EarthKeepers promote creation care in the Philippines

By Touch Barrientos, Kyla Ragasa and Matthan Bang-asan
March 18, 2026 | DAVAO, Philippines (UMC TV)

Filipino United Methodists in the Davao Episcopal Area participated in a four-day United Methodist Board of Global Ministries EarthKeepers training on climate change and environmental conservation. Video by Touch Barrientos, Kyla Ragasa, DEA Communications, and Matthan Bang-Asan.

The Davao Episcopal Area launched its first-ever Gilas Kalikasan (EarthKeepers) Learning Institute and inducted 57 EarthKeepers during a four-day gathering. EarthKeepers, a program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, trains and encourages United Methodist clergy and laity to develop and lead environmental projects in their communities. The initiative connects faith and sustainability, enabling participants to launch projects like community gardens, solar energy projects and recycling initiatives. Kyla Ragasa has the story from Davao.

Watch video

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Faith Sharing

Happy Fourth of July! Photo by Mike DuBose; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News

Graphic for the Fourth of July available to download and share on social media.

Global Health

Dr. Damas Lushima, wearing a mask and a Global Ministries vest, stands in front of the Ebola treatment center at the Rwampara General Referral Hospital in Bunia. As health department coordinator for the East Congo Episcopal Area, he oversees The United Methodist Church’s integrated response to the 17th Ebola outbreak affecting Ituri Province. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Congo Health Council.

Church steps up Ebola response in Congo

Facing a deadly Ebola flare up, the East Congo Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church is rolling out an integrated response — spiritual, medical and community based — to protect the most vulnerable populations.

Global Health

Lab technician Arike Joel (right) conducts HIV testing during a soccer tournament hosted by The United Methodist Church at Imvepi Settlement in Arua, Uganda. The medical testing is part of the church’s Kick Out HIV campaign, which focuses on HIV prevention and self-care in refugee camps. While players battled for victory on the pitch, health workers offered confidential HIV testing and counseling on the sidelines. Photo by Juma Denis Daniel, UM News.

Church uses soccer to ‘kick out HIV’

As World Cup fever heats up, a United Methodist ministry is using soccer tournaments as a tool for voluntary HIV testing in Uganda.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!