Jun Gaviola | Huwarang OFW 2017 Missionary Nominee

Because of abuse and irresponsibility, Jun Gaviola grew up harboring hatred against his father. For him, life with his father is similar to living in hell. There came a point in his life where he questioned why God allowed them to live under the wing of a physically and verbally abusive father.

To help his mother, Jun worked as a porter in a market during his teenage years. One day, he saw his cousin reading a Bible. He got curious, read it, and found himself longing for Jesus. After being able to attend a Christian church, Jun got involved in it.

Jun worked abroad and eventually received the call for pastoral work. He quit his customer service job and took a leap of faith, pioneering a church despite strict laws against Christianity.

One day, their church was raided and 5 members were arrested. Jun found himself on his knees, asking the Lord to intervene. 2 of their members were deported to the Philippines and the other 3 were pardoned.

Despite the persecution, Jun remained firm in his calling and was able to plant 2 more churches. Indeed, the Lord proved His faithfulness in Jun’s life. God rewarded Jun’s passion in sharing the gospel when his family also accepted Jesus in their lives.

As a missionary, Jun lived up to his calling as stated in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”