Conservative Baptist Seminary - Asia - CBS-Asia’s Super Student Moms

CBS-Asia’s Super Student Moms

by John Pesebre

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Swank is an informal word which Encarta dictionary defines as “extremely pretentious or ornate [excessively decorative].” Mothers usually dread this bad characteristic for their children because many mothers want their children to be of substance. In our feature this month, we will take a peek at the mothers who attend Conservative Baptist Seminary-Asia and discover why the last thing they would like to have is a “swank” ministry. You will read about their commitment for biblical foundations and how that commitment plays out in their lives at CBS-Asia.

Every Friday night, Len Del Rosario, takes a 15-minute ride to West Ave., Quezon City to meet eagerly her husband Joel. As a couple, they will attend a class taught by Prof. Edwin Vargas on the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the second Systematic Theology class she has consecutively attended. She has two little kids and is herself a Sunday School teacher and the chapel caretaker. She says that the reason why she attends CBS-Asia’s seminary classes is for her “foundation of faith.” For her, biblical transformation is not possible without biblical information. Changes in her life must rest on something. Otherwise, they will become mystical drama.

In Cavite, Cion Dayday takes a 15-minute ride to Imus, Cavite to attend a biblical studies class taught by Prof. Norbert Manzano. She is raising three children and is herself a Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader and an intercessor for the church. Sis. Cion is a lay leader at Christian Gospel Baptist Church in Bacoor, Cavite. Her reason for attending CBS-Asia is for her “to be more equipped and properly guided by the Word of God.”

Emernelita Peralta has a Masters degree in Food Science. Although she is very busy running Croissy Bakeshop, Mrs. Peralta takes time to serve as the treasurer of Imus Conservative Baptist Church and teach Sunday School. In addition, she attends the CBS-Asia RTC in Imus, Cavite. With her husband Benito, she has raised two adult children. Like the others, she attends CBS-Asia with the intention of “learning more regarding Scripture and deepening her relationship with God.”

More and more of our church workers (especially mothers) have realized the importance of having foundational education and training for their Christian service. “I think there is a movement in the laity these days,” observes one CBAP pastor. “I think it is the ‘biblically informed laity.’ They just don’t want to serve but they want their service to be founded on biblical learning. They’re the ones who pick up hammers and chisels to repair broken stuff at church, but they are also willing to pick up their Strong’s/Vine’s, read about the Synoptic harmony, study the nature of terms like justification and atonement, etc., with the hope and the confidence that this discipline nurtures them in their relationship with God. Thus, the result is a God-inspired worker who is consumed by the Word of God.”

This is why CBS-Asia is committed to holding training in different regions. “We want to make theological education accessible to our churches,” says CBS-Asia Executive Director, Rev. Nicky Joya, “and the students are not extracted from their context of ministry.” Professor of Theology John Pesebre adds, “It’s really hard for some church workers like Sis. Au Feliciano of Dasmariñas, Cavite to go from Cavite to Manila (2 ½ hour drive) and go to seminary. Does this circumstance prevent them from getting ministerial education? Certainly not! It’s interesting to note the dedication of these people. For example, after his 7-9 PM class, Bro. Roy Cose of Laguna would head immediately to work for a graveyard shift.”

It is amazing what one student testified, “I praise and thank God for allowing me to attend the regional training classes of CBS. It has greatly challenged me to study the Bible as the authority and foundation of my Christian walk and service!” Those words from a student-mom, Imelda Aguinaldo of Calvary Baptist Church in Marikina are good enough to sum up what CBS-Asia is all about: building a solid foundation for our church workers.

In the same vein, we learn a lot from the wisdom of Kuya Cris Palma, the Chairman of the Board of General Trias Community Church who says after he was asked why he attends RTC: “To know the Bible as God would want us to know it and Him.” Not only has God decided to let His people know His will, He also made a decision to let us know in a special way through the Bible. In doing so, we only not “know it [Bible]” but also know Him: hence “to know it and Him.” This is the value of a biblically informed transformed life. To know The Word we have to know His Word.

Student-moms of Dasmarinas, Cavite seriously wrestling with a difficult test. Whatever the cost, these ladies are willing to pay the price to grow deeper in the Word.

The students we read above exemplify the kind of church leaders and workers we must desire to develop–leaders who know their foundation. The opposite of a stubbornly unfounded service and hard-headed religious practice of the Pharisees, stimulated rebuke from Jesus who said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unto whited sepulchers, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” In effect Jesus is saying to them “No swank!”

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