Hopevale AVP for 75th Anniversary

Central Philippine University TV News and Programs

13 Dec 201803:58

Summary

TLDRDuring World War II, 11 American missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay in the Philippines, fleeing to the mountains to evade Japanese forces. For 17 months, they lived in primitive conditions, yet built a chapel named 'Cathedral in the Clouds,' where they worshipped and preached. Despite their eventual capture and execution, their faith remained strong. Their story, a testament to courage and devotion, inspired generations and immortalized their sacrifice as a victory of faith.

Takeaways

⏳ During World War 2, 11 missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay in the Philippines rather than flee.
🏞️ They hid in the mountains of Topaz copies, living in primitive conditions for 17 months, hoping to avoid the Japanese forces.
🛖 Despite the harsh environment, they built a chapel from rocks and wood, dubbing it the 'Cathedral in the Clouds'.
🙏 Both Americans and Filipinos gathered at this chapel to worship and celebrate their faith in God.
🌱 They named their hiding place 'Hope', symbolizing their reliance on God's promises amidst adversity.
📖 The missionaries continued their religious duties, preaching, baptizing, and building a congregation even during the war.
🎵 On Easter Sunday 1943, about 100 American and Filipino worshippers gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
🕊️ They were discovered by the Japanese in December of the same year and faced execution.
🙇‍♂️ Before their execution, they requested an hour to pray and sing hymns, demonstrating their unwavering faith.
🏺 The story of these missionaries became a testament to the power of faith, inspiring future generations of believers.
📜 A monument was erected in their memory, immortalizing their sacrifice and the victory of faith over adversity.

Q & A

How many missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay during World War 2?
-Eleven missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay during World War 2.
Where did the missionaries flee to in an attempt to evade the Japanese forces?
-The missionaries fled to the mountains of Topaz copies with a reasonable hope of eluding the Japanese forces.
How long did the missionaries live in the mountains away from civilization?
-The missionaries lived in the mountains for 17 months away from the comforts of civilization.
What did the missionaries build from rocks and wood in the midst of their primitive living conditions?
-In the midst of primitive living conditions, the missionaries built an altar and a pulpit from rocks and wood.
What was the name given to the beautiful chapel the missionaries built?
-The missionaries named the beautiful chapel they built 'the Cathedral in the Clouds'.
What did the missionaries call their hiding place and why?
-The missionaries called their hiding place 'Hope', symbolizing their faith and surrender to the promises of God.
What significant event occurred on Easter Sunday of 1940 in the mountains?
-On Easter Sunday of 1940, about 100 American and Filipino believers gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
When were the missionaries discovered by the Japanese forces?
-The missionaries were discovered by the Japanese forces in December of the same year they celebrated Easter Sunday.
What did the missionaries request before their death?
-Before their death, the missionaries asked for an hour to pray and sing hymns of praises to God.
How were the lives of the martyrs immortalized after their death?
-The lives of the martyrs were immortalized through the foreign mission societies that shared their story of valor and strength.
Where were the martyrs of hope laid to rest after the war?
-After the war, the martyrs of hope were placed in common graves at the sites of their execution.
What was erected to commemorate the martyrs of hope?
-A stone monument with their names inscribed was erected to commemorate the martyrs of hope.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Faith Amidst War: The Story of Topaz Missionaries

During World War 2, 11 missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay in the Philippines rather than flee. They hid in the mountains of Topaz, living in primitive conditions for 17 months. Despite the harsh environment, they built a chapel they called 'The Cathedral in the Clouds', where they and local Filipinos gathered to worship. They continued their missionary work, baptizing believers and building a congregation. Their hiding place was a symbol of hope and surrender to God's promises. On Easter Sunday 1940, they celebrated Christ's resurrection, but in December, they were discovered by the Japanese forces. Facing execution, they requested an hour to pray and sing hymns. The missionaries, along with an eight-year-old boy, were martyred for their faith. Their deaths became a testament to the strength of their beliefs and their story inspired others, immortalizing their faith. After the war, a monument was erected in their honor, commemorating their sacrifice and victory in faith.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡World War 2

World War 2, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. In the context of the video, World War 2 serves as the historical backdrop against which the story of the missionaries unfolds, highlighting their decision to stay amidst the conflict and their subsequent experiences.

💡American Baptist Foreign Mission Society

The American Baptist Foreign Mission Society is a Christian missionary organization that sends missionaries to various parts of the world to spread the Christian faith and provide humanitarian aid. In the video, 11 missionaries from this society are central figures who choose to stay in the mountains of Topaz, demonstrating their commitment to their faith and mission even during wartime.

💡Topaz

Topaz refers to the location in the Philippines where the missionaries retreated to during World War 2. It symbolizes a place of refuge and a stronghold of faith for the missionaries. The video mentions that they fled to the mountains of Topaz with a hope of eluding the Japanese forces, indicating the strategic and survival aspects of their choice.

💡Japanese forces

The Japanese forces were the military forces of the Empire of Japan during World War 2. They played a significant role in the Pacific theater of the war. In the video, the Japanese forces represent the antagonistic power that the missionaries were trying to evade, adding tension and danger to their story.

💡Altar and Pulpit

An altar is a structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes, while a pulpit is a raised platform for the preacher in a church. In the video, the missionaries built an altar and pulpit from rocks and wood, signifying their dedication to their religious practices even in the harsh conditions of the mountains, and their commitment to leading worship and spreading their faith.

💡Cathedral in the Clouds

The 'Cathedral in the Clouds' is a term used in the video to describe the beautiful chapel that the missionaries built in the mountains. It symbolizes their spiritual resilience and the enduring nature of their faith, even in the face of war and isolation. The name also evokes a sense of grandeur and closeness to the divine, despite the humble materials used in its construction.

💡Hope

Hope is a central theme in the video, reflecting the missionaries' attitude and the name they gave to their hiding place. It represents their trust in God's promises and their belief in the power of faith to sustain them through adversity. The video emphasizes how hope was a driving force that allowed them to continue their religious activities and maintain their community amidst the war.

💡Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the video, the gathering of American and Filipino believers on Easter Sunday 1940 to celebrate the resurrection is a poignant moment that underscores the significance of their faith and unity. It also contrasts with the tragic discovery by the Japanese forces later in the year, highlighting the fragility of life and the enduring nature of faith.

💡Martyrs

A martyr is someone who is killed because of their religious or other strongly held beliefs. In the video, the term is used to describe the missionaries who were discovered and subsequently executed by the Japanese forces. Their status as martyrs elevates their story to one of sacrifice and unwavering faith, emphasizing the ultimate price they paid for their beliefs.

💡Faith

Faith is a strong belief or trust in something, especially a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. In the video, faith is a recurring theme that defines the missionaries' actions and decisions. It is what motivates them to stay, to build a chapel, and to continue their religious practices despite the dangers of war. Their faith is portrayed as a source of strength and a testament to their commitment to their beliefs.

💡Monument

A monument is a structure or object erected to commemorate a notable person or event. In the video, the mention of a stone monument erected with the names of the martyrs inscribed serves as a lasting tribute to their sacrifice. It symbolizes the enduring legacy of their faith and the impact of their story on future generations of believers.

Highlights

11 missionaries from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society chose to stay during World War 2.

They fled to the mountains of Topaz copies to avoid the Japanese forces.

For 17 months, they lived in primitive conditions, away from civilization.

They built an altar and pulpit from rocks and wood, symbolizing their faith.

The missionaries constructed a chapel, naming it the 'Cathedral in the Clouds.'

Both Americans and Filipinos gathered to celebrate and worship in the chapel.

They named their hiding place 'Hope,' resonating with their faith in God's promises.

The missionaries continued to preach, baptize, and build a congregation despite the war.

They encouraged bravery and joy rooted in Christ amidst the war.

On Easter Sunday 1940, about 100 American and Filipino believers gathered to celebrate Christ's resurrection.

In December, they were discovered by the Japanese and faced death.

The missionaries requested an hour to pray and sing hymns before their execution.

Eleven missionaries and an eight-year-old boy were martyred for their faith.

The martyrs' names include Jenny Claire Adams, James Howard Covel, Charma More Hovel, and others.

Their deaths did not go in vain, as their stories inspired foreign mission societies.

A stone monument was erected at the site of their execution, inscribed with their names.

Their story is seen as a victory in heaven and a testament to the power of faith.

The martyrs of hope are remembered for their enduring testimony and sacrifice.