The Liberated Shepherd @ UTS

The first Photo of the UTS Community taken in 1908

My decision to study at the Union Theological Seminary was a very long process for me. There are so many personal reasons why it took me such a long time to enroll. First of all I have so many conservative pastor friends who are discouraging me to enroll because they told me that the Union Theological Seminary is a very liberal institution. Second, I didn’t have enough funds to get trained at the seminary. And finally, I was very hesitant because there was a time that I planned to resign as the Interim Pastoral Leader of MCC Philippines.

I made the decision when God spoke to me at the recently concluded retreat of MCC Philippines. God told me through his gospel that particular Sunday that “my assignment is not finished yet”! When I heared that still small voice inside my heart I repented of my pride and from then on I decided to give my life fully to the Lord and my life to my home church; MCC Philippines. I prayed that if he wants me to study at the Union Theological Seminary he should support me financially because I really can’t.

June 4, 2008 I went at the seminary with only 50.00 pesos in my pocket. I didn’t know what to do or where to go, I just read all the requirements completed them and after the evaluation of my grades I was happy about the news. I thought that I will be taking a Bachelor’s degree in Theology but I was surprised that after my evaluation they told me that I will be taking the Masters of Divinity Program. I was very happy indeed. I was exited and ecstatic, I felt that this is my last chance to go to school again. I went home happy.

June 5, 2008 I went again at the seminary with only 50.00 in my pocket again. The Registrar secretary told me to copy all my subjects and be assessed at the treasurers office. The secretary told me if I have the money to pay for the tuition fee I told her bluntly “I don’t have”. Again she asked me and I told her again “I didn’t bring any”. I left her office with my heart really pounding. And I felt sad, really sad. But anyway I went to the treasurers office and I was assessed and then the treasurer told me that my tuition fee is 11,250 pesos! My heart pounded more! I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I told her I don’t have the money yet! Then I remembered a United Methodist Pastor named Rev. Afrie Songco-Joye the pastor who help Pastor CJ to have a scholarship at UTS. I told the treasurer I am a scholar of Rev. Afrie. She asked me “What is your relationship with Rev. Afrie”? I said none! She’s the one who helped Pastor Cj to have a scholarship here at UTS. At that moment my eys were becoming wet, I was about to cry because of so much embarrassment. It is my first time to experience to enroll at a University without any money in my pocket just prayer, praise and a huge amount of faith.

Then I whispered “Lord help me please, I want to go to school, I want to be trained, I want to help MCC Philippines”. At that moment the treasurer said to me “OK ask a letter from Rev. Afrie and then give it to me”. I texted Rev. Afrie and we had a nice chat but I was so much discouraged about here stories of those people who used to help GLBT people who are studying at UTS. She told me that for a long time they didn’t have any communication with them. I really wanted to cry but I prayed again “Lord please help me, this is your will, I am doing this because you wanted me to”. Then Rev. Afrie made a letter or a promisory note that my tuition fee of 11,250 will be paid on or before the end of the first semester. I went to the treasurers office, she read the letter and she said “ok your in!” I was so happy, I never felt that kind of happiness in my life. Because I know that I am doing God’s will.

Another miracle came when I came at the seminary I only have 50.00 pesos in my pocket. That day our Region 1 Elder Ken Martin was scheduled to visit our church for two weeks. I didn’t have enough money to go to the airport to fetch our Elder. But to my surprise that Rev. Afrie handed me 300.00 pesos! After my enrollment I went straight to the airport to meet CJ and Marlon so that we will meet our Elder and assist him to the hotel where he will be staying for two weeks. I was so happy that God gave me so many miracles first, I was enrolled at the seminary, Second Rev. Afrie blessed me with 300.00 pesos and finally, meeting our Regional Elder in which our church leaders and members are looking forward too for so many years.

To God be the Glory and Praise for the things he has done and for the things that he will do in my future!