Passion Has No Age: Ministry in the Philippines with Radio Outreach
Interview with Merpuvel Roa
Tell us about yourself and your ties to Stark College & Seminary.
It was 2019 when I started attending as a student. I had been wanting to study in a seminary. For several years what we had in McAllen were extension campuses of other seminaries. I was informed by a good friend, Primitivo in 2018, that there was already a McAllen campus here (Stark) and I was really happy to learn about that. I immediately took classes to start off my studies at Stark.
How has studying at Stark helped you in ministry?
It is allowing me to work through studies towards getting institutional credentials that I’m sure will be helpful in my present and future ministries, especially in my desire to really be more intentional with other nations, especially in the Philippines, my country of origin.
Are you doing any ministry in the Philippines?
Yes, because of what we call technology. It’s really a blessing that we can communicate and cross the barrier of time. My ministry right now is establishing a radio station for an unreached people group in the South Philippines, especially the Maranao people, a big Muslim tribe in the South Philippines.
How did your ministry start in the Philippines?
It was years of exposure that has been a burden for me for many years. When I connected with the Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, the leadership of the church responded positively to the vision that I was casting with regard to a ministry in the Philippines. Somehow, the Lord was able to jumpstart some basic organizational requirements for us. We were able to connect with a broadcasting network in the South Philippines that agreed to partner with us. They were very positive in the response that the unreached people group target was a difficult area to reach. Where I was proposing the station Radio Station to be set up is very strategic in reaching this community. On June 24, 2023, we will be signing a memorandum of agreement in Manila to formalize the partnership.
Are there any other local churches that are helping support this ministry?
Yes, there are mostly human resources, pastors, friends in the Philippines, and some individuals here, but the bulk of institutional support comes from Calvary Baptist Church (McAllen), specifically from the Filipino community. They really embrace the radio ministry. I was told by one of the pastors that it will be the church’s first time engaging in missions specifically to an unreached people group.
What inspires you about this ministry?
One of our key partners in the Philippines is a church that has made some very good breakthroughs in terms of reaching out to this unreached people group of Maranao. I was so happy that God has given the church the courage and the creativity to engage this specific community. Courage, meaning being mindful of all the possible physical harm that they might encounter. Of course, they go there without any banners written on vehicles, because it can really be dangerous.
The Church So Blessed is based, in Iligan City, Philippines. South Philippines is where the majority of the Muslims are based in Iligan City. That’s where the physical church is located. They have to travel 1 1/2 hours upland towards this Muslim community.
It’s a challenging ministry because many of the ministers are mostly students doing individual engagement with Muslims in a university setting. This is the first time that a church really goes there by itself. They are doing a monthly computer literacy program for the Maranao youth in that community. The plan is to have a graduation for the literacy program at the church where they can really share the gospel. We are hoping that those times of engagement and friendship would allow the Holy Spirit to really work in their hearts so they can be open to the gospel presented to them. And of course, in that area, they’re also near the sea, the coastal areas, so eventually those who open their hearts to Christ can be immediately baptized.
What was your favorite class that you took here at Stark so far?
The Old Testament classes were very enriching for me in terms of being able to know God began to establish a chosen people for Himself. It has provided me with a much firmer and more grounded understanding of the Old Testament. I’m really so blessed to be able to do seminary studies in strange times, like face-to-face and hybrid types of learning.
Have you faced any struggles during your academic journey while studying theology?
Yes. My struggle was more about how my brain was working because, in late 2017, I had a stroke. Everything slowed down for me. My speech is slower. My thinking is not as fast and sharp as it used to be. One of the answers to my predicament is studying at Stark because it challenges me and I love it. I want the Lord to really allow me to face that challenge.
Is there anything you love about Stark that you would be willing to share?
The Rio Grande Valley is one of those underserved areas when it comes to theological studies. I am so grateful that Stark McAllen has opened its doors to students. I’ve been searching for this type of academic learning that will both equip me biblically and for ministry involvement in later years.
Would you mind telling us how old you are?
I was part of the generation that used to have long hair. In 1974 I met the Lord and was engaged in the student ministry of InterVarsity in the Philippines. My age is 65 now.
What would you say to someone in their 40s, 50s, or 60s who thinks they are too old to come to Stark?
It is a matter of perception. If you want to really better yourself in understanding God’s Word you should consider studying at Stark because it will provide you the grounding and expand your theological knowledge that will help your ministry.
How do you feel about women in ministry?
Yes (as he held his thumb up to indicate yes).
It is a serious concern as four Baptist churches, including Saddleback, have been disaffiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Saddleback submitted an appeal to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and, its fate may finally be resolved when SBC meets in a few months.The three other disaffiliated churches did not file an appeal.
I have met and been engaged with women teachers and women pastors. There is one here that has really stepped up to the plate after her father passed away, She was mentored and later took on the role of senior pastor. She had her own struggles but the church is doing well. It really depends on the church and leadership. Of course, Calvary Baptist is a much smaller church but is more embracing because they ordained a woman pastor for the children.
Speaking of ordination, has Calvary acknowledged you in any way?
When I joined Calvary, they assigned me to lead Sunday school. Earlier this year, I was ordained a deacon.
What does that mean for you to be an ordained deacon?
It’s a recognition given by a church that I have the spiritual gifting to administer the functions of that position. I was ordained in another church, a nondenominational church here in Edinburg.
The things that you’re doing in the Philippines and the radio station sound amazing. How does that make you feel?
Very excited, especially when we are doing two things in June when we go there. One is for my signing and another one is we’re also doing a missions conference for pastors. They will be encouraged to be more intentional in their ministry towards Muslims.
What role will you play in that?
Some of my colleagues say that I should be leading in casting that vision and trying to consolidate the organization especially in mobilizing churches and mobilizing pastors to this ministry. So again, I will say praise God for this technology that allows us to really be able to communicate with them even individually. Facebook and Facebook Messenger have been the easiest way for us to communicate. We can talk, call, and of course, Zoom comes in very handy.
Why do you think it’s important for Asian Americans to be or Asians to be represented in theological education?
They can offer their ministry experience and allow that ministry to resonate in terms of firming up a fair amount of framing of theology in the understanding of our God and the way we do ministry for a fallen world.
With a tear of joy in his eye, Merpuvel further expressed on a personal level how proud he is of his eldest daughter Limeya Escabarte, her husband, and their three children who relocated from the U.S. to the Philippines. The family has been in the Philippines for approximately four months. His son-in-law moved to be involved in business and ministry (bi-vocational ministry).