Open doors

This post was shared by FN missionaries Billy and Rachel Hyer, who serve in Cebu City, Philippines with their kids Henry and August.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ." Colossians 4:2-3

Ministry momentum is rarely built through grand events. It grows through faithful prayer, ordinary conversations, open doors, and hearts that are willing to listen. Paul understood that only God can open those doors. Our role is simply to remain faithful, prayerful, and ready when He does the opening.

Over and over again, we’ve watched God answer that prayer here in Cebu. Relationships that began as simple conversations have grown into deep friendships where people feel safe asking difficult questions about faith, wrestling with Scripture, and discovering who Jesus truly is. We have been reminded that God’s Word is living and active. When people encounter it with open hearts, it changes them—and it changes us too.

This is true for all of us, wherever God has placed us. Whether in the Philippines or in your own neighborhood, God is still opening doors for the gospel through everyday relationships.

It’s hard to believe our weekly "Bible Party" (our name for our gathering of friends – Christians and seekers – around the Word) can actually be traced back to an argument

over an electrical outlet! Here's the story. Last November, after a typhoon left us

without electricity or running water for three days, there was only one working

outlet in the hallway of our condo building. Each evening, Rachel carried our air fryer

down the hallway to heat dinner for our family. On the third night, she found both

outlets occupied by a woman using them for her hair tools so Rachel politely asked if

she could borrow one outlet for just two minutes to warm our dinner. Somehow, that

simple request escalated into the woman yelling at Rachel, calling her obscene

names, and even following her back to our condo to continue the confrontation with

Billy!

Her commotion became so loud that our neighbor Karen opened her door to see

what was happening. We didn’t realize it that night, but God was opening a door.

That unexpected introduction to Karen became the beginning of a beautiful

friendship that quickly grew into many more. Those relationships have blossomed

into our weekly Bible Party gatherings, shared meals, pickleball, a lively group chat

that keeps us connected throughout the week, and countless conversations centered on Jesus. Some of our friends have even begun inviting others to join us, and every

new person has been such a wonderful addition to our growing family. We are praising God for opening doors and for bringing this group of people together, and we are appreciating their hunger for the Word!