Christopher's Testimony

Hello to you, and welcome to my story!

When you meet me now, you might think that everything in my life has been good and that the Lord's blessings have always been with me, which I believe is true in many ways. However, the journey here has not always been easy.

From Darkness to Light

There was a time in my life when I lived far from a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Growing up in the Philippines, I fell into the wrong crowd at the young age of twelve. That path led me to experiment with drugs and alcohol, pulling me deeper into a life marked by emptiness, confusion, and despair.

For years, I battled addiction—trying countless times to quit, but always ending up in the same cycle of defeat. I searched everywhere for meaning—through friendships, travel, food, and fleeting pleasures—but nothing could fill the deep void within me.

A New Beginning

At 23, I moved to Manila, hoping to find better opportunities and, perhaps, a sense of self. I remembered a friend from my teenage years who led a youth ministry called King's Kids. With a mix of hope and desperation, I reached out to them and asked if I could stay at their place. Little did I know, their ministry was located in one of the biggest slums in the Philippines. I moved there, juggling my job in another city while immersing myself in this new environment.

Witnessing Compassion

As I settled in, I witnessed countless outreach teams coming to serve—evangelism teams, regular feeding programs for the children, and livelihood initiatives. During my time off from work, I often found myself helping out. I translated for teams and guided them to the ministry locations. Yet, I couldn't help but question: What brought these foreigners to such a neglected place? What drove them to care so deeply for these people? Observing their unwavering compassion stirred something within me, something I couldn't quite name but knew I lacked.

A Question That Changed Everything

One evening, during dinner with the team, a member asked me a simple yet profound question: "Christopher, is what you're doing today what you want to do for the rest of your life?" I hesitated, unable to answer, but his words lingered in my mind long after that night.

The Turning Point

One quiet evening, I reached for a book sitting on my shelf—the Bible. I opened it and began to read, starting with the Book of Proverbs. Night after night, I read a chapter, slowly absorbing its wisdom. As the days turned into weeks, I noticed a subtle but undeniable shift in my life. I began to embrace the teachings and share them with my colleagues, pointing out the areas where we were missing the mark.

Encountering the Living Christ

As I continued reading, I eventually reached the Gospel of Matthew. It was here that I had my first encounter with the Living Christ. His words resonated deeply within me, especially Matthew 19:29 (NLT): "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property for my sake will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life." In that moment, I felt a direct invitation from Jesus to lay down everything I was holding onto.

Taking a Leap of Faith

In my room, I discovered an application form for a Discipleship Training School (DTS) that had been gathering dust. That night, I made the decision to apply for the DTS in YWAM Antipolo, believing it would lead me to the answers I was seeking.

The Journey of Transformation

Fast forward ten months, and I found myself in the DTS program, living in the slums of Manila. The first two weeks were challenging as I adjusted to living with others in a dorm, stripped of my usual independence. Yet, during the second week, we focused on worship, and I experienced another profound encounter with Jesus. In a trance, I was shown the weight of my sins and the false identities I had chased. As I saw Jesus hanging on the cross, I realized He had paid for all my sins, offering me reconciliation. That moment marked the beginning of my committed relationship with Him.

Freedom in Christ

When I opened my eyes, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom! The cravings of addiction that had held me captive vanished. I was not just temporarily set free; I was fully liberated—"Cold Turkey." Weeks passed, and I continued to experience revelations of Jesus, leading me to choose to remain in this place of community and learning about Him. That was 18 years ago, and since then, I have devoted my life to serving Him in ministry.

A Passion for the Word

My passion for the Bible and teaching stems from my personal conversion and conviction. I firmly believe that when you approach scripture with a seeking heart, you will encounter the Author of the Book on every page.

Encouragement for You

This is a brief summary of my journey, and I hope it encourages you to recognize the transformative power of Jesus and His Word. No matter where you are in life, if you are willing to surrender it all to Him, He can and will change your life.

Blessings!