Riots. Gang Wars. Body Piercing. Drugs.
This is the life of Martin (not his real name). A graduate from Holy Cross of Davao College, Martin , 23, has already committed suicide thrice thinking that this would lead him to escape from the problems of life.
A co-founder of a gang here in Davao City , Martin has been exposed into riots, killings, drugs, alcohol, and other vices. At first, he thinks this is cool. But later on, he admitted that his life before is a mess, a big mistake; and for his family, a big failure.
One night, as he was looking for his favorite channel on television, he came across the channel of ACQ-KBN. Then and there, he saw Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy preaching. At first, he was hesitant. He even disregarded that incident.
Not until one of his friends invited him to join the Keeper’s Club acquaintance party. He hardly accepted the invitation at first until he was invited for the second time.
“Iba ang mga tao sa keepers, puro pagsasamba ang ginagawa nila, masaya silang lahat, wala kang takot na makikita sa kanila,” Martin said.
He said that the lives that he has observed from the Keeper’s Club members are far from the life that he had which was full of hatred, vengeance, and fear.
Until one night, the Father gave him a dream. “Sa panaginip ko, nakita ko yong taong gustong mag higanti sa’kin, dahil sa pananakit ko sa kanya. Binaril niya ako, pero biglang may taong yumakap sa akin, hinila ako at sa halip na ako ang tamaan siya ang tinamaan. Nang tiningnan ko ‘yong tao, hindi ko akalain na makikita ko ang mukha ni Pastor. Siya pala ang nagsagip sa akin…” Then and there he realized, that he wanted to quit his old life.
After attending the Thanksgiving and Worship Presentation here in Davao City , the New Jerusalem for the first time, he finally decided to follow the Father through His Son.
Being a military man, his father wanted him to go to Baguio to enroll in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) but because of his great determination to follow the Son, he refused the offer.
Martin has chosen to attend the 9th International Youth Congress and has now decided to heed the Father’s call in his life.
