Audrey Gorriceta

Each appearance was a great opportunity to learn from him, both on and off the camera.

After one of his guestings, he invited us to share a meal in Mandaluyong.We gladly joined him, and after lunch, he offered to pray for us. Unknown to anyone at that moment, I was at the lowest and darkest point of my life, quietly carrying burdens that no one else could see.

What people see on screen is often very different from what we carry personally. I’m naturally a very reserved person, especially when it comes to my struggles. But during that prayer, I became highly emotional. I cried as the then Bishop Jonathan prayed for me.

My co-hosts were surprised because it was the first time they had ever seen that side of me. In television, no matter what happens behind the scenes, the show were must go on.

No matter how heavy the burden is, when the director says “smile,” you smile. That phase of my life lasted for a year. And no one noticed it. Because every day, I keep on going to work and show up, greeting the whole world with a “good morning.” But after the show, that’s when I feel everything.

One time after the show, I asked Apostle Jonathan if he could stay a little longer before going home. I grabbed that opportunity to talk to him and share my personal struggles. I was amazed that we only talked for about five minutes, yet Apostle Jonathan’s response to my question surprised me. He said that the answer to my situation was simple: love. No matter what happens, even when things don’t go well, we must still choose to love.

While I was driving home, I found myself deeply contemplating his words. That five-minute encounter with Apostle Jonathan was powerful. He may not fully know this, but I owe him so much for that advice: “Pag-ibig pa rin ang dapat manguna sa puso. Sa halip na ituon ang isip sa mga bagay na tila sira na o hindi na maaayos, kapag pag-ibig ang naging pundasyon mo, magagawan ng paraan ang lahat ng bagay.”

This January, I received an invitation from Pastor Kirsten Ferriol to attend the Home Free Global Crusade Manila. I came with my eldest daughter on Day 1, and while listening to Apostle Jonathan’s message, she suddenly told me, “Dad, can you tell Pastor Kirsten that I want to be baptized?” That very moment, she was baptized, just as the Bible teaches, that when people accept Christ, they respond immediately.

On Day 2, I came with my wife and my baby. I took the opportunity to sing, pray, and thank God for everything that had happened in my life. After the crusade, I met Apostle Jonathan and told him that my situation had already been resolved.

As people have said, I’m seen on television as a news anchor. I’ve received awards and recognition from universities for the work I do. But when life gets heavy, all those achievements suddenly feel meaningless. You realize that you need help from people or even from someone like Apostle Jonathan. It’s humbling. Life has a way of humbling you. No matter what you’ve achieved. You may be a manager, in a high-ranking position, or even a national television anchor. Life will always find a way to humble you. Some challenges make you realize you need a servant of God, like Apostle Jonathan, in your life.

And now, in return, this is the message I want to share. I hope others follow the prayer that I always end with: “Lord, use me. Use me to impact the lives of others, just as You use Apostle Jonathan Ferriol to touch thousands of lives through the preaching of Your Word. So many lives are changed through this. Lord, however You choose to use me, use me. I want to have an impact on others’ lives, even in small ways, as Apostle Jonathan did on mine. In simple conversations, in simple encounters with strangers, if You can use me, Lord, use me to make a difference in their lives.”

What has happened to me here in the PMCC (4^th Watch) has been truly life-changing. It has changed the way I see myself and my life, and it has taught me to trust God more.