Marty and Becky's Story
Marty and Becky have been doing missionary work in the Philippines since 2009. In 2024, they founded Living Stone Ambassadors of Hope Ministries, Inc. Their desire was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage Christians to live in more Christ-centered ways. They also wanted to focus on helping families and individuals find ways to build sustainable income through financial assistance, training programs, and education. Living Stone Ambassadors of Hope Ministries, Inc. is still in its early stage, but is growing slowly through the prayers and support of Fellowship Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, and First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid, Florida, along with other churches and individuals who believe in making a difference in the lives of Filipinos.
Mission and Vision Statements
Mission Statement: The Living Stone Ambassadors of Hope Ministries, Inc. is committed to relieving immediate and long term needs of marginalized individuals and families in the General Santos City area through:
1. the sharing of Christian values and beliefs to lead family members into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ;
2. handouts of food and other supplies to meet immediate physical needs;
3. development of sustainable means of income to meet long term financial needs; and
4. training and education to meet future family needs.
Vision statement: The Living Stone Ambassadors of Hope Ministries, Inc. will develop sustainable livelihood to achieve an improved quality of life for deprived individuals and families in the General Santos City community through individual, small group and large group developmental programs & effective application of local resources. We will share Christian values and beliefs through discipleship, Bible studies, and other spiritual mentoring programs to lead our clients into living in Christ-centered ways.
What We Believe:
We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God, and is to be accepted as the final authority on all matters on which it speaks, whether directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
We believe in one God, creator of all things, sovereign, holy, and eternally existent in three Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that man is created in the image of God, and therefore has value and worth. Man chose to disobey God and is sinful by his very nature. Man needs the saving grace of Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal salvation and avoid eternal punishment .
We believe in the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death on the cross, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension to the right hand of the father, and His second coming in power and glory.
We believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His work in helping all believers grow deeper in their relationship with God and change from the inside into a new creation, constantly striving to put away the sinful ways of the world.
We believe eternal life belongs to those who repent of sin and put their faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation comes only through grace by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is no other means by which anyone can be saved.
We believe it is our purpose to live our lives sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know him. Therefore we are open and excited to share the gospel with all people regardless of their sin, lifestyle, or beliefs. However, in that sharing, we will encourage others to turn away from sin and change their lifestyle and beliefs in obedience to the teachings of the Word of God.
Meeting Immediate Needs
We have realized that as much as it is important to help families build sustainable income for long term relief of financial challenges, there are times when immediate needs have to be met. Feedings, rice handouts, and the giving of school supplies and medicines (when available) are ways we help families. Sustainable help is the goal. We will try to help meet immediate needs when real life hits.
