Little Known Bible Hero
Ten-year-old Charisse Anne Medina won the “Little Known Bible Hero” contest sponsored by the Philippine Bible Society, where children from all over the country aged 7-12 were asked to write about the least known Bible hero of their choice.
Her entry, which was about the unnamed boy who offered his fish and bread to Jesus so he could feed five thousand people, bested 300 other essays. Charisse, who is now a third grader at the Agoo Christian Learning Center in Aringay, La Union, wrote that like the boy in the story, she also shares her blessings to the needy.
So when she went to the PBS Ministry Facility in Sta. Mesa, Manila, and her parents, Danny and Cora, to claim her prize, she humbly requested that her Disneyland Hong Kong trip for two be converted to cash. This way, she said, she could buy her 8-year-old brother, BJ, a set of drums, and share her blessings to her whole family. The PBS management relented and gave her a cash prize equivalent.
Born to a Christian family, Charisse and BJ were brought up to be respectful and obedient children. Their parents said that the fear of the Lord was one of the core values they have instilled in their children.
It was a Christian value that the children learned through reading the Bible regularly, they explained.
Mommy Cora, a housewife, said she always reads Bible stories to them every night. She also said that they always make time to pray together as a family, even if her husband is away on the job. Charisse’s father is the Field Education Director for Region 1 at the Conservative Baptist Seminary, Asia.
PBS Marketing Manager France Torreja and Ads and Promo Officer Aries Aguilar said the contest aims to encourage children to read the Bible and be involved in the Scripture ministry at an early age. They added that if more children are made aware of the importance of the Bible and how God’s Word can be best applied in their lives, the country will be raising a new generation of godly citizens and leaders.
Charisse is also a model student who participates well in class and cooperates in all her school activities. She also finds the time and the energy to see to the needs of her dog and five rabbits.
When asked for a message she wishes to share to other children her age, she answered, “Share, pray, and read the Bible.” Truly, a timely message not just for children but for adults as well.