God Speaks Through a Laptop

My grandfather, Rev. Manuel Gonzales Sr., was one of the seven ministers who started and pioneered the Church of God work in the Philippines in the 1940’s. I was even told that he has a picture at the COG missions headquarters. My parents are COG ministers and among the 1^st batch of students of the Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries then Church of God Bible Academy (COGBA) in the 1970’s.  I am a pastor and married to a Pentecostal pastor. That makes me a pastor’s granddaughter, a pastor’s daughter, a pastor and a pastor’s wife. And I am proud that I am a third generation Pentecostal minister.

When I received my degree in Master of Theology, ThM in Pentecostal Studies, the more I realized my call to serve the Pentecostal movement by helping to articulate the Pentecostal faith and praxis in a manner that would be understood by our people in Asia, especially in my generation. Research has always been my passion, but it is rather challenging because journals and books are not accessible in the Philippines. Another difficulty was that I did not have my own computer to use for research. It’s one necessity that I could afford to have.

Last year, 2010, I was offered a tuition free scholarship to pursue my PhD in New Testament Studies in Oxford, UK. At first, I was excited. But then, because of the economic condition all over the world, I realized the challenge in raising the funds for my fare, food and lodging in the duration of my studies. I was supposed to be there in March 2011 for my induction to the program but I was not able to raise my funds. Because of this, I was contemplating  not pursuing it anymore. I decided to give it up.

Last February 2011 the Youth and Discipleship Ministry Team of Pastor Tony Lane came to the Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries for a CE training seminar. I was one of those who was given a laptop as a gift from the team members. I cried when I received it because God spoke in my spirit. This laptop is a sign that God wants me to pursue my studies and continue to do research. Many of our colleagues in the ministry are encouraging me to pursue my studies for they know that it will be an investment to the growth of Biblical scholarship the global south and beyond. My studies will not only be a gift to the Pentecostal Movement but to the body of Christ as a whole.  The future is challenging but if God can provide a laptop, He can take care of the rest. God is good.

Doreen Alcoran-Benavidez
ASCM
Manila, Philippines