Investing in the Next Generation: Donna’s Ministry in the Philippines
Donna Guzon Altea has spent years serving students, graduates, and young professionals in the Philippines. As an Associate Staff member for the Graduates Ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Philippines, Inc., she walks with graduates as they grow in faith and learn to follow Christ in their work and daily lives. Much of her ministry happens through mentoring, teaching, and steady presence.
Haggai recognized Donna as a strategically positioned leader because of her influence among students and young professionals. Through her role, she helps shape how the next generation understands faith, vocation, and leadership.
She serves in Cuartero, Jaro, where sharing the gospel often takes time. The community is shaped by strong religious traditions, and many people are respectful but cautious about deeper spiritual conversations. Busy schedules, financial pressure, and concern about judgment can make discipleship difficult. Because of this, Donna has learned to serve patiently and build trust over time.
That approach shapes the way she ministers each week. Through campus ministry and her Sunday school class, she reaches 15-20 students regularly. In her work with graduates, she also mentors 10-15 young adults each month. Her ministry does not rely on visibility. It grows through relationships and a willingness to stay present in people’s lives.
One of those stories began in her church’s Dance Ministry. During a Bible study, a young woman shared her desire to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Donna led her in prayer and later provided a Bible study guide to help her begin personal devotions. Over time, the young woman grew in her understanding of Scripture and became more confident in her identity in Christ. Her dancing became an expression of the faith taking root in her life.
Another story unfolded more slowly. A graduate Donna knew had stepped away from church because of a personal struggle. Donna stayed connected, reaching out occasionally and making space for honest conversation. She listened and prayed with her, offering encouragement from Scripture when it was helpful. After several years, that graduate returned to fellowship. Today she serves as an officer in the Young Adults Fellowship and assists with training student leaders.
Donna also invested in a student whose parents followed a different religion and did not want her involved in Christian activities. Still, the student privately asked for help studying the Bible. Donna met with her online each week for a year, guiding her through Scripture and answering questions along the way. That quiet discipleship made a lasting impact. The student now studies the Bible on her own and has joined the youth group at church.
As Donna continued serving in these settings, God opened a new opportunity through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE). When she learned she had been accepted, she felt grateful and humbled. She also recognized that the experience would strengthen the ministry she was already leading.
The HLE became a catalyst for Donna’s leadership. It deepened her understanding of God’s mission and renewed her confidence in the calling she had already embraced. The training also provided practical insight she could bring back to the students and graduates she mentors. Like many Haggai Leaders, Donna did not return home with encouragement alone. She returned better equipped to lead and disciple in the place where God had already positioned her.
Today, Donna continues walking alongside students and young professionals, helping them grow in faith and live it out in their work and daily lives. Her story is a reminder that when strategically positioned leaders are equipped, their influence multiplies, reaching individuals, churches, and the next generation.
Written by Zoë Webb
Investing in the Next Generation: Donna’s Ministry in the Philippines
Donna Guzon Altea has spent years serving students, graduates, and young professionals in the Philippines. As an Associate Staff member for the Graduates Ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Philippines, Inc., she walks with graduates as they grow in faith and learn to follow Christ in their work and daily lives. Much of her ministry happens through mentoring, teaching, and steady presence.
Haggai recognized Donna as a strategically positioned leader because of her influence among students and young professionals. Through her role, she helps shape how the next generation understands faith, vocation, and leadership.
She serves in Cuartero, Jaro, where sharing the gospel often takes time. The community is shaped by strong religious traditions, and many people are respectful but cautious about deeper spiritual conversations. Busy schedules, financial pressure, and concern about judgment can make discipleship difficult. Because of this, Donna has learned to serve patiently and build trust over time.
That approach shapes the way she ministers each week. Through campus ministry and her Sunday school class, she reaches 15-20 students regularly. In her work with graduates, she also mentors 10-15 young adults each month. Her ministry does not rely on visibility. It grows through relationships and a willingness to stay present in people’s lives.
One of those stories began in her church’s Dance Ministry. During a Bible study, a young woman shared her desire to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Donna led her in prayer and later provided a Bible study guide to help her begin personal devotions. Over time, the young woman grew in her understanding of Scripture and became more confident in her identity in Christ. Her dancing became an expression of the faith taking root in her life.
Another story unfolded more slowly. A graduate Donna knew had stepped away from church because of a personal struggle. Donna stayed connected, reaching out occasionally and making space for honest conversation. She listened and prayed with her, offering encouragement from Scripture when it was helpful. After several years, that graduate returned to fellowship. Today she serves as an officer in the Young Adults Fellowship and assists with training student leaders.
Donna also invested in a student whose parents followed a different religion and did not want her involved in Christian activities. Still, the student privately asked for help studying the Bible. Donna met with her online each week for a year, guiding her through Scripture and answering questions along the way. That quiet discipleship made a lasting impact. The student now studies the Bible on her own and has joined the youth group at church.
As Donna continued serving in these settings, God opened a new opportunity through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE). When she learned she had been accepted, she felt grateful and humbled. She also recognized that the experience would strengthen the ministry she was already leading.
The HLE became a catalyst for Donna’s leadership. It deepened her understanding of God’s mission and renewed her confidence in the calling she had already embraced. The training also provided practical insight she could bring back to the students and graduates she mentors. Like many Haggai Leaders, Donna did not return home with encouragement alone. She returned better equipped to lead and disciple in the place where God had already positioned her.
Today, Donna continues walking alongside students and young professionals, helping them grow in faith and live it out in their work and daily lives. Her story is a reminder that when strategically positioned leaders are equipped, their influence multiplies, reaching individuals, churches, and the next generation.
Written by Zoë Webb
Investing in the Next Generation: Donna’s Ministry in the Philippines
Donna Guzon Altea has spent years serving students, graduates, and young professionals in the Philippines. As an Associate Staff member for the Graduates Ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Philippines, Inc., she walks with graduates as they grow in faith and learn to follow Christ in their work and daily lives. Much of her ministry happens through mentoring, teaching, and steady presence.
Haggai recognized Donna as a strategically positioned leader because of her influence among students and young professionals. Through her role, she helps shape how the next generation understands faith, vocation, and leadership.
She serves in Cuartero, Jaro, where sharing the gospel often takes time. The community is shaped by strong religious traditions, and many people are respectful but cautious about deeper spiritual conversations. Busy schedules, financial pressure, and concern about judgment can make discipleship difficult. Because of this, Donna has learned to serve patiently and build trust over time.
That approach shapes the way she ministers each week. Through campus ministry and her Sunday school class, she reaches 15-20 students regularly. In her work with graduates, she also mentors 10-15 young adults each month. Her ministry does not rely on visibility. It grows through relationships and a willingness to stay present in people’s lives.
One of those stories began in her church’s Dance Ministry. During a Bible study, a young woman shared her desire to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Donna led her in prayer and later provided a Bible study guide to help her begin personal devotions. Over time, the young woman grew in her understanding of Scripture and became more confident in her identity in Christ. Her dancing became an expression of the faith taking root in her life.
Another story unfolded more slowly. A graduate Donna knew had stepped away from church because of a personal struggle. Donna stayed connected, reaching out occasionally and making space for honest conversation. She listened and prayed with her, offering encouragement from Scripture when it was helpful. After several years, that graduate returned to fellowship. Today she serves as an officer in the Young Adults Fellowship and assists with training student leaders.
Donna also invested in a student whose parents followed a different religion and did not want her involved in Christian activities. Still, the student privately asked for help studying the Bible. Donna met with her online each week for a year, guiding her through Scripture and answering questions along the way. That quiet discipleship made a lasting impact. The student now studies the Bible on her own and has joined the youth group at church.
As Donna continued serving in these settings, God opened a new opportunity through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE). When she learned she had been accepted, she felt grateful and humbled. She also recognized that the experience would strengthen the ministry she was already leading.
The HLE became a catalyst for Donna’s leadership. It deepened her understanding of God’s mission and renewed her confidence in the calling she had already embraced. The training also provided practical insight she could bring back to the students and graduates she mentors. Like many Haggai Leaders, Donna did not return home with encouragement alone. She returned better equipped to lead and disciple in the place where God had already positioned her.
Today, Donna continues walking alongside students and young professionals, helping them grow in faith and live it out in their work and daily lives. Her story is a reminder that when strategically positioned leaders are equipped, their influence multiplies, reaching individuals, churches, and the next generation.
Written by Zoë Webb
