Welcome to Cebu Backpack Ministry
Cebu's children struggle to survive every day. Food is limited, and they're often left alone all day as their parents work hard to bring home a meager wage. Some families are so desperate that they drop their children off at the daycare or in the street, never to return.
You can help.
Cebu Backpack Ministry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides backpacks for Cebu's neediest children in The Philippines. We fill backpacks with toys, toiletries, Bibles, learning supplies, and supplies they will use at daycares, schools, prisons, women's shelters, and barangai (slums). You have never seen true joy until you've seen the face of a desperate child receiving a gift from a loving stranger.
The heart of the Cebu Backpack Ministry is to follow the same path as our Lord and Savior Jesus, to serve His children.
In Matthew 25:35 Jesus says "... For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."
We are a small group of Christians who want to serve in Cebu. Emily Jemison grew up there and knows what it is like to be poor. Since 2017, Emily and her husband, Ron, have had a calling to give back to the Cebu community and have been growing the ministry ever since. They have gathered a group of friends across the U.S. who are willing to join this God-loving ministry on this journey of service and love. In 2024, Jerry and Barbara Shuck joined Ron, Emily, and their daughter, Faith, and we traveled to Cebu City with our hearts full of love and energy to share backpacks, supplies, and the Word of God.
We set an ambitious goal to build and distribute 1,200 backpacks in bustling Cebu City and neighboring hillside communities. We were hosted by Pastor Rizaldy Medalle Ganar (Pastor "Z"), the Outreach Paster at Bradford United Church of Christ, Inc. (BUCCI), and his fabulous team of staff and volunteers. With the generosity of friends and family far and wide, we provided 1,000 backpacks, and BUCCI donated 500 more.
Together, we exceeded our goal by distributing 1,500 backpacks in Cebu City and the neighboring hillside communities!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
Your donations make a massive difference in the lives of these children and their families. Please continue to join us in our mission to share God's love through these essential backpacks and fellowship.
At Cebu Backpack Ministry, we also highly value the power of prayer. We welcome and encourage your prayers for all the children we serve and all our volunteers. Thank you in advance to prayer warriors for praying for the children of Cebu and this ministry.