By General Baptist International Missions
God is at work in the lives of His people. We have a collection of His work in the lives of people in the pages of the Bible. We have assembled in this Messenger further evidence that God continues to call people to particular places of service. This article reminds us that it is not only here in the United States that He is at work in the lives of His followers but around the world as well. International Missions asked four of our many faithful co-laborers to share their story of calling for this Messenger. The first two of these come from Honduras, where missionary Rodney Walls gathered, translated, and edited the callings of Pastor Miguel Ramirez and Dr. Sharon Castro. The others come from the Philippines and India, with General Baptist Bible College President Dr. Joyce C. Porcadilla-Rubia sharing her calling and Pastor Dr. Prakash Pamu in India.
Pastor Miguel Ramirez with Dr. Rodney Walls
The depth of success of mission work rests in the development and equipping of nationals. The mission of making disciples for Christ in Honduras has been greatly blessed with a host of Hondurans who serves Christ as General Baptists. Our General Baptist movement today would not be where it is without the sacrificial service of Pastor Miguel Ángel Ramirez Padilla. Foremost, Miguel is a pastor and has a pastor’s heart.
“In January 1996, the Lord called me to His vineyard as a pastor. This was a new experience for me and my family. I did not know how to do it, but I prayed to the Lord, and He began to move the lives of the people in the community of Canchias, Comayagua, where I was born. It was very nice to see the spiritual movement in the church as my family and I worked with the ladies, gentlemen, young people, and children.
“One day in January 2005, I was praying in the early morning and God spoke to my spirit and said, ‘tell the church that you are not a permanent pastor in this place. I’ll take you somewhere else.’ That night I said exactly what God told me to the church. The brothers of the church were saddened by the news, as they were accustomed to our work as pastors.
“While in Canchias (my birthplace), I met an American missionary, Marvin Hech, and his wife Benjamina. They moved to Santa Cruz de Yojoa. While I lived in Yojoa, they visited me and on one of their visits, they talked to me about Faith Home. Brother Marvin knew David Kelle and his wife Marta. He told me that Faith Home needed a pastor. I was already praying, but I didn’t know where the Lord was going to take me. After three months of praying, Marvin (my friend) talked to me again about Faith Home, so I understood that it was God’s will for me to move somewhere else.
“Then I got a call from brother David Kelle, and I met with brother David. I was hesitant to apply because
I have five children, and I thought it impossible. But Brother David hired me. My family and I were a little sad because we had to leave Yojoa Church, but also excited to be able to come and serve at Faith Home.”
On June 1, 2005, Miguel and his family began working at Faith Home. He and his wife Eduarda served as house parents, and he was campus pastor until 2018 when he transitioned to the lead instructor in the recently re-opened Honduras Bible Institute (HBI). Miguel and his family continue to minister at Faith Home in a variety of capacities along with his responsibilities to the Church Planting ministry. Miguel is also the president of the pastor’s association and provides leadership and guidance to all our churches and pastors. He has two theological degrees, but most importantly, Miguel is a strong man of faith and a willing servant to do whatever the LORD leads him to be. Today, the church ministry is thriving and that is due in part to Miguel’s willingness to serve God as a General Baptist.
Dr. Sharon Castro with Teresa Walls
The development of the medical ministry in Honduras since 2016 has been nothing short of amazing to see how God has opened doors and blessed in so many ways. One of the greatest blessings to date is Dr. Sharon who began ministering here in June of 2017. She is a good doctor with a caring heart that goes above and beyond, but most importantly she is a strong Christian woman of deep faith. She could work in other places, but she feels called to minister here.
Her journey is a spiritual journey of obediently following the Lord’s leading. She wrote, “It was not in my plans to be a doctor. As a child, I always thought that I would be a lawyer or teacher, but never a doctor. But, when God has a purpose for you, if you let Him and give Him the keys to your life, God will guide you down the best path and let you know that dreams can be fulfilled.
As a child, I always thought that I would be a lawyer or teacher, but never a doctor.
“My family and I did not have the economic means for me to be able to study and to have an expensive university career to be a doctor. However, once again God intervened on my behalf. My mother, full of faith and empty pockets, believed that God would provide for my studies. She worked very hard to give me this opportunity and God did not abandon us along the way.
“One morning as I was getting ready for college God spoke to me through Psalm 32.8. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.’ This helped me to believe once again that God would be with me on this journey.
“There are so many things I could tell you about how beautiful it is to serve God and to be a doctor for Mision Bautista General. It is not just a job. It is an opportunity that God has given to me to share the message of salvation and hope to all the people that I see. It is good to see how God has worked for the children of Faith Home, and I know that they are under the care of the Almighty God. It is a blessing for me to be here!”
Dr. Sharon and I are excited to see how God is going to use the medical ministry to change lives. As God opened the door for Sharon to be a doctor, God opened the door for her to be a doctor here! May God continue to use Dr. Sharon and this ministry to touch the lives of many.
My Calling by Dr. Joyce Porcadilla-Rubia
A couple of months after my college graduation, I found myself at the Registrar’s office of the law school I was prepared to attend. I always wanted to become a lawyer. Well, it was my Dad who wanted me to become one. I don’t know what happened but just as I was ready to hand in all my documents, I suddenly had cold feet about it. I told the Registrar that I would just come back on another day. I went home told my dad about it. He was a little upset, but I told him that I might just look for a job and maybe wait for another year before going to law school.
I landed a job in the corporate world. It was like my dream job that entailed office work and a lot of traveling, adventure, exploring. I had the best days of my life as a young professional then. Perks and benefits, salaries, daily allowances were unimaginable and irresistible. I had the time of my life. Promotion came one after the other. And yes, because I had most of the things I wanted to experience in life, I somehow forgot my dream to become a lawyer.
It was in April 2004, our GBIM Director that time, Jack Eberhardt, came to the Philippines for a visit. We had a casual conversation about the nature of my job. He asked me, “Is that what you want to do for the rest of your life, sell candy bars?” I was quite offended by the question. I was working in the country’s leading snack food company, but my job wasn’t in the actual selling. He further asked me if I wanted to do something for Jesus, which in my mind I thought I was already doing something for Jesus.
In August 2004, I was on board a plane to the US. I was traveling to the unknown not knowing what I was getting myself into. I gave up my career, left my family and friends and the comfort of my life to pursue my master’s degree in the US. Some people thought that I was not giving up my good life because I was going to the states for a better life. There were days that I would think whether giving up my life in the Philippines was worth it all.
But I persevered and finished my studies. I was so excited to come home in December 2005, not expecting that I would end up at the General Baptist Bible College. This was not my dream. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that I would be here. It took me a while to be convinced that this is where God wants me to be. I had to start from scratch. I was shocked during the first few months and even in the early years to know the atmosphere, environment, and culture was a lot different from what I expected.
I would have never imagined that even though I had to give up the comforts of my life… God has allowed me to discover the secret of contentment.
Before my first term ended in December 2010, I spoke to my dad telling him that I might not sign up for another term at GBBC. I felt I needed to step up for our family. My brother was in his first year of medical school, and it was financially demanding. My dad was also having some health concerns. I just wanted to take care of him, let him rest, and not work anymore. But a few weeks later my dad was rushed to the hospital and his health started to deteriorate, which led to his sudden demise on January 30, 2011. At the ICU, when all the monitors went to zero, all I could hear was God speaking to me telling me, “You are not going anywhere, Joyce. Do you want to take care of your dad? Here, let me take care of him.”
At that very moment, God gave me peace and let me understand my calling. God gave me a vision. He gave me a humble heart. He gave me the wisdom to discern things. He gave me the perseverance to survive all those, and he gave me courage, boldness, and the political will to make necessary changes. There was much resistance at first. The process was never easy, but by God’s daily sufficient grace, love and mercy, He allowed me to endure. Changes then happened. There are still constant transitions, but at least there’s movement. There’s growth. There’s a positive transformation. He also allowed me to grow and develop myself, enhance my skills. He even allowed me to see the world and be a leader where I can serve people, love people, and make an impact in the lives of so many people of all ages from all walks of life not just here in the Philippines but around the world.
Now I realize that God was preparing me through everything that God allowed me to experience in the corporate world, everything that I experienced in the States, including my experiences as a missionary kid growing up on Saipan and a pastor’s kid. All these were God’s ways of preparing me to be where He wants me to be so that I can appreciate and enjoy the life that he has prepared me to live, and that is a life of contentment here at GBBC. I would have never imagined that even though I had to give up the comforts of my life, even though I lost my dad, even though I had to experience so much hurt, even though I had to sacrifice and let go of my desires, God has allowed me to discover the secret of contentment.
It has been 15 years now since God called me here at GBBC. I don’t know how long He wants me here, and I don’t have a clue as to what lies tomorrow but I know who holds my future. In gratitude and obedience I can say, where he leads me, I will follow.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (New International Version)
This is My Story by Dr. Prakash Pamu
This is my story about how I was called by God to do the present ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ through General Baptists.
I was an Indian Government veterinary doctor who became a servant of the Lord by His calling. “Preach the Gospel to the poor” (Luke 4:18) and the Great Commission (Mark 16:15) are the two bible verses that inspired and motivated me and my family to do this ministry.
I did a master’s in veterinary science, and then while working for the government I became sick with cerebral malaria coupled with jaundice in 1997. I was so sick that all my family, the doctors, and even myself thought I might die. On the hospital bed, I prayed to the Lord Almighty, “If He gives me healing and life I will live for Him and serve Him.” The Lord healed me miraculously.
Though I was working for the government, I used to assist Pastor Raj (my father-in-law and founder of the India Association) in the ministry. Preaching and helping the poor whenever I got the opportunity. During that time, I received a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). All the expenses for the M.Div. were met by General Baptist International under the leadership of Rev. Jack Eberhardt. It was an opportunity to study and learn the word of God. I am grateful for all the General Baptists who helped us through their generosity. God was at work preparing us for His ministry.
“If He gives me healing and life I will live for Him and serve Him.”
In 2005 when pastor Raj was called to be with the Lord, Rev. Jack came to India and offered our family the chance to continue the ministry work under one condition—I would need to resign from my job. In reality, it was a big decision. I would give up a secure job (until 60 years of age), with a good salary, and a good pension until my death, that my wife would then assume until her death. I had a great job, social status, and good financial security, but Christ’s love called us to do His work. At that time our family decided to sacrifice the riches of this world to inherit the heavenly riches. We made a decision. I resigned from my job, and accepted God’s call, and committed to doing His ministry.
I was born and brought up in a village where many poor people were living around us. I made this decision because I had a passion to help the poor and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not me, really; our Lord Jesus called me and placed me here in this ministry on behalf of the General Baptists. I believe it is a God-given opportunity to serve Him.
Here I should mention and remember the very kind-hearted Mrs. Mrudubhashini, wife of pastor Raj and my mother-in-law, who has Christ-like love and a compassionate heart toward the poor and needy. She also motivated me and my wife Jemima to continue the General Baptist ministry by serving the poor and reaching the lost.
To conclude, I am a postman delivering the medicine sent by God with the generous and sacrificial help of our General Baptist family to reach the lost and to heal the people from their spiritual sickness.
We thank all our General Baptist saints for providing us this wonderful opportunity. We are serving Jesus Christ by doing little things to make a difference in the lives of people and win them for Christ by reaching and serving the people in their need.
Furthermore, we praise and thank our Lord Jesus Christ for His work in our lives. I humbly request that you please continue to pray for this blessed ministry.
Four compelling stories of God’s gracious calling on the lives of people that He would choose to use in significant ways—in ways that would result in a significant increase in the population of heaven. But these are just the tip of the iceberg of the many hundreds that He has called in Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Guam, Saipan, Philippines, Japan, India, and West Africa. Hundreds of faithful Christ-followers have said “Yes” to the call of God on their lives.