About Me

My name is Terry and I am closing in on my 18th year in campus ministry, primarily at the University of Illinois.  My parents migrated here from the Philippines before I was born.  I grew up as a Roman Catholic in Chicago then moved to the western suburbs before starting grade school.  It was a difficult time coming of age in a predominately white, conservative area of the suburbs at the tail end of the Vietnam War.  This was my first introduction to racism but in general, my firsthand experience of what it felt like not being part of the majority; being singled out because I was different; feeling left out.  This led to many confrontations and even a fair share of fights.  I remember when I actually decided to stand up for myself and fight back, I was the one who got into trouble.  My principal told me that I needed to take it easy on the academics and that I was being singled out because my grades were too high.  He encouraged me to spend more time with extra-curricular activities and not so much on schoolwork.  Never mind the fact that his school had a healthy supply of bigoted kids.  Even at a young age I questioned his logic in making me change for the sake of everyone else’ comfort.

Middle School.  High School.  I decided to attend the U of I, wanting to major in Communications then go to law school.  I guess God had other plans and I ended up entering full-time ministry with the Assemblies of God as a campus minister.  The A/G is an evangelical Christian denomination with emphases on World Missions (helping people locally and abroad with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs) and the Holy Spirit Baptism (basically meaning we get to do and are called to do what Jesus did when He was here).

Within the past several years, I have sensed God leading me to refine our ministry to collegians.  Particularly, connecting with people who have been marginalized for too long by religious folk.  In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the difference between those who are His followers and those who aren’t.  One of the biggest factors is based on how they treated His people…how they treated the “least of these.”  This is translated to mean ”those who have been overlooked or ignored.”  Among this group of people would be the homeless and poor, physically disabled, elderly, and a special group of people that I have really grown to love…the LGBT community.

Since the fall of 2006 we have begun connecting with LGBT people through various means:  The Day of Silence, Rainbow Coffeeshop, other LGBT events…for the purpose of building relationships and healing the divide…and ultimately to help LGBT people connect or reconnect with Christ.  Has it been difficult?  emotionally trying?  discouraging?  Most definitely.  But more importantly, it has been exciting, positive, fun, rewarding, and pleasing to God.  There are times where I could see myself chucking all other aspects of my ministry and ministering to LGBT full-time.  Stay tuned on that one.

So, this blog will be a collection of lessons and experienced I have picked up on the way.  I hope you take time to read it, comment, and be patient me.  I’m still learning.  But I’m trying.  I’m here to listen…to try and understand…to talk, laugh, cry…whatever it takes.

So, let’s begin.