By Ferdie Cabiling
Editor’s Note: In this article taken from the March-April 1992 issue of Victory Fire, Victory Ortigas senior pastor, Ferdie Cabiling shares how he surrendered his life to Jesus twenty-five years ago through a campus outreach.
Pastor Ferdie Cabiling back in the 80's
As a young man, I grew up under the godly influence of my mother and grandmother. I remember seeing my grandmother reading the Bible as I left for school in the morning and seeing her still reading when I got back in the afternoon. This led me to make a vow to God that when I get old like my grandmother, I would start reading the Bible and seek Him.
Meanwhile, I was determined to enjoy my teenage life. When I got to college, I joined a fraternity and got involved in the ways of the world. I was insecure, had no sense of identity. I was without a sense of purpose in life.
In June of 1984, as a college sophomore, I was invited to a Rock and Roll seminar at a nearby auditorium. Being fond of music, I accepted the invitation and went that afternoon. During the seminar, I saw this man preach about Jesus with conviction like I had never seen before. I realized that I was on a losing team. When the man gave an invitation to come forward to surrender to Jesus, I immediately responded.
That decision, literally changed my life. I began to devour the Bible and attend the meetings everyday. The more Jesus became real to me, the more I got fired up and excited. I stood up in class and preached everytime I had the chance. I was living for something now, I had a purpose. I realized that Christianity was a lifestyle and not a religion.
I got myself discipled, and the verse “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9) became my guiding principle.
One day, as I was reading the Bible, I remembered the vow I made to God as a young boy. Here I was nineteen years old and I was already reading the Bible and serving God! I was so excited because I didn’t have to wait until I was seventy to serve God.
That is what I want to impart to today’s youth. I believe that young people can make a difference and an impact in today’s world.
Young people today are so discontent and hopeless about the prospect of their future. They want to find something meaningful where they can pour their lives into.
That is why I got involved with the youth. I want them to see what I discovered as a young man—that Christianity is worth dying for. It is the most exciting life anyone can live.
God said in the Bible point-blank “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). It takes a radical decision to be a radical Christian.
God also said that He would pour out His Spirit on young people. I know that as I invest my life in young people, God will raise up a mighty army of world-changers in the Philippines!
8 Comments
Change the campus, change the future..=)
Every person can make a difference in this world… Each small thing we do would contribute to what we will have in the future… If everyone would know Christ and live in God’s word, we’ll have a far better world by the grace of God.
It is important to give priority to the youth because the earlier they will know Christ, the earlier they will be able to contribute better things in this world and for the advancement of God’s kingdom… Instead of them wasting half their lifetime in the ways of the world before they decide to follow Christ, might as well serve God while they are young…in their own little ways. I believe God will pour out His grace to these youngsters and the small things they do will have a ripple and domino effects of greatness that can cause real change in this world according to God’s awesome plan.
Amazing article! And how awesome is it that even though the article is 17 years old, it is still very applicable to today!
Thanks for sharing this!
Change the campus, change the world - Rice Brooks
Amazing God
Hi Pastor, I was inspired by your transformation and hearing you every sunday enticed me more to have a much stronger relationship with God. It has been four months that i used to attend your sunday services through my friends and other colleagues, I am always excited every time i enter the door of our church. I know i am not a church person, though my family is considered to be a devout Roman Catholic - i can even count my attendance for the whole year, and almost always my attendance is only when there is an occasion.. but now, through your church my week will not be completed with out attending your sunday service…thanks
Hi! Ferdie/ Pastor Ferdie,
More than twenty years ago, somewhere in Tandem Recto, we had crossed our paths. And hear some of your testimonies before and some goes like this–whenever you feel something bad at all, you just remember the day when you said Yes to Jesus that everything around you smells good, full of flowers, even there’s alot of basura around.;D
How’s Manny Muleta, Ate Joy, Angie of dance ministry…others I’ve known b4.
Regards . God bless. Looking forward to see u all.
Hi Pastor Ferdie,
Thank you for your passion to share God’s word and being a good example to the youth. I attended Youth on Fire in Galleria when I was in 3rd year college. You don’t fail to bless me and lighten my spirit everytime I see you.. You are so blessed Pastor Ferdie.. I thank God for touching and changing your life 25 years ago… a year before I was born. I know this is not by accident bec He already planned everything… He will use you to reach out to the youth for us to hear His word, know Him and have a personal relationship to Him. I always get teary-eyed everytime you tell stories about your relationship with your daughter. I pray that God will continue to bless you so that you will continue to bless other people esp the next generation and for the next 25 more years and more. Thank you po. =)
God Bless always,
Eden
Dear Pastor Ferdie,
It’s great to hear that same zeal you had when we were in basement at Tandem Recto still exist and continuing for fire even more. You may not easily remembered me, but I was the small guy (I mean the cutest guy) in the choir and in ushering ministry. God bless you pastor.