Our History

IN THE BEGINNING

Paul Wilson first visited Negros Island of the Philippines in 1984. He moved there in 1985 and stayed two years in Bacolod City. There were only 14 churches on Negros in 1985. The country was ruled by a dictator named Ferando Marcos. There was great political unrest during this time. In February of 1986, there was a People Power Revolution freeing the Philippines again. This was an interesting period working with churches. Several new churches were started, and many wonderful relationships with workers were established. After returning to live in the states, almost yearly Paul would continue to visit the Philippines. Most of his time was spent on Negros Island. In 1995 Mary made her first of several visits to the Philippines. Vision for Missions helped train leaders, start churches, and focused on providing leadership and training materials. We always tried to encourage churches and pastors to be self-supporting and indigenous. VFM desires to assist the churches and pastors but wants them to be dependent on the Lord and not VFM!  

Paul and Mary Wilson moved to Bacolod City, the capital city of Negros Occidental Island in 2006 and lived there until 2019. (A brief time living in Dumaguete). Negros Island has about 4.7 million people within a land area that is the size of six Oklahoma counties. The land area is 17.5 times more populated than the State of Oklahoma, a density of over 970 people per square mile. Negros Island is divided into two parts (like states) that each speak a different language and have a different cultural. Instead of the four seasons, the central Philippines has the hot and dry season and the hot and rainy season, with it being somewhat cooler during the rainy season. A big disparity of lifestyle exists with a few cities with large shopping malls but many economically challenged people living in the cities and in the mountain area. The middle class is growing slowly with many working at international call centers. Most individuals speak three/four languages. 

We now have over 100 churches on the Island of Negros. VFM continues to assist new churches to get established and to help provide teaching materials and encouragement to the existing churches and workers. God has greatly blessed the Island of Negros with many trained church leaders. We rejoice that each year new churches are being started and new leaders are continually being trained. Praise   God for the many faithful workers! 

Bacolod City now has several large shopping centers with horrible traffic. The population is about 500,000 people with an easy access to a major airport. We are so thankful that VFM has a permanent office location. It is used as an office, printing center, and training location for the Visayas School of Leadership. This is where we lived and stay when we visit each year. At this location, we also have a church camp and training center that is called “The Garden”. The Downtown Christian Church also meets at this location every Sunday.   

Paul and Mary are still actively involved with the churches of Negros each week by email, messenger, and video calls. Paul is focused on the work among the churches while Mary is busy gathering books, clothes, and other items that she ships to the Philippines to encourage schools and churches. These Balikbayan Boxes are a great encouragement to many kids!  

Vision for Missions has a full-time office manager who does the printing ministry and financial needs of the mission. We also have a full-time evangelist who encourages the churches and workers. He travels among the churches several times each month, directs the Visayas School of Leadership, and is actively involved in leadership training.  

Vision for Missions is also involved with other churches and workers on Panay, Palawan, Cebu, and Samar Islands. Each year we help with the construction of new churches! Our VBS materials last year helped over 6,000 children. We also provide many books for leadership training and other materials. On several occasions VFM has helped provide books to our Bible Colleges. God continues to bless the ministry of VFM. 

Paul and Mary live in Enid, OK, and look forward to visiting the churches and workers each year! Thank you for faithfully praying for us and the ministry of VFM!