Hopevale AVP for 75th Anniversary

Summary

During 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.