“How I pray my little boy will grow up just like him!” This would be the thought of every little boy’s mother who will come to know Bro. Kemp Jayzer De Alday, the only child of Bro. Francisco and Sis. Jizel Monisette De Alday of OPIF - Abu Dhabi and one of the youngest deputy pastors of OPIF Philippines to date.
I tell you he might be young but he’s someone the devil shouldn’t underestimate. This young lad has a great potential, not just because he’s skillful, talented, charming, and good looking as everybody describes him. But because at a young age, he already knew the secret to victory. He knew he can’t be defeated nor can he be stopped as long as the Spirit of God is within him.
Born on June 13, 2003 in San Pablo, Laguna and currently taking up B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science, this young fellow has his own testimony to tell on how he was called by God to the ministry.
Initially, he honestly thought that all Christian denominations are the same but it changed on his first encounter with the Apostolic believers. He recalled himself being shocked and amazed at the same time after having witnessed the loud praises of the saints of OPIF PH Sector 3 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. That happened way back in 2016 when his parents went home from UAE and brought him to church.
And God indeed has unique ways of pursuing His children. That’s how much He desires to have a relationship with each of us. In the same year, Bro. Kemp was given a gift by his parents to travel to UAE which he considered up to now the best gift he had ever received. Why was it the best? Well, besides it was his first time to travel abroad, it was also the time he got water baptized in JESUS’ Name in the 29th of December 2016.
He was actually born to a Christian family, attending Sunday schools. But he did not start liking hearing the Word of God. His interest on it just grew gradually until the time he too was surprised finding himself loving hearing it.
“But I’ll be honest I was unfaithful even after being baptized. I have loved the world and its influences. I continued to give in to worldly lusts. The influence of this world is indeed deceptive and evil-powerful”, said Bro. Kemp as he remembered his journey. He knew exactly that there wouldn’t be a true transformation unless you let JESUS truly reign in your heart.
When asked about his Holy Ghost baptism, he recounted attending several church events which made him to desire more the experience. His utmost longing gave him the frustration of not being able to receive it after every church service. But he never gave up. After few Bible reading, prayer and devotions, and fellowshipping, God has seen the desire in him and finally, got baptized in the Holy Ghost.
He said in an interview, “Oh how amazing it is how God can change our lives. It’s really different when you live your life in the guidance of our Lord JESUS Christ. When you encounter anxiety, you find peace in praying, reading the Bible, and attending church services. When you encounter brokenness, there’s always Someone up there who comforts, fixes, and changes you. When you stumble, become disobedient, Someone corrects and directs you to the right path. I did struggle with my walk with God but by His grace, through the help and advice of my dad and pastors, I finally decided to fully surrender my life to God and wholeheartedly accepted God's purpose in me.”
Bro. Kemp also shared about his turning point in the ministry, of how he felt God’s immense power working inside of him. According to him, his walk as a Christian wasn’t an easy road. He narrated how God has taken him out of darkness after a couple of failed relationships and a minor motorcycle accident that had happened in 2018. This was the lowest time in his life in which he felt incomplete, lonely, and lost. He couldn’t seem to find fulfillment at home, at school, or anywhere. It just affected him emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Until one day, there was a voice that spoke to his heart asking him to pray for himself, his family, friends, and the girl he loved. After the accident, he said deeply in his heart, “I want a real change in me”.
At first, he thought he just wanted to be better for his loved ones but he then realized it was for God that he wanted to change. This desire in him got him praying night after night. True enough, it is in our weakest moment where we come to witness God immeasurable strength. Just like what 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
In the summer of 2018, his aunt, Sis. Ricel De Alday, went home from UAE and brought him again to OPIF PH Sector 3 where he met the saints and the current resident pastor, Pastor Solomon Belic. A series of Bible Studies happened after that meeting in which he gained deeper understanding about the Apostolic doctrine including the Oneness of God. As the Word of God flourishes in him, bit by bit, he found himself enjoying everything he hears and reads from the Bible.
Until one day, in one of the Bible studies he attended to with his aunt, Pastor Belic who was present that time called him out and told him, “You can be a Pastor!” And that thought never left his mind. He contradicted that thought in the first instance. He remembered saying to himself, “I am praying that the Lord will transform me but this is not the kind of change I was expecting. I am not ready for this. I don’t think I can handle such responsibility.”
But strangely, the thought that’s bothering him didn’t stop him from moving forward. He continued to attend the Bible studies in which he was being used by God as a helpmate of Pastor Belic in the evangelism. This then gave him the opportunity to witness the journey, the ups and downs in the ministry in the province up to the moment the cell group was then recognized as OPIF PH Sector 9.
This wonderful experience has shaped him a lot in the ministry. After having witnessed God’s work in Tiaong, Quezon, of how God made all things possible for them, he knew right there and then that it is really God who will qualify whom He called (Romans 8:30). You just need to answer His call and make yourself available, because after which, He will then equip you to be the right person in the ministry you are entrusted with.
At 17, he’s already ministering as an assistant pastor of OPIF PH Sector 9, partnering in the ministry with his local pastor, Pastor Erwin Gaviola, and also, has been appointed in the National Council of OPIF Philippines as a Deputy OYCM Director. “Jesus helped me to realize how privileged I am to have a changed life with Him. This is the thing that I’ll forever treasure in my life. I may not be that old but my few experiences in the service of the Lord make it seems like I have already lived a long worthwhile life in this world.” He added that he’s also grateful for the words of advice given to him by his pastors and of course, his dad.
One of his dreams is also to be involved in the Music and Multimedia ministry. At a young age he already took part of the organization’s online youth leadership training which taught him about church management and how to be an effective leader. As he envisions OPIF to be one of the leading Apostolic churches in fulfilling God’s great commission and being able to establish a Bible school of its own, he too envisions himself as a licensed minister, continuously fulfilling God’s mission for his life, and also owning a Belgian Malinois or a Rottweiler and a Honda Civic Type-R Turbo.
“There were several times in my life that I feel so down that I already wanted to give up. But every time I feel that way, God reminds me of the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness. I want to be one of those who will make it to the end, who will come to see what God has promised”, Bro. Kemp truthfully answered when asked if there are times he wanted to go back to his old life.
His favorite Bible verse is 1 Timothy 4:12 which says “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” This verse reminds him of how God called him as a youth. He also resonates with Timothy as if the words spoken in the epistle were also speaking to him.
Bro. Kemp has been a blessing and a good role model both to the young and young at heart. His advice to the youth, “Stir up the gift that is in you. Just remember, my dear young brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever talents we have, we can use it all together with His help, in advancing God’s kingdom. If the church needs something to be done and you’ve got the ability to do it, then go ahead and do it for God. It will be all worth it in the end.”
He also advised the youth to manage their time wisely so they can do the tasks they needed to do in their homes and schools, and still spend time in helping their pastors in evangelism, church fellowship, and simply in lending a helping hand in making power point presentations for the church. “It is indeed more meaningful to spend our teenage years on eternal things. Believe me or not, you can even enjoy your younger years more with Jesus’ help especially now that we’re still single and we have no other obligations but to please God alone.”
In conclusion, he shared this message he has for God, “Jesus, thank You for directing me to the path that is leading to Your way. Thank You for lifting me up every time I stumble and fall, for helping me recognize all my faults, and for molding me into the child You want me to be. Thank you for being my friend, my Father, my everything, my JESUS!”
