But beyond the glass walls of the fish tank lies a parallel to human life, particularly for those living in what is often termed a “fishbowl existence.” This holds especially true for pastor’s kids, who grew up under the watchful eyes of their community, where every move and word is under scrutiny. It is a reality I have known all too well, growing up with the weight of expectations and the ever-present gaze of the community upon me.
I can still recall the words of Deputy Executive Minister, Bishop Jonathan S. Ferriol, spoken during one of his seminars. He described the unique experience of being a pastor’s kid as both a blessing and a challenge. This statement resonated with me deeply for I knew firsthand the intricacies of this unusual upbringing.
My story began in November 1995, during the International Convention-just a month after my birth-when my parents, who were ardently pioneering the local churches of Los Baños and Bay, Laguna, had to make a heart-wrenching decision. They entrusted me to the care of a couple from the Los Baños congregation so that they could dedicate themselves completely to establishing these pioneering local churches. This foster family, humble yet incredibly loving, became my world until I reached the age of five. At this point, I was returned to my biological parents and began life anew within the church’s embrace.
However, the transition was not without its emotional toll. As a child, I struggled with feelings of bitterness and a sense of abandonment, believing that the church had robbed me of precious years with my biological parents. My youthful mind struggled to comprehend and appreciate the magnitude of my parents’ sacrifice for their ministry. Regrettably, this internal conflict fueled a vow to myself – that I would never follow in their ministerial footsteps, the very path that, in my eyes, had separated us. Instead, I yearned for independence and success beyond the walls of the church. I dreamt of wealth and the freedom to explore the world, to experience all it had to offer beyond the confines of my upbringing.
But despite meticulously crafting plans for my future, I was oblivious to the fact that God had even grander plans for my life. It was in 2011 that the Maranatha Bible School International (MBSI), through the wisdom bestowed upon the Goodman of the House-our beloved Apostle Arsenio Tan Ferriol-introduced and launched the Associate in Theology program, an initiative designed to spiritually equip high school graduates before they ventured into their collegiate studies.
As someone who had never envisioned dedicating his life to the ministry, I approached this opportunity with a degree of skepticism and curiosity. Convincing myself that it was merely a two-year commitment, I decided to enroll in the program. I rationalized that dedicating just two years to this endeavor was a minor commitment; afterward, I reasoned, I would be free to chase after my worldly ambitions. Little did I know, this decision to “just give ita try,” was a stepping stone towards a path I had never imagined for myself.
Fascinatingly, the decision to enter the ministry marked a pivotal turning point in my life. The intensive training at MBSI radically reshaped and altered my perspective and understanding of the ministry. For one, the training at MBSI was precisely designed not only to educate but also to mold our hearts and minds, developing us to be useful for the End-Time mission. By God’s grace, our training extended beyond the four walls of the classroom as we were taught to boldly speak, share, and preach the gospel in various public spaces-from public markets and public transport to street corners-anywhere people might be touched by the Word of God, reaching out to hearts ready to listen.
Most importantly, the life exemplified and teachings imparted by Apostle Arsenio profoundly enriched and deepened my understanding and appreciation of the ministry. With each sermon and lesson shared by the Apostle, I found myself increasingly drawn to love God above all else, to carry the burden of the cross, and to forsake worldly aspirations in pursuit of Christ’s mission. Indeed, like the prodigal son who once dwelled in rebellion and recklessness, consumed by foolish ambitions, the teachings of the Apostle gradually guided me to ‘come to my senses. No longer driven by selfish ambition and fleeting desires, I learned to love the ministry more than my own life.
By God’s grace, the scope of His plans extended beyond reshaping my heart for the ministry. In 2014, Evangelist Leticia S. Ferriol envisioned the church’s emerging need to have its own lawyer, firmly believing in the necessity of having legal representation from within its own ranks. This vision led her to direct me to pursue legal studies. Despite my initial reluctance-given that the idea of becoming a lawyer was far from any aspiration I had previously considered, let alone pursuing higher education-1 willingly accepted the challenge out of love, respect, and obedience towards our church leaders.
Eight years later, I faced and conquered what is considered by many, if not all, Filipinos as the most daunting and comprehensive qualifying examination in the Philippines – the Bar Exams. Through God’s unrelenting grace and mercy, I became a full-fledged lawyer and a member of the Integrated Bar by 2023, setting a precedent as the first missionary-lawyer of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch).
Now, more than ever, I am deeply convinced and assert with utmost conviction that if there is anyone to whom I owe everything I have in life, it is none other than the Goodman of the House, Apostle Arsenio Tan Ferriol -whose life and teachings have been the cornerstone upon which my love for the ministry was built.
Presently, I am a 4th Year Bible Student at Maranatha Bible School International, where I serve as the President of the Student Body Organization at the Main Campus. Additionally, I serve as the Legal Counsel for Kalinga Party-List under the Office of Congresswoman Irene Saulog. Concurrently, I work as one of the liaison officers in the Public Liaison Office, led by Deputy Executive Minister Bishop Jonathan S. Ferriol.