www.ats.ph
ATS Vision
To become the leading evangelical seminary in Asia that produces outstanding servant leaders.
ATS Mission To glorify God by providing quality theological education for Christian leaders to effect Biblical transformation in the Church and society in Asia and beyond. and Certified: Pastor Calling 04 Called 22 TheRev.SLDC Joshua Delos Reyes’ s Erickson Velardo Testimony
Online: Transforming Story 24 Alumni 06 ATS through Technology-assisted Perets Nsengiyumva Theological Education
Patricia Ruth Cristobal
Compels Us? 08 2017 Theo Forum Highlights 26 What Ptr. Ronaldo “Ronald” M.
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Hearts Beat for the World: ATS Graduates 2017
Hernandez
ATS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
INTOUCH STAFF
Chancellor Rev. Timoteo D. Gener, PhD Editorial Staff
Ella Abigail Santos-Aramburo Marizol Duran Xaris Hope Tamayo Marc Vincent Peralta
Contributors
Patricia Ruth Cristobal Joshua Delos Reyes Rev. Erickson Velardo Ptr. Ronaldo Hernandez Batch 2017 Graduates
Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro Chairman Bishop Cesar Vicente P. Punzalan III Vice Chairman Arch. Erlinda G. Tan Secretary Dr. Reynaldo Avante Treasurer MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Ptr. Santiago Q. Aberin Dr. Elyser M. Angeles Dr. Anastacio A. Escosar Jr. Rev. Jose Gonzales, Jr. Dr. Jay E. Hallowell Mr. Wyden King Mr. Noel P. Pabiona Bp. Noel Pantoja Rev. Russel E. Simons Rev. Peter Tan-chi Rev. Dwayne F. Thielke
MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
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calling or a vocation includes a strong compelling force why a person engages in anything. When the going gets rough, it is one’s calling that serves as a beacon of light towards home. When things are at a point of confusion, calling is the anchor that secures the heart and mind. In instances where joy and peace reign, calling is affirmed and celebrated. This is why the ATS Community and all its ministry partners believe that the Lord has given us a special mandate to encourage, draw out, and develop the calling of each person who enters the gates of this seminary. We envision an environment where vocation is fostered and the person is formed in all aspects of life.
that the Lord will continue to use ATS as His vessel of making His children go deeper in their divine pursuits. It is our hope that this seminary will become an invaluable partner in the journey to fulfilling the heartbeat God places upon a person. When God calls, may ATS serve its purpose in providing quality theological education for leaders who will effect Biblical transformation wherever they may be.
The calling of a servant leader after God’s heart is affirmed and re-affirmed in many different ways. Our prayer is
DR. TIM GENER Chancellor
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FEATURES
CALLED & CERTIFIED The calling of Pastor Joshua Delos Reyes
If things have been left entirely up to him, Joshua Delos Reyes would be a successful Certified Public Accountant, analysing costs to this day. “After passing the CPA licensure examinations in 2005, all I wanted to do was to get rich and have lots of money.” The Lord, however, had a different cost-analysis in store for him.
“God’s call was stronger than my personal ambitions. I was resisting at first but God wouldn’t give up. I even found myself crying on my way to Makati to accept an invitation to join an audit firm and submit application requirements. I was crying because it felt like I was betraying God by turning down His call. So instead of heading to that audit firm, I found myself in a seminary to inquire about admission requirements for the Master of Divinity program.” Today, Pastor Joshua Delos Reyes is invested in the lives of people in Tagaytay. He received a burden for that city, which he describes as a place where nominalism is a major challenge for the church. “At that time, most barangays have no Evangelical church. There are Roman Catholic churches but people only attend the mass during special occasions. Seeing this situation felt like God is telling me that He is going to use me to lead a church planting network for the barangays of Tagaytay,” Pastor Joshua recalls.
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At age 14, he developed a sense of calling from God. He knew God would use him even though he was not sure how. “I had other plans for my life.” Being a Pastor was not part of those plans.
On top of all these, Pastor Joshua serves as one of the governing board members of Blessings in the Word School, which offers low cost pre-elementary, elementary, and secondary Christian education. “My first year as a Pastor was heavily influenced by my ATS training. I built my curriculum based on lessons from the courses I took under Dr. Charles Ringma (Building
Christian Community), Dr. David Lim (Theology and Practice of Urban Ministry), Dr. Minho Song (Discipleship in Context), Dr. Tim Gener (Ecclesiology), Dr. Athena Evelyn Gorospe (Transformation Theology), Dr. Melchor Go (Church Planting/ Homiletics), Dr. Lydia Mapile (Educational Principles and Methods), and Dr. Amanda Shao-Tan (Hermeneutics).”
Has he ever regretted heeding God’s call? Pastor Joshua says, yes. “Especially in the first four years of ministry. There are times I get envious of my classmates in college who succeed in their careers as CPAs.” Thankfully those feelings did not linger for long. Pastor Joshua has been called to account and monitor something else far greater than bank accounts and currencies. He has invested in lives—in people whom God loves and cares for. Looking back at his journey he says, “Nothing compares to the joy of serving God by serving the church and our society.”
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In fulfillment of Asian Theological
Seminary’s mission of providing quality theological education to leaders who will effect Biblical transformation in Asia and beyond, ATS now offers two programs 100% online – the Online MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management and the Online Graduate Diploma in Christian Education. ATS launched the online programs last August 2016 as a response to the call to serve the Kingdom while recognizing the need for “digital incarnation.” These programs are means to minister to Christian workers everywhere, especially those who are unable to enroll in traditional ATS
residential programs due to geographical distance and conflicting schedules. Students can now learn without leaving their homes and apply what they are learning directly to their work or ministry contexts. They learn through guided independent study of course materials developed and curated by a world-class faculty who are credentialed academicians and practitioners in their fields. Student-teacher interaction takes place in our Learning Management Systems – Moodle and Znanja – and via email correspondence and video conferences. We currently have students from around the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa, and the United States.
ATS ONLINE:
Transforming through Technology-assisted Theological Education Patricia Ruth G. Cristobal Director of Online Learning
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Online MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management
offered on a modular basis (i.e. 7 weeks per module).
The Online MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management is a professional degree program for pastors, administrators, and leaders of parachurch and non-profit organizations, as well as professionals and business people who desire a Master in Business Administration with a Christian foundation. Equipping students to integrate faith and work, this fully online program is
Since its launch, four courses have run – Steward Leader: Theology and Practice; Strategic Planning and Control; Strategic Marketing; and Program and Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation. Two more courses will be offered before the year ends: Human Resource Development and Faith and Finances.
Online Graduate Diploma in Christian Education The Online Graduate Diploma in Christian Education is designed for students who are seeking a stronger background in education from a Christian perspective. It is a practitioner’s program for pastors, teachers, or church leaders involved in the planning, management, and delivery of educational services of church and para-church organizations. This is a stepping stone for CHED-recognized Master of Arts in Christian Education. This fully online program is offered on a trimestral basis (i.e. three 12-week terms per year). Since its launch, the prerequisite courses – Introduction to Bible and Writing Academic Papers – have run. Two more courses will be offered from September 11 to December 1, 2017: Educational Principles and Methods and Spiritual Formation and Personal Growth. Other courses that will be offered in 2018 include Hermeneutics and Theological Reflection, Theology 1, and focus courses such as History, Philosophy and Theology of Christian Education (CE); Psychology and Sociology of Learning; Educational
Leadership and Management; Christian Nurture and Development of Adults; and a CE Elective. Join an Online Learning Community of Cultural and Denominational Diversity Prospective students can now complete their application fully online. The admission process, including the ATS Admission Exam and interview, can be done without traveling to the ATS campus. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution. They must be computer literate and comfortable with navigating through online platforms. They must also demonstrate their proficiency in English by passing the admission exam. For the complete application procedure, important dates to note, and other information regarding the online programs, prospective students may visit www.ats. ph/onlinelearning and mba.ats.ph. They may also contact the ATS Online Learning Student Support at +63 2 9297806 and online@ats.ph.
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The Church remains a steadfast institution in that she still stands secure. Here is one organization or group of people who can draw and bring about change and has stood the test of time. The Church is called to be that change and it is this calling that inspires commitment to communities. The ATS Community, together with its partner organizations and churches gathered on March 2-3, 2017 for the annual Theological Forum. With over 500 participants, members of different communities shared their insights and learned from each other in over 20 break-out sessions. Transformation does not happen overnight and it requires complete yielding to God’s ways. Dr. Charles Ringma, during the first plenary
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session, reminded us that Christians must first and foremost carry God’s values. This means that a believer and follower of Christ must live by Biblical principles and standards. Christians cooperating with God require an embodiment of Jesus’ ministry of healing and reconciliation not only as a corrective presence but as a new vision of what humans and our society can be like in the restorative grace of God. Dr. Ringma also expounded on the integration of Head, Heart, and Hand. “Head and Hand (without Heart) can lead bureaucratic, formal, functional and pragmatic ways of operating. Heart and Hand (without Head) can lead to unthinking and impulsive ways of functioning. Head and Heart (without Hand) can lead to being knowledgeable, having good intentions
but not translating these into practical strategies.� Bishop Ciriaco Francisco also shared about the engagement of the Methodist Church in community transformation in Davao. Speaking at the second plenary session, he shared how the Church stood on behalf of the Lumad farmers in their struggle to
claim sacks of rice that were promised to them. In the process, the Lumads became more aware that God had not forgotten or forsaken them because the people of God are on their side. Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst talked about how mourning and storysharing can bolster a community into transformation during the final plenary session. Sharing deep bonds with a community entails attentive listening and feeling for the people whose individual lives matter. She encouraged the Church to weep on behalf of those who are suffering. Associating with the marginalized means allowing their stories to be heard and told and preserved. God is concerned with people and His Church should be, too. Despite the challenge and the immensity of the work at hand, it is
ultimately God who sets the mandate and example of His incarnation. And He is more than able to sustain and uphold the Church He has called.
The Lord calls us to act on His behalf in the world He created, and this forum ignited our passion and purpose as Christians. As emphasized in the closing liturgy of the forum, we are reminded in Scripture of the mission of the Lord Jesus, the sending of God’s people, and the reality that we are jars of clay bearing a glorious message of redemption and transformation. It is our deep prayer at the end of the forum that the Lord, despite our imperfection and brokenness, may make us to be holy cups of pure grace, molded by His desire for us to be agents of transformation for our communities and the world.
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Hearts beat for the World BATCH 2017
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ATS enabled me to exegete the Word, exegete the world, and engage the culture. Exegete the Word: Through ATS, I learned the principles on how to properly interpret the Bible. I have often been asked, “What does the Bible say on this issue or that issue?” I used to read the Bible in a “linear” maner but ATS showed me that there are “hills, valleys, mountains” or contours in the Bible. Hence, I learned to read each and every passage of scripture in their proper context. Exegete the World: Aside from knowing the context of each Bible passage, ATS also taught me to know the context of the people to whom I am ministering. Appropriate application hinges on a proper understanding of the audience thus, the need for contextualization. Through ATS, I learned to prepare my lesson plans and applications with my audience in mind.
The Biblical concepts of Justice and Well-Being were initially mere ideas, but these concepts eventually became realistic for me. I began to see my work in Justice department as God’s conduit in the administration of justice.
Atty. Moises Acayan
Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies
Engage the culture: ATS prepared me to engage the culture I live in. As a public prosecutor, I am often asked to be a part of technical working groups involving policy formulation. With the knowledge I gained through ATS training, I was enlightened as to what God has to say for a particular social issue. Moreover, ATS taught me that I can also gain insights from other disciplines. In other words, I learned the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the formulation of social policies.
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I thank ATS for being God’s instrument in equipping us for service.
Amihan Crooc
Master of Arts in Christian Education
Unlike most other ATS students who went into full-time ministry early in their lives, I was in Information Technology in a telecommunications company where after 23 years at age 47, I retired. Although I had a ministry in church, this occupied a smaller part of what I was doing. A friend gave me this book by Grace Chong entitled, “What, Me Retire? Discovering More Blessings After Leaving the Workplace.” It helped me appreciate and realize that it was the best time to pursue other passion and purpose. And so I enrolled in ATS. What did I learn in my 3 years in ATS? ATTITUDE - On my first year in ATS, I learned that our attitude towards our studies matter. We can either treat them as purely an
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academic and credential-making endeavor or approach our studies as part of our faith journey by making our studying devotional and do our seminary requirements in communion with God and for the purpose of knowing Him better. TIME MANAGEMENT - On my second year, as we were swamped with a lot of requirements, managing our time among our studies, ministry commitment, family and other interests can be challenging. It is easy to get caught with so many things and not doing each of those excellently. I learned to start my papers early to allow them to simmer and brew. This helped me fine tune my papers and find very good references. This enabled me to balance my time with my family and ministry. SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING – Malcolm Knowles defines self-directed learning as a process in which individuals take the initiative... in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes. Learning has to continue for the rest of our lives— take advantage of the benefits of technology, get mentored by the best, and not be afraid to ask questions.
I was a Christian zombie. Life was all “spiritual.” Feelings were suppressed; thoughts and questions were repressed. It is not that I did not feel or think, don’t get me wrong. I felt and thought but only when it was in line with the correct Christian demeanor, so to speak. So technically, I was a dead being with a beating heart until I was called to counseling and further studies at ATS. The ATS community made me realize that Christianity was more than just a list of doctrines to believe in and to follow; and more than just a belief in a God I sometimes have to defend. A beloved professor in Theology showed me the extent of freedom I have in God – in Christ – that thinking itself, and even questioning what I believe in does not contradict the Christian way of life. It actually roots and
nourishes it: “keeping faith honest.” My counseling professors exemplified the freedom we gain from being vulnerable and reconnected with our true selves and our emotions, whether negative or positive. All this meant being reconnected with my own humanity – its beauty and ugliness – in relation to my faith. I was resuscitated. I came to ATS to be trained and be a Christian counselor who will bring about healing and freedom to those who are in bondage. Turned out, I was the one who needed them. “If, first and foremost, we cannot change society, then…first and foremost we must change ourselves!” - Charles Ringma
I was a dead being with a beating heart until I was called to counseling and further studies at ATS. Jcil Vean Bagtasos
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling
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Rachel Grace Jentapa Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies
Life as a follower of Christ is to be truly lived in love for God and for my neighbor
As simple as this statement may be, this summarizes the way my calling has been re-confirmed and re-affirmed in the years I have studied in ATS. Taking the Intercultural courses cemented this very particular yet challenging command of the Lord Jesus. You know how the saying goes, ‘love the unlovable,’ which is terribly difficult given the human nature of just choosing that which is easier to do.
Learning more about this critical foundation of life and ministry in this seminary taught me not just writing papers and making sure my sources are intact but also showing respect and care to my friends, classmates, professors, and people I would like to reach. And I will say again that it is no easy road. ATS has shown me this, not only in academic formation, but also in the way that it helped shape our hearts and also opened our hands- to receive and to give.
Studying in ATS helped me come to terms with this reality, which is easier said than done. Life as a follower of Christ is to be truly lived in love- for God and for my neighbor.
I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to study in this institution and receive more than what I deserve in the hope of giving more to those who are needy, broken, and lost. To God be the glory!!!
Love God. Love people.
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After four years of being a part of the ATS those considering the Gospel. They may community, I have found that ATS is the think that they have to reject their own right place for getting my theological training. identity and culture to follow Jesus. This misconception is one of the reasons ATS has helped me keep my spiritual forma- why contextualizing the Gospel is so tion and ministry journey into perspective. important. The church in a Khmer vilI come from a country suffering from a lage should look Khmer. It should have number of oppressive forms such as corruptypically Khmer ways to gather, celebrate, tion, exploitation, and injustice. ATS has not communicate the Good News, and worship just educated me to be a better Bible student the Creator. but has also equipped me to be a faithful and humble servant of God. I have learned ATS community is a place where I can to understand how to seek life in its fullest have space to make new good friends and and to really know Christ—both the power expand my network with godly men and of His resurrection and the fellowship of His women from around the world. suffering. I have learned to admit my limitations and accept the gifts and strengths of the people around me for serving the Kingdom of God in a more cooperative and supportive way. Moreover, ATS guided and challenged me towards the journey of engaging the call for the ministry of Shalom (total well-being). It is about a holistic ministry where God will put me in order to foster relevant applications of proclaiming and teaching the Gospel for my home country where there are only 1.5% Christians. One of the major barriers to the Gospel among Buddhist and animistic people of Southeast Asia is the misconception that Christianity is a foreign religion. It is often remarked that to be Cambodian is to be Buddhist. This strong cultural and ethnic identification with Buddhism creates a problem for
Rathana Moeun
Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies
ATS Guided and challenged me towards the journey of engaging the call for the ministry of shalom.
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Throughout my five years at ATS, I lived in a Malabon slum with my family as part of Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor. My two boys were born, fires ravaged the community, and floods returned seasonally to remind us of our precarious location. We also witnessed the movement of God among a community that embraced us and the transformative work of the Spirit. A worshipping community was formed, community livelihood, and disaster resilience projects initiated- all in response to the Gospel of love and justice for His people. At its best, ATS is a theological community that fosters and promotes deep engagement with the Word and our world and this is why people like me seek it out. I am grateful for the nourishment I received in biblical formation and encouragement to live a radical discipleship among the urban poor. I am particularly thankful for professors for their own example in this way of Christ. To catalyse transformational and sacrificial missions among the poor is one of the best gifts ATS can give to the Philippine church and Philippine society. As my ministry and life has been blessed through my study and companioning with students and faculty, my prayer is for ATS to go onward in challenging the church and all its students to be marked by the way of Christ in mission among the poor.
To catalyse transformational mission among the poor is one of the best gifts ATS can give to the Philippine church and Philippine Society. David Cross
Master of Arts in Theology
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As a newbie in ministry in 2012 I prayed, “God, if doctors who take care of man’s physical issues have to study medicine for a number of years, pastors who take care of man’s spiritual needs- among many other things - should enter and study in a seminary for equipping.” God responded by sending me to ATS. At ATS, I was exposed to many varied tools that are useful to critically examine issues and find workable approaches to address life’s concerns via theologicallysound doctrine. What is common and popular is not always right. I have also learned that doing the work of the Lord without the right heart spells trouble, especially in ministering to the urban poor.
The M.Div. TUL program did the work well in my heart through the concept of incarnational ministry. Understanding people in their particular and unique contexts using the heart and not only the mind effectively prepared me to engage with people in communities where the gospel is greatly needed. Furthermore, ATS taught me that ministry lesson never ends – whatever I am engaged in today is a learning opportunity to improve tomorrow’s work.
Nemecio Barrameda
Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership
Doing the work of the Lord without the right heart spell trouble.
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Through ATS, God has equipped me and confirmed my calling to be a marketplace minister Jerth Santos
MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he writes: “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him…” (7:17) I remember the day when I applied at ATS in 2015. I initially wanted to take a different program, but it seemed like I did not have peace. A few months after, God reminded me of my application and He led me to pursue MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management. My ATS journey has been a wonderful and enriching experience ever since. Through ATS, God has equipped me and confirmed my calling to be a marketplace minister. The MBA program has changed the way I think about doing business. Entrepreneurship is one way of fulfilling God’s Creation mandate to “be fruitful and to multiply.” It is truly a joy to be able to do business by God’s Book.
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The road to 50th 1 9 6 9 -2019
CONGRATULATIONS to our
Graduates with
Honors!
Acayan, Moises Y.
Espino-Ponio, Leah G.
Badiola, Mario Jasper J.
Estigoy, Kevin David S.
Castillo, Pilipina L.
Fristianty Lumbantoruan
Crooc, Amihan E.
Moeun, Rathana
Cross, David Murray
Orteza, Ruben Joseph, Jr. A.
Dagdag, Maryann C.
Santos, Jerth A.
Del Rosario, Surtalicito C.
Vasquez, Ryan Prince M.
Outstanding academic achievement is recognized by granting a degree "with honors." Graduation with honors indicates that the M.Div. or M.A. student has fulfilled the following criteria: - A grade point average of at least 1.2549 - No grade lower than 2.0
THE SLDC CALLING REV. ERICKSON VELARDO SLDC DIRECTOR
Ma’am Zenet welcomed me when I attended my first ATS MBA class in 2005. She was the Director of ATS Center for Biblical Stewardship then. Then she was my professor for the MBA course Biblical Stewardship and Resource Management. When I joined ATS as MBA program coordinator in 2011, I was inspired by how Ma’am Zenet purposely studied to be better equipped for God’s service: M.Div. in Christian Education and MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management from ATS, and Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University among others. I witnessed how Ma’am Zenet helped pioneer many organizations: Christian Stewardship Association, Christians in Conservation, and Christian Council for Transparency and Accountability, and others. Even as she retires from ATS, Dr. Zenaida A. Maramara aims to continue her calling as God’s steward leader. As I succeed Ma’am Zenet as Director of ATS Strategic Leader Development
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Center, I am excited to serve God through a strategic ministry, built on strong foundations, that will help leaders to learn, excel, adapt, and develop their vocation and calling. I pray that I will be a good and faithful steward leader of the Lord Jesus Christ in this new ministry assignment just as Ma’am Zenet had been.
SLDC Programs Executive Degree Programs
Master in Business Administration in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management
Ecclesiastical Degree Program Master of Ministries
Leadership Certificate Programs
Certificate in Professional Organization Management Certificate in Professional Christian Fundraising Certificate in Professional Office Administration
Ministerial Certificate Programs Certificate Certificate Certificate Certificate Certificate
in in in in in
Biblical Interpretation Biblical Preaching Christian Counseling Pastoral Ministry Transformational Urban Leadership
Customized Organizational Training Programs Executive Staff Training Staff Training
Scheduled On-campus Equipping Seminars
sldc.ats.ph sldc@mail.ats.ph.
Rays of Hope in Burundi ALUMNI STORY
PERETS NSENGIYUMVA The Republic of Burundi is considered one of the 10 poorest countries in the world alongside Malawi, Central African Republic, Niger, Liberia, Madagascar, Congo, Gambia, Ethiopia and Guinea. Burundi has a population of around 10 (10.7) million, almost half of which is under 14 years of age. High poverty, poor literacy rates and a frail legal system, among other problems, have been perennial issues that weaken the Burundian overall state of affairs.
Perets Nsengiyumva
Master of Arts in Christian Education
Perets with the Dumagat (tribe) children
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Perets Nsengiyumva was born in Burundi in the midst of political upheaval during a post-genocide era. Perets has literally been raised in church with his father a pastor and his mother a deaconess. While he appreciated the Christian community, he never really understood what salvation really meant until he attended a revival camp where the Holy Spirit touched his heart and fanned aflame his passion for God. He then became involved in many ministries that honed his gifting and helped him discern his calling. His journey in the ministry found him getting involved oftentimes with children and youth as their pastor, consultant counselor (SOS International Children Village), associate pastor (Calvary Worship Center – Kenya), full time teacher and faculty board member (Hope International School). Having been exposed to the youth and more recently, with schools, Perets has found joy in teaching others. It became his prayer to get trained in theology and in the proper interpretation of the Word to help his countrymen, especially in the rural areas, to understand Scriptures.
God has even birthed a vision in his heart to build a school that will help the poor in Burundi (and even the rest of Africa) to avail of quality education. God has answered his prayer when his head pastor in Burundi and Bishop Efraim Tendero met at a seminar in Canada. Perets was then endorsed to study at ATS and soon found himself on a plane bound for Manila. With the help of his faithful brethren back home, funds were pooled for his seminary training in a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. He is currently on his second year. After graduation, he will be going back home to implement his thesis on using the Philippine Alternative
While in the Philippines, Perets has made himself available for ministry at Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship. He is currently part of the leadership and is involved in the pulpit, youth and discipleship ministries. Pray for Perets as he pursues his thesis. May he be sustained by God’s grace and strength as he envisions enabling many of his countrymen acquire quality education. It is amazing how God has laid out plans that are almost always different from ours. He said that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Even in the seemingly hopeless places like Burundi, rays of hope shine through the darkest clouds. The birthing of a vision in someone’s heart may be the start of something significant for a country apparently abandoned. But God will never abandon His people (Hebrews 13:5).
The Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship youth with Ptr. Perets as their co-mentor
Learning System (ALS) as a pattern for non-formal education to help Burundians deprived of the privilege of studying while growing up.
Perets assists at the Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship Church medical mission in Nueva Ecija
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WHAT COMPELS US? (WHY DO WE KEEP ON GOING?) Ronaldo “Ronald” M. Hernandez
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 The Ministry of Reconciliation 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
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Ronaldo “Ronald” M. Hernandez,
M.Div. P.S., MCD (on-going) is the ATS Director for Student Life and Ministry
It really feels good to be back “HOME” only this time not as a graduate degree student but as one of the many dedicated and committed staff that makes ATS what it is – a community of learners and workers all for GOD’s glory. I took to heart the reminder of our dear Chaplain- Dr. Rene Chanco that we in the admissions are tasked to straighten out the message received by our applicants if they truly were called by GOD here in the seminary… The traffic, the congestion, difficulties, and hustles in life may leave us asking the question…”What Should Compel Us To Keep Going?” Here is my reflection to this question: The Love of Christ Compels Us (v. 14) As Christians we need to serve GOD with all our heart and soul, compelled or simply moved by the love of Christ. How thus the word ‘compels’ mean in the context of the passage? It means “to powerfully urge along a line of conduct.” It means that force is not involved but the impulse (the love of Christ) is so strong that it pushes us with all our being to respond appropriately to the needs of others that is as complete and radical as Christ’s love for us! Paul in the passage is telling us that Christ’s compelling love is a motivating force that makes him do what he needs to do no matter what and so this should also be seen in us. We Have Been Changed in the Way We Look at People (vv.15-16) The Apostle Paul was being disowned by the very people he ministered to but
regardless of such treatment why has he persevered to keep up with them? The answer was simple: because his way of thinking about people has been changed.
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His experience of Christ and his love for him made him cherish the believers in the same way he cherishes Christ. We continue to serve no matter how others treat us because we no longer see ‘them’ but Christ in them. Whatever stressor you have or even if you are in the boiling point, continue to serve because we serve Christ in them and see them in the eyes of eternity. We Have Been Called to a Ministry of Reconciliation (vv.18-19) The ambassador’s task wasn’t easy at all… he is to enter a hostile realm, but the message they bring is not theirs. The message they bring allows them to carry on despite the hardships. We carry too the same message of reconciliation –that GOD is reconciling the world to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ whom we now have as our Lord and Savior. Jesus is the one we represent as ambassadors and we carry with us the message of reconciliation so no matter what, we need to move on! To conclude, there will be a lot of things that will disappoint us, dismay us even to a point of giving up- but “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”(2 Peter 1: 3). Let’s carry on!
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