A Vision That Crossed Islands: Ptr. Richard and the Call to the 14 Unreached Tribes

Some callings begin in quiet moments.

For Ptr. Richard, it began in college.

While studying in Luzon during his third year, a classmate invited him to what he thought was just a party. But it turned out to be something far more life-changing.

It was a gathering where people talked about God.

And in that unexpected moment, he encountered the Lord.

That encounter led him to surrender his life to Christ in 2007, after which he began serving faithfully in the church—not only as a leader but even as a cleaner. His heart for God was not built on titles, but on simple obedience.

Then came the vision that would shape the rest of his life.

In 2010, during a worship gathering in Tagaytay, the Lord gave him a powerful vision: go to Mindanao and do missions.

He saw many people in the vision—tribes, young and old, gathered together—and he saw God using him to rally them.

That same year, he shared the vision with his spiritual father, received his blessing, and made a life-altering decision:

He changed his address and moved to Mindanao.

That yes marked the beginning of church planting, missions mobilization, and a long journey of obedience.

Yet the vision remained alive in his spirit.

Years later, in 2017, Ptr. Richard witnessed the fulfillment of what God had shown him as he and his wife helped unite the body of Christ through revival events in Mindanao. Tribes gathered. Churches were awakened. The people he once saw in vision were now standing before him in reality.

Still, one burden never left his heart:

the tribes.

When he later heard the testimonies of Caleb Byerly reaching tribes in Bukidnon and beyond, it reignited the fire in him.

By 2018, he and his wife organized a 3-day tribal revival gathering in General Santos. Riding motorcycles into mountain villages, they personally invited Datus, tribal leaders, and their communities.

That gathering became more than an event.

It became a fire starter.

The tribes encountered God. The body of Christ awakened to tribal ministry. And a growing partnership with Evergreen Missions began to deepen.

Today, Ptr. Richard serves as the Regional Director of Evergreen Missions in the Philippines, carrying the same vision God first gave him.

And now, that vision has become sharply focused.

The Remaining 14

The Philippines has approximately 175 ethnolinguistic tribal groups, and according to the missions data, Ptr. Richard shares that only 14 tribes remain unreached.

Most of these are found in Mindanao, particularly within the Sulu Archipelago.

These are communities where many villages still have:

• no Christian church

• no pastor

• no Gospel witness

• no access to discipleship

  
  

This is now the heartbeat of Evergreen Missions Philippines:

to reach the remaining 14 unreached tribes.

Jesus’ words continue to fuel this vision:

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8

For Ptr. Richard, these indigenous communities are both Samaria and the ends of the earth within the Philippine context.

Three Ways Every Believer Can Join

Wherever Ptr. Richard teaches missions awareness; he reminds churches that everyone has a role.

There are three ways to be part of reaching the unreached tribes:

1) PRAY

Adopt a tribe and pray for them intentionally every day.

2) GO

Live among the community, build relationships, and share Christ.

3) SEND

Support missionaries financially so they can stay long-term in the field.

When churches collaborate in prayer, going, and sending, the Gospel advances.

A Call to the Church in the Philippines

Ptr. Richard shares that many churches are shocked to learn there are still 14 unreached tribes in our own nation.

But this revelation is awakening many believers.

Churches are being mobilized. Missionaries are rising. Hearts are burning again.

And through the partnership of Evergreen Missions Philippines, local churches, and global leaders like Caleb, the Lord continues to stir a generation for the harvest.

The vision God gave in 2010 is still unfolding.

And perhaps, as you read this, God is inviting you into that same story.

Will you pray?

Will you go?

Will you send?

Because the 14 are still waiting.