When I was a carefree young boy, we were taught to do good to others. We were also brought up to be faithful church goers because my family was a devout Catholic. I thought doing good things was enough to merit my passport to heaven. I was like an obedient sheep, never asking any questions, thinking that at the end the path would be full of fresh, green grass. But a friend of mine shared something to me that changed my life forever.

      It happened on an ordinary day to an ordinary boy with ordinary dreams.

      Riding on a bus on our way home, he shared to me the gospel as part of his youth EE training. That was the time that I came to know the real God - the just, merciful and loving God.  He explained to me very well about man, sin, God, Jesus Christ and true faith. He also made me realized that doing good is not enough for me to merit my way to heaven. Only through the blood of Christ and accepting Him as my personal Lord and Savior can I really have the eternal life that God has promised to give. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and started to get to know God better by attending Bible studies and reading His Word.

      The next year, I attended a summer camp where the speaker talked on Matthew 9:35-38. The message and the Word of God struck me and left me burdened to be God's worker in the harvest field. During the camp's altar call for those willing to serve God full-time, and after some discussions with my counselor and prayers, I stood up and signed my name.

      I prayed to God to open the way for me to be trained for the ministry. God answered my prayer because since then, He's been giving me opportunities to be trained spiritually and intellectually, to attend classes and to serve in our church as a full-time worker.

      Being in Seminary doesn't mean that I'm perfect; I still have much to learn about the ministry. To be used by the Lord for His harvest field is indeed a great honor!

Being born in a Christian family, our parents used to take us to church and let us attend the Sunday School. Every Sunday, I learned more of God’s Word and knew the miraculous life of Jesus. I also learned that by God’s grace He gave Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. I decided to accept Jesus Christ when I was in grade school.

        Our church held summer conferences for children; I’ve attended most of them but it was on my 6^th grade that I decided to step forward during dedication night and indicate that I wanted to be used by God in His ministry. It was a wonderful night because aside from me, my two other cousins also dedicated their lives to fulltime. If I’m not mistaken, the theme that summer was “Use Me”.

        Part of my decision to go fulltime was the influence of my parents. I’ve seen their godly living and dedication in the ministry of God. They encouraged us to go on mission trips with them, especially doing the “puppet show” ministry to different places in Davao.

        But as years passed, I’d become cold and undecided whether to study in a seminary or not. I became confused if it really was God who wanted me to go fulltime. It was through Youth Gospel Center’s full-timers camp that God reminded me again of my desire to serve Him. In that camp, I had a clearer view that God indeed wanted me to go fulltime.

      The Lord has led me to study at BSOP. I believe that I will learn His word and other skills that will train me to become an effective servant of the Lord.

      I was in 4^th year high school when the Lord called me to dedicate my life to fulltime ministry. I had lots of doubts, fears and questions in my head, I tried to find the answers, but then I found out that God was the only one who can solve this puzzle. Throughout the years, the Lord God Almighty comforted and taught me to trust in Him. I was encouraged to see how God molded His people to become more effective in His ministry. I also kept Biblical promises inside my heart. Now I can see how my life has changed and how I’ve grown in faith and burden for the lost.

      Early last year (2004), my passion for my career subsided. From being a student to becoming a young professional, I had no peace inside my heart, because I knew at the back of my mind, my Heavenly Father had other plans for me. Then, I prayed and sought guidance from Christian counselors. I admit that I was scared to commit to my calling. I didn’t know how to seek my mother’s approval. My family would not allow me to take this path because they had other plans for my future. My heart was so broken that I cried out to my Lord; “how can I serve you if there are so many hindrances? How can I serve you fully if I don’t have peace in me?” God convicted me to let it go and allow Him to be in full control. I remember praying to Him “Lord, if you really called me to go to fulltime, please change my mother’s heart, and kindly open a way for me”. Asking my mother to reconsider, I look for any Christian organizations that would train me for the mean time. So, I decided to postpone my seminary training for awhile.

      The Lord’s timing is perfect. While waiting, God indeed open the door. He allowed my mother as well as my eldest brother to come home from the United States in a short notice. I prayed eagerly for my mother’s permission. By God’s grace, she gave me her approval and until now, she has been supportive of this calling. After seven years, at last I can obey God’s calling! I realize how my life has changed now I have visions, directions and goals to look forward to. I thank the Lord for this having an abundant life in the Lord Jesus Christ and privilege of service. To God be the glory!!!

      I was born and raised in a Christian family. Nevertheless, long before I was in tune with God, I thought I was pleasing him. I had been so used to listening to Bible stories and verses that they never impacted me as someone who first heard the Gospel. I was a dead believer thinking all along that it was enough to believe in God and know that He is a Supreme Being.

      It was not until I turned twelve that I began to understand what it truly meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

      After two years of a growing relationship with Christ, He called me into full-time ministry during one of the local youth camps. It was a surreal experience of being led out of my seat, literally, to answer the call. Following that occurrence, my life has never been the same again. That burning desire to serve God deepened as I continued to walk with Him.

      God has done so much that I can only give my life back in surrender, obedience and gratitude for His unchanging love, unlimited patience and unwavering faithfulness.