CALLING TO PREACH TESTIMONY
When I was new in the faith, I deeply desired to know our Lord better and to be part of His work. This began with simply accompanying our Pastor wherever he went. As I consistently joined church activities and ministries, I discovered the joy of sharing God’s Word. I prayed, “Lord, I hope You can use me too to share Your Word and lead souls to know You.”
Through my regular involvement in the ministry, I gradually learned how to share the Gospel. I started by teaching in the BTC, later became a Sunday School Teacher, and, in time, was entrusted to preach in our local church. To further equip myself for ministry, I actively attended leadership training seminars and conferences. At the age of 16, I began serving as a worker in our church’s mission in Malinao, Albay, where I remained until the first quarter of 2016.
I praise God that I have a job to support my family, as I wanted to maintain a good testimony before them. However, even though I have a secular job, serving the Lord never left my heart. Whenever I was free from work, I continued to attend prayer meetings, Sunday worship services, Bible studies, and other church ministries.
Through these experiences, the Lord impressed upon my heart that He is calling me into His work. If given the opportunity, I am willing to give up my job to enter the ministry full-time. My personal plan is to take optional retirement after 20 years of service so I may fully dedicate myself to the Lord’s work.
My burden is to be used by God in His vineyard, for truly, “the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). I also find encouragement from my father-in-law, Pastor Jardinel, who has been a missionary. When his father died, he encouraged me to go to Davao to help the ministry there; however, because of another open door, we both feel the Lord is leading me in that direction, which I am willing to follow.
Aries Balucio
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