October 31, 2013
PTS College and Advanced Studies
Dasmariñas City, Philippines
ccm Cross #0053
GPS/DNS Location
Additional pictures after the Testimony
3392 cdd One Campus Cell Group
Cyber Daily Devotion by Pastor Bill
Volume 14 Number 218
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV
Rev. Hwal-Young Kim survived what in the USA we call the Korean War. June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953. Many would say it is still going on!
Kim had a call of God on his life from his youngest Christian years. The time after the war gave him an opportunity to fulfill the desire of his heart and go to Bible School. He wanted more of Jesus but was unsure of the direction God would have for his life.
As Kim studied the life of Christ new doors were opening all around him. The re-building of South Korea after the war took on a life of its own. As South Korea aligned with the economic strength of the USA — Americans everywhere learned a new phrase “Made in Korea.”
Economic prosperity in Korea paralleled the growth of Christianity. Some would say that Christianity became the natural antidote for Communism. The Koreans had lived under tyranny having been annexed by Japan prior to World War 2. The Koreans wanted nothing to do with a Communist way of life.
Kim was right smack in the middle of the economic growth and Christian explosion in Korea. He prayed diligently asking Jesus what he should do for HIM. Then in the 1970’s the Lord prompted him to attend two major Christian events. Ultimately his prayer would be answered and his life changed forever.
The first Christian event was the 1973 Billy Graham Crusade in Soul, Korea. The message was clear and world evangelism was the focus. The Holy Spirit exploded over Soul, Korea as a majority of the million participants came forward to commit their lives to Christ. Kim was one of them.
One year later the second Christian event was Campus Crusade for Christ holding “The Jesus Revolution, the Third Explosion of the Holy Spirit.” Kim’s life was cemented for Christ during this revival.
Amid the economic growth in Korea and the Holy Spirit explosion Kim attended the Chongshin Theological Seminary located in Inchon, South Korea. Together with a small group of seminarians they met in prayer and fasting for their futures in world evangelism. They formed a campus cell group that met throughout the year. During winter and summer breaks they retreated to a prayer mountain for a week long encounter with the Holy Spirit.
Kim found three possible mission doors opening for him. Viet Nam, Hong Kong in China and the Philippines. As Kim investigated Viet Nam the war came to an end. With a Communist victory the mission opportunity door closed. China was an option but it did not sit well with the Holy Spirit inside him. But when introduced to the Philippines his heart jumped for joy.
Kim with his family came to the Philippines as missionaries helping many denominations which later birthed the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines and founded the Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Kim was now actively answering the call of Jesus to spread the gospel throughout the world. He furthered his Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.) studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, USA becoming Dr. Kim Hwal-Young.
Kim had been praying for this opportunity for years. Now here it was. The Holy Spirit lit a fire in his heart. His vast education, previous experiences, gifts and talents would be challenged and used mightily. Kim would plant churches — a seminary — Christian school and training center — a place to teach and share the fire in his heart. He would train others to go out and spread the gospel.
PTS College was born from years of diligent prayer, fasting and preparation. The Holy Spirit would have HIS way. First on Kim’s agenda was his personal name. To inspire the Filipino people he needed a name Filipino’s could relate with. He became known as Pastor Gerardo taking on the Spanish name because he would be “heralding in” the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The name of the school has been changed several times over the years from Presbyterian School of Theology (1983), Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1985) to PTS College & Advanced Studies (2010). With each change the Lord has strengthened the outreach, direction and inspiration for students. Their mandate to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth glows strong.
What started as a Holy Spirit fire in a campus cell group comes full circle as students now attend PTS from around the world. We met current and past students from the Holy Land, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand to mention a few.
In constructing this Cross we worked closely with the current President of PTS College & Advanced Studies, Dr. Azriel R. Azarcon and his wife Gloria — they “Give God all the Glory” for such a place as this where students from around the world can come to learn how to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Azriel’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” NKJV
For Azriel and Gloria the Cross of Jesus Christ is God’s righteousness and love. The planting of this Cross for them is a public declaration of the PTS College & Advanced Studies public identity. They stand for a strong commitment in Jesus Christ, as His followers, who have been saved by the mercy and righteousness of God.
Prayer: Father thank you for all those who entrust their lives to you and plant the seeds that germinate expanding your kingdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
PTS President Rev. Azriel Azarcon
Ph.D. in Historical Theology
Trinity International University
Chicago, Illinois, USA
son AJ
Wife Gloria Azarcon
Ph.D. in Educational Mgt.
De La Salle University, Cavite, Philippines
PTS College Administration Building
PTS Banner
Rev. Laurence B. Gatawa Ph.D.
New Testament Studies
Oxford, Oxford England, UK
making use of extensive study library
Typical class room
President Rev. Azriel Azarcon
Preparing cement for Cross planting
Long beam is 30 feet
Cross beam is 10 feet
Construction materials
6 inches x 6 inches of steel
wrapped with polished aluminum
Base of Cross constructed to prevent
it from moving. On average this area
of the Philippines receives 25
typhoons (Hurricanes) per year with
some winds in excess of 150 MPH
Lifting Cross into position
FIRE IN THE HOLE!
Finishing touches of concrete. Plans are underway
to surround the base in granite and
secure spot lights reaching the top
Gilbert designed and created the Cross. He
stopped by to inspect that all was well
President Azriel dedicates the Cross with a prayer
Pastor Carol leads the foreign students
present and staff members in prayer
Rev. Norman leads everyone in a
series of Cross dedication songs
Everyone “Giving God Glory” for
PTS College and what the
Holy Spirit will be doing to
expand the Kingdom
Plaque “Giving God Glory” over the city
Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
President Azriel on behalf of the school
presented us with a plaque which reads:
PTS College & Advanced Studies confers this
Certificate of Appreciation to
Pastors Bill and Carol Mantel
(Christian Cyber Ministries)
for their invaluable service
by installing the
ccm 53rd Cross in our campus on
October 22, 2013 that publicly declares
our identity in Jesus Christ and giving God the glory.
Given this 22nd day of October 2013 at the ground of
PTS College & Advanced Studies, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines
Signed
Rev. Azriel R. Azarcon, Ph.D.
Rev. Norman Bayogos
Dean of Student Affairs/Chaplin