By: John Harvey Maypa
True life started when I came to know Christ. I knew nothing about having Christ before. For me, it did not make sense before. “Is there any significant thing about Christianity?” was always in my mind. I knew God existed, but what now? I could not relate to people who were passionate about God. For me, it was just a waste of time and boring and a joy-killer and disgusting. I knew nothing about God! I knew nothing about having Christ not until I encountered Him.
It was eight years ago when my sister, Klex, introduced me to a group of people who knew Christ and endorsed me to one of the leaders who helped me in my Christian faith. There was what they called an Encounter with God Retreat, and I joined. I was so jealous of other delegates that they experienced much, and here was me; I hardened my heart. What I experience there was not extraordinary except for one miracle that my eyes saw, and God started to spark faith in my heart. I knew deep inside me that it was from the Lord and it was the Lord’s doing.
Those pieces of God’s evidence became my source of faith and helped me believe in God more and overcome my weaknesses and temptations. After the Encounter, the battle went on. Knowing God did not make me exempted from challenges, problems, and temptations. I struggled to battle against my concept of repentance. It was like I regretted knowing Christ because I had not experienced the world's pleasures before I knew the truth. I was hoping that God would let me do my sins, for I will just repent anyway. My conscience was speaking so loudly, and I could not be silent.
God’s conviction was so firm, and His truth rang throughout my head day and night. I realized that His Grace and truth conquered my rebellion. My thoughts on being worldly could make me a man came to nothing. I was reduced into ashes. Indeed, Jesus won my heart. The Lord changed my heart and my perspective regarding the way I viewed Christianity. I used to think Christianity was boring and nonsense. But, it was the opposite. There was a lot more about Christianity.
It was so significant that I became so inspired to grow more and to serve God more. I learned that millennial pastors existed, and they were so amazing. My heart leaped for joy and dreamed of becoming like them one day - preaching God’s word with such power even though they were still young. In my childish thought before, I was discouraged from serving God because I thought when I would become one, I would be wearing white long sleeves and straight cut pants and holding a large Bible then walk along paths wherever I wish. But, not until I learned that I did not have to. I do not need to. I can express Christ in my version.
There were times when I experienced economic hardship. I slept in the boulevard, took my bath at school, borrowed underwear from my classmates, and slept in my friend’s house. By God’s grace, I was able to surpass them all. Those tests and trials prepared me to receive what great things God prepared for me. I was given the privilege to take the leadership in KKB and became its president. I never thought of that. I was not dreaming about such privilege. I just heard Pastora Mardy saying that the leaders in NORSU will graduate, and who will take the next lead?
Filled with God’s fire, God’s vision for KKB’s captured me. I had this in my heart that KKB would do great things in school and become known to the administration as a dynamic Christian Organization. Indeed it happened! In 2017, I was elected as Vice President of the League of Student Organization and, next year, the president of the same student body. It was such a great victory for the KKBs that we could take a rightful place and be involved in student affairs. KKB became a leading organization in NORSU. The sweetest thing we heard from the Vice President of academic affairs was, “I look forward that the KKB will become a leading organization in NORSU.” And, it was so: The KKB gained the trust of the administration. It became history.
From school and academic institutions, the KKB is now expanding and extending its boundary to the community and all other NORSU Satellite Campuses like NORSU Bayawan Campus, Siaton Campus, and even to some cities and municipalities like Tanjay, Manjuyod, Valencia, Sibulan, Zamboanguita, Dauin, and Mabinay. By the grace of God, through the collaborative effort of the leadership, KKB has now become Province-wide.
Quoting our very own Leader and National Chairman of KKB, the former Secretary-General of TESDA, Senator Joel Villanueva, “The Youth are the Franchise Holder of the future.” The KKB was challenged to impact diverse cultures and become God’s representatives to the eight pillars of society. It keeps on mobilizing the youth for community transformation and impact all social institutions. I believe in my heart that God will continually use the KKB mightily. Professional youths will surrender their lives and profession to God as an avenue for Him to carry out His good plan. To all students, they will become student-leaders and heads in their schools as God promised. You are not the tail but the head. The KKB will fulfill its mission and vision to inspire the youth to live for Christ and offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country and bring forth transformation to young people worldwide through the full gospel of Christ.
This letter may end here, but God’s Kingdom will endure forever. The KKB, who fear no one but God and hates nothing but sin, will live forever in the hands of God. No matter what, KKB will always proclaim Jesus as the central figure of this movement. To God be all the glory.
