Dissertation Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'm honored to have God as the focus and purpose of this dissertation research. His call to ministry has been my courage to finish the course. This study is my tribute to the Lord, my God and benevolent King.

I'm grateful to have many people who helped me in completing this research. Foremost is my family who was always there through sleepless nights. Going through the process of research and writing has been bearable with bottomless coffee flavored with sugar and love.

To my late father, Engr. Eleuterio C. Plastina, Sr. I'm thankful for his lifetime influence on me and his farewell words before his death: to unconditionally love God and others. To my mother, Nerlisa M. Plastina, you shaped me to be strong. Thank you for your discipline that partly made me who am I today. To my sisters, Hazel and Amor, see how time flies. I miss my time with all of you. I love you all.

Acknowledgements are also extended to my mentors who shaped me in the ministry. I'm grateful to Dr. Tereso C. Casiño, Th.D, Ph.D, for his theological, missional, and pastoral example that inspired me to go on with my studies and ministry. Also, I'm thankful to Dr. Lizette Knight who super-motivated me (and my fellow graduate students) to work on despite of my outstanding accounts; May God pour out his blessings upon you. To Dr. Engracio Samson, thank you for the seed idea that gave fruition to this research. This endeavor I owe to you.

To Bishop Oscar Magallanes, I'm thankful to God for answering my prayers to have a pastoral leadership mentor, a spiritual big-brother who exemplifies the heart of a pastor-leader and cares for young generation of called men of God.

I'm thankful also to Dr. Anne Windus who helped in binding up the wounded child in me. God knows how much your care has made me whole. It's more than money can give and yet you and your dad supported me indeed financially in my studies. Likewise, to Rev. Debbie Miller; thanks for the journey to recovery. Both of you and ma'am Anne are my spiritual sisters, a lifetime treasure to me and my family.

To Dr. Steve Tam, thank you very much for the monetary assistance. To Ms. Beth Agwayaway, salamat po for the timely reminders—especially on my outstanding debts and required assignments. To FCF family, fellow BABBCA pastors, and respected PBTS/ABGTS professors, gratias for the blessings, prayers, support, and friendship.

I’m also grateful to my outside reader, Dr. Jonathan Exiomo. To my faculty readers, Dr. Flint Miller and Dr. Lilian Molato; thank you. Of course, I also acknowledge the influence and effort of my Theology and Culture teacher, Dr. Nori dela Paz.

Finally, my deep gratitude is extended to Dr. Anthony “Bong” P. dela Fuente, for saving-my-neck as an orphan researcher and supervising this project. Your valuable help and opinion mean so much to express. Thanks for the patience and scholarly guidance.
May God make his face shine upon you all.

Dedication: To my beloved wife, Caroline F. Plastina, whose love and support gave me tenacity throughout this research; and to my beloved sons, Johnne Elliott F. Plastina, whose tantrums and sweet embraces are my comfort and joy and Grenz Joshua F. Plastina, who became our precious gift in celebrating the advent of our Lord Jesus, the Savior and King, all that I am I live for you.