OUR HISTORY

The ministry of Embrace and Reach was founded by Pastor Jun and Elisabeth Canoy to see the body of Christ grow in their love for God and ignite a passion to serve Him in overseas missions, thus following the commandment to make disciples of all nations.  After serving with Youth With A Mission for 11 years combined in Europe, India and the Philippines Jun and Lisa Canoy returned to the Bay Area of California and began to share their own personal experiences and passion for missions with others in their local church. 

In 1999 the first short term outreach team led by Jun, consisted of two people, serving the local church in the Philippines through Worship Concerts and Teaching Seminars. In 2000 a team of 4 people, including 2 Bay Area Pastors and an Engineer traveled across Northern Mindanao partnering with indigenous churches sharing the gospel at Music Concerts, Seminars, and Orphanage's.  Greater expanse took place in 2001 as the team grew to include a Dance Team and took on its first official ministry team name of "God's Dream Team". By 2002 the teams grew to include people from several churches across the United States. We expanded our partnership's with indigenous churches and community agencies, sharing the gospel in multiple school settings, and hosting discipleship growth seminars. During 2003 political unrest in the Philippines had us focus our ministry in a brand new direction, leading primarily a performing arts team to England and Germany sharing God's message of love and hope not only on the street corners but also in the churches and community settings. 

From 2003-2004 God began to open doors of new partnerships with churches and other humanitarian organizations to fulfill a life long dream of Lisa's to share the gospel through practical acts of healing and care. The outreach of 2004 would be the launching of the Free Medical and Dental Clinics and with it a greater expansion of the ministry which has continued into the present. It was during the preparation phase of our first Medical and Dental Clinic Outreach that our name "Embrace and Reach" was conceived. What began as a few medical and dental doctors serving approximately 350-500 patients per day has grown to most recently over 30 medical personal, both indigenous and US based serving approximately 1000-1,200 patients per clinic. Patients not only receive free medical and dental exams, free medicine and health education, but also clothing, vitamins, food and most importantly prayer and counseling. Our partnership with local churches, Pastors, and community agencies allow patients seen at the clinics to have the opportunity for follow up for prayer, counseling and directing them to local medical and community resources.

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In addition to the health component, over the past several years we have been able to target disease prevention and improve the quality of life by sponsoring the construction and installation of Accessible Clean Water Systems and Wells in rural areas.

Since 2004 the ministry of Embrace and Reach has expanded its's ministry in the Philippines to include:

-Professional Basketball Exhibition Friendship Games with Filipino Professional Teams

-Free Basketball Sports Skills Camps for Youth- building children's self esteem, inspiring personal responsibility and team work and casting vision for their future.

- Prison Ministry, reaching out to those incarcerated as well as prison workers and wardens.

-Motivational and Moral Ethics teaching to Military and Police Academies

-Structural renovation of areas devastated by Natural Disasters common in this region of the globe

-Performing Arts and Motivational Speaking within High School and College Campuses

-Christian Counseling and Crisis Intervention during Natural Disasters

Most recently in October 2015 Embrace and Reach International became registered in the State of California as a non-profit organization. 

Since our small beginnings, God has allowed us to share His love and grace to tens of thousands of people in over 200 cites across England, Germany and our primary target of the Philippines. We are so thankful and amazed at all God has done through the hundreds of sacrificial volunteers partnering with Embrace and Reach ; giving of their time, talents, finances and their hearts to those who are in need. We are so grateful for every person who has served and donated to this ministry in prayer, finances, time and energy. 

Our desire is to see this ministry expand it's efforts and influence, reaching into other  countries and raising up the next generation of missionaries and missionary partners. Our ultimate goal is to see entire communities across multiple countries changed and thrive by the power of the gospel for His glory.