Nestor Ravilas - Advanced Learning Fund

I served as a missionary pastor in a remote town in the province of Quezon in the Philippines from 1993 to 1998, while doing at the same time my bachelor degree in theology. I was in the missionary field on weekends, and then travelled back to the city during weekdays to attend school. I resigned from missionary work to pursue my master degree. After finishing my Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies in 2004, a struggling church in a slum area in Payatas, Quezon City, asked me to be their pastor. When the church was a bit stable, I exited to embark again on another academic journey.

Despite the pressure of family responsibilities, I tried to venture into doctorate studies in 2007. But I was forced to quit to attend to the needs of my growing family. Now, for the second time, after much discernment process, I return to what I call, my elusive dream. With all the challenges before me, I am currently enrolled in a doctorate program in the Philippines hoping and determined to finish it, and eventually find my place where I can offer redress to the suffering world, the way of the Gospel for the transformation of our society. This I intend to do along with the community of believers looking for significant impacts of the gospel of Jesus to the sick world.