About the Palmers
In 2015, Chris & Melda were led by the Lord to sell their belongings in the US and move to the Philippines. Only a year later God had provided financially for their assignment and 2016 they were released into ministry by Celebration Foursquare Church – Renton, Washington. Their first task from the Lord was to run a small business while adopting their now twelve year old daughter. This proved key to becoming established in and accepted by the local community and in 2018 God allowed them to transition into full time ministry.
Chris Palmer is the visionary founder of Greater Things Ministries and overseer of GTM Philippines where he serves as the spiritual leader and general administrator. Chris is also an associate pastor at Celebration Foursquare Church – Navotas, Philippines (CFC). In 2022 Chris and Melda became part of Foursquare Missions International and reorganized GTM efforts around evangelism and church planting. Though they are part of the Foursquare family, they still also partner with Philippine based Jesus is Lord Church.
GTM Philippines utilizes a 5-Fold ministry approach. Foursquare Philippines serves as the role of apostle, providing spiritual accountability and organizational structure. Chris will serve as the prophet, executing his God given vision for the city of Navotas, and Melda will serve as the lead shepherd, working in partnership with the various evangelists to build and maintain strong personal relationships with each and every new convert. GTM employees will serve the role of evangelists, and GTM will partner with the local church to connect teachers to newly established groups. Chris also has a longer term goal of restoring unity among the churches of Navotas so that together they can seek total transformation of the city, both spiritual and economic.
Melda Palmer was born and raised only one kilometer from where she and Chris currently reside in the Philippines. Melda’s outgoing personality and passion for helping others has helped to build deep connections in the local community. In addition to her role as the lead shepherd, Melda leads Happy Kids Children’s Church, and serves on the worship team at CFC.
About Navotas City and the Philippines
Chris and Melda Palmer are currently residing in Navotas City, which is part of the economically disadvantaged Northwestern corner of the National Capital Region of the Philippines. Navotas is about an hour to an hour and a half (minimum commute time) to the nearest commercial centers, so most people there find it too far to commute, and the city is left with primarily with low income residents. Despite this, people there are generally happier than you would expect, as they still find ways to enjoy life without a lot of money. The city is known for its fish port, the largest in the nation, and a significant portion of the local economy is based off seafood products. Locally made products include fish sauce, shrimp paste, and canned sardines. People in Navotas eat a lot fish at home, but favorites when eating out are actually fried chicken and spaghetti. Filipino people are very social and love to get together and hang out, even if they don’t have anything to do. If they can’t be together, they will spend hours on Facebook, keeping in touch with all their friends throughout the day. For fun, people love to sing karaoke, dance is becoming very popular among the younger generations, and basketball is so ubiquitous, that there really isn’t any other sport people care about.
GTM Mission Statement:
To transform the community of Sipac-Almacen, Navotas City, in Metro Manila, Philippines by shining the light of Jesus and sharing the Gospel with the children of our neighborhood, who, through their new found faith, and contagious enthusiasm, will become evangelists in their own home, spreading salvation to their families and bring them into the church, where we can help them grow into mature members of the body of Christ.
GTM Vision Statement:
To see our community completely transformed spiritually and economically, filled with the Holy Spirit, united as one voice, worshiping God, and inspired to spread this transformation to our neighboring communities and beyond.