|
|
         |
 Pastor
Bernie CelesteBernie Celeste was born on May 13, 1974 to Mr. Roberto Celeste and Antonia Capilitan. Bernie has three sisters and one brother: Sandra, Nedie, Jenalyn, and David. Bernie was raised Roman Catholic, as most Filipinos are. At age 12, he served as sacristan (altar boy) for about a year and a half. It was at that time when the Lord began drawing him. Bernie began "digging" into the Word of God and began attending services at the Seventh Day Adventist church. It was there where he formed his love for music and singing. Bernie learned to play the organ, guitar, bass, and drums. This was not enough for him though, so he continued seeking deeper into the Word of God. He then began attending services with the Assemblies of God; he understood the doctrine of the dispensation of grace and enjoyed worshipping God. In 1989, Bernie's mother was gravely ill with breast cancer. During this time Missionaries John and Nory Cogan were conducting a crusade in Labagan, Southern Leyte. Bro Bernie was blessed by the singing. Missionary John Cogan gave Bernie a bible study on the oneness of God and his eyes were opened to this truth. Bernie's mother died in this time of his life, but in his sorrow Bro Bernie continued his search for God. On October 7, 1990, Bernie was baptized in Jesus' Name by Pastor Ricardo Parina. The Lord did not stop there; Bro Bernie also received the baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues as the initial evidence (Acts 2:4). Bro Bernie then began to study Nautical (yacht boat captain) at the University of the Visayas in Cebu City. A relative living abroad in Germany paid the tuition. While in his studies Bernie had a dream that troubled him. He had this dream on three occasions. None of the Pastors could help Bernie interpret the dream. In the dream Bro Bernie was catching fish and when he tried picking them up too quickly he could not get any and they all got away. But when he slowly held them they were very "friendly" and very easy to catch. Years passed and Bernie graduated from the university. In 1997, Bro Bernie again met with Missionaries John and Nory Cogan. The Cogan's encouraged Bernie to enroll in the Bible School in Davao City, Mindanao. Bro Bernie smiled and secretly prayed that the Lord would grant his desire to be a preacher. Bro Bernie knew that he could not afford Bible school because he was not even able to support himself. Thanks to the goodness of God the Cogan's sponsored him and supplied all his necessities. While in his second year at the Apostolic Institute of Ministries, Bro Bernie began to pastor a church in Sawata. Sawata is a barangay (suburb) of Asuncion in the province of Davao del Norte - 91 kilometers (56.5 miles) away from the Bible School. Including Bro Bernie there was a total of seven members. Bro Bernie also served as the Student Body President. He graduated in 1999, and continued to pastor the Sawata church. On February 15, 2001, Pastor Bernie Celeste married Ms. Lorena Aledro. She has served as the Ladies Auxiliary Secretary for the past two years. On November 27, 2001, she gave birth to their first child, Jochebed Niere. On February 9, 2003, their second child was born, Lorraine Angel. There were several complications because the child was breeched at birth and required an emergency caesarian section. Bro Bernie thanks the Lord for the untiring support and help of the Cogan and English families. As for now, the Celeste family continues their work for the Lord in Sawata. Sawata is in the mountains and most of the members are farmers with only one professional (teacher). During Pastor Bernie's tenure there they have seen great improvements and revival. The Sawata church has seen its population multiply from seven members to 40 families. Also, the church structure has seen great improvements thanks to Bryan and Erica Estep and Ben and Nedie English. In November 2003, during the annual Thanksgiving celebrations the Sawata church received two packages from the Saints at Bethel Christian Ministries in Bellevue, Nebraska, pastored by Elvin Anthony and co-Pastored by Justin Anthony. The packages included toys, clothing, candies, shoes, and money. On November 4, 2003, Pastor Bernie Celeste moved to Tagum City to start a new work, but they will continue to pastor the body in Sawata. Please keep Pastor Bernie and his family in your prayers. |
|
|
