Open letter
An Open Letter to the President of the United States
Dear President Trump,
My name is Pastor and Chaplain Deon A. Rodden. I have been a missionary to the Philippines for more than 25 years, dedicating my life to serving the Filipino people and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am associated with a registered nonprofit church ministry in the Philippines with which I have worked for many years. Through this ministry, I have been involved in churches, Bible studies, outreaches, and ministry to communities throughout the Philippines.
I am writing to you because I deeply appreciate you and the leadership you have provided to our country. I have supported you, prayed for you, and continue to pray for you and your work. I consider myself a staunch MAGA patriot, and I am grateful for your willingness to stand for the principles you believe are important to America.
I also appreciate the generosity and kindness you have demonstrated toward others. Knowing that you have been willing to help people and causes you believe in has given me the courage to write you personally with a request that is very important to me.
For many years I have carried a vision that I believe Almighty God gave me concerning the Philippines. I have named this ministry 50 Million Ablaze Ministries.
The vision began with what I believe God showed me concerning the Philippine islands and the Filipino people—a vision of people throughout the nation coming to know and worship Jesus Christ, with the Philippines becoming a nation that could have an influence far beyond its own borders.
I believe the Philippines has enormous spiritual potential, and I believe this ministry can become a vehicle for reaching people not only through preaching and teaching, but by demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways.
The initial project includes several major components:
A Sanctuary
A central place for worship, preaching, prayer, teaching, evangelism, and the training and sending of Christian workers.
A Christian High School Ministry
A school providing quality education together with Christian teaching and discipleship for young people. The project will also provide the necessary support and housing for teachers and ministry staff.
A Medical and Dental Clinic
A ministry providing medical and dental services to people who otherwise cannot afford the care they need. This is an important part of demonstrating the practical love of Christ to people in need.
Staff Housing and Dormitory Facilities
Housing on the ministry campus for staff and workers as needed so that those serving the ministry can remain close to the people and work they have been called to serve.
Limited Housing for Homeless Senior Citizens
A carefully administered ministry providing safe housing for selected elderly people, particularly senior couples who otherwise would have no place to live. Those receiving assistance would be interviewed and selected according to established ministry guidelines.
I want to emphasize something important about this project: we are not beginning entirely from scratch.
I am partnering with a ministry in the Philippines with which I have been engaged for many years. They already have much of the facilities and infrastructure necessary to help accommodate this vision. We have a ministry relationship, a team, a foundation, and a plan.
What we presently lack is the financial resources necessary to bring the complete vision into operation.
The initial funding required is approximately $1.3 million.
I realize that this is a substantial request. I do not make it casually, and I do not believe that I am entitled to such support.
But I believe in the principle:
Where God guides, God provides.
I believe God has shown me what to do, how to do it, and whom to work with. The team is being put together to carry out the vision, and the foundation is already in place. We now need the financial resources to take the next major step.
Therefore, Mr. President, I am respectfully asking whether you would consider personally supporting 50 Million Ablaze Ministries financially, if that is possible.
I understand that $1.3 million is a very large amount to ask of anyone. I am not asking you to simply accept my word concerning the project. I would be pleased to provide you or your staff with a complete proposal, documentation concerning the ministry, financial information, photographs, plans, and any other information necessary to evaluate the project.
Our goal is not simply to construct buildings.
The buildings are tools.
- The sanctuary is a tool for reaching people with the Gospel.
- The school is a tool for influencing the next generation.
- The medical and dental clinic is a tool for caring for people who cannot afford care.
- The housing is a tool for enabling ministry workers to serve effectively.
- And the housing for selected homeless seniors is a tool for giving dignity and compassion to people who might otherwise be forgotten.
Ultimately, my desire is to see lives changed through Jesus Christ.
I believe this ministry can produce dividends that cannot be measured merely in dollars.
I have spent more than 25 years serving in the Philippines, and I believe this is one of the most significant things God has ever placed before me. I am simply asking for the opportunity and the resources to help bring that vision into reality.
Mr. President, thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Thank you for your service to our nation, and thank you for the generosity you have shown to others.
I will continue to pray for you, your family, our nation, and the Philippines.
May God bless you, your family, and the United States of America.
Respectfully,
Pastor and Chaplain Deon A. Rodden
Missionary to the Philippines
50 Million Ablaze Ministries
50millionablaze.org