You are currently browsing the monthly Archive for March, 2009.
I have to admit that I still feel uneasy when people call me pastor - for the simple reason that the title carries with it alot of expectations especially when the people are way older than I. In our youth ministry, calling me Kuya Jay is enough already (although at times it makes me really feel old too but that’s fine) but for married couples and grandpas and grandmas to call and treat me as pastor can be another thing. Over the weekend at Dingras, Ilocos Norte, I had to force myself to take on the role and title more credibly and responsibly.
The local pastor of the Dingras outreach of Jesus is Lord Church has long been inviting me to visit his place to share with the youth and the rest of their very new congregation. Pastor Dan (in the photo) was my pastor in Batanes when I was assigned there as project officer for a social health insurance project under HEALTHDEV Institute. Now that he has returned to Ilocos Norte (where he first started as pastor, if I’m not mistaken) with his entire famile, Ptr. Dan and I still maintain our relationship as brothers and fellow servants of the Lord.
The weekend had me pretty tired but alot fulfilled after having spoken at and conducted a water baptism (my very first!) on Saturday and played the keyboard and preached at the barangay’s Sunday service. For a very young congregation that started only in October 2008, I thought there was quite a number in attendance and the social atmosphere was pretty warm and engaged with the Word.
I am always humbled by the experience of being used by God in making a positive impact on people. That doesn’t mean, of course, that I am already perfect. In every step of the way that God uses me, I learn new things about my character - including my own impatience and pride. So I am thankful to Brother Jun and his wife Rose who picked me up and treated me for dinner at their place. Thanks too to the different members of the outreach church who listened intently to my preaching, talked to me openly about their concerns, and also toured me around some sites of Ilocos Norte - including Marcos’s mausoleum. And thanks indeed to Ptr. Dan and his wife ate Badeth, their kids Macoy and David (my godson) for the beautiful relationship through which I am always reminded of my humbling yet awesome calling.
Come summer 2009, I long to bring my family and some of my fellow youth leaders to Dingras for another mission trip. God-willing, that will happen.
