GET TO KNOW YOUR AREA REPRESENTATIVE Ernest Dagohoy Area Representative Service Area 5
Area Representative Ernest Dagohoy’s ministry has spanned 28 years and two continents—from North America to Asia. Born and raised in the Philippines, Ernest served as a university chaplain at Central Philippine University from 1991-1994. Then, in 1994, Ernest and his wife, Cecile, moved to the United States, where Ernest began his 20-year ministry at First Philippine Baptist Church in Houston. Their daughter, Faith, was born three years later. The Dagohoys loved serving the local church and being involved in Baptist life in Texas, as well as maintaining connections and returning for frequent mission trips to the Philippines. Then in 2014, Ernest transitioned to serving as Area Representative for Texas Baptists in Southeast Texas—from Houston to Beaumont. Ernest has found his comfort zone in ministering to fellow pastors. He knows what it is like to serve in the trenches and can empathize with pastors going through personal and professional challenges. One of the greatest blessings for Ernest is praying
Ernest Dagohoy, his wife, Cecile, and their daughter, Faith
alongside ministers in need. The ministry of prayer has been something Ernest has embraced as he has prayed by the sickbed of a minister, or in the office with someone facing tremendous difficulties. Ernest feels honored to join with pastors in deep prayers for strength in the ministry and balance of family and church life. The end of August 2017 brought significant challenges to Ernest’s service area as Hurricane Harvey caused significant damage and flooding across the region and impacted more than one-fifth of Texas Baptist churches in some way. As the waters receded, Ernest began receiving calls for help from churches through the region and quickly worked to connect those in need with those who could help. Over the next year-and-a-half, Ernest distributed $116,000 in church building recovery grants and pastor housing assistance in person, as well as, 1,450 gift cards from Texas WMU and a sister Baptist church in Kentucky, to support churches and pastors in need.
In addition to walking with churches through difficult times, Ernest also connects with pastors in ministry transitions. He also plans to connect Christian Studies faculty members from Houston Baptist University and Truett Seminary with churches in need of pulpit supply preachers. Ernest connects small membership churches in need of financial assistance for church building projects, or for their ministry staff, with Convention resources. He also views the associational Director of Missions in his area as a key partner in ministry. Seeing pastors smiling and thriving in ministry, and churches growing and reaching their communities, is a delight for Ernest. More than anything, he wants pastors to know that he is available to help support them as they faithfully serve the Lord and work to advance the Kingdom. Texas Baptists have nine area representatives serving around the state to connect with churches. To find your area representative, visit texasbaptists.org/ connections or call 214.887.5475.
APRIL 2019
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