Fellow laborers: Apollo & Bettina
...based in Cebu, Philippines since January 2008
"Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6b Amplified
Apollo Curato Malait (or fondly called as Kuya Apol) was born in Cebu and grew up in Metro Manila in the Philippines. He is the eldest of six siblings. His childhood was a mixture of child-plays and finding ways to make extra money. In 1994, he finished his degree in Christian Education at the Febias College of Bible (FCB) in Valenzuela City. That’s right! Kuya Apol studied to be a 'kindergarten teacher' but called by God to be a pastor of Palompon Evangelical Church in Leyte (from the city to the province). J After serving three years of pastoral work in the province and because of the need to be equipped in theology, he took his Masters of Biblical Studies at the International School of Theology (ISOT-Asia), now known as the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL-Asia) in Novaliches. While in the seminary, Kuya Apol went back to his home church, the Paranaque Bible Christian Church (PBCC) and pastored her afternoon congregation. In 1999, after finishing his masters, he went back to Leyte to honor his commitment to serve a young group called Leyte Integrated Fellowship of Evangelicals, (LIFE). He served as the Christian Education and Nurture Chairperson, and Youth Coordinator of the whole denomination. Same year in Leyte, God opened a pioneering work for him to start a youth center, the Shepherd’s Fold Youth Center (SFYC) in Palompon. PBCC adopted him as her missionary pastor and appointed him as the youth director of SFYC until he resigned in 2006. While serving at SFYC and LIFE, Kuya Apol was given another opportunity to further his education and he completed the Clinical Pastoral Education in the Visayan Community Medical Center in Cebu City in 2003. In February 18, 2006, Kuya Apol received a wonderful gift from God, next to eternal life of course. J He married his lifetime partner! Later on, he joined her to be part of Worshipping Without Walls Ministry.
Bettina Navarro Julio-Malait (or fondly called as Ate B) was born in the Philippines and migrated to the States with her family when she was 17. Her background was not quite as 'straight' as Kuya Apol’s. In fact, she likes to refer to herself as a “late bloomer”. J She started her walk with God when she was young but she slowly got off the path when she was 19. And it wasn’t until she was in her early 30’s when she realized she needed to get right back with God. She even signed up for some theological classes and studied at Overlake Christian Church’s School of Ministry. Well, she thought she was back but she backslid again and the second time, she dug quite a deeper pit for herself. But thank God for He rescued her again. Once again, she experienced God’s forgiveness, grace and faithfulness, and she finally decided to give her whole being to God. Inspired to learn more about God so she can serve God well at the Filipino-American Christian Church (FACC), Bettina started to take basic Bible classes that progressed to signing up for the Christian Leadership in Ministry program (the Excel Program) at Puget Sound Christian College (PSCC) in Washington. While studying at night, she continued to work during the day. While attending at FACC, she also served in the worship ministry, the youth ministry, and the women’s ministry. All these experience grew her desire to serve God full time more and more. Finally, God gave the ‘go’ signal and on May 31, 2002, she resigned from Microsoft. Going fast-forward, since she left her job, God allowed Ate B to start up a mission organization and she founded Worshipping Without Walls Ministry in September 2002. Then in February 2003, God’s favor showered more and WWWMinistry was granted a non-profit status. Since then, Ate B was able to go on mission trips: twice to Australia, twice to Thailand, then to the Philippines in 2004 where she met her lifetime partner in Leyte (of all places).
Kuya Apol and Ate B got married on February 18, 2006 at PBCC, their home church in Metro Manila, and they went back to Leyte to continue their ministry commitments. When Kuya Apol finished his 7th year at SFYC, he was recalled to serve at their home church. Praise God for PBCC opened doors for both Kuya Apol and Ate B to serve alongside its pastoral staff. Even when God has called them to Cebu last January 2008, they still serve as missionaries of PBCC and they continue to enjoy the privilege of working alongside the pastoral staff whenever they spend time in Metro Manila.
Since moving to Cebu last 2008, God brought more opportunities of service to Kuya Apol and Ate B. They have been blessed to serve and come alongside various Christian schools, Christian organizations, small churches, youth groups, young adults, men and women. In addition, God started to build a mission house (Dove Home) in Mandaue City. They're just 10 - 15 minutes ride from the airport and 30 minutes ride from the sea port. Dove Home has been entrusted to them for use as a training/retreat center, and it also serves as their home/office base. In addition, Kuya Apol and Ate B continue to go where God calls them to serve. They’ve been blessed by how God has opened doors and provided ways for them to travel to Manila, Mindoro, Surigao, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Negros and different parts of Cebu. They enjoy sharing their knowledge and providing trainings in the areas of worship, mission, and discipleship. They also welcome opportunities to share some practical skills as needed. In April 2011, God opened yet another door in Dumlog, Toledo that is about three hours away from their base in Mandaue. Kuya Apol was invited to pastor a fellowship in which a big part of the ministry is to feed children and training them to be lovers of Jesus. Both Kuya Apol and Ate B prayed for God’s will and He answered a ‘yes’. So, starting in June 2011, they started to work alongside the Heavenly Manna Ministries International (HMMI) team. It’s an exciting time and God continues to direct their path.
As always, they welcome God’s movement in their calling. This September 2011 was another one of those seasons because effective October 1, 2011, Worshipping Without Walls Ministry has closed after serving nine (9) years. As sad as the event was, it also inspired Kuya Apol and Ate B to keep pressing onward and it made them realize that their service for God is not tied to any legal entity. Moreover, they continue to worship without walls! Every day, God wows them more with His love and His power. Every day, their faith is strengthened and their passion to serve God deepens. They can’t stop praising God for the privilege to be called servants of the Living God.
Bettina Navarro Julio-Malait (or fondly called as Ate B) was born in the Philippines and migrated to the States with her family when she was 17. Her background was not quite as 'straight' as Kuya Apol’s. In fact, she likes to refer to herself as a “late bloomer”. J She started her walk with God when she was young but she slowly got off the path when she was 19. And it wasn’t until she was in her early 30’s when she realized she needed to get right back with God. She even signed up for some theological classes and studied at Overlake Christian Church’s School of Ministry. Well, she thought she was back but she backslid again and the second time, she dug quite a deeper pit for herself. But thank God for He rescued her again. Once again, she experienced God’s forgiveness, grace and faithfulness, and she finally decided to give her whole being to God. Inspired to learn more about God so she can serve God well at the Filipino-American Christian Church (FACC), Bettina started to take basic Bible classes that progressed to signing up for the Christian Leadership in Ministry program (the Excel Program) at Puget Sound Christian College (PSCC) in Washington. While studying at night, she continued to work during the day. While attending at FACC, she also served in the worship ministry, the youth ministry, and the women’s ministry. All these experience grew her desire to serve God full time more and more. Finally, God gave the ‘go’ signal and on May 31, 2002, she resigned from Microsoft. Going fast-forward, since she left her job, God allowed Ate B to start up a mission organization and she founded Worshipping Without Walls Ministry in September 2002. Then in February 2003, God’s favor showered more and WWWMinistry was granted a non-profit status. Since then, Ate B was able to go on mission trips: twice to Australia, twice to Thailand, then to the Philippines in 2004 where she met her lifetime partner in Leyte (of all places).
Kuya Apol and Ate B got married on February 18, 2006 at PBCC, their home church in Metro Manila, and they went back to Leyte to continue their ministry commitments. When Kuya Apol finished his 7th year at SFYC, he was recalled to serve at their home church. Praise God for PBCC opened doors for both Kuya Apol and Ate B to serve alongside its pastoral staff. Even when God has called them to Cebu last January 2008, they still serve as missionaries of PBCC and they continue to enjoy the privilege of working alongside the pastoral staff whenever they spend time in Metro Manila.
Since moving to Cebu last 2008, God brought more opportunities of service to Kuya Apol and Ate B. They have been blessed to serve and come alongside various Christian schools, Christian organizations, small churches, youth groups, young adults, men and women. In addition, God started to build a mission house (Dove Home) in Mandaue City. They're just 10 - 15 minutes ride from the airport and 30 minutes ride from the sea port. Dove Home has been entrusted to them for use as a training/retreat center, and it also serves as their home/office base. In addition, Kuya Apol and Ate B continue to go where God calls them to serve. They’ve been blessed by how God has opened doors and provided ways for them to travel to Manila, Mindoro, Surigao, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Negros and different parts of Cebu. They enjoy sharing their knowledge and providing trainings in the areas of worship, mission, and discipleship. They also welcome opportunities to share some practical skills as needed. In April 2011, God opened yet another door in Dumlog, Toledo that is about three hours away from their base in Mandaue. Kuya Apol was invited to pastor a fellowship in which a big part of the ministry is to feed children and training them to be lovers of Jesus. Both Kuya Apol and Ate B prayed for God’s will and He answered a ‘yes’. So, starting in June 2011, they started to work alongside the Heavenly Manna Ministries International (HMMI) team. It’s an exciting time and God continues to direct their path.
As always, they welcome God’s movement in their calling. This September 2011 was another one of those seasons because effective October 1, 2011, Worshipping Without Walls Ministry has closed after serving nine (9) years. As sad as the event was, it also inspired Kuya Apol and Ate B to keep pressing onward and it made them realize that their service for God is not tied to any legal entity. Moreover, they continue to worship without walls! Every day, God wows them more with His love and His power. Every day, their faith is strengthened and their passion to serve God deepens. They can’t stop praising God for the privilege to be called servants of the Living God.
We praise God for our sending Churches!
