This is typical of how our Pastors live. They are dedicated to spreading the message.

God Called Me Back
By Pastor Sonny Mercurio

     I worked my way through Theology school and when I finally graduated, I was thrilled.  But my joy instantly turned to despair.  Negros Occidental Mission wasn't hiring and over a dozen Theology graduates had applied way ahead of me.  Employment through the mission came only when someone retires, or passes away.  Like the others, I visited the mission office often looking for short-term work. But with so many older applicants, I was passed over many times.  I volunteered working for churches, receiving pay in kind: food and a room.

     After months without funds, I abandoned the ministry to sell bottled water.  With a heavy heart, I drove the water truck on my first day of work.  I pleaded with God to send me financial help so I could go back to work for Him.  It was at lunchtime when the mission president called to tell me of the good news.  I was being sponsored by "Adopt a Minister International."
    

 A few days later, I found myself working for God in a mountainous place four hours from town. Mr. Romeo Castro, my sponsor in America, had asked that I be assigned in his hometown here in the Philippines.  This is the hut I stayed in for over a year.  Sadly though, though it's cool at summertime, when it rains, it pours, and everything that I own got wet.
     A small, rundown church without a road stood in the middle of a sugarcane field.  The few brethren who attended every Sabbath walked through a muddy field during rainy season. I made friends with the people of the community.  I also visited Mr. Castro's relatives.  I gave them Bible studies and invited them to church.  In a year's time the church's membership grew to over 100. Today, Mr. Castro has built a new church near the road. 

     On my list of converts are Mr. Castro's relatives and three ministers.  One of them is Jimmy, an ardent classmate who debated with me in high school.  We didn't listen to our Math teacher but discussed Sabbath instead; our teacher threw an eraser at us.  All those years the Sabbath truth bothered Jimmy.  After graduating from another Seminary, Jimmy went to our Adventist College and has now graduated with a degree in Theology, and currently working with me.     The following year, 2005, there were again 103 souls baptized in my district.

Just this Sabbath, Feb. 18, 2006, more than a thousand souls were brought into Jesus' feet at the culmination of the Voice of Prophecy and the Quite Hour program. We had a mass baptism and from my district, 26 souls were baptized.
On April 2007, we held a major Evangelistic Crusade in my district and 156 precious souls were baptized.  Fifty six (56) of these are the results of the hard work of the 3 adopted ministers working with me. 

Negros Occidental Mission had employed me over 3 years ago.  I had gotten married and now have 2 children.  Sometimes I wonder where I'd be today if "Adopt a Minister" didn't rescue my ministry.  I've so many things to share about my experiences about the "joys of salvation."  I thank God for "Adopt a Minister International," for I love being a part in bringing souls to Jesus' feet.  Thank you so much for your dedication and love for all of us  God's workers.  Pastor Sonny Mercurio