Thank you, Ajuy Christian Development Academy (ACDA), for the certificate that recognises my role in establishing the school ministry of Ajuy Baptist Church.
Congratulations on your 26th Founding Anniversary. ACDA’s recognition deeply humbles me. To God be the glory!
How the Lord God called me to ACDA
Please let me share my testimony on how I ended up working as Project Director of Ajuy Baptist Church’s school ministry project in February 1996.
In 1994, while concluding my process documentation research work in Janiuay, Iloilo, the church leaders visited me at Brgy. Aquino Nobleza, where I was staying, offered me the job.
However, I declined because I felt I was not qualified and experienced for the role. I was 26 years old then. Besides, I have decided to work in Manila for urban work experience.
At that time, I was waiting for the employment contract with Save the Children Philippines – Manila Program.
Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as expected in Manila. Two years later, in December 1995, I returned to our home city to finish my Bachelor of Theology that I started in 1991.
I was jobless, frustrated, and brokenhearted. I doubted myself, and the only thing that brightened me was the thought of serving the Lord as a pastor.
My parents lived in Concepcion, Iloilo, which is 15 kilometres farther from Ajuy town. I needed a job to support my studies. As January 1996 came, I found myself travelling from Concepcion to Iloilo City (three hours by bus) to check on the results of my job applications.
Each time I returned home to Concepcion without any positive, I felt downhearted and would wallow in uncertainty. The blog post “My Moonlight Sonata” expresses my profound reflections during that uncertain humbling period.
However, I noticed that whenever the bus drove past Ajuy, and I would see the unfinished building of the Ajuy Christian Development Learning Center (ACDA’s former name), there was that calm, gentle whisper telling me to go and ask if they are still looking for a project director.
I resisted that gentle prod because, having worked for two years in big city Manila, my carnal mind told me that working in rural Ajuy would be a dead end.
One day, while going from Iloilo City to Concepcion in yet another frustrating job-hunting trip, as the bus passed by ACDA, I received a powerful impression that I must visit Ajuy Baptist Church and ask about the project director role.
It was so strong that I ended up crying (secretly) on the bus, and I only got a calm feeling after I prayed, telling the Lord God that okay, I would go and enquire at the church on Sunday.
So, on the first Sunday of February 1996, I joined the worship service at Ajuy Baptist Church.
After the service, I lingered to meet and greet some members I knew. My dad was pastor of Ajuy Baptist Church for four years, from 1983 to 1987. So, it was more of revisiting a former “home church” and a reunion.
Then I approached the church chairperson and asked, “Are you still looking for a project director for your school ministry project?” When he said yes, I told him I was happy to work as your Project Director.
The Chairperson asked when I could start. I said as soon as you would like me to. I never inquired about my salary or any benefits I would receive. I wanted to serve.
When I began my Project Director role the following Sunday, I felt joy, peace, and contentment that I couldn’t explain.
What the recognition certificate means to me
Last Friday, when I received the certificate through my brother-in-law, Pastor Christian Larry Kwe, and read the citation, I was touched, and many wonderful memories flooded my mind.
In my reverie, I came up with a list of what the Certificate of Recognition means to me. Here they are:
- Affirmation of God’s calling. It affirms that my decision to respond to God’s calling 27 years ago was right and has a lasting impact on my career. In my tenure as project director, ACDA grew from a kindergarten school with 19 pupils to elementary and high school levels with 300+ students.
- Affirmation of my gift of administration. It is at ACDA that I affirmed my gift of administration. The primary step I worked on when I started was to catch Ajuy Baptist Church’s vision for the school project. Then through continuous planning and evaluation, fulfil the dream gradually.
My work at ACDA became my stepping stone to being employed as Assistant-to-the-President and, later, Executive Secretary of Central Philippine University from 2005 to 2010.
Contrary to my initial thought, working in Ajuy wasn’t a dead-end, but it opened more opportunities for me. - Testament of His provision. The certificate is a testament that the Lord God will prosper you wherever He calls you to serve.
When I accepted the project director role, I did not mind how much salary I would receive. All I have in mind is that the Lord God has called me into this role and will provide for my needs. Indeed, He provides! - Invaluable services mean precious and priceless service. Looking back now, I am still in awe of how I survived the working conditions I was in.
It’s not something one can see in regular employment. In NZ standard, it could be an extreme work situation.
That is why I am deeply touched by the word “invaluable” in the certificate. It means “extremely useful; indispensable.”
The work quality I offered did not match the compensation I received then. Nevertheless, I offered my humble but invaluable service to ACDA and Ajuy Baptist Church for seven years. - Character-defining period. I am constantly reminded that blessed people work for food that doesn’t spoil but “for food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27).
In a society that measures success through how much wealth one has accumulated, I chose to work based on what God has called me to do and trust Him to provide.
ACDA honed my character to work for my true Master and not mammon. - Proof of accomplishment. ACDA’s Certificate of Recognition is clear proof that once upon a time, in 1996, I led the Ajuy Baptist Church team in realising their vision of a school ministry.
And after 26 years, the school I helped found in 1997 still operates. Congratulations to the school board, school administrator, faculty, staff, and most of all, the parents and their students.
Thank you, ACDA, for recognising me as one of your pillars and an inspiration to all alums.
It is my prayer that all ACDANIANS – staff, teachers, and students, will carry on the selfless and generous hearts that built ACDA.
To God be the glory! Mabuhay! I continue to pray for your success now and in the future.
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