On Joys and Challenges Experienced Along the CI CM
Missionary Advocacies
The CICM advocacies cover justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC); indigenous
peoples (IPs); environmental protection and management; and disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM). These advocacies help me to enlighten how to respect all created things and
people in society as they bring life to the Gospel and the Gospel to life, the needs, and issues of a
community like peace-making among societies, and how to prevent disaster risk by preserving the
creation of God.
Among the advocacies of CICM, justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC) is what I’ve
related. I have this experience when I was young; my encounter was unlike anything I'd ever had. It
was just indescribable. My parents are both Pastors and I was raised in a Church. I began to read the
Bible and pray about it all. 7 years ago, I felt that Jesus desired my obedience, so I submitted to His
will and was baptized. Knowing that you are obeying Jesus is a tremendously spiritual experience in
and of itself. I was so happy until now about how God can change me. This personal experience
could help me to share with others by sharing or testifying how good He is so that the world sees
His life in me. Studying at Saint Louis College for almost 4 years, I encountered different religions
in a Catholic School— Born Again Christian, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Jehovah's Witness, and many more.
At Saint Louis College there is a Subject Christian Faith Education (CFE), we talked about our
language, cultures, religions, and other differences, but despite our linguistic differences and
religious diversity, one thing that came through loud and clear in all of our discussions was that we
all believe in the same God who created the Earth. When dealing with religions or views other than
my own, I've realized that it's preferable to focus on the similarities rather than the differences.
When it comes to our traditions, beliefs, and knowledge of things, we all recognize that there are
many disparities. What is crucial for us, though, is to realize our similarities and oneness. Integrity
is being faithful to everything and anyone even if no one sees it. Just like God, even when we don’t
see and feel it, He is still working. Compassion is putting your shoes on someone who needs it.
Jesus challenged society’s norms. To Him, greatness comes from serving– giving yourself to help
God and others. When we have ethical behavior then we can always practice it; we know how can
we respect, and help people without expecting anything in return, we can show love, and we feel
joy and happiness when every time we bring good to them. And service is giving your 100% best in
everything you can serve. As a steward, I am doing everything for the Lord. Service keeps us aware
of others’ needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant. You don't
need to be noticed by people; you only need to be noticed by God. You don't need to be elegant;
you just have to be a servant. You don't need to be entertaining; you just need the anointing.
Living an authentic Christian life is to do what is good in the sight of the Lord. I should
strive to live an authentic Christian life because the Lord has done great things in my life; He never
failed to feel to me His goodness, faithfulness, and unconditional love. The fact that He died on the
cross just to save me from all my sins— His sacrifice is the reason why I’m giving my best praise
and worship to Him. As a result, people around me see that there is Jesus in my life and living
according to His will. I could be able to be a role model to an individual. In 1 Corinthians 15:10,
says “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the
contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with
me.” So, I must work harder to preach the same message.
