Kingdom Corner Podcast — Show Notes

Episode: Pastor Andrew — The Missionary

Date: Feb 16, 2026

Length: 51:41

Host: The Great Matt Geib

Guest: Pastor Andrew Scribner (missionary pastor, Philippines)

Episode Snapshot

What happens when God quietly redirects a man who didn’t even want ministry—and then keeps expanding his assignment for 20+ years?

In this interview, Matt talks with Pastor Andrew Scribner, a U.S.-born missionary pastor who moved to the Philippines in 2000 and never “came back” because the call got deeper. Andrew shares his testimony, gives a helpful on-the-ground picture of life in the Philippines (especially Dumaguete), and walks through the ministries God has built through Christ the Rock Ministries—including feeding outreaches, prison ministry, weekly Bible studies, and a growing vision for a Missional Training Center to equip leaders and plant healthy churches.

Guest Bio

Pastor Andrew Scribner was born in Maine (USA). His faith journey was shaped in part through Christian music, and he came to Christ during his college years through Chi Alpha. After meeting his wife Gilda, they moved to the Philippines in 2000, began with a children’s feeding program, and gradually grew into wider ministry leadership. Andrew served as an associate pastor (2013) and later became senior/lead pastor (2015). He earned a ministry degree (M.Div. mentioned) during the 2017–2020 season. Today he leads an independent missional church, oversees prison ministry, and facilitates an expat Bible study, with a long-term focus on discipleship and training leaders.

Key Topics Covered (with timestamps)

0:00–3:45 — Introduction + Andrew’s background

1. From Maine to the Philippines (year 2000)
2. Meeting Gilda, marriage in the Philippines
3. Early growth through “small beginnings”

3:45–8:45 — Testimony: reluctant leader → faithful shepherd

1. Andrew didn’t want leadership at first
2. His wife’s encouragement + God’s direction
3. Matt’s encouragement: “Despise not the day of small beginnings…little is much when God is in it.”

8:45–13:30 — Philippines 101 + Dumaguete context

1. The Philippines as an archipelago (7,000+ islands)
2. Regions: Luzon / Visayas / Mindanao
3. Andrew’s area: Visayas → Negros Oriental → Dumaguete (~150,000)
4. Dumaguete as a known retirement destination with growing expat population

13:30–18:45 — Filipino culture + church life: relationships over rush

1. Strong emphasis on family/community/hospitality
2. Relationships often prioritized over rigid schedules
3. Differences in teaching styles: relational warmth + growing hunger for the Word
4. Matt reflects on Western church pace and the “in-and-out” service rhythm

18:45–26:30 — Church life + ministry rhythms

1. Church name: Christ the Rock Ministries
2. Typical attendance: ~60 (Filipino + expat families)
3. Weekly flow: Sunday celebration + kids’ Sunday school
4. Midweek: Bible studies, school feeding program, outreach Saturdays, prison ministry

26:30–30:45 — City-wide unity + revival night

1. A large one-night city event with ~20 churches participating
2. Follow-up system using decision cards by local pastors
3. Guest speaker: Korean-American pastor + translator
4. Emphasis: unity among churches and shared evangelistic responsibility

30:45–35:30 — Building project + expansion for training

1. Property owned since early 2000s; new project developing
2. Building project: ~3 years overall; active construction ~1 year
3. First level expected usable around May
4. Size mentioned: ~200 sq meters (~2,000 sq ft)

35:30–40:30 — Honor, authority, and “the spirit behind the office”

1. Filipino culture: often honors leadership/anointing/position
2. Western culture: often more skeptical (sometimes for understandable reasons)
3. Balance: avoid blind followership; cultivate Berean maturity (searching Scripture)

40:30–45:30 — “Missional Getaway” concept + short-module training

1. Vision: Missional Training Center (short modules, practical equipping)
2. Not only “sending” but training and raising local leaders
3. Idea: Dumaguete as a great first missions exposure—comfortable base, real ministry access
4. Invitation for future collaboration, visits, and possible teaching modules

45:30–51:41 — How to connect/support + closing prayer

1. Andrew shares how listeners can connect and donate
2. Prayer over listeners’ needs (physical/spiritual) and blessing over Kingdom Corner
3. Matt prays for Andrew, Gilda, the building project, and the training center vision

Big Takeaways

1. God often calls people who weren’t chasing the microphone. The “I just want to serve” posture tends to produce steady, trustworthy leadership.
2. Missions isn’t just a trip—it’s a lens. It changes how you see the world and reminds you God can use ordinary people in extraordinary settings.
3. Healthy authority is not control; it’s stewardship. Honor the office/anointing without turning leaders into idols—stay Berean, stay humble, stay teachable.
4. Unity multiplies impact. A city-wide event with shared follow-up is a picture of the Church acting like one Body.

Memorable Lines

1. “It’s a fun ride…to go along with God, not just what you want.”
2. “People really prioritize family, friends, and relationships…sometimes over schedules.”
3. “I look for leaders who don’t aspire to lead—they just want to serve.”

Ministries Mentioned (Christ the Rock Ministries)

1. Sunday celebration + kids’ Sunday school
2. Weekly Bible studies
3. School feeding program (malnourished children; ~60 kids mentioned)
4. Saturday outreach/feeding program (food + Word)
5. Prison ministry (every two weeks; worship led by inmates; baptisms)
6. Friday expat Bible study (often at a café; ~20 expats plus some Filipinos)

Connect + Support Pastor Andrew

Andrew shared a website with a donate option. Here it is exactly as spoken:

www.church.discipleshape.life

(Support is currently aimed at the building project and ongoing ministry, with future fundraising likely connected to the Missional Training Center.)

Suggested Episode Description (for Podpage/Captivate)

Pastor Andrew Scribner left Maine for the Philippines in 2000—and the call of God kept him there. In this conversation, we talk discipleship, Filipino culture, ministry among locals and expats, prison outreach, feeding programs, and a growing vision for a Missional Training Center to raise leaders and plant healthy churches. If you’ve ever wondered whether missions is for “ordinary people,” this interview will encourage you to take the next step.

Calls to Action

1. Pray for the Dumaguete unity event and ongoing fruit from local churches working together.
2. Consider a “missions exposure” trip—even a short one can reframe your faith and purpose.
3. Support the work: building project + training vision (see link above).