Makati, Philippines

 Makati, Philippines

Robert and Joanne Gonzalez

Reaching Hundreds of Students

Robert Gonzalez is a sports aficionado and was a professional basketball player for five years before working in ministry full time in 2002. He was 18 years old when he came to know the Lord and he is now one of the Campus Directors of ENCM-Manila. Robert lived in Virginia with his family for two years before deciding to move back to Manila for good.

Robert shares, “When I got saved in 1991, I knew in my heart that God will use me to reach out to the youth and athletes. I just didn’t know where. When I lived in Virginia I had this recurring dream every single week for one year and in my dream I was talking before a huge crowd of students and athletes. I would wake up in the middle of most nights because of this. Until one day, one of my pastors from Manila said that the harvest in the campuses in Manila is ripe. I took it as a head’s up from God.”

UMAK students

Fields of Gold

Robert worked with Champions for Christ reaching out to athletes until in 2007, God opened a door of opportunity for an outreach in the University of Makati or UMAK - a public school in the country's central business district. The outreach started from a free team building seminar - through LIFE coaching - made available for selected UMAK professors. The school faculty liked it so much they asked Robert’s team if LIFE coaching could be included in the school’s Personal Development and Public Relations class.

LIFE coaching is a twelve-week teaching series that helps students excel in their academic studies, develop leadership skills and be a positive influence in their community. This paved the way for an outreach.

In just a little over a year, the outreach in UMAK grew bigger and bigger. Around 70 students have been water baptized and are now trained to lead small groups; around 150 students regularly attend small groups and the youth services.

UMAK water baptism

High Fives & Changed Lives

Wheng is one of the students in UMAK whose life has been changed radically.  She shares, “I was a lesbian, so confused about my identity it trapped me in sin. Until I realized what caused my sorrow - my disobedience and rebellion. I was changed little by little. My small group helped me become a better person.”

Robert shares, “We had an open forum one time and I asked the students to talk about their problems or experiences and give advice to each other to help them avoid or properly handle similar situations. Then one by one, the students began sharing until half the class was crying. These kids face all sorts of trials and don’t have the venue to vent. After the session, they were giving high fives because they were strengthened by each others faith and love.”

Robert says the students are a constant inspiration to him and fondly recalls one saying. “Sir, I hope this will not stop. This is helping us a lot. It’s really building our confidence in God and in ourselves. It also helps us set a Godly-vision for our future.”

Close to 500 UMAK students attend the ENCM event

A Drop in the Bucket

God is multiplying the harvest in UMAK. But compared to how much more is left to reach, the number is just a drop in the bucket. There are 11,000 students in UMAK and to reach out to every single one of them is the challenge Robert and his team are willing to face through prayer and hard work.

Roberts shares, “The most difficult challenge we face now is transforming these young disciples into strong leaders equipped and able to exercise leadership, integrity, faith and excellence the biblical way.”

Robert shares a secret: “The most important thing now is to love these students like our own kids. When they feel the sincerity of our love, then everything we teach will make sense to them.”