I grew up in a family where being religious is so important. Starting from a young age, I began going to different churches but mostly followed the Roman Catholic church’s teaching. I was taught to do good works, to be a good person, and to follow the Catholic traditions and sacraments for me to have a chance to go to Heaven. I knew who Jesus was. Holy Week and Christmas were big occasions for Catholics, and most of Filipinos celebrate them religiously. I grew up in this kind of surroundings and teaching. I even studied and graduated from a Catholic high school and secular college.

As I experienced hardships and was always in need, I quickly matured to adapt to the reality of life. My goal was to earn a lot of money so that if I were to have a family, they will never experience what I’ve experienced. With that mindset, I became bitter and rebellious against my parents, and sometimes I would rather stay over at my friend's house than to go home. I started to drink alcohol and later on, that became my vice. Every time I was under the influence of alcohol, I would always make a promise that I will change for the better and I will not drink anymore. But on the next day, I was still the same as the day before and go back to drinking. I had no peace of mind and there was an emptiness in my heart. I was longing for something but I don’t know what it was.

One day, a friend of mine who was a classmate from college invited me to attend their church. I was so amazed and shocked because this person a few months ago was my companion in drinking, but now he’s inviting me to attend church. He also mentioned another person that I knew in high school that was a drug addict and was always causing trouble, he was also in their church now. I had a lot of questions. So, out of curiosity, I said yes and went to their church, it was a Baptist church. All the while as I was at their church, I looked around for the person I knew in high school. When I finally found him, I saw him singing and praying with a smile on his face. I asked myself, “What happened to them?” Both my friend and that person who was a drug addict– they changed. I was so curious, I wanted to know right away. After the service, a young man took us aside and opened his Bible to Romans. My friend who was sitting beside me told me to just listen and be honest to myself. So, I listened very carefully and learned what the answer to my questions. The answer why and how they changed was Jesus Christ. He saved and changed them. And it was the real change I was looking for. I finally understood my situation, that I was going to hell without Christ in my heart, and in this earth I was hopeless without Him. On that day, August 20, 2000, I accepted and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour.

After the Lord saved me, I started to attend every service of that church. I became active in every church activity and gradually God change my life. There’s a joy and contentment within me while doing those things and feelings that I can’t explain. I got baptized after 3 months. In 2001, I attended a summer youth camp. It was a blessing to hear the Word of God being preached every day, and on the last day April 27, 2001, I found myself at the altar, praying, “Lord, use my life even in a simple way to glorify Your name”.

That’s the beginning of my journey. I volunteered as a worker of the church. My first responsibility back then was being a cleaner of the church. I was with my pastor in visitations and Bible studies and I am so blessed with that kind of experience. The Lord blessed me further and He allowed me to learn more about the ministry under the guidance of my pastor in my home church. I also studied at the Fundamental Baptist College for Asians for 4 years, taking my bachelor’s degree. While studying, I had the opportunity to work at other churches in Tarlac City, teaching children, conducting Bible studies, visiting fellow brethren and disicpling them, and being part of the music ministry.

In 2019, I was given the privilege to study in Marietta Bible College in Marietta, Ohio, taking up Advance Biblical Studies to further my training and knowledge about the Bible.

After I graduated from Bible college in 2007 and got married in 2008, I became the assistant pastor of my home church, Glory Land Baptist Church in San Antonio, Zambales. For six years, I served as a Sunday school teacher, music director, and mentor to the youth group. I was also able to do visitations in four barangays (villages), conduct Bible studies and children centers, pass out Gospel tracts, and knock on doors to witness to people. I saw how God moved and saved people in our town. Some of them are now key men and women of the church.

In 2015, we started a village mission work in one barangay of our town. We started by reaching to children there through teaching and establishing children centers. Also by knocking on doors, we were able to witness to people and share the Gospel when there’s an open opportunity.

Right now, we have regular Bible studies in that area. We are praying to start Sunday services but currently our place of worship which one of our members let us use is not able to accommodate our growing number. I believe this is a good problem because it means the Lord is blessing us with more people and the mission is growing! Even as I am away, the mission there is expanding. I thank God for my wife, church volunteers, and workers from my home church who are helping and taking care of the people and the ministry. Truly, the church is not man’s work but it is God’s work!

While I am here in the United States, through Marietta Bible College, I am able to still minister through singing with our college choir. We travel to different churches to encourage fellow believers. We also conduct Bible studies in Nursing Homes to elders, assist pastors and churches with their Bible youth clubs, and be involved in the church’s bus route ministry in Marietta. I thank the Lord for using me as His servant in the ministries He has established here.