Reynante Trinidad

My Life & Ministry Testimony:

I grew up in a less privileged family on a small island in the Philippines. I was born and raised in San Rafael Guagua, Pampanga, two hours away from Manila. Surrounded by poor living conditions and influenced by Roman Catholic beliefs, I faced significant challenges like limited opportunities and scarcity. However, I learned to persevere through these obstacles, which profoundly impacted my Life and Ministry.

In my early years, I took on various responsibilities, such as working as a fisherman with my Father, helping as a houseboy, babysitting, cleaning poultry, and selling goods on the street. I tended to the pig pen before school every morning but always made time to shower.

In elementary and high school, I often went to school on an empty stomach because my mom was busy cooking for another family as part of her job. We were lucky if she brought leftovers; otherwise, our meals were usually just rice with soy sauce or water with salt.

I faced bullying and mockery due to my appearance and social status, which impacted my self-esteem and left me feeling isolated.

Nevertheless, my faith in God has been my anchor during tough times. I often pray to express my struggles and seek comfort. Despite our family’s challenges, I aspire to improve our situation. I prayed for a better future for us, and while it wasn’t immediate, I have seen those prayers answered. Today, I find myself in London, Ontario, Canada—a dream I never expected. As far as I can remember, I am the only person in my family who regularly attends church, and I visit the chapel daily. I explore my faith independently, without formal guidance in reading the Bible.

One night, when I was 12, I dreamed about holding a Bible and standing in a certain way. I didn’t know what that dream meant, but it made me curious. Since then, I have read the Bible and found inspiration in the verses that speak to me. The book of Psalms has become a guiding light in my prayers. I want to share some verses from the Bible.

1 Peter 5:7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 34:15-17 “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”(This always assures me that God always hears  prayers)

So, after high school, I desired to be a priest, like a calling.(John 16:13 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth..” I told my Father I wanted to attend seminary to become a priest, but he insisted I get married, start a family, and pursue a college degree for a better job. I’m grateful I listened to him; if not, I wouldn’t have my wonderful wife, Merlie, and our two lovely daughters, Hannah Isabelle and Anne Bernice. Challenges are a big part of my identity, so my journey continues.

After completing my two-year Computer Science and Information Technology degree in May 1997, I began my journey to know Jesus Christ in Metro Manila. My co-worker, who persistently invited me to their young professional Christian fellowship, played a significant role. Initially, I struggled because of my religious upbringing, but I eventually engaged in discipleship training. I was encouraged to surrender to Jesus and consider water baptism, emphasizing that true faith comes from being  “born again,” a term often mocked in my community. They reminded me that self-reliance can’t save me, echoing the truth in Matthew 19:26, which says that with God, everything is achievable. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”

I’m still undecided and have distanced myself from their fellowship. However, God continues to be with me and everyone else; He saves whom He chooses. We must submit to His control through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus about being born again.

“The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell  where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)  

One weekend, while waiting for a bus, I was robbed with a knife pointed at my side. This experience made me reflect deeply on what truly matters—realizing that only God can save me. During a challenging time, I sought self-reflection and spiritual growth. I reached out to my co-workers and Christian friends for prayers and support, ultimately deciding to be water-baptized and publicly surrender my Life to Jesus. My leader expressed gratitude for the answered prayers, revealing that they never gave up on praying for me, even when times were tough. It’s a reminder that prayer can change lives. I prayed for my late parents for two years before they accepted Jesus Christ, and they became strong supporters of the Ministry in the Philippines before their passing in 2020 and 2021.

After becoming a believer, I faced further challenges; I was fired from work after my manager discovered materials about God on my desk due to our differing beliefs. This dissatisfaction drove me back to my hometown, where I sensed I needed to be. After returning to my province, I pursued my education with support from my brother, who was working in Korea. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in April 2002. During college, I actively engaged in leadership and volunteer work, serving as president of several organizations and on the Student Council.  I continued attending a Pentecostal church in Pampanga, where I offered to lead a youth group. After accepting the role, the senior pastor offered to sponsor my attending Bible school. With permission from my parents, I pursued this opportunity, which my brother also supported. I expressed my desire to become a pastor while being able to marry, as that was important to my family.

I attended International Bible Seminary in 2002 and graduated on March 20, 2005, with a Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministries degree. My ministry journey is becoming more intense. While at Bible school, I took on various pastoral roles, leading an outreach church in the afternoons and assisting with Sunday services. I oversaw discipleship, was the youth leader, and organized church activities like DVBS and youth-supporting youth camps. In the absence of my Senior Pastor, I preached at both morning and afternoon services in different locations. Due to various leadership demands and conflicts, I started my own Ministry independently. The outreach I’m involved in requires more focus and a need for morning services.

As a result, I and a few brethren founded the New Beginning International Christian Church, now known as the Living Faith Christian Church of Porac, Philippines, on May 11, 2008. This initiative followed three years of fellowship, training, and prayer by a small group seeking a fresh move of God’s Spirit in the Sta—Cruz Fatima area.

I have undergone a significant transformation since embracing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My mindset and self-confidence have improved, making me more determined to do things and help others do the same. Timidity and low self-esteem have given way to active involvement in school, community, and church, allowing me to become bold and assertive. I started young in the Ministry, but I always loved this Teaching of Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.”

In Canada, I started a Home Church in Toronto and continued after moving to London, Ontario, in 2013. We had to pause due to my daughter Anne Bernice’s Congenital Heart Defects. She was born with Congenital Heart Defects, but she is now doing much better. I’m ready for whatever God has in store, understanding that challenges and afflictions are part of our growth in the Christian Life. As an immigrant, I’ve faced ongoing challenges, including rejection from the Christian community. Following Jesus comes with a cost, and He clarified that it wouldn’t be easy.

Nevertheless, I have chosen to focus on what God is leading me to do and His training to understand real Life and Ministry in Canada. 

Hope is always there for those who believe and have faith in God.

Although I may not be involved in church ministry in Canada like in the Philippines, God’s work in my Life is ongoing. It’s always a part of my spiritual journey. While I may not be in the pulpit all the time, I carry my pulpit with me wherever I go. We may not all stand in front of large crowds to preach, but we share a common calling to spread the good news about Jesus Christ instead of keeping it to ourselves.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Christ brought light, life, love, hope, and forgiveness. As Christians, we are called to follow Him and share this message with a world in desperate need of a Savior. We are expected to spread the gospel message locally & globally and, through our actions, reflect Jesus’s teachings of love and compassion, always willing to help wherever we go.

Reynante M. Trinidad