Sheree Ann Serna

Magandang Araw! (Good day!)

My name is Sheree-ann Serna and I am from Baguio City, Philippines. I am a missionary to the people in the tribal area of Lubo, Kibungan, in the Philippines.

I completed my Master of Divinity on March 10th, 2006 at the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. Growing up, my family was Roman Catholic and I was raised to follow Pagan and Catholic beliefs. My parents were devoted to the saints of the Roman Catholic Church and to their pagan gods.

When I was young my mother would bring me to Roman Catholic Church services. My family would also often butcher animals as an offering to their pagan gods. Growing up, I thought that because people who followed Catholic and pagan religions were rich and had seemed to have everything they needed that these practices were true and good.

My childhood was the happiest time of my life. I had lots of playmates. One time one of my friends invited me to join their Sunday school. Because of my curiosity and excitement, I joined them. I enjoyed attending Sunday school very much and participating in the activities. One day the pastor of the Church taught Sunday school. He taught on John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I really didn’t understand what he meant by the world. The pastor explained that the world means the people who will recognize the sacrifice of God sending His son Jesus Christ who died on the cross because of our sin. He taught us Romans 6:23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. I was deeply saddened by this verse about sin but I praised God for His gift of eternal life! I was so excited to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in April 1991. I followed Him through water baptism on May 11, 1991.

When I was in high school, I really loved serving God through teaching children. Despite my young age, I attended Sunday school teacher training and started teaching Sunday school to children. I really enjoy teaching children because Sunday school was the instrument for me that brought me to understand about salvation and it is where I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I also love learning God’s word and sharing stories in the Bible with children.

During that time, I also enjoyed the youth fellowship at the Church. I was one of the active attendees and didn’t miss one meeting because I love the fellowship of the youth in my Church especially worshipping God together. I loved to hear the Word of God through the teaching of our youth worker.

When I was in college I underwent many trials. Because of my studies, I wasn’t able to attend Sunday’s activities in my Church. I praise God because of His Word. It helps me to stand firm with Him and surpass all of the trials that come in my life.

After my graduation from college, I worked as a government employee but there was something empty in my life. This emptiness led me to serve in our Church as the youth leader. I led Bible studies during youth fellowship. I was also appointed as the Church Education Director because despite my limited knowledge of the Bible I had a strong desire to study more. I desired to be formally trained and equipped for the ministry. I prayed and God called me to study at the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary.

While studying for my master of divinity, I had the burden to share the Word of God with the Chinese people. I prayed about going to China. Our mission department had a short term mission program to China. I was excited to join the team and to reach out to the Chinese people. With God’s provision, I stayed in Weihai, China as a short term missionary for 5 weeks and 5 days. I stayed at a farm and became the English teacher and was able to share the word of God to young farmers.

Praise God for the great privilege of serving Him!

God bless,

Sheree-ann