4

Studying in BSOP has taught me how to love everyone, to listen to their voices and their

stories. Is this person irascible, selfish or crafty? These things are not significant. Since I am

loved, I should share this love of Christ to more people. None of us is lovable, since we are

all sinners. None of us is unlovable, since we are all created in the image and likeness of

God. I have been trusted, heard, understood and loved, so I should let more people experi-

ence God’s love through me. They need us as their friends, they need God’s grace. I still

remember what Christ has said in Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of Man came not to be

served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” I thank God for BSOP, for I

have experienced God’s bountiful grace and have come to understand that everything IS

indeed “by grace alone.” Luke Shi

God planted a seed in my heart when I was still a child. I an-

swered God with three words “Here I am,” yet I didn’t know

how to follow him.

After I graduated from college, God opened the door and

provided BSOP for my training. Although I felt that I was not

qualified, God graciously strengthened me throughout this

journey. I thank God that I was able to study in the English

track. Reading so many English books broadened my eyes.

Academically, my professors trained me with love and pa-

tience, using many different teaching styles, so that I was able

to gain more Biblical knowledge. I also learned from them

spiritually, especially when I was in my low point. God led them to see my needs

and situation and they counseled me with God’s word, comforting me with their

caring hearts and encouragement.

Through the life-training and studies in BSOP, God also taught me many les-

sons. When I felt I was not worthy, God told me that I was His chosen vessel.

When I got proud over my little accomplishments, God humbled me with His

soft hands. When I got confused regarding my future, God’s Word comforted me

and told me that He will guide me all the way.

When I look back over these three years of training in BSOP, I know that eve-

rything was by God’s grace alone and not by my own ability. Indeed, it is my

privilege to be called to serve Him. I thank God for everything He allowed to

happen in my life, and I look forward to where He is going to lead me in the next

stage of my life. May God continue to kindle the flame in my heart to shine for

Him in His kingdom. ALL glory be to God!

Celia Wu

I thank the Lord for calling me to serve Him fulltime. Indeed I’m very blessed - even though I

don’t deserve to be called by God, still He called with the highest calling. Three years of training

in the Seminary was not easy, with tons of readings and paper to write, not to mention our week-

end practicum and extra-curricular activities. But God saw me through this training and I can say

it’s all about His grace. It was not about what I am capable of doing, but rather what God wanted

to accomplish in my life. The most important things that I have learned are humility and patience.

As a Christian and a servant of God, I learned to be faithful to God’s word for the Bible has final authority, and not

to take the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ lightly. This is why by the grace of God I keep reminding myself to

preach the Gospel to myself everyday. When I first became a Christian, I had a very shallow understanding of the

Gospel; believing in Jesus was just my ticket to heaven. But God corrected this wrong thinking; because of His

grace and mercy I came to know Him more - through the reading of His word, through the different subjects I took,

and through godly people who patiently taught me and trained me to become a good servant of God. This is just

the beginning of my journey as a fulltime servant of God. Please remember me in your prayers, and together, let us

work hand-in-hand toward the advancement of God’s kingdom. To God be all the glory!

Lanslot Dee

I still remember the very first day I stepped into BSOP; it

was a mixed moment of excitement and anxiety. Excite-

ment as I saw the most beautiful and tranquil campus in

the midst of bustling Manila. Anxiety, because I did not

know how I was going to meet the challenges of my

study and pay the expensive living cost here in the Philip-

pines. All of my worries disappeared when I saw that all

the teachers were very kind and patient toward all the

students. Besides, God prepared everything and beyond

what I needed through the school and many

generous supporters.

People ask me: “How do you feel after three

years of studying in BSOP?” “It is as much

painful as rewarding,” I would often say. I

cannot forget the time when I failed my first

Greek test in my first year - I was over-

whelmed with a deep sense of frustration and

discouragement. For thirty minutes, I sat on

the floor and did nothing. Yet, there was no

need to cry over spilt milk. I got up from the

ground, God strengthened me, and I did survive in my

Greek class. In fact, it is one of my most favorite courses

in the Seminary. Neither can I forget the sermon

(Philippians 1: 3-11) that I delivered at my practicum

church a few weeks ago. Deep down in my heart, I know

it was a product of a balanced study from Homiletics,

Inductive Bible Study, Exegesis, Greek and preaching

methods. Studying in BSOP has been very helpful in pre-

paring me for my future ministry. Praise be to God!

Of course, the Seminary is not a paradise. God opened

my eyes to see the weaknesses of people around me. But

He also opened my eyes to see myself so clearly that I

realized I was as sinful as anyone else in this world. It is

by His grace that I live and serve Him day by day. Per-

haps the most challenging part of studying in a seminary

is not how one can fulfill all the academic require-

ments, or turn in all papers in time or learn to exe-

gete a passage accurately. Rather, it is the chal-

lenge of how one should fearfully live out his life

according to God’s Word which he has been pas-

sionately studying. May God have mercy on me!

I would like to give thanks to my gracious and

merciful God who strengthened and sustained me

throughout all the studies and lessons in BSOP.

Thanks also to my wife, Hanxing, who walked

with me and gave words of comfort and encour-

agement. Needless to say, my thanks and appreciation to

all the professors who diligently labored and instructed

me through their lives and personal examples, and to all

my fellow students who showed their friendship to me by

means of words and deeds.

David Kang

If there is one word that I can use to describe

my life at BSOP, it would be GRACE. Grace

because throughout my stay here, I’ve experi-

enced God’s grace in different forms.

Through BSOP’s community life, I’ve

learned how to live, accept and appreciate

people with different personalities and culture. Through the

various subjects that I took, I learned more about God, Theol-

ogy, Old Testament, New Testament, history, languages, etc.,

and how to integrate everything to be able to teach it to others.

Through the classes, I learned to appreciate God more and

understand the depth of His salvation. Through the practicum,

I learned how to be flexible in different ministries, and was

able to witness God’s providence. I’m thankful that through

the churches where I’ve served, He sustained my burden and

passion for ministry. Spiritually, God used BSOP to cause me

to grow in terms of my relationship with Him as I depend on

Him completely. I have also witnessed and experienced God’s

faithfulness in providing for my needs. I thank God that my

home church, Gerizim Evangelical Church, continually sup-

ported me through prayer and encouragement; for BSOP’s

faculty, staff, workers, and classmates that He used to help,

equip and encourage me; for practicum churches that accepted

and trained me in many ways. As I graduate, please continue

to pray for me, that I’ll continue to pursue God’s glory and rely on His grace as I teach and share His word and His love

to others. May God’s revival be unending. Soli De Gloria!

Christine Jane Molina

5

Three years in BSOP is one

rich and bittersweet journey. It

is totally the grace of the Lord

that moved me to decide for

fulltime training, and now,

finally, I have completed this

training. Tears of joy and sor-

row filled my three years. Truly, I am grateful to

the Lord and to our dedicated professors in

BSOP for the theological training, and to my

brothers and sisters in Christ for the ministerial

exposure that I received in the churches I was

assigned to. I also want to thank my prayer part-

ners who have been with me and supported me

throughout these years. I came to BSOP filled

with the baggage of man-centered philosophy,

but I am going out with a passion to lead a

Christ-centered, God-centered ministry. But the

most life-changing part of it is how God has led

me through the times of wrestling, struggling,

and breaking, until He let me find rest in His

grace, with His sovereign hands supporting me

in my personal life, in His Church, and in this

world. Despite our failings as God’s people, as

His Church, He is still at work.

I well up with joy every time I visit and serve

in different churches. There is a great harvest

field and we need more workers, but I also see

Irish Lopez

p. 3

6

RECITAL 2012

The annual recital of students learning piano, voice, guitar

and electronic piano was held

at BSOP on February 17,

2012. We thank the dedi-cated teachers of the Music

Department!

It has been a long and arduous six years for me. Not be-

cause I was sick and tired of studying and being trained at

BSOP. Rather, it is because during these years of molding

and preparation, unexpected situations arose that disabled

me from doing well. But despite all these challenges I can

shout with joy, THANK YOU LORD! During those diffi-

cult situations, I felt God’s guiding hand as I pressed on

while overcoming each hurdle. I cannot fathom why, but

God knows best as He leads and molds me. Indeed, God’s

grace has been and will be sufficient for me. It is truly by

His grace that I will be finishing my studies in BSOP and

be given the opportunity to serve Him and His people.

I thank and appreciate my BSOP family: my professors, fellow students, and

all the office and maintenance staff. They have taught me the importance of

my attitude towards others more than the facts and information I could gain in

a classroom. The subjects I took equipped me with knowledge, while the peo-

ple in BSOP helped improve my character. I learned to put faith, love, joy,

patience, gentleness, and self-control into action as I served and dealt with

people, and exercised humility and perseverance as I tried to reach my goal.

BSOP has been a great help to me. Through my stay here - in every subject,

activity, and occasion - I have come to appreciate what I have in Christ even

more. This also reminds me of what I must do for others, that they too, would

see the value of having Christ in their life.

Lastly, I thank God for all the people He provided to be part of my six-year

journey. For my biological family, who accepted my decision to serve the

Lord, even though my future seems to be uncertain in their view. For my

UECPasay family and friends, for they have continually prayed and supported

me in good times and most especially during the difficult times.

Rexon W. Yee