Chapter 22- Some Secrets of Rev. Ernesto Carvajal’s Ministry

Rev. Ernesto B. Carvajal shared with me some secrets and strengths of his ministry. He told me the highest secret is prayer. He was a man of prayer. I saw him often in his studies, in his room with head bowed in deep meditation. He asked God for a message to share with his people. When he mounted the pulpit to preach on Sunday, he asked some of the church deacons to support him with their prayers. Some praying in the Prayer Room. Others in the pews.

When he preached in outdoor evangelistic rallies, he gathered a small group of friends in the church to support him with prayers. When preparing for an evangelistic meeting in late afternoons they went to some isolated places under the shade of a tree or when the heat of the sun was soft, they sat on rice paddies and communed with God. They seek God’s guidance and power. They prayed God will give power to the songs and message, soften listeners minds and hearts and touched their souls.

In preparing his messages, he struggled to find the Bible references where his message will be anchored every Sunday. He dug for wisdom from God’s words every day that will feed the spiritual and mental needs of his congregation. He had to mine for hidden treasures in the Holy Scriptures, some wisdom that could guide and inspire, comfort, and strengthen his members as they struggled with life’s problems during the week.

When he attended Ministers’ conferences, Kasapulanans, and Convention Baptist national assemblies, he was always attentive to all lectures and messages whether in small discussions, plenary sessions or the sanctuaries. He was seldom seen outside the Assembly Hall. He listened attentively to messages and lectures always with a pen and notebook on his hands.

He told me, “ He jot down important points of the messages and lectures and try to remember points as well as stories and illustrations.” Messages of the following Sunday in his church were summaries of the important points of messages and lectures he heard during conferences and assemblies.

He often said: “Speakers and lecturers in conferences and assemblies came with great preparations. They came with new insights, new discoveries, new interpretations, fresh experiences and original stories and illustrations to share. I have to capture these insights, thoughts, feelings and stories that will enrich my own messages. I have to catch ideas and insights, wherever I can, to share and feed the needs of my church members and the community.”

Rev. Carvajal was sickly, even in his youth. He suffered from stomach trouble, and often in great pain whenever it attacked. He had very delicate health. He had to choose his food. When he forgot and eat fatty and hard to digest foods, he was attacked with the stomach malady that he carried most of his life.

Later, he had a stomach operation. His bile was taken. He had to be more careful about his foods. No more soft drinks. No coffee. No chocolates. No fatty foods. The soup he take were carefully sifted so that the fatty and oily substance was removed. When visiting church members offered a drink, he politely declined and only asked for a glass of water. He said this was also good and helpful. His members did not worry about what to offer him during times he called and visited them.

Visiting his members in their homes was a joy for Rev. Carvajal. Every Tuesday mornings and afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Thursday and Friday mornings, he visited his flock. His visit was anticipated. These were times for his members to share with him their difficulties and problems. It was also time for them to share their joys.

Before ending his visits, he opened his Bible and read an appropriate verse and pray for the shared problems and joys, asking God’s help, protection and guidance, a specific prayers for definite personal and family needs. He said , major part of his messages on Sundays were responses to the shared problems and difficulties of his members. “How could I provide a relevant message for my member, if I do not visit them always and know their problems and needs?”

Another reason why he remained faithful to visit members homes? “They responded and returned my visits. They come to visit me in the church on Sundays.”

Rev. Ernesto Carvajal was a pastor and evangelist at heart. Preaching on different occasions, he came always to the central point of his message –Jesus Christ and His love, His death and resurrection.

He stood before his audience and solemnly, prayerfully and boldly reminded each one, although how dark their sins are, even how heavy their burdens were, if they open their hearts to Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior, He will forgive their sins, cleanse them, save them and make them whole again.

As a minister, Rev. Carvajal stayed long in his pastorate. In Barsasan Baptist Church where he was a student pastor, he stayed for 5 years. In Dumangas Baptist Church where he worked after finishing his theological studies, he was pastor of the church 14 years. At Jaro Evangelical Church, the First Baptist Church in the Philippines, he served 12 years, until his death.

His church calls? Most of his calls were only for one year. On November when his term ends, he submitted his Letter of Resignation. Every year, he was recalled. Asking him one time, how he felt as his congregation were discussing his resignation and will decide to recall him or not. He told me: “ Rudy, in the Lord’s work, when one door closes, another door opens. We need only to be sensitive and ready to receive His call and guidance.”

Rev. Ernesto B. Carvajal was called by the Lord to join Him April 7, 1974. He was only 47 years old when he died. He was pastor of Jaro Evangelical Church when God called him to come home. He expected it. He knew death is coming. After an open and closed surgery on his stomach, he knew he would wait for death a few weeks or months.

He talked and prayed for his wife, Irene, her daughter Erne and sons, Ernest and Rene Billy. He entrusted them all to the Lord. Before he died, he made a request that his fellow pastors carry his coffin with his body to his grave.

In his tomb, he asked that the words of St. Paul be written, a testament of his commitment of service to God and his undying faith and hope. It said: “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Reading this short story of Rev. Ernesto Carvajal's ministry, Pastor Alpha Dofeliz- Sorensen, a graduate of the College of Theology, CPU and pastor of a church in the United States and now a retired pastor on July 14, 2O18, said: " MANOY Erning was MINISTER PAR EXCELLENCE ! I used to hear him preach as our pastor when we had no church yet in Bantud, Dumangas. I sometimes visit him and his wife, |Manay Irene in the nipa & bamboo parsonage.

"Despite his ill– health, he kept preaching. He was unstoppable in his desire to proclaim the Gospel. Now we have no more night evangelistic meetings. Neither, debates with Iglesia ni Kristo.

"I heard my dad discuss the workings of their debates as to 1st or 2nd or 3rd speaker. Those we now MISS!

“I hope, Pastor Rudy, you have some pictures to go with these,” --- Pastor Alpha Dofilez-Sorensen from the United States.

1Wilson D Guanzon

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