2007 Batch Testimonies

Sheilah Lynn Sy

I thank God that I had the opportunity to stay and study in BSOP.  The song “Little by Little” describes my life in BSOP quite well: Little by little, I am learning from my class everyday. Little by little, God is molding me in His own way. Little by little, Jesus is changing me; since I have turned from my old life, I have been growing in and by His grace. I have receive so many blessings – thank you God for being my precious Savior.  I now have a new family: classmates, schoolmates, faculty, office staff have become my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – one big happy family in Christ!

One thing that I have learned was how important good inter-personal relationship is to be effective in ministry.  My roommates were channels of blessings to me spiritually and physically.  They served as good models in areas such as developing good study habits, prayer and devotional life.  Physically, they shared their material blessings generously with me.

I was trained in BSOP to rely and rest in God. In times of great difficulties, I rest in God and find strength.  When studies become such a burden I look up to the sky and I pray, “Lord, I rely only in You.” Now that I’m about to graduate, I will surely miss my home away from home – BSOP.

Jeanne Caramoan

I still recall the promise that God gave through His words in confirmation of my coming to study at BSOP.  Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  Indeed, God is ever faithful and true to His promise! For the past three years He has not failed to provide my daily needs.  When I told Him that I was afraid my financial needs would not be met, He would remind me of this passage and tell me that what He desires is an obedient heart that follows His calling.

I experienced financial problems in my family twice during these three years.  God always provided our needs at the right time and added security, justice and protection to me and my family.  He saved my family from danger when fire engulfed my neighbor’s house, which was right beside our house.  He saved me from a near plane crash on my way to Cebu for practicum work two years ago.  God not only provided for my physical needs, He also met my spiritual needs.  I was fed with His words during our weekly chapel service, my character was molded as I dealt with my fellow school mates who came from different cultures. Thus I grew in maturity.  Lastly, God granted me wisdom in doing all my requirements in Preaching, Hebrew, Greek and other courses.  I was able to accomplish all these tasks by the grace of God.

Therefore I thank Him for allowing me to finish my three-year study in BSOP.  I do not have any regrets at all in obeying His call.

Evelyn Chua

Time has really flown – in the blink of an eye four years of study is coming to an end. These four years are the most important years of my life, for I experienced God’s grace in so many ways.

The first year: I entered BSOP with a timid heart full of fear and awe, desiring to serve God and yet at the same time feeling weak, at the same time I could not fully acknowledge God’s calling.  After one year of studies and experiencing God’s presence through the bittersweet aspects of life, God’s call became a reality and a certainty.

The second year: God used many ways to mold me, allowing me to see my own weaknesses and to witness His mercy and loving kindness. I realized that God must really be work in and beside us if we are truly to serve Him.

The third year: I struggled with God intensely over my future ministry.  I wished that I could go to a place that God had not prepared for me, and I was not willing to obey Him.  He made me see my own self-centeredness, and He also let me experience the joy and peace of being obedient. Not only did He determine my place of ministry, He also allowed me to have another year of further studies.

The fourth year: Aside from this additional chance to learn, God also made me realize the meaning of service through writing my thesis. Once more I gave myself to Him, so that He could lead me throughout my lifetime. I know there will be many hardships in ministry, but I firmly believe in His faithfulness. His promises will not be in vain, so I am excited about my graduation.  Not only do I need to thank God for His grace, I also need to thank my teachers and classmates for their love, assistance and encouragement.  May all glory be to our God!

Fernando Ng

As I look back I realize I’ve studied in BSOP for twelve years! I recall the reason why I came to study at BSOP.  Deep in my heart I wanted to serve God full time.  To do so I needed to be nurtured by His words, so I began taking Church Ministry Training Center (CMTC) classes at the United Evangelical Church of the Philippines (UECP) in 1995.  I also began serving full time at Grace Gospel Church. Both the pastor and elders of CGC felt that I needed more training, therefore they allowed me to use two days a week to go through seminary training.  I enrolled in the Basic Bible Course of BSOP and will finally graduate this March 25, 2007!

During this period (1995-2007) God’s grace has really been abundant! (1) To be able to serve God full time at CGC and at the same time to have my studies subsidized is really His grace. (2) All my teachers were gracious in their requirements so that my studies did not become a burden – this is also God’s grace. (3) My colleagues in CGC and CGC North were so helpful in lending me books and helping me with my lessons. (4) My wife and children were also very supportive of my studies and full time service.  This is truly grace upon grace.  As I face graduation, I know that I am still inadequate in terms of knowledge, but I humble myself before Him and praise Him.  Please pray for me continually.  I will be serving at CGC North after graduation.  May God preserve my will to serve Him until that Day. Glory be to the Lord who loves us!

Virginia Chon

Three years ago I came to study at BSOP and started to learn to adjust to a big family.  At the beginning, the Lord blessed me with a disciplined and diligent roommate. BSOP has a very good library that provides us the opportunity to explore many different aspects of knowledge which I really enjoy.  There are Care and Share groups that help us to support each other through prayer.  Aside from the resident professors, I enjoy having the opportunity to sit under visiting professors.  Chapel speakers also share how the Holy Spirit is working in different parts of the world.  My eyes have also been opened and my understanding of the Islamic world and the urgent need of sharing the gospel has been greatly increased.  The opportunity to study Hebrew and Greek is indeed a blessing; it has equipped me by laying a good foundation and provided the tools for preparing sermons and bible studies.  At BSOP we have a multi-lingual community – this has enabled me to use different languages such as Mandarin, English and Tagalog.  Students also come from different cultures and our fellowship with each other has been enhanced.  I am about to graduate in a few weeks.  I thank BSOP for granting me the privilege of being equipped with the Word of God through the help and guidance of many good professors.

Jean Ting

Romans 5: 8 states, “But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” God’s love is indeed constant, incomparable, immeasurable, and overflowing!  His love saved me from despair and compelled me to love other people.

Seeing the needs of the harvest fields, I thank God for the privilege of being equipped with God’s truth at BSOP.  Although knowledge is important, one’s heart needs to be transformed as well.  The heart is the center of the spiritual life. The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, choose self-pity or choose Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.  This is what Max Lucado remarked in his book Experiencing Jesus. I’m grateful to God for He has showered me grace upon grace, blessings upon blessings, and strength upon strength.  Life in BSOP was not easy, however, just as Paul said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)  There were many times when I wanted to give up due to the pressures of studying, doing practicum, and dealing with people.  Yet I was constantly reminded by the verse, “. . . He who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)

Following the example that Jesus has set for me has brought high and low points in my life.  Love, grace, and mercy were given by God even as I underwent pruning.  I pray that as I walk the path of full time service I will have the passion for Christ, unconditional love for others, and a life that glorifies our heavenly Father.  As Jim Elliot said, “Only one life so soon it will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.”