The wait is finally over. After more than six months of searching and praying, the Board of Trustees has recently chosen a new National Director (ND) to lead IVCF Philippines.

Mr. Erickson Velardo, regional director of the IVCF ministry in Northern Luzon based in Baguio City, is the new ND effective June 1, 2008.

In the meantime, the current OIC-ND, Mr. Ramon Tecson, Jr., will continue to lead the movement until Erickson will have assumed his new post.

Let us uphold Erickson in prayer even as we thank Ramon for faithfully "holding the fort." 

The wait is finally over. After more than six months of searching and praying, the Board of Trustees has recently chosen a new National Director (ND) to lead IVCF Philippines.

Mr. Erickson Velardo, regional director of the IVCF ministry in Northern Luzon based in Baguio City, is the new ND effective June 1, 2008.

In the meantime, the current OIC-ND, Mr. Ramon Tecson, Jr., will continue to lead the movement until Erickson will have assumed his new post.

Let us uphold Erickson in prayer even as we thank Ramon for faithfully "holding the fort." 

Introducing the New IVCF National Director

George N. Capaque, Ph.D.
IVCF BOT  Chair

The Board of Trustees of IVCF Philippines has recently appointed a new National Director in the person of Mr. Erickson M. Velardo. He will assume this post beginning June 1, 2008.

Erickson is a certified dugong IV (“full-blooded IV”).  He first got involved with IVCF as an ISCF student in Baguio.  In college, he was student leader of the IVCF group at St. Louis University while studying Medical Technology. A year after graduation, Erickson volunteered to help the IVCF ministry as a Graduate Team member based in Baguio City. He worked then as a salesman of office machines and equipment rising to become area sales manager. In 1998, he was invited to join the staff of IVCF.

God seemed to have prepared Erickson to face tough tasks early in life. He was born to poor parents who got separated.  He became orphaned at a young age. He was adopted by an aunt who was herself poor and had her own large family.  A family friend took pity on him, adopted him and supported him all the way to college. In high school, a board mate who was a college student shared to him the gospel.

Currently, Erickson serves as director of IVCF’s Northern Luzon Regional Unit for the last eleven years. He pioneers and oversees the student and graduate work in Baguio City. He coordinates also the ministry work in Benguet, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.  He has directed various regional and national camps including Kawayan Camp. He is actively helping his church, West Baguio Baptist Church, in preaching and planning.  He also helps another church in Ilocos Sur, preaching, training its leaders and speaking in a radio Bible program every first Sunday of the month.

Erickson is married to Dulce “Dot” Velardo who also serves as full-time staff. Dot is a gifted musician and worship leader. Together, they have two sons, Ezekiel Daniel (10) and Elijah David (6).

During his sabbatical in 2005, Erickson did the MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management program of Asian Theological Seminary finishing it in 2007.  This seemed a providential preparation for the leadership position he will assume.

Erickson dreams of a growing and transforming IVCF movement with stronger people (Board, staff, students, grads, donors and partners), better processeses (communications, reporting, documentation, fund-raising) and more relevant programs (in Evangelism, Discipleship and Missions).

He hopes to use effectively IVCF’s valuable trainings, traditions and treasures and integrate them with new tools, techniques and technologies to proclaim the gospel and create lasting impact to students and graduates in the Philippines and the rest of the world.