What if “home” were a word defined more by its cracks than its foundation? For Ruth, growing up in a broken family created a hollow space that left her thirsting for love and attention. Hoping to quench that thirst through relationships, she began dating at thirteen, hopping from one person to another after being released from an orphanage. However, the hole she longed to patch only grew wider, whether she was cheated on or she simply chose to break up with them because she didn’t truly like them. The more she searched for love in the world, the emptier she felt.
This cycle seemed endless until she entered college. Ruth became an IV-Homer out of convenience, initially harboring no plans to get involved with IVCF. To her, Christians were “weird, corny, or judgmental.” However, as part of her agreement to stay at the IV-Home, she was required to attend the Discipleship Leadership Training Camp (DLTC).
During the first morning of the camp in 2023, Ruth remained skeptical. While her co-campers offered praises, she questioned if God even existed. The camp was enjoyable, but it felt unremarkable—until the third day. During the session on “Love, Courtship, Marriage, and Sex,” Ruth finally understood what love truly is and where its foundation lies. While studying Luke 19:1-10, one specific truth struck her from verse 10. She realized she was the one who was lost, and Jesus was the one who had come to find and save her. For the first time, she wasn’t the one doing the searching. After receiving Jesus as her Savior and Lord at the camp, she broke up with her unbelieving boyfriend and began surrendering her life to the Lord. Her journey deepened through campus Bible studies and her participation in Kawayan Camp (KC) in 2024.
Today, Ruth is serving in her last semester as the president of the campus chapter she pioneered. Lord willing, she will graduate next year with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. She is hopeful to see the ministry in her chapter thrive even after she moves on—for it to be sustained and for the Gospel to never be compromised. She knows many students are exactly like her: looking for love in all the wrong places, not yet realizing that God’s love has already found them.
Prayer Points
- Pray for Ruth’s leadership in Kanlungan Campus Fellowship (KCF), for a smooth leadership transition, and for dedicated new officers for the coming academic year.
- Pray that the staff, graduates, and students of Southern Luzon Regional Unit (SLRU) remain as bold witnesses for Christ in their ministries, workplaces, and campuses.
- Pray that students across all campuses will grow deeply in their knowledge of Christ and be empowered to make Him known to others.
REGIONAL UPDATES
Northern Luzon: BRIDGES Echague held Christ-centered love Bible studies, SVCF Baguio shared appreciation meals with university staff and utility personnel on February 13, and RVCF Iba hosted “Beyond the Kilig” to promote committed relationships.
Metro Manila: Eighty (80) staff, students, and graduates attended the Ladies & Gents Night with the theme, “Ang Pag-ibig na Tunay” on February 17; Imee Dela Pasion concluded her 12 impactful years in the staff work.
Southern Luzon: Regional Retreat, Evaluation, and Annual Planning (REAP) was conducted last February 20-22 at IV-Home Silang; preparations for the upcoming IVCF Palawan 12th Anniversary this March 23, 2026 are ongoing.
Bicol: Staff and students partnered with Campus Youth Connect (CYC) and Campus Crusade in facilitating a leadership training for Bicol University’s 1st and 2nd year Mechanical Engineering students last February 5 and 19.
Western Visayas: Sixty-three (63) students in Aklan State University (ASU) and Central Philippine University (CPU) attended the True Love Waits and Girls’ & Boys’ Talk sessions on Christ-centered purity.
Central and Eastern Visayas: Almost 80 students from a high school and nine college chapters in Cebu City gathered for a seeker event on February 24.
Northern Mindanao: Love, Courtship, and Marriage (LCM) event was conducted on February 20 at Central Mindanao University (CMU); the team is currently preparing for Partner’s Appreciation Day on February 28.
Caraga: Caraga Leaders’ Council is preparing for the Student Online Fellowship on February 27.
Southern Mindanao: Regional Director Charlie Gujol conducted an area visit to North Cotabato (Feb 20–23); staff are preparing for the regional Retreat, Evaluation, and Annual Planning (REAP) on March 12–14.
We praise God for His continued work in the lives of our students. These stories of transformation and ongoing ministry works are a testament to His faithfulness and your dedicated partnership with us.
