Shaped for Ministry
By Marilyn Aralar
How does God shape one for ministry? For Pastor Roel Tantuan, God has shaped him through past experiences of his life. Through those hardships, he has developed passion for and persistence in the ministry.
Pastor Roel grew up in a poor family. As a child he dreamed of getting a good job someday. He wanted to have a happy life so he accepted any kind of work he could get just to earn money. At age 24, Pastor Roel got a terrible sickness that led him to the point of dying. In his sickness he cried out to God for help. He wasn’t a Christian then, but he promised God that he would serve Him if He would let him live. God healed Pastor Roel, not only physically but also spiritually. During that same year, someone told Pastor Roel about Jesus and the joy of salvation. The next year, he enrolled in seminary to fulfill his vow to the Lord.
Pastor Roel is so grateful to the Lord for making his dream for a happy life come true. He is happy to be a child of God and His servant. He is also happy that God has given him a wife. Annie and their two sons, Kent (eight years old) and Karl (one year old), are an encouragement to Pastor Roel. Annie teaches children’s Sunday school aside from taking care of their children. On some occasions, Pastor Roel takes Kent on home visitation and Bible studies. He wants to show Kent that serving the Lord is a serious ministry. He is touched because sometimes his son reminds him to pray before they leave for Bible Studies. Pastor Roel feels very satisfied. For him, nothing brings greater happiness than to be a family that serves the Lord.
Pastor Roel is also thankful for RJ and Christian. The two young people are second year Bible School students at Leyte Baptist Seminary (LBS). Last April and May, they went home to Dagami for the summer vacation. While on vacation, they assisted Pastor Roel in various church ministries. Pastor Roel was happy to have them as his disciples and co-workers.
Before the Tantuans arrived in Dagami, Pastor Ali Grande was leading the church. When Pastor Ali left to assist the work in another place, the number of churchgoers decreased. This may seem discouraging, but Pastor Roel is now encouraged with the spiritual growth of the believers who have remained. Church giving is increasing and the believers are now more prayerful. Indeed, God does not fail to encourage and comfort His people so that they can say, “The joy of the Lord is my strength!”
Please pray:
- For the continued spiritual growth of believers
- For good health for Tantuan kids, Kent and Karl
- For the schooling of RJ and Christian at LBS
- Wisdom for Pastor Roel as he leads the Church
- That the members will have a stable source of income
- For provision of needs for the Church Building project
