I was working in a multinational company in the Philippines when God called me to study at SBC. What made me decide to leave my promising career in the middle of the pandemic is the reality that our chief end is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever”. In a world where billions have yet to know Christ, we can’t be content with “business as usual” in doing his work. I have to give the best years of my life to him. My desire as I go back is to mobilize and equip more people to do the work of ministry wherever God has placed them (Eph 4:12).
Despite the financial setbacks because of the pandemic, God has been faithful in providing for me and my wife who is also a student here in SBC. God arranged the possibility for us to be here through our scholarships, individual donors, financial aids, and a tenant to rent our place back home. It has been a great affirmation of our call to study. After more than a year, we are now in our last semester. He has always been with us (Matt 28:20)!
I have been tremendously blessed with the training here in SBC. The formal, informal, and non-formal education has provided me with a good foundation to know more about God’s Word. I have been equipped to do ministry and missions. Most importantly, SBC has helped me grow in my relationship with God. All praise be to his name!
Steven Balmadres Tumbaga
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies
Philippines
My call to theological studies dates to my late teenage years. I vividly remember when God seeded a strong desire in me to study His Word and serve Him. When I was a young boy, a group of young seminarians visited our village church, which is in one of the remotest corners of Manipur in Northeast India. I was deeply inspired to see them serving the Lord with fervour as they led the worship and shared their testimonies. I felt that it was something I wanted to do one day too.
However, as time went by, I tried to ignore this call I sensed years ago. I became determined to pursue my dreams of success in order to escape from poverty. This continued until I personally received Jesus Christ as my Saviour, Lord, and God at an evangelistic camp in June 2004.
Following my personal relationship with Christ, my life’s purpose and perspective changed. I was convicted that the best thing I can offer back to my Creator, my Saviour was to offer my youth for His service. Upon my graduation from college in 2008, the Lord opened an opportunity for me to serve in the ministry I had been heavily involved in.
After a dozen years of full-time ministry among university students in India without any theological training, the Lord brought me to SBC—miraculously—in the midst of the pandemic in July 2020. I depend only on God’s wondrous grace and provision to complete my training.
Poudikhonbou Pamei
Master of Divinity (2nd Year)
India
