Leap of Faith
How singer-turnedpastor Ray-An Fuentes keeps to his true purpose through God’s words and gospel music
The Christian world is silent today in the observance of Good Friday. It is the time to reflect on the pathway God has set for us. This is great opportunity to revitalize our faith and relationship with the Creator.
Singer-turned-pastor Ray-An Fuentes heeds God’s voice. In an exclusive interview with Bulletin Entertainment, he shared two bible verses that might help people find inspiration and be motivated to follow suit.
2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these, things shall be added unto you.”
‘A miracle’
Fuentes, the voice behind the song “Umagang Kay Ganda,” has been preaching God’s words in Canada for many years now.
He gets invited to different churches in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia as well to give testimony and perform worship songs from time to time.
Ray-an said it was God’s will that brought him and his family to Canada.
“This is my calling,” he said. “I believe God brought me to North America to find ministry bases. You could say it’s cost effective since a lot of Filipinos live in my area.”
He admitted it was not an easy decision to make, primarily because he had to bid show business goodbye despite that it was his bread and butter.
Initially, too, he thought the “idea” of relocating did not make sense at all as he and the family would need to start a life from scratch since his relatives are all in the US. But God has His own ways.
In 1988, Fuentes and his family flew to Canada where he began fulfilling his duties as pastor and evangelist. “My principle in life now is, ‘Kung
saan kami i-lead ni Lord, du’n kami (pupunta),’” he said. “God said ‘My ways are not your ways,’ so we put our faith in Him, trust Him with all our heart. And I don’t regret doing that because He has never forsaken us. He provided everything we needed when we followed His voice.”
Fuentes said the biggest miracle God has given him is the gift of strong marriage.
Describing his past self as “selfcentered” and “babaero,” he thanked the Lord for giving him a wife who is very understanding and loving. The two are married for 40 years now.
“Back then, I never really knew how to treat my wife right. I was blind with all the fame and honor. I was selfcentered. I never knew what love was. But my wife, she is God’s gift to me. Being able to preserve my marriage despite all my shortcomings is the greatest miracle that ever happened to me,” he said. “Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang buhay ko ngayon sa buhay ko dati.”
Past and future
Fuentes doesn’t deny he still misses living in the Philippines as well as show business.
He was very popular back in the ’70s and ’80s. He used to be a member of the New Minstrels, the Circus Band, and the Fourth Congregation. The Filipino singer-songwriter is best remembered as Tillie Moreno’s duet partner in “Umagang Kay Ganda,” being their landmark collaboration. He has also written songs for artists like Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Janno Gibbs, and Martin Nievera.
Fuentes released three Christian albums back then and we were surprised to know that he actually did it before Gary Valenciano released “Shout For Joy” and “Take Me Out Of The Dark.”
He admitted his albums were not that successful given that his market was small.
“That’s because I think Philippines is Christian by culture, but not by nature. Filipinos often say the Philippines is the only Christian nation, but look at the quality of life here, look at the corruption,” he explained. “There’s definitely a disconnect.”
But does he ever think of, perhaps, settling back in the Philippines, we asked.
“I miss everything here. The food, the people but my kids don’t like to go back,” he admitted. “I still have mission there and that is what God wants.” How about releasing new songs? Fuentes said he is definitely open to the idea.
“If there’s an opportunity, why not? Let’s see in the future,” he said, adding that for now, he’s okay performing at worship concerts like what he did in Kuh Ledesma’s recent birthday show.
Fuentes has two kids. He proudly shared both love music.
“My son does theater plays. He appeared on ‘Matilda,” ‘Little Mermaid,’ and ‘Mary Poppins,’ while my daughter is now a worship leader. She’s an excellent singer,” he said.