Rev. Paul and Rita Coy graduated with their Master of Divinity degrees in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Paul and Rita are both children of Nazarene pastors and they came to APNTS precisely to prepare for full-time ministry. Immediately prior to coming to APNTS, Rita survived a cancer diagnosis. Her father, now deceased, placed his hopes on her to continue the work in God’s kingdom. With new life granted to her by the Lord, she left her career as a registered nurse to become equipped for ministry at APNTS. Paul and Rita fell in love over hamburgers at Jollibee. While at APNTS, Paul also served as the regional Nazarene Youth International (NYI) coordinator.
In June, 2006, upon Rita’s graduation, they went to the United States and served as supply pastors for three months in Indiana. In October of that year they were called to become pastors at Modoc Church of the Nazarene also in Indiana, and stayed about a year. Feeling called to a different location, they moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in September 2007, and began pastoring the International Bible Church of the Nazarene. Their daughter, Carmelita was four months old at this point. Paul and Rita remain as pastors to this congregation.
Their local church is multi-cultural but a majority of the members are Filipinos. The previous pastor was a Filipino migrant from the Bible Methodist Church. Paul and Rita testify about the difficulties they met when they first started their pastoral roles in Jacksonville. They were told before coming that the church had 200 members, but arrived to find only 15. Their primary ministry when they first arrived was to resuscitate the church back to life! After several years, by the grace of God, they were finally able to stabilize the ministry and are growing as a body of Christ. They testify that the members of the congregation have grown significantly in their Christian walk. They have a good reputation in the community that provides them opportunities to serve in different events such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Their contacts with the Ilocano Association, and the fact that Rita is working as a part-time nurse in a hospital nearby, gives them opportunities to reach out to many other Filipinos. I certainly felt at home when I preached at the church. The fellowship over lunch was warm, and the hospitality was superb.
They are thankful to APNTS for the learning and experience they acquired from the institution. Paul particularly highlights the importance of the biblical and theological subjects that he took because they form the foundation of his ministry. Because of the multi-cultural setting of APNTS and the rigorous demands of education, he learned to be flexible and accommodating to changing circumstances. He advises current students to take in everything APNTS has to offer – the seminary life, worship, studies, fellowship – and to manage their time well. Spiritual blessings await those who are open to the Spirit’s voice.
Paul and Rita ask for prayer that their members will continue to mature, that more committed leaders and disciples would emerge, that they can reach out to new Filipinos and others, that their connection with the community would stay strong, and that the members would have a vision for the future of the church. Since both of them are bi-vocational, they pray for balance between ministry, family, and work. I also sensed that both Paul and Rita possess a heart for missions. When asked about it, they affirmed that they are open to go back to Asia as missionaries. Let us also pray for Carmelita, their 9-year old daughter, and inang Carmen (Rita’s mom) who is with them and is a significant help in their ministries.
Submitted by Dr. Dick Eugenio
