LawReal: BJ: Proclaiming The Gospel To Taxi Drivers

Here is another bachelor lawyer of Advocates Phils. but I am not sure if he is still available :) I happened to read by chance his encouraging testimony below when I stumbled upon Christ’s Commission Fellowship’s (CCF) website (http://ccf.org.ph/testimony-bj/) posted on Sept. 06, 2010.

Atty. Benito Jose Legarda Delos Santos a.k.a. BJ is a high school and college (BS Management) alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University '04 and belongs to the first batch of U.P. Law's Juris Doctor holders (2008). Following in the footsteps of his prominent auntie, Atty. Katrina Legarda, he joined Salumbides Law Firm when he hurdled the 2009 Bar Exams.

Kung si singing CPA lawyer Lorybeth eh hawig ni Donna Cruz (but I like Lorybeth’s soothing voice better than her :) si Atty. Lars si Harlene Bautista, si Atty. Josh si Derek Ramsay (sabi niya) at si Atty. John na pwedeng model ng Close-Up with his killer smile eh BJ looks like TJ Trinidad naman, sound-alike names din sila (o di ba, celebs look-alike ang advocates members :)

By the way, Malabon City Hall of Justice should confer on BJ Most Punctual Award (I am definitely NOT qualified for that award). On our way home from a dinner meeting with the mother of advocates, I heard him telling about his morning court appearance in Malabon for the first time. Thinking Malabon was very far away from his residence in Quezon City, he decided to leave before the sun rises. Alas, it was still dark when he arrived because it only took him 45 minutes to get there and court hearings usually start at 8:30, so he ate almost all the types of bread of a certain bakery and read nearly every newspaper page :)

I hate driving. I don’t like waiting in traffic, looking for parking and worrying about gas prices and maintenance costs. So I started riding taxis. Little did I know the Lord would turn this into my small ministry.

When I became a Christian some nine (9) years ago, I knew I had to take part in the Great Commission. I enjoyed seeing people come to Christ and live out their newfound relationship with Him. However, I disliked talking to strangers and the idea of sharing the Gospel to people terrified me. But the Lord’s words in Matthew 28:18-21 convicted me no end. Each time I hear a message on it, my heart gets wounded. I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone.

My taxi-riding habit provided the perfect setting for this. But the thought scared me! I was at the driver’s mercy. If he wanted to insult or throw me out of the car for “trying to convert him”, I was totally helpless. But Jesus’ words compelled me to take the risk. My first attempts at sharing were uneventful until the Lord allowed me to experience a breakthrough. I was on my way home from Sunday service riding a cab. No, I didn’t feel like sharing the Gospel to the driver but the Lord moved me to do so. The driver was going through a lot that time – financial and family problems. When I told him of Jesus’ great love for Him, dying on the cross to pay for all His sins so that He can be with God in heaven someday, his face lit up. It was an indescribable expression that moved my heart greatly. When he accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior, I struggled to hold back the tears. I got home that day hearing “Thank you” several times over, but I cried that entire afternoon saying “Thank you” to Jesus. From that moment on, I made it a point to share the Gospel each time I rode a taxi.

However, my taxi ministry took a backseat when the Lord led me to law school. The passion to share seemed to wane while my drive to excel and study hard in school increased. But when the Lord allowed me to pass the Bar exams earlier this year, I was ecstatic and responded to this blessing by pursuing hard after Him. I was determined to consume His Word night and day. Eventually, the desire to share the Gospel was rekindled. The overflow of God’s Word resulted in this compulsion to share Jesus’ Cross to the lost. Jeremiah 20:9 spoke to me – “But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

Two Fridays ago, I found myself conversing with a cab driver named Domeng. I didn’t plan on sharing the Gospel initially until I felt this overwhelming need to share Jesus. I then asked Domeng if he knew where he was going when he dies. Before I realized it, I had fully explained to him why he needed Christ in his life in order to be saved. The smile on his face was unforgettable. When I asked him if he wanted to receive Jesus through a prayer, he readily said yes. I advised him, however, to keep his eyes on the road while we prayed lest we end up seeing Jesus rather prematurely that day. Before we parted ways, Domeng did something no other taxi driver previously did – he asked for my phone number. He said that he wanted to go to CCF one Sunday if he’s free and he’ll let me know. I cried in the office that day. The privilege of the experience was simply without equal.

Last Sunday, Pastor Peter asked “What’s so Great About the Great Commission?” He said that the Great Commission is great because the One giving it is the greatest being there is. This encouraged me to share the Gospel even more. This week alone, I was able to share Jesus to twelve taxi drivers – more than I ever did the entire year of 2009. Not everyone accepted but those who prayed to receive Christ made the experience worth it. In fact, one driver got so convicted he told me not to pay the fare anymore, confessing that his taximeter was rigged. I nonetheless paid the amount to illustrate what God’s grace was all about.

Indeed, I discovered that my greatest joy is to see hopeless people come to a relationship with Jesus. The experience of seeing a person realize for the first time how much Jesus loves him is simply wonderful. For me, there can only be one thing that can top that –seeing Jesus Himself face-to-face.

I hate driving… and the Lord miraculously used this to spur me to love and lead to Jesus the needy men behind the taxicab wheel. I am BJ de los Santos, your fellow bondservant in Christ. Thank you and Good morning!