I was born and raised in a Christian home. My father is a pastor and my mother is a Sunday school teacher. In our home, my parents taught me about the Bible, its teachings and the principles a Christian should follow. I did my very best to follow everything my parents told me which included going to church, reading the Bible, praying everyday, and staying out of trouble. By doing these things, I thought I was acceptable in the sight of God and worthy to go to heaven.

When I reached high school, I went to a secular school. I was surrounded with unbeliever teachers, classmates and friends. There, I noticed that my life was not normal compared to my classmates. People around me didn’t believe in God. They cursed at their parents and gambled. I was not used to all of these things. As a young person, fitting in and getting to know people was a challenge for me. Choosing the right people to hang out with was hard. I was always in a dilemma between the world system and the principles I’ve learned in the church. I feared that I would lose my friends if I didn’t agree with them. I remember many times I compromised what my parents taught me and followed what my friends did.

I found myself “enjoying” what the world offered. This led me to question all the lessons and the sermons I heard at church because they seemed no longer true to me. I was changing for the worse. Is Jesus real? Is the Bible true? Do I still need church? What if Baptist is a wrong religion? These were some of the many questions that went through my mind.

Every Sunday, I heard that Jesus is the Savior, but I still had the fear of going to hell. What was wrong? What was missing? Because of this confusion, I accepted Jesus over and over again just to make sure. My father found out about this and he told me that salvation is not to be taken lightly; it is a true relationship with God.

On November 5, 2005, during a Sunday service, my father preached about the soul of man. He said, “If you are accepting Jesus over and over again, then you are accepting the wrong Jesus and you are still lost.” I realized what was wrong and why I didn’t have joy, excitement, and involvement in the things of God – Jesus was not true to me. I finally found the cause of my doubt and fear and that I had no right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I missed heaven by 13 inches. I understood with my mind; it was merely knowledge, but there was no trusting Him with my heart. With true repentance, I accepted Jesus Christ of the Bible for the first and final time. That day, Jesus became real to me. From that day on, there were no more worries and no more doubt. He changed my heart. He changed my life. I am going to heaven!

On October 5, 2003, I attended the church and the service was different– people were kind and hospitable. I was sitting at the back row while the pastor was preaching about the story of the Rich man and the Beggar. He said they both died and went to different places, the beggar went to Heaven but the rich man went to hell. That moment I felt like I was the only person he was talking to. While listening, I was reminded of the accident we had in the past. If I had died right there, where would I be then? Will it be heaven or hell? The pastor then asked a question, “If you are going to die today, are you 100% sure that you’ll be going to heaven?” I was so afraid because I was not sure. Before, I did not think of what will happen after death, but at that moment I realized my situation. I didn’t even have an idea what will happen after death.

That story struck me really hard. My mind was opened by the Word of God. I realized that I’m a sinner and I'm going to hell like the rich man. Then the pastor said that anyone can be sure of going to heaven and be saved if he or she accepts and trusts only Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I will never forget that moment. When the pastor asked who wants to accept Christ as his Savior, without any hesitation I raised my hand and accepted the Lord as my personal Savior. To tell you the truth, I did it again the following Sunday because I really wanted to be sure of my salvation, but I found out that once I accepted Jesus in my heart- that was all I needed.

In May 2007, my dad encouraged me to enter Bible college, even for just one semester. He said it will show me what really is important in this life. At that time, I really wanted to go to a secular school, but I agreed with him because he said I can go to any school I want to after that semester. Before the semester ended, I had high fever while at school and told my dad I’m quitting, I don’t want to be in Bible college anymore. On the way home, we passed by a huge market with a lot of people, the Lord opened my eyes to see sick, scattered and shepherd-less souls. Finally all the lessons and preaching in Bible college began to sink into my heart and mind. God burdened my heart and that situation left me restless. That night, I surrendered my life to the Lord. I went back to Bible school with a burden to reach lost souls with the Gospel.

While studying at Fundamental Baptist College for Asians in Tarlac City, Philippines, I was also involved in the ministries of our church. There, I had the opportunity of applying what I was learning in Bible college in real life situations. In 2008, I became the church youth leader and in 2010, I became the associate and youth pastor of the church. I also had the opportunity of teaching in a Bible institute in 2012. In 2014, God gave me the opportunity to further my training at Marietta Bible College under the leadership of Dr. Myron Guiler in Marietta, Ohio under a scholarship. I finished my Master’s Degree in Theology and Counseling in May 2017.

In 2008, while still in Bible college, I became the church youth leader and had the opportunity to lead our youth group in different ministries. Even though it was challenging, I knew the Lord was preparing me for greater tasks for His ministry. In 2010, God gave me the privilege of becoming the associate and youth pastor of our church.

As a youth pastor, I was given the opportunity to disciple many young people as they grew in faith. Together with other Christian workers, I was able to go on soul winning and lead young people to knock on doors and distribute Gospel tracts. We also had the opportunity to minister in schools and share the Word of God. Children’s ministry is also a big part of the ministry in the Philippines. We teach children in different villages about the Bible and reach their families with the Word of God. In 2012, I became the pastor of Little River Baptist Church in Masantol, Pampanga.