Manila, Philippines
 Manila, Philippines
Maya Reynoso
A Healer to the Broken
by Maya Reynoso
Maya Reynoso, a campus minister of Every Nation Campus Ministries Manila, shares her story and how God is fast advancing His Kingdom in some of Manila’s major universities.
I came from a broken home. My parents got separated when I was very young so as a kid, I was entangled in a life of deep seated insecurity, depression and meaninglessness -- and I was suicidal. Since my mother was a Muslim and my dad a member of another non-Christian religion, I grew up without any clue of who Jesus is.
My life changed radically in high school. I learned about Jesus in a school activity led by a group of Christian artists and was invited by a classmate to attend church after that. My relationship with Jesus grew from there – He set me free from depression, gave me a sense of security and gave my life meaning and purpose. My desire to serve God in the ministry grew each day. So intense that after college, I decided to work full-time.
Voice of Hope
The majority of students I meet come from broken homes and coming from one myself, stirred a desire in my heart to be used by God as a voice of hope for the young people.
I minister to students of Far Eastern University (FEU) – one of Manila’s biggest universities with a student population of 23,000. About three years ago, I started a small group in FEU with 3 members. God multiplied it. Through prayers and mentoring, we were able to train and equip 18 students to lead their own small groups. Now, 137 students regularly attend their small groups.
Aside from FEU, I oversee the works of ENCM in San Sebastian College, Centro Escolar University, San Beda College and La Consolacion College. These campuses have 2-3 existing Bible study groups each and gearing up for more.
Our youth service is our main outreach event but we also hold freshmen nights to bring together freshmen students from all five campuses. We make it a point to connect with different organizations, teachers, administrators and varsity coaches in the school. I befriended the lady guard in one of the universities to gain easy access. Our student leaders join campus organizations while some run for campus council to be more effective in sharing the word.
Maya with FEU students
Reaching Students
Reaching out to students in the campuses has given me the opportunity to help make a difference in their lives. Ministering to students, day in and day out, make me cry out to God – everyday as well - for more compassion to respond to the needs of the students.
The power of prayer works well in these campuses. Prayer empowers the students and ignites a passion in them to reach the lost for Christ. Prayer also changes the spiritual atmosphere in the universities. I remember one nursing student in FEU who led a weekly prayer walk in her building for the salvation of fellow nursing students. At that time, it was difficult to invite nursing students to small groups because they have heavy school requirements. But her prayers worked! Now the majority of FEU students and leaders attending church are nursing students.
For close to four years now, in my work as a campus missionary, God always reminds me that the ministry is not about me, nor my fruitfulness and success. It’s all about God. Every single day is an opportunity for me to exercise my dependence on Him and to see His power transform the hearts, minds and lives of students.
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