Another hero of the Christian faith has gone home at age 82. He was regarded as a man of holy character, a visionary leader, a mentor, a preacher, a theologian and a servant.
The first time I heard him preach and teach in the mid-90s, I thought if there is a man of integrity I like to emulate; it would be this man. When I got married, I asked him if he’ll do the ceremony and become of my ninongs. He, the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church of the Philippines was kind enough to travel by bus from Manila to Sinipsip, Bakun Benguet. That was about 12 hours of travel.
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| December 1999, GMM Chapel, Sinipsip Bakun Benguet |
Being the bishop of the Wesleyan church of the Philippines, I sat in many of his lectures and listened to many of his fiery messages. I consider him to be one of the best Filipino preachers I've ever heard. You cannot sit in his lectures without being inspired and motivated. You cannot listen to his passionate preaching without being convicted and challenged. Yet, if there was a man who epitomized a holy character it was Dr. Alfonso Pablo. His integrity was unquestionable. His visionary leadership was undeniable. His thirst for knowledge was unextinguishable and his passion for God was unmistakable! He has inspired and mentored many. I am one of the numerous lives he has touched and this cannot be over emphasized. He had left an indelible imprint in my heart; the man he was. While many leaders were falling by the wayside, he remained a clarion of the holiness preaching.
In his message posted on Facebook, Dr. Jun Vencer, the former General Secretary of the Philippine Evangelical Church (PCEC) writes,
"Dr. Alfonso Pablo, Vice-Chairman of Global Transformation Ministries Philippines, author, theologian, and leader. He was a devoted husband and a godly father. Personally, he was a dear friend and faithful co-worker. He was a thinker and deeply rooted in the evangelical faith. He had a transformational vision for society and a passion for souls. His commitment to the local church and church planting was central to his mission. Hours of discussion on various issues had helped shape my own worldview for which I am indebted. We will miss him but his legacy will continue to influence many evangelical leaders into the future."
Dr. Pablo will be missed greatly. But because he had lived his life to the fullest, even though he was not present from the body, he is present through his legacy.
Dr Pablo earned two doctorates; Doctor of Ministry in
Practical Theology (1982) and Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Theology (2019).
He has published 3 books since 2010. Transforming Leadership (2010),
Transforming Households (2014) and Transforming Believers (2020). He was
working of his fourth book, Transforming Faith. Hopefully this will be published soon. If there’s a fifth book I would want
him to write, it would be Transforming Preachers. That is no longer an option
but perhaps one of his protégés can make that possible!
Earning his doctorate in Philosophy at the age of 80, two years shy away from his death just prove his insatiable thirst for knowledge. I am 50 and I have not earned any yet.
By the way, Alfonso G. Pablo Sr. was the first entry I made
on Wikipedia in November 2011. The article has been edited since.
I guess my only regret is that I penned these words after he
is gone and he won’t be able to read them.
