“Victory belongs to
the most persevering.” ~Napoleon I
The above quote exemplifies its reality in one of the most
important milestone in my life.
April 21, 2013 marked the day that I’ve graduated from
Pacific Life Bible College with a Bachelor of Theology degree, through Distance
Education, after eight years of part-time study. Additionally, receiving a “High
Honors” award, which is an added blessing from the Lord, made the event
momentous. I truly thank God for these accomplishments. The presence of my family,
friends, loved ones and the JRAM family made it even more meaningful and
unforgettable.
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| Monette, Jappy and Alyssa |
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| Receiving my degree |
This journey was not an easy one.
In retrospect, it started when my wife and I
discussed the prospect that I needed
I was convinced that
since I wasn’t able to complete my Engineering degree in the Philippines, due
to our family’s migration to Canada, I needed to pursue this goal. However,
after two years of our arrival in Canada, I was given the opportunity to do
pastoral work and my educational goal was shelved temporarily. Being involved
in pastoral ministry for the past twenty-one (21) years and saw God’s work
growing and expanding, I began to see the value of attaining higher education
for the benefit of the people God has allowed me to lead. Along the way, I
personally realized that having a degree would allow me to represent myself, God,
His ministry and His people to diverse groups and levels of people wherever the
Lord leads me. In addition, I have also recognized that pastoral ministry
experience coupled with formal education is essential to a fruitful and
meaningful ministry service.
to go back to school to acquire a
bachelor’s degree.
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| My Mom with my siblings and their spouses |
Juggling various ministry duties with frequent travelling,
family responsibilities and other various commitments permitted me to take only
two subjects at the most per year. Providentially, I was able to complete eight
courses last year and I was able to submit the last course required last
December 2012.
Altogether, those eight years produced complementary
experiences and long-term growth in my personal and spiritual life. It provided
myself a strong bearing and foundation of “doing” ministry and “being” in
ministry as God’s servant and as a Pastor. With this, I can honestly say that
everything I have learned from Pacific Life Bible College gave me confidence,
credibility and consistency to name a few. Looking back, it was perseverance
that helped me to complete every course, thus, I thank God for the grace He
gave me to pursue my goal in spite of many challenges, completing one course after
another.
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| My co-pastors and friends |
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Les Warriner (Director
for B.TH) praying for me. |
The completion of this degree increased my level of
credibility as God’s servant because it gave me a solid foundation,
indispensable knowledge and greater confidence in preaching and teaching God’s
Word. Most importantly, having this degree allowed me to settle in my own heart
that the God I serve deserves the best out of me. Being immersed in a formal
study allowed me to become consistent “in season and out of season.”
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| My JRAM Family |
After all is said and done, there were many that stood
beside me through the “thick and thin” and the “ups and downs” of my life. With
this in mind, I acknowledge with much gratitude the Jesus Rock of Ages
Ministries’ pastors, leaders, workers and members that cheered me up and
supported me in prayer.
Most importantly,
I share these achievements with my wife, Monette, and my children, Jappy and Alyssa,
who influenced, inspired and supported me in this journey. I also acknowledged
the support and involvement of my parents, in-laws, and siblings, together with
their spouses and children, and every individual and friends that God has brought
and used in my life to inspire me to serve God more excellently and fruitfully.
My heart is filled with abundant
thanksgiving for your steadfast support and partnership. Lastly, I thank God
for PLBC together with its faculty and staff for providing me the opportunity
of fulfilling my educational goal. You are all a part of this achievement and
may the Lord bless you greatly.
To God be all the glory!
The above quote exemplifies its reality in one of the most
important milestone in my life.
