17/01/2018
On my current Book study of the Book of Titus, Paul the Apostle wrote about his Christian journey. From who he was as a persecutor of Christians to his conversion on the way to Damascus. His conversion to Christ was real and his love and commitment for Christ was beyond anybody's imagination. However, there was a time that he badly needed a lift and an encouragement. There is always a time that we need somebody's shoulder to cry on or to speak about our spiritual condition. Paul was down in Tarsus, his hometown and became cold in the Lord. But God is gracious. He never forgets his people. Up in Antioch, there a man called Barnabas. He was also a devout follower of Christ. One day he wondered about the life of Paul. Sensing an urged to look for him, he went to Tarsus and found Paul. In an instant, Barnabas wasted no time of encouraging Paul to get back to Christ and the ministry. This also happened to me. 4 years ago, I found myself low out from the ministry. A Church in Davao City terminated my ministry services for no known reasons other than the absence of my credential. Without a hint, my phone rang with just a number on the phonebook. It was a call from the late Dr. Adela Pecaoco. She invited me to visit the Bethel Temple Church in Iloilo City. I asked her 'why me' when she could call a hundred pastors from the City to Pastor the Church. 4 months after she died leaving me to take her place as the Senior Pastor. She had no further instructions for me but to take her place. In the next few months, I struggleg to finish the projects she left behind which was the roof of the Church, the interior furnishings, the gates of the Church, the new vehicle and according to Lina Lasquite, the professionalism of the Administration. Thank you Dr. Adela L. Pecaoco. Once you were a Barnabas to me. I am still standing in the ministry. Just like St. Paul, I look forward to say "I have fought a good fight" in the ministry.