Our Missionaries
Our missionaries are normal people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to serving and following Jesus wherever He calls them. Want to meet them? Check out our Missionary Directory.
Jez and Bamz Butihen
Missionaries to Asia 2
Ministry Description
Our goal is to reach the youth of WOL Asia 2 with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will equip churches to build effective youth ministries focused on evangelism and discipleship. We aim to make the most of every opportunity to share the good news through various avenues such as camps, leadership training, school ministry, English conversation classes, and intentional evangelism.
About Jez
In our Sunday school class on March 26, 1996, I placed my trust in Christ as my personal Savior. I realized I was guilty of sin and could not save myself through good works. But in that moment, I understood and believed that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to die in my place. He died on the cross, was buried, and on the third day, He rose again. My fears and doubts turned to joy as I became fully assured of His salvation.
Our church used the Word of Life Bible Club youth program, which encouraged discipleship in our youth group. I became part of a small group that God used to help me grow in my walk with Him. Through the influence of WOL missionaries, I was inspired to study at the Word of Life Bible Institute, where I completed the 4-year course.
God later opened the door for me to serve as a Local Church Missionary in the Visayas region of the Philippines, ministering to the main islands of Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte. My role was to help local churches by introducing the same biblical program that shaped me during my teenage years. After a decade of serving as a local church missionary, God led me to become the Dean of Students at the Word of Life Bible Institute for four years.
Now, we are excited to continue serving in WOL Asia 2, where we will share Jesus with youth across the region, equipping them to spread the gospel within their own spheres of influence, and help them start to disciple disciple-makers.
About Bamz
I grew up in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, and got saved when I was 11. Being a missionary has always been on my mind since childhood; little did I know that God was leading me in that direction. The principal in the school where I worked encouraged me to study at Word of Life Bible Institute. After a year, I ministered under the camping ministry of Word of Life Philippines for three years. Then God moved me to Thailand to help in missions for a little while before the Lord led me back to the Philippines. I got married to Jesil on September 8, 2012. We are now serving as WOL Missionaries with our three kids.
Life Verse
And say to Archippus, "take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Colossians 4:17