Pentecostal Pioneer

The Life and Legacy of Rudy Esperanza in the Early Years of the Assemblies of God in the Philippines

Rose Engcoy's insightful study of the life and ministry of Rodrigo "Rudy" is a legitmate contribution to the historiography of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in the Philippines, about which so little has been done. Here, we some valuable insights into the life of one of the six Filipino pioneers of the Assemblies of God church in the Philippines. Esperanza began as a church planter and pastor and later also served as an educator and long-time senior executive in the Assemblies of God in the Philippines. He played a vital role in that church's early success, which brought it to the forefront of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in his beloved homeland. Today, the number of Christians is multiplying in the Asia Pacific region and Pentecostals and Charismatics are in the vanguard of that growth.