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Pastor Tagud's Testimony & Vision

I was born in a small village in Valencia, on the island of Bohol, Philippines. I became an orphan during World War II, and I was 5 years old at the time. I was the 7th child in my family and until that time I was raised by my oldest sister, now a retired school teacher. After such confusing beginnings, I later could not find my way in life. I was a gambler, a chain smoker, and a heavy drinker at the age of 9. For me, the future was grim and hopeless.

At the age of 14, while in I was in High School, I ran away from home and went to Mindanao Island for a better future. It is so sad, but true, for since I did not have Jesus in my life as my Lord and Saviour, I deteriorated there at an alarming rate. I was sleeping on the streets, I was an alcoholic, and I joined the bad street boys. They became my closest companions. Finally, severe pneumonia brought my lifestyle to an abrupt halt. As soon as I was cured, I went back to my old lifestyle again.

One evening in March 1959, totally disgusted and drunk on a street in Davao City, Mindanao Island, I was able to hear the gospel message. It was then, at the age of 22, that I accepted the Lord and gave my life totally to Him. The most memorable event that night was when the church people prayed for me. I was healed, saved, and virtually delivered from all my vices in life. To God be the Glory!!!

God did not stop there. He called me to full-time service and gave me specific vision for ministry. I went to Immanuel Bible College in Cebu City for training. It was there that I met a beautiful young Bible school student named Minda, who became my wife after my graduation in June 1965. God has given us 2 children, Ken and Kathy. They both serve in this ministry as our youth pastor/music director and praise and worship leader.

In 1980, God gave me a vision to start a training program for missionaries that would plant more churches. We stepped out in that direction and started a 2 year Bible training institute known as Faith School of Ministries. Since then, we have seen over 200 graduates released and have helped to plant several churches over a wide area.

In 1998, the Lord has enabled us to expand our Bible school curriculum to 3 years. As well by faith, we have ventured by faith into radio ministry, island evangelism, and we are holding crusades. We are also providing free clinics in combined medical and evangelical outreaches with the excellent ministry, the Philippines Gospel Association of Cebu City. At God's leading, we are feeding slum children and conducting Bible extension classes for students unable come to Cebu City.

I have been the chairman for over 18 years of the Metro Cebu Ministerial Fellowship of 250 churches in the area. Please pray for me.

In His Service,

Pastor Ben Tagud
Faith Tabernacle - Philippines