We are moving to the Philippines
Life is often a series of chapters, each with its own unique narrative and purpose. For our family, a new and exhilarating chapter is about to begin. This coming Sunday, we will be embarking on a journey across the globe as we move to the Philippines.
(With Mr. Paul Tan-Chi in Seattle)
This move coincides with a significant new professional calling for me. I have accepted the position of President with a college in Manila. While the excitement is immense, the legal and logistical processes involved in an international move and acquiring work visas mean I am not able to share all the details for now. I look forward to sharing more about the institution, our shared vision, and the path ahead in the coming weeks. What I can say is that this is a thrilling opportunity to be part of something truly special.
(CCF in Manila)
A new professional path
This journey is not just a career move; it is an answer to a deeper calling. I have had the privilege of connecting with the exceptional family of Pastor Peter Tan-Chi of Christ Commission Fellowship (CCF), a group of people God is using to lead a profound spiritual movement. This revival, which began in Southeast Asia, is now touching lives across the world. Years ago, this movement launched a K-12 school, and more recently, a college. It is this institution of higher learning that I will have the honor of leading.
(With Mr. Paul Tan-Chi in Manila)
Higher Education revamped
I am deeply passionate about the power of Christian higher education and its global reach. The very concept of the university has its roots in the church, and the ideals of unity in diversity, truth as the wellspring of freedom, and the inherent dignity of human work are deeply embedded in Scripture. These are not mere mantras for me; they are the very fabric of my life’s purpose. I believe that education, when done well, is a liberating force, empowering individuals to grasp the truth, experience true freedom in Christ, and provide for their families with dignity and flourishing. As the educator Paulo Freire noted, education can be a practice of freedom or a tool of oppression. I am humbled and excited to contribute to a global higher education movement that champions the former, and to do so from the heart of Southeast Asia.
(With the Tan-Chi family in Manila)
(View of Manila, Pasig City)
We welcome your prayers
On a personal note, relocating a family of six across the world is a monumental undertaking that calls for a great deal of prayer and support. We would be so grateful for your prayers as we—two adults and four children—navigate the long journey. Please pray for my wife, Dianne, and me as we finalize the immense task of packing our lives into a storage unit, giving away cars, and closing out our affairs in the United States to embrace life as expatriates. We also ask for your prayers for our children, that they may quickly find new friends, adapt with ease, and discover deep connection and joy in this new chapter.
(Josephine, Isla, Christopher, and Henry)
I have now visited the Philippines three times, and from my very first visit, I felt an immediate and profound sense of belonging. It is a place of welcoming people, organized chaos on the streets, and traffic that is somehow crazy without being overwhelming. The food culture is incredible, and above all, there is a palpable thirst for God and His church. It is a nation of beautiful landscapes and even more beautiful hearts.
(With Pastor Peter Tan-Chi on the left and Mr. Paul Tan-Chi on the right)
We are filled with anticipation for this new adventure, for the experiences we will share as a family, and for the incredible possibility of helping to grow a university with a global impact. A new horizon awaits.
More to come.
The Vrancilas
