Rene and Juliet Salvatierra

Missionaries to Asia 2

Ministry Description

Rene served as a Bible Club area missionary at Word of Life Philippines (Mindanao) for almost 9 years (1998-2007). God has blessed our time with Word of Life Philippines with great ministry experiences and lifelong friends and partners. God then paved the way for us to serve as bi-vocational missionaries under Stir-Asia Initiatives and we worked as teachers in Indonesia for 7 years. We had the privilege of teaching Indonesian young people ranging from grades 2 to 10. Since we were working in the context of a Christian school system, we had the freedom to integrate the truth of the Bible to the very subject we teach on a weekly basis. This valuable experience led us to two observations, there is a great need for intentional evangelism and discipleship (Local Church Ministries) and a great need to study and learn English (SYME).

These two areas will be the basis for the ministry Word of Life has in mind for South East Asian countries. The local church leaders that we had a chance to talk to acknowledged that they are in need of the tools Word of Life has in accomplishing the great commission. Once again, God lead us to be a part Word of Life International Ministries (South East Asia). We saw His hands in every aspect of our preparations and missions is truly His heartbeat. God has laid before us a great work to do. This is His work, He will accomplish everything in His own time and we are grateful that we are partakers with Him.

About Rene

I was brought up believing that salvation of one soul is earned through Jesus Christ and adherence to the practices and beliefs of the church. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour is something that I was never taught or ever heard in my spiritual life.

On May 1987, my uncle (a Word of Life Philippines graduate) paid us a visit and for the first time shared to me the message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:23, 6:23). That gospel truth was the answer to my lingering fear of dying without any assurance or hope of salvation.

That same year on July 11, on a prophetic conference in a church, I finally came to realise my need of accepting Jesus Christ as my saviour and my desire to be repentant of my sins in order to be born again (to be converted to a personal faith in Christ). Unquestionably, I believe that my good works can never quash the penance of my sins (Ephesians 2:8-9) and only through Christ that my sins will be forgiven by the Father (John 14:6).

On July 1996, driven by my desire and aspiration to know God more intimately and His will for my life, I went to the Word of Life Bible Institute, Philippines. It was there that God showed me His will – a calling to serve Him in ministry - to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the young people. For nine years, my wife and I ministered through Word of Life Philippines (Bible Clubs) until the call to go on foreign missions became prominent. God impressed in our hearts to continue serving in His kingdom and proclaim His word in Southeast Asia. We firmly believe that through Word of Life tools and materials, inside and through local churches and schools, many young people will come to know Christ and will be His instrument to proclaim the message of His kingdom in this part of the world.

About Juliet

I grew up believing that the only way to salvation is through doing good works. I remember some moments in my life as a teenager, the thought of heaven and hell always bring sad depressing thoughts knowing that by way of works, I am just not good enough for heaven. I tried hard to be good but the harder I tried, the more I was confronted with my imperfections. Right after university, a friend shared to me the Gospel. I was shocked with the truths that I read from Bible verses she shared. How different they were from what I learned growing up. I had very mixed emotions but I kept thinking about the verses I encountered. My friend invited me to attend “Gospel Hour” in their church one night in May 1995 and I heard the Gospel one more time and by His grace, I came to understand Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” I accepted the Lord as my Saviour and my life was never the same. What a wonderful gift_ Jesus died for my sins. His work on the cross paved the way to heaven for me. God changed my heart and He led me to Word of Life Bible Institute. He also paved the way for me to serve Him through various ministries through the years. I found great joy in serving Him. He is a faithful God.

Life Verse

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:16