retreat to learn about sustainable farming and methods to apply in their own homes, offices and communities.
The Ethnos Training Centre is not just about caring for creation; it is also about preserving local art and worship.
A threat that Indigenous communities face with modernisation and emerging languages is the loss of identity as a faith community. Wycliffe Bible translators noted, “When Indigenous believers sang the scriptures in their own Indigenous languages, the church flourished. Where they didn’t, they stagnated.”
What better partner to collaborate with than Inspiro Arts Alliance, which serves to cultivate and empower artists globally to spark beautiful worship and witness within their communities.
Through Inspiro Arts Alliance’s initiatives, the centre draws participants from three major tribal groups across the island — the Palaw’an tribe in the far south, the Batak tribe in the far north and the Tagbanua tribe in the centre. Some of the participants come from afar, like those from the Batak tribe who navigate 16 river crossings on their motorbikes and trek 250 kilometres to join.
The participants enjoy coming together and using traditional instruments and dance forms to worship the Lord. They express deep trust in their Creator’s provision of harvest seasons, shelter from typhoons and protection in crossing fierce rivers.
The Ethnos Training Centre also equips tribal church leaders with basic theological training to lead their communities with strong values and use their traditional art forms for worship.
Trainees have found ways to use their own recovered art forms to tell Bible stories: A toltol (an interactive storytelling form) and a war dance to recount David’s victory against Goliath. An oyman (improvised song of thanksgiving) to lead a corporate prayer. A kudyapi (a kind of two-string guitar) to perform a piece inspired by birdsong, reflecting the story of the Creator caring for sparrows in the wild.
The unique expression of worship through arts binds the community together, encouraging many locals to engage with their church community for the first time.
To celebrate the significant influence local art has on understanding the gospel, the Ethnos Arts Museum was launched in September 2023, displaying an array of art from surrounding communities. Local government representatives attended the occasion, showing a high level of mutual trust and collaboration.
The collaboration at Ethnos Training Centre celebrates the beautiful tapestry of the life of multiple tribes in Palawan, fostering inclusivity and community, boosting sustainability and preserving the rich faith and heritage of Indigenous communities. This opens pathways for flourishing not just today but for future generations to come.
With continued passion, Pastor Philip says, “God can call anyone, but He has chosen to call [us] to journey with Him in blessing the world.”
The OM team in Palawan welcomes anyone who cares about the environment, sustainable agriculture, arts and culture and the preservation of a precious indigenous people group.
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A Filipino worker serves in her home country, alongside her husband, to disciple and equip tribal people in Palawan, Philippines.
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