Missionaries

Jonathan &

France Xyrin Echon

MISSION FIELD:

Zambales, Philippines

FUTURE MINISTRY:

Independent Baptist Church

Santa Cruz, Zambales

"I can do all things through

Christ which strengtheneth me."

Philippians 4:13

  • Salvation Testimony

    Jonathan

    I was born in a Christian family. My great grandfather was witnessed by an American missionary during World War II. However, my parents backslid when I was a child, but I still went to church. I knew Jesus, even heaven and hell, but I was confused when I see that my family was no different from lost people. In fact, I saw that my family was worse than them. Because of that, I didn’t want anyone to know that I didn’t have an assurance in my salvation. I was also afraid and embarrassed because I was going to a Bible-believing church for so long and was inviting some friends. Every invitation for salvation in church services or Christian camps, I always chose to harden my heart. But God is really all powerful. He did not want me to stay like that.

     

    In high school before transferring to another school, in my last class, my teacher suddenly asked a question. Her words startled me when she said, “If you will die today while you are on your way back home, are you 100% sure you’ll go to heaven?” That became the most fearful moment in my life. I was paranoid, thinking that anything might fall on me and kill me while I was going home. I was so disturbed; I was mentally and emotionally tormented because I knew that hell is a place of suffering. I was so afraid to die. I felt my need of a Savior. I felt the emptiness that ONLY JESUS can fill.

     

    So when I got home, I looked for a place to search myself. I prayed to God asking for Jesus to come to my heart. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and gave my whole faith to Him. After that prayer, it seems like there was cold water poured on me that my fear and guilt was gone. The decision I made enabled me to feel God’s love, amazing grace and wonderful mercy. I was made whole. I was redeemed. And I am now sure that I will spend eternity with God in Heaven.

     

    France Xyrin

    I was born and raised in a family that believed that going to church can help us to go to heaven. I remember that every time my aunt asked me to go with her to a Catholic church, I was always curious who that man on the cross was. They said it was Jesus, but I did not understand or know Him personally. In my mind, I was asking “Why is He there?” One day, a missionary came to our house. I was with my aunt that time when he knocked on the door and asked if he could talk with us. My aunt said yes as a courtesy.

     

    At our balcony, he opened his Bible and read John 3:16. Everything he has said I have never heard of, even as I was studying in a Methodist school. But what struck me was when he said God knows every secret and every sin that I have done. In my mind, I thought of every wrong I did. I have thought of the times I quarreled with my brothers, the times I was stubborn and rude. I was doomed. I felt so helpless. But he said that even though God knows my every sin, He loves me and Jesus Christ died for me. He told me that Jesus is God’s Son and He came to earth to save people like me. I understood that I have sinned against God and I needed a Savior. That same day, time and place, I asked Jesus to forgive me and I received Him as my personal Savior. God changed my life forever.

  • Calling & Training

    Jonathan

    Growing up, it was my dream to become pastor. But as I grew older, that fire in my heart faded away. At that time, all I wanted was to help my family get out of poverty. But God was not done with me yet. My father got very sick and had a mild stroke, right there in the hospital, God showed me that human beings are limited and weak. But He showed His grace and love to us. I realized material things were not the answer to every problem. And that moment, I asked God for forgiveness and I fully surrendered my life to God. I entered the Fundamental Baptist College for Asians in Tarlac City. The Lord continued to teach me when I became an assistant pastor at my brother’s church after I graduated. I was able to apply what I have learned and share the Gospel and train young peoples like me.

     

    In 2017, God gave me the privilege to study at Marietta Bible College under Dr. Myron Guiler and God is continually  showing me the beauty of His word.

     

    France Xyrin

    God is working in my life in so many ways. He gave me wonderful missionaries who trained me in His ministry. The first time I taught children was when I was under the ministry of a Filipino missionary couple. They taught me that whatever I’ll face in the ministry, just like Joseph, God has a plan in my life and I just need to trust Him. I also learned from other missionaries that in everything, prayer is always important– pray for the ministry, for others, and lost souls that they might be saved. Now, I am privileged to be here in America and meet Preacher Guiler who taught me to rely on God for everything. I am so glad to meet different people as God equips me in His ministry.

  • Ministry Experience

    Jonathan

    While I was studying in Bible school, God gave me the opportunity to be trained and experience working in the field in Pampanga, my field work. I was privileged to go out and preach and reach souls for Christ.

     

    I was able to teach in children centers, planting seeds of the Word of God to hearts of children. God enabled me also to minister to young peoples and to disciple them. I was there for two years, and one of the young peoples I discipled is now a fourth year student in the Bible school.

     

    When I graduated, I became the assistant pastor in Roosevelt Independent Baptist Church in Bataan under the ministry of my brother. By God’s grace, God used me to win souls, knock on doors, conduct cottage Bible studies and outreaches, lead young peoples to help them grow in spirit and in truth for them to become a good servant of God.

     

    What a wonderful privilege and joy to see people come closer to God. I thank God for every opportunity He gave me to be blessing to the churches I served with and the people that was touched with the Word of God.

     

    I praise the Lord because even though we are away from the mission field, God is still using us in the ministries of Marietta Bible College. We go to nursing homes and encourage everyone there through our singing and sharing to them how God loves them no matter what circumstance they are going through. We are also able to teach kids in the summer. God has also given me a ministry here to be the conductor of our choir in the College when we travel as a choir, singing for the Lord and encouraging fellow Christians and churches in the ministry.

United States

(740)374-5748/ 373-8915

(740) 568-0891

Fax: (740) 374-5720

Philippines

+63-917-860-4072

+63-908-893-2296

United States

103 Masonic Park Road

Marietta, OH 45750 USA

Philippines

5085 Matatalaib

Tarlac City 2300, Philippines