American Baptist Churches USA joined with the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC) in 2019 to approve a resolution to designate the Sunday nearest to December 20 as Hopevale Commemoration Sunday. This day serves as a time to remember the Hopevale martyrdom in the Philippines in which missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (now International Ministries), on December 20, died heroically for their faith. In 2021, Hopevale Commemoration Sunday is December 19.

In commemorating this anniversary each year, ABCUSA is affirming, along with Filipino Baptists, our common missiological identity and our mutual support and solidarity in doing God’s mission.

The resources below were prepared together by the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, in partnership with AmericanBaptist International Ministries, the American Baptist Historical Society and the Green Lake Conference Center, for the purpose of commemoration of the event, featuring written and video accounts of the Hopevale story, missionary biographies, bulletin inserts and a Hopevale poster.

Recognizing that December 20 is just before Christmas and thus many churches may not be able to dedicate a portion of the Sunday service closest to that date for Hopevale, churches are encouraged to commemorate Hopevale at whatever event or service fits their schedule best in December or January. Please note: there is no offering connected to this commemoration. It is meant to serve as a historical memorial event, and to inspire new generations of American Baptists to be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ. The Hopevale story is inspiring, calling us all to a higher level of sacrificial devotion and service.

A Testimony Given by the Rev. Dr. Elmo Familiaran

Resources

A Letter of Support from CPBC General Secretary Dr. Jerson Narciso

The 75th Anniversary of the Hopevale Missionaries – A Reflection by Rev. Dr. Elmo Familiaran

Hopevale Reflections by Carolyn Predmore

Go with the Lord! by Sharon Dumas

Hopevale Martyrs 75th Anniversary: Tragedy to Victory by Gordon and Lee Ann Hwang

International Ministries Bulletin Insert

Hopevale Commemoration Poster (print on 11×17” paper)

Photos from the Green Lake Hopevale Commemoration Event – August 2019

The Hopevale Commemoration is a joint project of the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, American Baptist International Ministries, the American Baptist Historical Society and the Green Lake Conference Center.