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All my life I wanted to be an entertainer/ performer. Even as a young kid I would always want to perform, singing on top of the ironing board as a makeshift stage. When my father left us (I was probably six years old at that time) I had to rely on my talents, combining it with self-confidence, as I tried to make it on my own. When somebody encouraged me to audition for a group looking for a lead singer, I took the opportunity and that started my love affair with show business. 

But in spite of the fame, fortune and achievements, I was still empty… unhappy and unfulfilled. In 1981 someone shared with me about the love of Jesus but I was still convinced that being rich and famous was the answer. So, I pursued my career even more seriously. In 1986, after the EDSA revolution that left the economy crumbling, I wanted to pursue my career in the US. Wanting to make sure that I made the right decision, I asked the help of a fortune teller to find out if I am going to be successful. 

The Lord used this mistake to turn me around and bring me to my senses. When the fortune teller told me that I would indeed go to a foreign land and be successful, I got excited. But when she said that I would never see my family again (I was married at this time with two kids and a third on the way), it broke me so much that I went home crying literally like a little child. 

The Lord made me remember a promise I made in 1979, the year I got married. I promised to be a good husband and or a good father to my wife and children because my father wasn’t to us. History almost repeated itself if not for the grace and mercy of God… the cycle of pain almost transferred to the next generation if not for the kind intervention of our gracious Lord. 

July, 1986 became a turning point in my life. The Lord graciously forgave me of my sins and gave me a brand new start. 

In 1988 after being convinced through a miraculous confirmation that His plan for me was to use the talents He gave me to sing praises to the nations and to declare His excellencies, I left the world of show business for His business… now preferring  altar calls to curtain calls. 

Now my life is so filled with His goodness, mercy and grace and the joy of seeing people impacted for eternity as He uses me to testify of the gospel of His grace. Now my life has meaning and purpose as I flow with His plan in being an instrument of blessing to those who are lost just like I once was. And I desire to do this until He calls me home. 

Some of my colleagues in the business once made a bet: “Six months”, they said, “Ray An is going to come back.” It has been 21 years and I will never dream of exchanging this wonderful, blessed life I have with my God with what I had before…now that I have tasted that the Lord is good.

Source: http://www.rayanfuentes.com/

(Note from Ellen: Annie Jean, one of the members of our Bible Study group, had the opportunity to listen to Ray An Fuentes when he was here in Calgary in the latter part of 2009. Ray An was a popular singer & entertainer in the Philippines. He came to know Jesus Christ and is now serving Him fulltime in the ministry.)