Erica had become used to running on empty. At 23, her days were filled with school, work, and service. But something felt off.
“Everything that happened to me had become a routine,” Erica said. “I was so busy chasing after things that didn’t help my growth and didn’t glorify the Lord.”
In the Philippines, young people like Erica carry enormous potential, but they also face immense pressure. Academic demands, digital overload, and rising mental health struggles leave many feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. Erica’s burnout was part of a broader story, one of a generation searching for purpose in a culture pulled between tradition and modern life.
The burnout left her discouraged. But then she heard a sermon that changed everything, delivered by a former Cultivate intern who is now a national field coordinator with OneHope. Cultivate is OneHope’s global internship program, equipping young adults in every region of the world for leadership and ministry through immersive training and hands-on experience.
“The topic was ‘First Things First’—we should prioritize the things that glorify the Lord,” Erica said. “From that time, I started saying no to things that wasted my time and weren’t fruitful, and I decided to focus on growing in my relationship with the Lord.”
Around that same time, Erica connected with the Cultivate program through Jor, another intern-turned-field-coordinator who had mentored her during a OneHope book distribution project. His encouragement and her recent conviction created the perfect moment for a leap of faith.
That shift led her to apply for the Cultivate internship. Though nervous at first, she felt a spark of hope. “I initially felt scared and intimidated because I just started serving in our church then,” she said. “At first, I was overwhelmed by the culture of the Cultivate and OneHope Philippines staff. The office culture is very family-oriented… I never felt condemned because I felt I was not yet equipped. Instead, these people taught us more about the Christian faith and ministry.”
Through Cultivate, Erica was placed in the Field Department, where she learned to cast vision, distribute Scripture engagement programs, train volunteers, and share the Gospel. “I was scared to share the Gospel because I felt like I didn’t have the right to share it,” she said. “But the Lord kept giving me opportunities to grow.”
She soon found herself training church leaders, traveling to rural churches in far provinces of the Philippines, places where Christian communities have few resources but thrive with a deep faith. “I was so blessed by every testimony I heard and how the Lord used those people to advance His kingdom.”
The transformation in Erica’s life was undeniable. “Before, I would only attend church during youth services,” she said. “But now, even without youth services, I attend every Sunday as much as possible, even if I’m tired from work.” What began as routine attendance evolved into full participation. “I’m facilitating breakout sessions now and am also a potential core leader for the youth in our church.”
But one lesson stands out above the rest. “When the Lord calls you to a ministry or place, it doesn’t mean you’re already skilled in that area,” Erica said. “Ministry isn’t about our abilities. The Lord calls us because He wants us to depend on Him, learn to be humble, and surrender everything to Him.”
From burnout to boldness, Erica’s story is a reminder that when young people are empowered and developed into Spirit-led leaders, the Church doesn’t just gain new volunteers—it gains a new generation of leaders that carry the mission forward.
This year, the Asia Pacific team has trained over 850 young people through our Leadership Development ministry strategies and has reached over 13.9 million children and youth with God’s Word.
Emerging leaders like Erica are rising all over the world. Share this story to encourage others to grow in faith, step into calling, and lead with courage.
Know someone who would benefit from a Cultivate Internship? Check out our USA Cultivate program here.
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- 27 Oct 2025
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