Directing Pastor
Pastor John M. Taliwaga is a native Filipino born on June 16, 1977. He is married to Mary Rose M. Taliwaga, a Filipino Deaconess and Kindergarten Teacher. They are blessed by God with 3 children: Merry Deborah Gratia M. Taliwaga, Jedidiah Reign M. Taliwaga, and Cornelius David Blessing M. Taliwaga. In 2000, John started his ministry as Candidate to the Ministry. In 2001, he became a Certified Local Pastor. In 2007, he was ordained as an elder. The Lord blessed him as an appointed District Superintendent from 2011-2016.
John's passion in service was not confined inside the district, it was extended to a special ministry. From 2015-2017, he was commissioned as a military officer in the Chaplain Service of the Philippine Air Force. During this time, there was an internal arrangement with the Bishop to supervise the district and have ministry in military service. But after two years, John resigned from military ministry service because it was hard for his family to be separated.
In 2017, John was re-appointed by the Bishop to Tarlac City UMC as the Senior Pastor. He has been appointed to different UM churches since 2001. Most of these appointments have been in large churches with a multicultural set-up. He shared ministry to fulfill the flagship program of their conference: “Know Jesus Christ and to make Him Known”. They were able to introduce the beloved church to the society by confessing “A Mega Faith - Mega Church”. It was also a great opportunity and joy to be elected as the principal delegate to the General Conference in 2016 and in 2019.
John is friendly, teachable, and flexible. He is dedicated to the ministry of the Lord. He loves building strong relationships and working in a group, as he believes good results are fuitful through cooperation and unity.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, 2001; Tarlac Agricultural University Philippines
Master of Divinity, 2004; Wesley Divinity School- Wesleyan University Philippines
Doctor of Missiology, 2021; Philippine Christian University