1 CHAPTER 3 BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR MINISTERING TO THE OFWS AND THEIR FAMILIES This chapter discusses the biblical principles that should guide churches that seek to minister to the OFWs and their families. Seven biblical grounds are presented below that will direct the church’s path in ministering to the families of overseas Filipinos. 3.1. Family is God’s creation and must be valued by all. The first principle that will guide the church in ministering to the OFW families is the fact that family is God’s creation and must be valued by all. The Bible teaches that family is God's idea, God’s creation. As a result, the family must be valued and honored by believers at all times, at all cost. Genesis 1 records the creation of the first husband and wife (Adam and Eve) that became the nuclear family, the basic form of family created by God in his image. And God pronounced the creation of the nuclear family as “very good” (Gen. 1.31 NIV). He also commanded this first couple and the subsequent generations that follow to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it ...” (Gen. 1:28; 8:17; 9:1, 7 NIV). This command implies God's design for children to be born and raised by parents and families.