Testimony of

Ronaldo Sevillano

Administrator in Peru

Testimony

At the age of 20 I had a very bad experience that greatly affected my life. In response, I began seeking to satisfy my heart in the things the world has to offer: parties, alcohol, drugs, and more. I found that none of these could fill me up. I was entering into a depressed state. During that period of time, I asked God for his revelation—if he is real I wanted him to show me. Just a few minutes later, feeling very broken, I found a Bible in the dining room of my house. I opened it to a random page. The passage that it was opened in was Ecclesiastes 11:9, which says, “Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.”

I was very surprised by the passage. Never before had I taken a Bible to really read it and wait for Him to speak to me. I continued reading and Ecclesiastes 12:1 also caught my attention: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth.” I did not know what this passage meant. I did not know that in Christ I could be saved from my sin, which was the real reason my life was the way it was.

A few days later a friend began to preach to me, showing me the eternal emptiness of my heart and my great need for Christ. I understood that all that the world offered me was nothing compared to the death of Jesus on my behalf and His forgiveness and the restoration of the relationship between God and me.

From that day on, God gave me a hunger for His Word and for Him. Obvious areas of sin in my life started to change and I moved away from those things. I started attending a church where I was for 4 years (I left there for different doctrinal convictions). I came to my current church, Iglesia Bíblica Gracia Eterna (IBGE), where I have been attending, growing, and serving since then.

Ministry

From the time I came to IBGE, I decided to start learning more about the historic Baptist position and about biblical doctrine. Within a year I began serving in the music ministry in the church, playing the guitar and leading the congregation, of which there were about 40 at the time.

The church began to grow and there were more needs, one of which was to teach and lead a small group. I was honored to be given that responsibility alongside another brother.

Since 2019 I have received training in the church for pastoral ministry. I recently begin studying in a seminary, which had been my desire for some time. I want to grow in the knowledge of God for his glory and the edification of the congregation according to Ephesians 4. I love God and I love His church. It is my pleasure and it is a great honor for me to serve God with my entire life.