Towards Missions
By Michael Chad & Ma Renee Visca
When the 2008 ICS theme was announced in October 2007 little did Chad, Renee and Nav know they would have a part in seeing its fulfillment… as missionaries of the International Charismatic Service (ICS) and the Assemblies of God of the Philippines (PGCAG) to Bangkok, Thailand.
Since resigning as Associate Pastor in the last quarter of 2006, the Viscas have been seeking God’s direction for their family while continuing to serve where they were, in ICS. They made it a point to continue to be careful to follow God’s leading for their lives, first as singles, then later as a couple and as a family. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
When Chad grew up as a Pastor/Missionary Kid, he constantly saw these values lived out through his parents’ (Abe & Lita Visca) lives. God had always been faithful and there wasn’t a season when they lacked; the provision was always on time.
Before getting married, Chad wondered, “Will I have the same kind of faith my parents lived as I step out in marriage and ministry?”
2007 was a year when God stretched Chad and Renee’s faith in Him. Renee continued her job at the call center in the training department for the third year, feeling that that was where God had called her for the time being. But she was beginning to feel restless due to the working hours, and some tough subordinates at work, that consequently caused her to have limited time with the family. She began to pray for God to bring her to a place where she can continue fulfilling her purpose for the Kingdom without causing the family relationships to suffer.
Chad began 2007 enrolled in a post-graduate course in one of the seminaries in Manila for additional ministerial development. But he, too, felt restless regarding the family and ministry. In the course of the year several potential directions came their way - an open invitation to minister in Papua New Guinea to help at the Jubilee University; an invitation to be a Youth Pastor in Melbourne, Australia; and the possibility of helping plant a church in Angeles City came their way in the course of the year but the circumstances never came together. By late 2007 they were getting a little anxious, but they chose to trust God so they resolved to continue in faithfully serving Him where they were and persevered in prayer.
In November 2007, which is Thanksgiving season in the US, their American missionary friend Jaimee Silva came back to Manila to be with her missionary parents. She had grown up in the Philippines until she went to the USA for college education. It was during a lunch date together with her that the potential for ministry to Bangkok came up. She had been a missionary in Bangkok for six months and was excited to see the things God was doing among the children she was ministering to.
In the course of the conversation, she mentioned to Chad and Renee the need for a Youth Pastor. Jaimee didn’t know that Chad had resigned from ICS as year ago. She was surprised to learn this and asked them to consider this ministry at the International Christian Assembly in Bangkok. Chad and Renee agreed to pray, think it over and seek advice about it.
The day after the lunch with Jaimee, Ptr Jerry Balbuena met with Chad and shared ICS’ need for another Associate Pastor and asked him to consider returning. Chad shared with him about the potential ministry in Bangkok and Ptr. Jerry encouraged him to think and pray through these opportunities for God’s direction. The most important thing was to follow where God was leading. A week after this meeting communications with Ptr. Maurice Lednicky, Sr. Pastor of ICA, were initiated.
By December Ptr Lednicky had returned to the USA and met with ICS’ former Sr. Pastor Russ Turney (currently Assemblies of God USA Asia Pacific Missions Director) regarding the possibility of Chad, Renee and Nav going to Bangkok to help at ICA. Ptr. Russ gave His blessings and suggested for ICA to network with the PGCAG for the Viscas to be sent as missionaries. All these things were happening very quickly.
Christmas and New Year celebrations were an opportunity to slow down a little and evaluate the situation. Unfortunately Renee had to work over the holidays. To make up for the missed time together over the holiday Chad and Renee decided to take a weekend away in January 2008.
The couple chose to spend a weekend in Bangkok. Renee needed this break. It was initially for personal R & R. They planned to visit ICA just to get the feel of the place, people and possibly meet with Ptr. Lednicky. However, when the pastor learned of their planned trip, he set up a meeting with them, invited them to minister to the youth and meet with some of the leaders. The trip was their longest time apart from Nav which caused them to worry. Thankfully God gave him loving grandparents who never left his side throughout the four days his parents were away. Ptr. Jerry was informed of the scheduled vacation and ministry invite. He gave his blessing and some valuable advise.
This was their first visit to Thailand and, after passing through immigration, saw that it truly is the Land of the Smiles. Jaimee was there to welcome them at 1am and took them to her unit where they stayed the next four days.
It was a time of getting to know each other and discerning next steps. As the trip unfolded and they met with Pastor Lednicky, the leaders, ministered to the youth and attend the Sunday services, the burden to minister at ICA grew steadily. At the end of the trip the Viscas and ICA committed to pray for each other to determine God’s purpose.
Upon returning to the Philippines, Chad met with Ptr. Joseph Suico (PGCAG World Missions Director) in Baguio to share about their trip and inquire about the possibilities of going as missionaries. They were given a green light with a formal commissioning at the PGCAG headquarters to follow in February 2008. This was truly God’s hand at work. A week later the ICA board met and chose to invite Chad and Renee to become part of the Pastoral team.
Chad then reported to Ptr. Jerry about our trip and the invitation and sought ICS’ endorsement to send us. All these things happened in barely two months!
Indeed all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Here are some things the Viscas learned over this recent season in their life:
1. God is not slow in keeping His promises. Whenever we are tempted to worry we should always seek to trust God no matter what because He always fulfills His promises. That was Ptr. Jerry’s message at the mid-week service (January 29, 2007) where Chad shared this testimony. God does not work according to our timeline. We need to be obedient and faithful where we are despite the circumstances, which is contingent to the fulfillment of His promises.
2. God loves His children. One of the ICS youth leaders shared her dream of Chad leaving for this ministry before she ever knew about it. God is the one who prepares His children for changes and assures them of His presence.
3. God’s will is specific. If it’s God’s will, He orchestrates the people, events and situations which cause it be fulfilled. There is minimum hassle if any at all in the process.
4. Seek out and value the advice of your elders/leaders. The wisdom of the elders is truly valuable especially if they are devoted followers of Jesus themselves. They have insights younger people fail to see and can illumine situations which help in the decision process.
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