Victory Ortigas - Honor God. Make Disciples.

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!

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. 

Originally posted on June 2, 2009 at www.victoryat25.com