From: Chrarol McKinney

Mon, 13 Mar 2006

Dear Friends,

GOOD NEWS!

As you know our current goal is to develop an accredited graduate level training program for Christian leaders. One of the obstacles to Philippine government accreditation we've been facing at Philippine College of Ministry(PCM has been getting Filipino professors with government-recognized credentials. Leaders from several church of Christ Bible colleges in the Philippines have discussed this problem, and have considered establishing our own graduate school from the ground up. This process would take several years, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we've been preparing for this as God provides.

Another way to acheive this goal is to form an alliance with an existing, accredited, graduate school, a school that would allow us to teach a track with classes geared toward the interests of Christian church leaders. But who would be open to such an alliance? We've been praying about both of these options for more than 4 years, asking God to provide direction, contacts, and means.

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AFTER MUCH COMMUNICATION, PRAYER, AND AN INTERVIEW BY THE ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FORM SUCH AN ALLIANCE WITH THE ALLIANCE GRADUATE SCHOOL (AGS) IN MANILA!

AGS is an evangelical graduate school. More than 25 years old, AGS has been affiliated primarily with the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination (under the name Asia Biblical Seminary), but has increasingly expanded its vision as a school in alliance with the wider family of evangelical churches and denominations. AGS is accredited by the Asia Theological Association and the Association of Theological Schools in South East Asia , is a partner institution of the Asia Graduate School of Theology, and is fully recognized by the Philippine government's Commission on Higher Education (CHED). For more information about AGS log on to: http://www.ags.edu.ph

This partnership will enable us to jump several steps ahead with our plans for training leaders, and getting our undergraduate Bible colleges accredited, without the immense costs of starting up a whole new school.

I begin teaching classes at AGS this month. In addition, I'll be recruiting students from Christian churches and churches of Christ, and raising funds for scholarships and professorships for our church leaders, as well as doing research for my own studies.

Thank you for praying about this back in November when we mentioned an encouraging meeting we had with the administration there.

MORE GOOD NEWS...

WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMANENT VISAS! Some people have asked us if this means we are Filipino citizens. It does not. It means that instead of continually applying and re-applying for limited-time visas to live and work here (similar to green cards for foreigners in the US) the Philippine government has granted us final approval once for all, based on our involvement in Philippine Christian Mission's work here over the past decades! It's been a long process, and only 50 are granted to Americans each year. Thank-you to all of you who provided funds and prayed for this.

TRAVELING TO U.S.

WE PLAN TO BE IN THE U.S. IN JUNE AND JULY to visit churches, supporters, family, and friends. We also plan to attend the North American Christian Convention, and the McKinney family reunion. We are hoping more frequent short trips like this will be effective substitutes for what we have done in the past, which was to come home for an entire one-year furlough after every third year.

Plane fare was put in the original mission budget, but not enough funds were raised for it. If God lays it on your heart to help with this or other travel expenses please let us know, we will welcome it. We will also appreciate it if anyone has a vehicle we could use during this 8 week period.

FAMILY NEWS

Our son Cormack was here with us this Christmas and New Year. We hadn't seen him since we left the States in 2004, and it was an absolutely wonderful time for our family. Chris and I felt that it warmed our hearts just to hear all the kids talking and laughing together! Cormack is finishing his second year at Hope International University. We are very happy to see the kind of man he is becoming, and some of the choices he is making.

Caitlan will be graduating from high school in May. When we come home to the U.S. this summer she will be with us, but when we return to the Philippines we will leave her there in the U.S. for college. We are proud of her and her many accomplishments, including maintaining a 4.0 weighted GPA, being chosen for the National Honor Society, and distinguishing herself in theatre.

Caitlan has finally finished with all her college applications, financial aid forms, etc., and now we just wait to see where she is accpeted. She has applied to Wheaton, Westmont, Hope, and Pepperdine. Hope has accepted her (of course) and she has a phone interviw with them for a Presidential Scholarship this week. Westmont has accepted her, and has awarded her a $9,000 Provost's Scholarship, renewable each year (this is in addition to whatever State aid she might receive) . Westmont called her for a phone interview that lasted ONE HOUR before awarding her the scholarship! We couldn't even imagine what they talked about, and she could only remember some of it. We have not heard from Wheaton or Pepperdine yet, but they are supposed to send out their letters by April 1st. Personally I would like to see her on the west coast, but I am open for whatever God provides, and trust that he will help her in making a decision.

Callie and Campbell continue to do well in school. Callie is a freshman in high school and played on the JV Basketball team this year. Campbell will be entering high school as a freshman this fall.

____________________

As you can see, with the AGS alliance and the permanent visas we have some major developments to be thankful for! Thank you for your part in the work here. We pray for you, too, for God's blessings for each of you as you serve him there in the U.S.

In Christ,

Chris and Carole