The role of training and theological education for our pastors and leaders is an indispensable component in accomplishing our mission and vision

My first conversation with the new CBAP General Director, Noel Pantoja, was rather awkward and creepy. I met him climbing up the flight of stairs leading up to the CBAP office in Back to the Bible Building. I thought, "Why isn’t he taking the elevator?" like I do. Apparently, he read my mind, saying "Kailangan ang pastor mag exercise (We need to exercise)."
 

Creepy. But for some reason when that would happen to me I would always think that there is a Solomonic wisdom behind that kind of statement. Kailangan ang pastor mag exercise. Hmmm.

As we envision to plant churches in key cities of the Philippines and invest the Lord’s resources in these new works, I am praying for great returns in these investments

CBS-A: What do you think is the role of "training and theological education" for pastors and lay leaders for the future of CBAP? Noel Pantoja (NP): As CBAP envisions to catalyze a movement of churches that reproduce disciples, leaders and churches, we would be greatly needing the help of many trained personnel, pastors and church leaders in the field. The role of training and theological education for our pastors and leaders is an indispensable component in accomplishing our mission and vision.At this point I remembered Pastor Noel referring to CBAP, in another article, as "God’s agency used in bringing my whole family and me to the kingdom of God." That is why he adds, "This is home." These are heartfelt words by our new general director. Reflecting on his own life, he shares, "Everything that I have learned and encountered in the past twenty years in pastoral ministry, is God’s manner and method of molding and shaping me as a person and servant in His kingdom." Now God has commanded him to serve in CBAP.He continues with the interview.

It is my dream to see CBS-Asia facilities, library, dormitories and chapel housed in the CB Center building in the near future

NP: (TOWARDS A HEALTHY CONGREGATION) Personally, I envision more trained pastors and Christian leaders who would mentor, coach and inspire CBAP personnel in the field. This is to help and minister to the needs of existing congregations. We have done a great job as an association in penetrating closed doors and establishing new churches. Part of our job right now is to help these churches become growing and healthy churches. Only healthy churches multiply. Weak, struggling and dying churches cannot reproduce. One key component of a healthy congregation is a healthy pastor and healthy church leaders. CBS-Asia plays a major role in helping our pastors, church leaders, future pastors and church leaders become equipped in the ministry.(ON CHURCH MISSIONS AND CHURCH PLANTING) There is a tremendous need for training new church planters, church planting coaches and launch team members in our church planting ministry. As we envision to plant churches in key cities of the Philippines and invest the Lord’s resources in these new works, I am praying for great returns in these investments. We want to see higher standards and raise the bar in church planting goals such as, 100 members in three years; a self-supported church in five years; and a healthy church planting new churches. We also dream of seeing new Regional Training Centers in these new church plants, and to see the multiplication of disciples and church leaders. This can only be done if our church planters are competent, trained, equipped and encouraged to do the ministry. 

CBS-A: How do you want CBS-Asia to do its work?NP: I commend the leadership team of CBS-Asia led by Rev. Nicky Joya and his team members for doing a great job in their ministry. As CBAP goes through the process of re-engineering and makeover, as it has been CBS-Asia’s mission and vision to train and equip pastors and church leaders, I envision a greater expansion reach of our training arm. With the help of available personnel and as the Lord provides more resources in the future, it is my dream to see this institution as one of the leading institutions in our country and Asian region to train and equip leaders in formal and non-formal theological training. It’s not so much about how I would like CBS-Asia do its work for CBAP, but I would like to see the whole CB movement here and abroad participating in the growth of our very own CB training institution. In turn, CBS-Asia would be the prime mover in all our training programs whether theological, missions, church planting and ministry vocation related works in the churches. 

Rev. Noel and Jeni Pantoja. Partners in advancing the work of Christ through CBAP!

It is my dream to see CBS-Asia facilities, library, dormitories and chapel housed in the CB Center building in the near future. As students complete their theological education, I see the necessity of team building, face to face interaction, growing together and working together activities among students and faculty. It is imperative that in our times we realize these needs and put our hands together in prayer and in deeds to see that a training center building for CBS-Asia be set up in the heart of Metro Manila.Pastor Noel’s prayer for us at CBS-Asia and CBAP as a whole is that we may "see the world from God’s perspective. May we share a common vision that comes only from Him. May He show us the things that need to be done and have the burden in our hearts to participate. May we have the passion to accomplish only His purpose. May He unite and give us the fervor and zeal to reach greater heights in Gospel ministry, allow us to set out in ways and places never trod before – for the advancement of his kingdom, the building of His church, for the honor and glory of His Name alone."Finally, I asked him, CBS-A: What exhortation do you want to give our constituency regarding "training and theological education"?NP: I have stressed the necessity of training and theological education in seeing existing churches grow in health. There is no question that in any form of expansion, whether it is in church planting and all forms of mission work, training is a vital component. I pray that we would take advantage of these opportunities that God has given us in our association. I would like to encourage our CBAP constituency to pray more and to support the efforts of CBS-Asia. For many years to the present time, this training institution has equipped and prepared our leaders at CBAP. Let us dream together to see it grow and expand in quantity and quality to prepare thousands of men and women in the future ministry of CBAP here and beyond.

Tayong mga CBAP, let’s go for training and raise the bar: kailangan nating mag exercise! Let us not give up on training!