Bringing Light to Bagasbas: Westpoint Women’s Ministry’s Powerful Outreach
Evangeline Quinto Dimitrijevic
Published
When our team from Westpoint Church set out on our mission to Bagasbas, a quiet coastal town in the Philippines, we knew we were about to embark on something life-changing. Little did I realise how deeply it would impact all of us...
From November 27 to December 7, 2024, our Women's Ministry answered a higher calling—to serve, spread the gospel, and offer practical help to a community in desperate need of hope.
As a mission leader, I was joined by our project coordinator, Melanie Pajares, a native of Bagasbas, Elizabeth Leaming and Lovelyn Pamplona. With the behind-the-scenes support of our incredible team of 21 dedicated members, we poured our hearts into making a real, lasting difference. We were bringing material support and the promise of spiritual encouragement.
Our goal was clear: We wanted to serve the people of Bagasbas in Daet, Philippines, and offer them more than just short-term help.
With the full backing of our community in Westpoint Church, Melbourne, we raised funds through a dinner event, receiving generous donations – school supplies, Bibles, clothes, Christian books, shoes, and so much more.
The scope of our outreach is extraordinary, touching lives across a broad spectrum of needs. Throughout the 10-day mission, we provided free medical, dental and surgical services to hundreds of people in Bagasbas.
Our team included seven doctors: two surgeons from the USA, two local dentists, general practitioners, a few nurses and pharmacists, and heaps of support from local volunteers.
For many in the area, this was the first time they had access to healthcare, which included minor and major surgeries, dental treatments, medical consultations, and free medications.
Our mission was about more than just healthcare. Every evening, we hosted an Evangelism crusade through a "Happy Family" seminar, where we focused on biblical teachings on how to build stronger, more resilient families. For so many who attended, it was the first time they had encountered the Christian message in such a personal way.
Seeing people's hearts open to faith and the joy and hope in their eyes was nothing short of miraculous. We are so grateful to all the churches in the district of Daet, with the coordination of our very own Melanie Pajares, for making this crusade a success.
One of the most jubilant moments of the trip came on the last night when 21 people decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and profess that faith through water baptism. Seeing them take that step of faith and join the Bagasbas church was an unforgettable moment for all of us.
Our outreach didn't stop with adults—we also needed to support the younger generation. Our feeding program ensured that local children were nourished with free takeaway meals.
We also distributed much-needed school supplies to local schoolchildren, and the women of Bagasbas were given hygiene kits, clothes, shoes, and bags.
The outreach culminated in a special recognition event, honouring those who had contributed to the mission's success. Cash gifts were also presented to the 10 churches in the district to aid their ongoing work and future projects.
For our team, this trip was not just about giving—it was about creating lasting connections. Seeing the lives of the people of Bagasbas transformed and knowing that we had made a lasting impact was a privilege I will never forget.
This mission was made possible by the generous support of the Westpoint Church Community in Melbourne. It's a testament to what can happen when a group of people come together with one shared purpose—to serve others, to be the hands and feet of faith, and to make a difference no matter the distance.
The trip's success has left a lasting legacy of hope and unity in Bagasbas and serves as a powerful reminder of how even small acts of kindness can ripple out and change lives forever.
