In March 2008, I left the corporate world to work full-time in ministry as the Communications Director of Victory Fort Bonifacio, a church in the Philippines that honors God and makes disciples. (I was a member of Victory for more than five years and a Fort volunteer for two, before leaving for six months in November 2007 to plant a church in Greenhills with Pastor Dennis Sy. I returned to Victory Fort when I was called to serve there as paid staff.) In over a year and a half, I never once got up in the morning feeling awful about going to work. I love serving God in whatever capacity He would have me, and it is a privilege and an honor to be considered among its full-time workers.
It wasn’t a difficult decision to leave the corporate world when God called me to work full-time for the church, honestly. Deep inside, I knew I would receive immense personal satisfaction from serving in the church, and I love my job. I love the people, I love the creative environment, I love what I do. Being Communications Director calls upon several of my skills – graphic design, writing, creative thinking, and search engine marketing, among them – and I feel extremely fulfilled every day. Every day!
Paul said in Ephesians 4:11, “And (God) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors, and teachers.” We all have our own spiritual gifts, given us to edify the church and contribute to our earthly mission and purpose; when you’ve identified your spiritual gifts, and you are given the opportunity to practice that gifting in your local church, it does something to you that just fuels up your soul. It pumps you up, and connects you to God in a deep and intimate way.
I believe my spiritual gifting is music. It made sense: ever since I was a little boy, I was “the music geek,” memorizing the Billboard charts, listening to a song and quickly figuring out harmonies for it, then eventually, realizing I had a knack for songwriting. (Heck, you can tell! I work in Communications but my blog is mostly Christian music! LOL) I did not take intensive formal music lessons, but I taught myself to play the piano and the guitar. When I dedicated my life to Jesus, I was even more focused on developing that gifting, volunteering for both Victory churches’ Music Ministries, initially as member of the choir, then as a backup vocalist, then as a worship leader (at Greenhills) and songwriter.
There’s a joy that comes with being able to make Christian music, and to encourage others with Christian music, and to use Christian music to glorify God and bring honor to His Name.
Less than two months ago, I was offered an opportunity to return to Victory Greenhills to head the Music Ministry there. After much prayer and soul-searching, I have decided to accept the position, believing that God will enable and empower me to work with the many talented singers and musicians there, that we may work together to help Victory Greenhills make inroads in the Greenhills area, to honor God and make disciples with music that touches the hearts of the citizens of San Juan. It wasn’t easy, but I received confirmation from God, so this is where I’m headed.
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for this new season in my life! I expect to start in October, less than two months before our Greenhills church anniversary. Luke 12:48 says, “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I covet your prayers as I begin this new season in my life. My heart’s in it, my head’s in it, my life’s in it; I pray God will use me mightily to bring more people into a relationship with His Son.
