Page Title

NEWS

News and upcoming project activities will be listed here.

CHRISTOPHER
RILEY EDUCATION
MINISTRIES

Printed in Connection, Tyndale University College & Seminary, Winter 2008/09, Vol. 15-1, pg. 17.
"Chris Riley, Toril and the Theology of Compassion"

When Chris Riley graduated from Tyndale with his (Masters Degree of Divinity) MDiv in Education in 2001, starting an overseas education ministry was the last thing on his mind. But
God had other plans for him. It all started with a vacation trip to the Philippines.
"I wanted a holiday and I decided to go to the Philippines because I figured I could get the most out of what I had to spend."
While there, Riley made a few friends and came up with the idea of Chris Riley Education Ministries (CREM), in which he would use his knowledge in the area of technology to teach
Computer Basics. Riley not only started a Computer Basics Class, but also trained two local persons to teach in this area, and developed two manuals to aid the program (Chris also
holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry).
"I had worked with 16 to 21 year olds before in a similar program and I wanted to start the same thing here, but add an element of Christ to what we were teaching as well," he
explained.
Having set up his program, Riley was prepared to return home and continue on with his life as he had known it. But God had different plans.
"When I was leaving they came to me and told me they needed my help--that there were kids here that needed my help," he says.
The children referred to were those in Toril and Punta Bilar, two of the poorest areas in the Philippines. At first Riley was reluctant to get involved, but after much persuading, he
agreed.
"I said okay, I will help these five kids, just to get them to stop asking," explained Riley. "But God pulled me in, and here I am six months later, still helping."
Riley has been aiding the people in Toril and Punta Bilar by providing school suppliers for children, and rice and food supplies for families, mostly from his own pocket. This is a
welcomed gift to the residents, who often scrounge through the nearby Surigao City dump for items they can pawn for money to feed themselves... ..
(Read more...)

CHRISTOPHER RILEY EDUCATION MINISTRIES

"... whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me,"
(Matt. 25:40)

Music Initiative Began In Surigao City South
A qualified Misic Director leads this joint program between the Philippino Evangelical Church and CREM. A continued partnership between CREM
and the First Baptist Church of Surigao City. Senior Pastor Lapaz with his ministry leaders has advertised the beginning of a Music Program in
their neighbourhood. Knowing the Philippinos love to sign, we have began offering free music lessons on how to read scores and basic principles in
music. ANYONE can attend.

CREM PARTNERS WITH KISII, KENYA PASTOR IN A CHURCH AND ORPHANAGE PROJECT
New Partner of CREM in Kisii, Republic of Kenya. Rev. Thomas Okinyi who pastors an independent church in Kisii and chairs a self-help Orphanage for 26 orphans. CREM will
contribute in various was with this project towards the staff, orphans, church, and providing leadership training materials as needed.