La Trinidad, Benguet Philippines: On 11 April 2025, Philippine Nazarene College (PNC) held its Commencement Exercises with the theme “Dare to Lead”, inspired by 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
This batch graduated 53 students from various programs: 6 from AB Theology, 13 from Bachelor of Secondary Education, 12 from the Diploma in Christian Ministry, and 9 from the Christian Leadership Certificate. There are also 13 graduates from PhilMicTeen, 11 from the Christian Leadership Certificate, and 2 from Pastoral Leadership Development.
Dr. Joven Laroya, the commencement speaker, reminded the graduates that true leadership begins with surrendering everything to God. He emphasized that graduates should rise as faithful ministry and community leaders.
As the graduates received their certificates and diplomas, there was a prevailing atmosphere of worship and celebration. Faculty, families, and friends joined together to affirm the journey each student had taken, and the new chapter they now enter—equipped not only with knowledge but with a calling.
One of the PhilMicTeen graduates shared a personal written testimony that offers what impact this program brought him. Once determined to avoid pastoral ministry, he studied at this institution in the late 1980s to early 1990s, earning a Christian Leadership Certificate. Afterward, he became a licensed veterinarian, but God’s calling remained clear. Eventually, he returned to ministry, becoming the pastor of Lusong Church of the Nazarene. Years later, he resumed studying through the PhilMicTeen program to complete his pastoral leadership diploma. He shared that the journey was filled with sacrifice, but faith and God’s provision never failed. “Our education is a tool to pass through the school of the real world in God’s ministry,” he wrote. With heartfelt gratitude, he thanked PNC leadership, his mentors, classmates, and his church family, acknowledging that what once seemed like a detour was a divine appointment.
Philippine Nazarene College continues to be committed to its mission of raising servant-leaders who will impact churches, communities, and the world with the love and truth of Christ.
Photo Credits: Nazarene Luzon, Ayan Jat, Ptr. Ed Morales
