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WHY BTC?

By Irish Grace Dubrico

I am not a Baptist so I would say that there is very little bias in this, however, for most of my life my parents have studied at CGST (Cebu Graduate School of Theology). The first time I entered BTC (Baptist Theological College) campus was during my mother’s graduation for her Master’s Degree. I still recall how amazed I was about the speaker, Sir Ricky (the current President of BTC/CGST) who stirred my mind with his very impressive sermon. That moment was etched into my mind so clearly that I could not seem to forget BTC. When I decided to study at a Bible School I was faced with a lot of choices.

I chose BTC because I witnessed my parents’ academic life while studying at CGST. I knew how excellent their professors are and how dedicated they are in helping, mentoring and teaching Christian leaders and pastors. My decision was finalized when my parents agreed.

Before coming to BTC, I was asked by many people why I wanted to transfer to a seminary considering that I was studying in one of the most prestigious universities in Cebu. Then, I answered them with a shrug. But now, I can answer them. I may not be attending a famous university but in BTC I am trained for more than what my Degree requires. I am taught not only to be academic but also to be wise. I am trained to handle relationships inside my dorm, in the kitchen, in my batch and my life group. I am directed to see that emotional quotient and intellectual quotient are equally important. I am instructed and constantly motivated by my professors directly and indirectly. Most of the mind boggling questions I had were answered here. I have always come out of my classes blessed. BTC is such a blessing to me and I thank God because He placed me here strategically.

I knew I was right for choosing BTC. The school paved way to my pursuit of academic excellence. My professors challenged me to study and think. They are intentional teachers who gave time to talk to their students about their lives. Each student is under a mentor with whom they can talk about life. Also, I was required to go to the library during my vacant times and every evening. This gave me the chance to finish my school work ahead of time. BTC made my horizon wider. It elevated me. The school taught me that I am not limited to Church work because ministry is not just inside churches. These things made me see God’s plan unfolding in my life.

When I came to BTC I understood God’s strange plan for me. I once dreamed to be a doctor to heal the sick, but God made me His aid to heal the broken. I wanted to be a lawyer but God guided me to be someone who leads people to the Judge who redeems. I decided to be a reporter in front of a camera, but God decided I would be a reporter of the Good News. BTC has taught me to be visionary and to pursue my lifelong purpose for the glory of God. Why BTC? You can change the question and say, why not BTC?

Academics at BTC

By Crystal Baguio

My first day in BTC was also my first day of school. Nervousness crept into me because of my new environment and my classmates who looked smart, firm, and vigilant in their words and actions. But at the same time, I was so happy and energetic even though I felt uncomfortable. As time went by, I felt bored. I wanted to go home to be with my parents and siblings. I got tired and bored doing my projects, assignments, quizzes, term paper, and other school demands. I remembered my life before as a student from elementary, high school, and even my one year in engineering. I did not study, read, write, or go to the library. I just used my verbal skills and all the experiences that I had in life. However, in BTC it was different. My life was not easy. I felt anxious about myself and what would happen tomorrow. I had to finish a lot of paper work and all aspects of my life were affected. I was deprived of sleep, became more emotional, and felt a lot of pressure from what people were doing around me. I was tested spiritually more than a handful times so that I almost hated life, but still I opted to live. These hardships made me firm and strong.

I doubted if I could still study here in BTC. I thought that God did not call me to be here. One day, I cried because I failed to do well. I got low grades on our quizzes so I decided to study very well. I went to the unused CR on second floor of the girls’ dorm so that no one could disturb me. I spent so much time studying there that I almost memorized our books from cover to cover, so I was confident I would do perfectly on our exams. Then I took our exams and I finished them, but then minutes later I remembered my answer on a certain item and found out it was wrong. I felt discouraged, it seemed to me that I did not do my best. I did not want to study anymore because whether I studied or not I got low grades compared to others. I said to myself that was my first time to seriously study in my whole life but I didn’t get it.

Many months passed, I always listened to God’s Word. It clearly said to me, “did you do your best for the Lord or did you do it for yourself and your pride.” I cried because I felt ashamed of myself. I was reminded that I came here to BTC to be trained as a minister and train ministers as well. In our RE11 (Facilitating Learning Class), I have learned that excellence is not about being perfect, instead it is doing the best for the Lord. And now academically, I am learning to take notes, to listen to our discussion, and to improve my reading and writing skills. I have learned all of these in our Facilitating Learning Class. I have also learned to keep a calendar of activities as well as my daily schedule to keep track of my progress and school work. And of course, I do it for the Lord my God who gave me knowledge and understanding in all things. To all who read this, this is my message for you. Do your best for the Lord and dedicate all your accomplishments on Him because He is the source of all that you have right now.

Because of the joy that I felt, I say this to you. If you are still studying in Senior High School, I invite you to come here to BTC and enroll because BTC is the place where my best friend and friends graduated. They were well trained and equipped in all aspects of life and because of that, I dreamed to be at BTC as well. And now I’m here; praise God.

BTC is the place that I won’t forget. BTC is the place that I have been saturated and equipped and trained very well, both academically and spiritually. So come here now so that you may experience what I’ve experienced. God bless!

In the Dorm

By Faith Dela Torre

The bell rang at 5:00 in the morning, but I still found myself sleeping and dreaming and the alarm kept on ringing and it was so irritating so I sat and did my reading. I read my Bible just like others do, and pray coz I just follow. Then some girls stretch their body, and they look so funny. The sun is about to show and I see its glow. Then suddenly I hear different voices, high and low with different tempo. Languages that were soft and some were strong, I did not know where they belong. Then, some laughed out loud like they were in the big crowd and some were in a moment of solitude. Maybe they were reading the beatitude. Some were busy doing a task, and some were preparing for a class. I looked at their faces and traced their places; maybe some live on the island, some in the mountain, and some in the city, but it was cool to see, that despite this diversity, there is unity. The food was prepared, the class is the next on the schedule to remembered.

Time flies so fast. The class is over, the dorm life takes over. I am still in my adjustment mode and I don’t think I am rude, but I think I’m getting good. The bell rang again at 9:30 and the place seems to be creepy, lights off, no phones and time to sleep. What? Is this crazy? How could it be? I was not taught this way, but I have to submit by the way.

I took the book on my nook and there I was rebuke. The handbook shook my world. The rules are tough and my head was about to puff!! I was afraid to break even one. I have to read and understand this one by one.

I miss my home, my room and my foam and my mother that I hug so tight every night, and my father’s armpit where I feel alright. I sob in a low voice just to make sure they can’t hear my noise. But someone sits beside, and hugs me as I cried. I feel the comfort and support. I found family, who are always there for me, in my sad night or in my days that are bright. They are my ate I can lean on, my friend I can trust in, and my support in what I decide to do and I can only find this in the place that I know, in the dormitory of BTC.

I learned to be independent as what is expected, I learned to clean the mess even with or without the guess. I learned to have fellowship even having a leadership. I learned to have the moments of silence and even have patience. I learned to spend my expenses for what is needed and not just wanted. I learned to discipline myself with the rules inside and I still abide.

The dorm is not that perfect. There are conflicts, misunderstandings, mess and even issues that could create a bit of boundaries sometimes. But despite all of this there’s beauty within that I cannot explain and I just found a word that fits with this; its love. Love that maintains the balance, it is the love that Christ had shown in the cross and so are we to the ladies inside. It may not be the perfect dorm you are expecting, but this does not matter because what matters is that the people inside keep on growing in the knowledge and grace of God and with his love that abounds.

BTC dormitory is awesome, and no place can compare.