Overcoming Opposition in Myanmar
April 11, 20232023 Legacy Missionaries Jack and LaTrell Bateman
April 25, 2023By Radarlyn Vallejera, wife of ChangeMaker John Rey (JoJo) Vallejera
I am Radarlyn A. Vallejera of BMA Bible College in Talisay, Philippines. I have had the privilege of being educated and trained in the ways of the Lord. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religious education in 1995 and was subsequently sponsored by the college to pursue my degree in music education at Silliman University in Dumaguete, Philippines. This journey was not an easy one, as I had just started a family at the time, but through the grace of God, I was able to complete my degree in 2004.
After completing my education, I returned to BMA Bible College as a music teacher and have served in this role since 1997. However, in 2005, I joined my husband, Pastor JoJo, in Hong Kong and a creative access nation. This was an incredible opportunity for me to minister to our fellow OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) ladies in Hong Kong, as well as assist in the music and teaching ministries of Refuge Baptist Church.
My training at BMA Bible College and my degree in music education were instrumental in equipping and preparing me for this mission. I was able to use my skills and knowledge to reach out to our OFWs in Hong Kong to train and equip our ladies in music ministry. Every year, we organized Christmas musicals and Easter cantatas, which were not only opportunities to showcase our talents, but also to train and equip our ladies in the music ministry. These events were a tremendous success and greatly impacted the community in Hong Kong.
However, days before the start of the pandemic, the Lord brought us back safely to our family in the Philippines, and we knew that our God was not yet through with us in the kingdom work. Pastor JoJo, who is a BMA National Missionary, now serves our churches in the BMA of the Philippines and assists our American missionaries at the Bible College.
In June 2021, I was given the task to administer the Darlene Carey Christian Academy, which is a department of the Bible College. Currently we have 84 students enrolled from preschool through sixth grade. We will be applying for seventh and eighth grade next year. Our goal is to reach 200 students in the academy, which will allow us to support one-third of the Bible College’s operational budget.
We ask that you continue to pray for the needs and ministries of the academy and Bible College as we aim to produce students who are dedicated to Christlikeness and committed to the Master’s call. The development and education of these young students is a crucial aspect of the kingdom work and we need your support and prayers to ensure that we can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of our students.
As we work toward our goal, we are reminded of the importance of providing a solid foundation in faith and education for our students. We believe that by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need, they will be better equipped to serve the Lord and his kingdom in the future. We are committed to ensuring that our students receive the best education and training possible, and we are confident that with your support and prayers, we will achieve our goal of reaching 200 students. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord as principal of the academy and make a positive impact in the lives of our students. I ask for your continued support and prayers as we work towards our mission and goals in the academy. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students and in kingdom work.