Vision Enliven
Ptr. Andres Paran… On his early life… to vision… until the birth of the ministry.
THE MOLDING OF A GOD’S SERVANT
A native of Bagong, Sablan, Benguet serving as a church custodian during his highschool days around 1975, Andres Paran came to know a highschool classmate -Alfonso Ayeo-eo. Andres and Al eventually became best of friends and little did they know that God has been using Al to mould Andres’ faith in the Lord.
During college days at spare time, Andres and Al had been temporarily joining Bible training classes. This had been recurring for three years. Until Andres finished college, he decided to attend full Bible training with Al around 1980.
For the next 3 years to enact his training, Andres had been in full time mission to Palawan, Mindoro and to multiple villages in his hometown, Benguet.
In 1986, as advised by Andres’ mentor, he went to another full time training at Youth With A Mission (YWAM), this time Al went to the US.
The following year, Andres went to the U.S. for mission works. After working in Nevada and Hawaii for more than a year, he came back home in 1989.
This time he met a minister asking him to pastor a church in Banaue, Ifugao (another province which is 8 hours from Benguet province). But Andres asked for some time to determine God’s confirmation.
THE VISION BEGAN
1992 –Three years later after Andres has been offered a ministry to pastor in Banaue, Ifugao, he had a dream of “carrying his carpentry tools and went to Mountain Province”.
Few months later, he’d been considering the dream as God’s voice and followed as instructed. With his carpentry tools, he went to Mt. Province (another province 6 hours from Benguet). After he held a one-day discipleship training, he felt the place was not his calling.
He then thought of the minister’s request and headed on to Banaue. Just right in time, the church he’s about to pastor has its roof under construction.
With the carpentry tools he had in hand, he then realized that it must the place which was in his dream!
GOD NEVER LEAVES ANYTHING OUT
Finally pastoring in Banaue, God showed Ptr. Andres in a dream an adorable woman he has to walk down the aisle with! Multiple circumstances had worked in one accord that confirms the woman in his dream is the one God has referring to when He said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a companion fit for him.”
April 06, 1994 – Ptr. Andres and Felicitacion Paran are newlyweds!
THE VISION IN ADVANCE
A few weeks after the wedding, on the third quarter of 1994, Ptr. Andres again had a dream that’s been always awakened in his memories.
“He dreamt of travelling with two boys and his wife. Along the way were demons that were keeping them from reaching their destination. They’d been fighting all the way. When they’re about to reach the place they’re heading to, a giant demon was about to stuck everyone of them. But one of the two boys in his dream flaps his wings and became a gigantic angel defeating triumphantly the giant demon. When they reached the end of their journey, in front of them at the top of a hill is a big city.”
Years later after the dream, Ptr. Andres and Feli was gifted with two sons, Obed and Michael in 1995 and 1997 respectively.
While being in the ministry from time to time they have a fellowship with the late Ptr. Donato Limangan who repeatedly adviced Ptr. Andres to reach out to the “Benguets” for he is from Benguet.
Ten years after pastoring churches in Banaue at around late 2003, multiple circumstances again has worked in one accord with God speaking to Ptr. Andres to reach out to the people in his hometown as it was shown in his dream 10 years ago.
THE VISION IN ACTION
In early 2004 Ptr. Andres and his family moved to Benguet (8 hours from Banaue). The family started ministry by holding bible studies to their neighbors, friends, and relatives.
On June of 2004, worship service started –the family and the youth from Banaue who were studying in Benguet, gathered together. However, few weeks later, worship service has been discontinued as the rented old wooden building was shaking when people get to gather.
While there was no Sunday worship services, Ptr Andres and his family continued visiting nearby houses to hold Bible studies.
Six months later on June 2005, Ptr. Andres and his family was led to a new building with units for rent. With the favor of the owner of the building, a mission house and a place to held Sunday worship services were secured. This time, the center is in Buyagan, La Trinidad Benguet.
With the support of the foreign missionaries, the rent were sustained although Ptr. Andres has been forewarned that support for the rent had to stopped by 2008. Despite the case, God has been gracious enough to speak to these people to continue their support for the rent up to now.
2008 was a year of outreach expansion. Ptr. Julius Angawa, Ptr. Mariano Gahid, and later Ptr. Timothy Yucaddi (left August 2009) joined the mission work. In line with God’s instruction, Ptr. Andres and his team reached out to Asin, Bahong, Bagong, Balluay and places nearby Buyagan.
Sunday afternoon fellowship is always held in Asin. Assigned preacher and some team would travel every after Sunday worship service at the center to go to Asin village. Bible studies are done regularly in households at Bahong and nearby Buyagan center too.
Andy Immotna joined the mission with Nelson Paran, and Bella Tid-ong. The three had made up a team in working online (ZiNix Enterprises) to support the mission and at the same time handling youth, music, and children ministry departments respectively.
Sheltering Rock Ministries tasked to seek financial support for the mission works is borne with Andy’s team heading the ministry with Andy as the chair.
To date an average of 60 people and more are regularly attending worship services at the center. Not accounting the families and number of people gathering on the outreaches in the villages in Benguet.
LOOKING BACK…
Every dawn Ptr. Andres would wake up and watch the scenic view of La Trinidad, Benguet from the building’s third floor. With the morning’s early cool breeze Ptr. Andres would stare at the city’s buildings, houses big and small, and soon to be busy streets when the sun beams its light.
Must this be the city in his dream where he, his wife, and the two boys, looking over from on top of the hill? Must this be the vision he had in his dream on his first days in Banaue now 14 years ago?
A vision that was given around 14 years ago. Vision of reaching out the people in Benguet, residents and settlers. Mission of preaching the Gospel and with the core value of strengthening family relationships.
God indeed is working in countless and miraculous ways to enfold his people into His arm’s embrace.
Help us keep the reality-turned vision burning and radiating with your support!
