A Missionary Journey in Hong Kong

1986 – 2022

THE CALL OF MISSIONS

I was raised in a Christian home, however, I was in high school when I came to have a real relationship with Jesus Christ during a Tent Gospel Crusade with the late Evangelist William Sabillo at Lagao Alliance Church, General Santos City in 1968. I responded to the call of God and went to Ebenezer Bible College to be trained and equipped for the ministry. I graduated in 1977 with Bachelor of Religious Education. Right after graduation, I responded to the challenge of the late Dr. Valmike Apuzen on the northward trust of the Luzon-Palawan Commission. At first, I served along with the late Rufino Ganibe in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, and after a year I was assigned to pastor Carlatan Alliance Church, San Fernando La Union. The call to mission has been in my heart as as a result of missionary conventions, participated by children, youth, Alliance Men, Alliance Women, who were involved at the City Alliance Church of General Santos City under Rev. Asterio Wee as the Pastor. The Sunday Missionary Night at Ebenezer Bible College and my readings of missionaries’ biographies has kept my passion for missions, especially the books written by Elizabeth Elliot entitled, “Through Gates of Splendor” and it was a joy to meet her when she visited Hong Kong.

THE RESPONSE

To pursue my passion for mission, after more than four years of pastoring Carlatan Alliance Church, I resigned and by faith I enrolled at the Alliance Bible Seminary (ABS) now Alliance Graduate School of Theology (AGST) and while studying, I pastored Tagaytay Alliance Church. I graduated with Masters of Mission in 1985 and after my graduation, I was encouraged by ABS Academic Dean, Dr. Eunice Irwin to go for a mission exposure in Thailand. She sold her sewing machine to buy me an air ticket and had a mission exposure in Thailand for 2 months. In 1986 I was appointed as a CAMACOP missionary and while waiting for doors to open for me to go overseas, I thanked God for the privilege to be deputized to visit churches in different districts.

THE MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

In August 1988, I arrived in Hong Kong and my first ministry was in partnership with the Asian Outreach International (AOI), handling the Bible Correspondence and answering questions being raised by students three times a week and the rest of the week, I was reaching the Filipino community and other nationalities in Hong Kong. After a year with the AOI, I was transferred to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA). I handled the Discipleship and Evangelism Ministry of Quarry Bay Alliance Fellowship and after three years, I started a new ministry of discipling a small group of fifteen Filipinos using the premises of UC. For a year the number has grown, so I organized and chose capable and committed members to be leaders emphasizing that leadership is modelling and should be centred on the lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ. We named the group, Filipino Christian Fellowship. Praise God for the godly leaders who were committed and passionate in the work of God and as a whole the Fellowship had a big generous heart! Countless had been blessed through the generosity of the Fellowship. They knew and understood the investment with eternal values! Grace Race: Since the Christian Filipino Fellowship was born and organized, UC has been its home. We are so much blessed with their free use of the facilities, financial assistance and shelter to the refugees. We have joined the ‘Grace Race’ organized to raise funds for UC new church building. Also, every Bible Study Group has a box labelled ‘Grace Race’ and money collected were all submitted to UC Building Fund. UC leadership was so encouraged with the zealousness of the members to participate. Walk the Wall: This is a yearly event sponsored by the International China Concern to raise funds for the orphans and abandoned children in China. This year was our 7th year of participation enabling us to raise a great amount of money. Glory to God! Before pandemic, twice a year together with some members of UC, we travel to the Philippines to visit Camacop church planting places and church planters where UC is involved with. We visited Shekinah Bible College in General Santos City where students’ scholarships were awarded. Praise the Lord for partnerships!

RETIREMENT

Pandemic has delayed my retirement. It took a long time for UC to find my replacement. I thank God, that UC leadership has decided that Pastora Fe Warlyn Pepito will take my place to pastor the Filipino congregation. She is scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on April 2 and be out of the quarantine April 22. The Lord willing, before the end of May 2022, I will be back to the Philippines.

APPRECIATION

I thank God for the 34 fruitful years of ministry in Hong Kong. It was God’s grace and your prayers which covered me all these years! My ever supportive and praying Church UCFF and all its past and present leaders. I am very grateful that I belong to CAMACOP, a mission driven denomination with all its past and present CAMACOP leaders, thank you. The Alliance Women Philippines (AWP) and the Global Mission Team, you are a great encouragement to me, your prayers and generous gifts brought joy to my heart and, I salute all of you for your overflowing love for all missionaries. To Ms. Fe Hernandez, always ready to respond and help, thank you! To all our CAMACOP churches, thank you for all your prayers and financial support towards the missionary program of CAMACOP! To the CMA, USA, for sponsoring my missionary employment in HK and managing my financial support since 1988 to the present, thank you! To UC, for all your generosity and support for 30 years. Thank you so much! To my CAMACOP HK Team, thank you in serving with me! To all of you, we will keep the fire of mission burning till Jesus comes!

PRAYER CONCERNS

Pray for wisdom for Pastora Fe Warlyn Pepito as she leads the Filipino Congregation and for her adjustment in working with a team, the UC Staff. Pray for guidance on what to do in my retirement. When situation will improve and as the Lord wills, I would be able to visit our churches and for continued good health! To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Contact: ruthtablada@gmail.com, ruthtablada@hotmail.com

Reference: CAMACOP Missions Division

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot