TESTIMONIES

Batch 2005

   
   
Caroline de Vera

      I consider my years spent in seminary as significantly invaluable. The theological training is just a part of the whole learning experience. It is here that I have witnessed how truly amazing is God’s grace. As I know and experience God more, I am humbled by the fact that God would choose me as one of His servants. I feel really unworthy, but nevertheless I feel privileged to have been called to the ministry. What could be more fulfilling than serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

I learned that to be a godly servant, it is important to maintain a broken spirit and a contrite heart. At the end of the day, I often come to a conclusion that what matters most is the purity of my heart in living and doing God’s will. I also learned the importance of enjoying God. As I look at the endless needs of the ministry, I do feel overwhelmed. But I have to remind myself that ministry springs out from my relationship with God.

As long as I dwell in His presence, I can be confident that He will enable me to be and to do what He pleases.
   
Hsu Wan-Ti       It is by God's grace that I can study and be equipped at BSOP. Many people ask me what will you do after you graduate? My answer is “the same as I am doing now.” I will still serve at FEBC. Nothing will change. My status won’t be different just because I have graduated from BSOP, but what will be different is I will be equipped and that will help my ministry. Because of this equipping I will be able to serve my people better.

It is not easy to work, be a mother, a wife and study at the same time. But I have really enjoyed these years of study at BSOP. Every course taken has been precious to me. I learned from them and from my teachers, not only knowledge, but also their faith.

Through my studies at BSOP I have been able to know God more and the more I know Him, the more I fear Him and grow in faith. Graduation doesn’t mean the end of learning, but is another beginning, a new learning period. There are still many things I need to learn. All my life I need to learn how to serve my Lord faithfully so that one day, I will be called His “good and faithful servant.”
   
William Jonathan Ong

      My training in BSOP has been a great experience, not that it was a bed of roses, but rather, it was a long process of constant trials and changes in my life. God has truly been great to me and to my family. My first year can be described as REWARDING, for the Lord rewarded my act of faith when I decided to stop working and start schooling. I was just so happy and thankful that the Lord opened the door for me to come to the Seminary. My second year can be described as RIGID. It was a time of training and really hitting the books hard. I learned to work under pressure and at the same time produce quality work. This last year can be described as REFRESHING, for I am looking forward to graduation day and serving God in His chosen field.

God has been blessing my family life as well. When I entered seminary I filled up my status as “SINGLE,” but after the first year it changed to “MARRIED.” On my second year I became the proud father of a baby boy named JACOB. Then as graduation day approaches, I will again become the proud father of baby JOSIAH who will be born this summer. The Lord has indeed been gracious and loving to my wife, Laurice, and myself. Indeed the three years spent in BSOP has been more than worthwhile. I came in as a naïve boy, now I will go out as a pastor, a father of two boys and husband of one wife! Praise the Lord.
   
David Uy       I began my studies in BSOP as a part-time student in 1999. Two years ago, I became a full-time student. I moved into BSOP with my wife and son. And now, I will leave with two sons instead of one. As I reflect upon my years of studies, I am filled with thanksgiving. I thank God for the many lessons learned. BSOP has provided a venue for learning not just the academics, but to love and work with people of different backgrounds and from different cultures. I have learned to accept others’ differences. I even had the opportunity to brush up on my Mandarin a bit. Here, we had the opportunity to serve one another through the food committee and the student council. I thank the Lord for the dedicated teachers who have been an encouragement to me and have created an impact through their lives. My family and I will surely miss the beautiful atmosphere BSOP has created for the students. Day by day, I have learned to rely on God’s provisions for my family’s needs, a lesson that can only be learned through experience. We are thankful for our church and the people who have supported us in numerous ways. I thank the Lord for letting me experience His grace in much richer ways.