By David Perez, ChangeMaker in the Philippines 

Serving the Lord brings travels through many paths often filled with challenges, joys, and triumphs. For me, BMA Global has been fundamental to my education, mission work, and moving my heart to be open to the people of Cambodia. 

A Way to Education 

Through the support of BMA Global, I attended BMA Bible College in Talisay, Philippines. Teachers like BMA Global missionaries Dr. Doug Lee and Dr. Stan Scroggins had great influence, providing preparation every pastor and missionary needs to be successful on the field. Instruction focusing on church planting, religious education, music, and theology provided the skills I now use in everyday ministry, and even continuing training has been provided through BMA Theological Seminary’s masters-level classes, equipping me with further theological and evangelism classes. Most recently over 80 Filipino pastors and students took part in cross-cultural training led by ChangeMaker missionaries John Vallejera and Vincent Ferrer. I did not go to achieve knowledge but instead to develop spiritually and become more ready for God’s calling to lead others to Christ. 

While serving as a church planter missionary, I am also privileged to teach at the Darlene Carey Christian Academy, an experience allowing me to teach elementary students a biblical worldview that is so vitally needed for the future. Teaching at DCCA has indeed been a ministry of influence, and how delightful to see students grow morally and spiritually as they prepare for life in the big world.

Volunteer Student Ministry, a Blessing to Our Mission 

As a child and teenager, I can remember VSM teams visiting my Barangay and local church. Never would I dream the same would happen at Community Baptist Mission I pastor. The 2024 Philippine VSM team and Pastor Jimmy Walker hosted VBS and helped build our parsonage for the mission. The VSM team will be remembered for their energy, dedication, and passion in making this VBS an experience so joyful and impactful for everyone. Their assistance in constructing the parsonage for the church has made ministry more comfortable and functional for church workers to live and serve the community. Such events gave me the opportunity to see firsthand a new generation of missionaries being prepared to work, and it was humbling to see just how passionate they were for the gospel. 

A Journey to Cambodia 

All this made my heart more passionate for service through the call to Cambodia. BMA Global leaders Dr. Stan Scroggins (Asia Pacific Coordinator), Dr. Doug Lee (Bible College President), Pastor John Rey Vallejera, and John Meriweather (Southeast Asia Coordinator) helped extensively in planning this trip and helping me complete the paperwork. How thankful I am for the visit to the land God has called me to for first-hand experience on the ground before moving there permanently. Every new experience is a learning and a growing one. Missing just one document needed at customs almost made us miss our international flight. Two hours of interrogation taught me to be better prepared by checking every agency requirement ahead of time. Finally arriving in Cambodia, I found myself overwhelmed by these experiences. Moments later, I realized that BMA Global had prepared me and surrounded me for that moment. 

I will never forget that experience as it was the first time I went outside my own country. Immigration held us, asked many questions, and with moments to spare, approved us to get on the plane to Cambodia. Thankfully I was not alone in my journey. God, my mission partner Juren Mamon, and BMA Global were all with me at each step. 

My heart is open to the people of Cambodia, not just to teach or lead them but to connect with them. People in Cambodia were not just people I ministered to; they became family. I began to learn the new culture, the people, their struggles, and their aspirations. Lord willing, I will go there as a missionary in the near future. 

Conclusion 

BMA Global has filled the crevices in my life from education to missions. They have set me up well. Teaching me, by their example, to teach, serve, and love others. Through it all, I am reminded how God has opened doors, through faithful people. And because of them, I have had the privilege of witnessing the gospel in action around the world. It has been a journey of faith, learning, and immense gratitude for me. As David, the least child of Jesse, must have marveled how God prepared and used him, this David, from the least of the third world countries, marvels, too. I owe a debt I can never repay to BMA Global. They guided me from school, through missions, and even opened my heart for the people of Cambodia. All has been invaluable. The journey continues, and I’m prepared for whatever God has for the future.