Rev. Domingo Guevarra Jr.

Pastor Ding, as he is fondly called, is a native of Hagonoy, Bulacan, but grew up in the city of Manila where he acquired his education in Nautical Science at the Philippine Maritime Institute.

Before his call to the ministry, Pastor Ding traveled extensively to various ports in Europe. It was there where he started to carve his dreams and calculated the time when he determined to rise as one of the youngest captains in just a matter of time. It was at the height of this ambition that God reiterated His call to him to a full time set apart ministry - a call he ignored even back in his college days.

Obedience did not come easy. Urgent family needs and the beacon of a comfortable life as promised by his career stood in the way. On his second voyage, the Lord sounded His call once more - this time with all seriousness. It was a dilemma that appeared so complicated for a young man in his early 20’s to confront. Delaying time was his best bargain, but God had plotted a different destination for him.

At a certain time while out in the open seas, Pastor Ding fell ill. The waves that rocked the tanker seemed to be so strong - enough to knock him down, rendering him dizzy and nauseous most of the time. The exciting days of nurturing his dream slowly disappeared as his health worsened. He became very sick in the stomach, aggravating his condition. For weeks he could not eat, work or even stand on his feet. Overcome by serious bodily weaknesses, he was kept in his cabin by his superiors during inspections at their port of call. Pastor Ding said he could only ask God to kill him. Almost unable to move, he thought death was the best way out of his deteriorating health. It was then that he remembered his call. 

When his condition worsened, his superiors decided to drop him off at Coco island, an Australian territory, so he could get immediate medical attention. While undergoing treatment in a hospital, Pastor Ding made up his mind to heed the Call. It was then that he gave up his dreams and decided to obey the Captain of his life.

Upon his discharge from the hospital, he took the first flight available that would take him back to the Philippines. At the arrival area, he talked to his father about his decision and went straight to Baguio City for his full time training at the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary.

He finished his Bachelor of Theology in 1983 and was immediately called to pastor a church in Guagua, Pampanga. In 1986, he graduated from the same Seminary with his Master of Divinity. It was at the same year that he earned his Bachelor of Arts with Political Science and History as major fields from a college in Baguio City. 

Barely a year married, he and his wife were both called to Manila where they served in different areas of ministry. Rev. Guevarra was called to pastor Paco Baptist Church, while Tess led the marketing arm for the Mass Media Ministry of the Philippine Baptist Mission. Two years later, he decided to further his education. He enrolled at the Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary, Philippine Branch where he later earned his Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) in 1998. 

Upon his return to Manila in 1991, he served as the Associate Pastor of the International Baptist Church, Makati City and later became the full time Pastor( and later Pulpit Pastor) of Muntinlupa Baptist Church until his call to the United States in 2000. 

Simultaneously, he served as the Executive Director of the Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches from 1993-1998. In 1998, he relinquished his directorship after he was unanimously elected as the Convention President. Overlapping with his leadership and administrative duties were his teaching stints at the Southern Baptist School of Theology in Makati City, and radio counseling and Bible Teaching in various radio programs produced by the Mass Media Ministry of the Philippine Baptist Mission (SBC). His was a life well spread out in the kingdom building while fulfilling his role as a dedicated husband and father.  

On September 21, 2000, he and his family arrived in the US to respond to a call extended by our church - the South Jersey Bible Church International.

Today, he also serves as the Moderator of the South Jersey Baptist Association  and a member of the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania-South Jersey Baptist Convention. 

Pastor Ding and his wife Tess are blessed with their daughter Genesis Grace and were gifted with nieces Melizza Joy and Vanessa who have always been treated as their own children from the time both were brought under their care.