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(This testimony was given during last year’s DBC graduation, Nov. 5, 2023 at My Hub, Gusa.)
A pleasant day everyone! “This is the day! That the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24
Praise God in the Highest for today we are celebrating our graduation in DBC for World Religions and Cults Course. And for everyone who supported and worked hard para mahitabo kining tanan. Salamat Sa atong mga pastors headed by our Executive Pastor, Pastor David, Kay Pastor Jay, og Kay Pastor Joe for their amazing effort to ensure that we fully understand and guided about the truth in every subject matter.
To our ladies of the church, Lady Lanie and Lady Bon. Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga kinabuhi og kusog. Sa inyong loyalty and dedikasyon sa panirbisyo sa Ginoo. Salamat Kay Ate Bing. For the tremendous time and effort na imung gihatag sa kada simana sa atong klase just to make sure everything runs smoothly.
To all the people who worked in the background and supported the program. Prepared our breakfast, Ang kape na daku og tabang to keep us alert during our classes, og uban pang mga essentials. Sa akong mga gwapa og gwapong classmates ani na course, praise God sa inyong kinabuhi sa inyong pag-suporta ani na program sa church. It wouldn’t be a success if wala mo. So salamat sa akong beautiful wife who continues to challenge me day in and day out. If it’s not for you, I wouldn’t be part of this wonderful family that is GCAF.
Bitaw, in all honesty, I can’t express enough the gratitude I feel to be part ( for the first time) aning DBC. Personally, dako iyang natabang sa akong relationship with God in every week I attended the course. Aside from learning the difference of the various world religions and lain lain na mga kulto, mas hing hugot akong pagtuo na si Ginoong Hesus lang ang atong One True Savior. And fthrough His precious blood, we found salvation. And we are all blessed as a believer of that. Amen! It has truly been eye-opening and enriching experience for me. And I’d love to share my 5 takeaways from this course.
1. Knowledge is Power – Proverbs 18:15 tells us “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge”. This course equips us to share our faith effectively.
2. Respect and understanding – Proverbs 2:6 says “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Respect is like the universal language of love and it aligns perfectly with the teaching of the our Lord. Learning from this course is not just learning how other religions and cults work. It also teaches us to respect and understand their beliefs in order for us to be more effective in sharing them the good news.
3. Be Intentional – Isa jud ni sa akong matiman-an ani na course. During sa Islam nato na subject where one of our missionaries Pastor James shared his experience when an Imam approached him to have a discussion about Christianity. And after that conversation, na-utro og na-utro napud sya in different occasions until they were able to build a relationship despite sa difference sa ilang beliefs. So I do hope we all learned sa iyang experience in being intentional in sharing God’s words
4. Trust in the Holy Spirit – in sharing the good news, we don’t expect everyone we approach will believe us right away. In Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” It is God, through the Holy Spirit, empowers and works within us to align our will and actions with God’s purpose. We just have to do our part.. again.. intentionally…. and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
5. And finally, Being a Living Example – let’s be like in Matthew 5:16 which describes “in the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”
And this is going to be my parting words. Be like a lighthouse …guiding ships to safety. And like a lighthouse our faith should shine brightly. Thank you everyone and salamat Ginoo sa inyong mga kinabuhi!