|
|
When I was still very young, I was already fond
of reading my Bible, and at the age of 14, I made a vow to the Lord that
if he would grant my heart's desire, I'll commit my life to become a missionary.
I imagined myself as a missionary in a strange land. Following those years
was a life of defeat, frustrations, regrets, and hatred for self and my
weaknesses until I yielded my life completely to the Lord in 1979 and some
Christians working in a campus ministry cared for my soul, built me up,
and helped me to become a spiritual leader. I became actively involved
in evangelsim, crusades and discipleship. At the height of my active involvement
in 1980 with that campus ministry, we, the members of the leaders'
group were asked by our discipleship leader a question: "How would you
picture yourself 10 years from now"? I pictured myself as a minister working
in campuses and discipling people in big cities. In 1981, our family joined
the Missionary Baptists. I found out that the Missionary Baptist
is the true church that Jesus built. I became active in helping my dad
in the missions . He has been a missionary of Missionary Baptist since
1981.I also became active in the leadership among Missionary Baptist youth.
My joy was in knowing and serving the Lord. When I was already in my third
year college, I had a struggle whether to continue my Architecture or to
go to the seminary. But, I thought that if I finish my college first before
going to the Bible school, then I would have a better influence and leadership.
So, I continued my schooling in college. When I was already in my
4th year, and was already in my apprenticeship at an Architectural office,
I found myself unhappy with my secular schooling and apprenticeship in
an architectural firm because my love and joy is in active service for
the Lord. I was losing my interest in my Architectural course, and I always
found myself reading the Bible and Christian books, especially Missionary
Baptist books about the church. I had a struggle until in 1984, I fully
surrendered to the Lord's calling to be a missionary. I was already starting
a mission work when County Avenue Baptist church opened a Bible school
in Davao City. During my first year in the seminary, I was already
handling mission works. In my second year in the seminary, I started a
correspondence ministry and a student evangelistic fellowship held at Merco,
Davao City which was attended by Missionary Baptist students and their
visitors. For several times, I was elected President in the Missionary
Baptist Youth Fellowships both in Regional and National level. Now
I am still in the service of the Lord and He placed me in a greater responsibility
of planting churches in new fields away from my home province. There is
a saying that goes like this, "Do your best in the place where you are
and God will put you at the right place tomorrow". Praise God, He granted
my spiritual desire, and brought me to a place, though far from home, yet
the challenge for missions is great and He has been my help in establishing
Missionary Baptist works in this present field. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
" --Psalm 37:4.
-----Edwin Jardinel
"God does not choose
men and women
because of what they are,
but because of what
they will become"
 |
 View Old Guestbook |