Mentors to Filipino Clergy
Dr. Richard and Mrs. Eva Wehrman were outstanding evangelists and stewardship development mentors. During the many years that they served in the Northwest Philippines Annual Conference, many clergy and lay leaders were trained in stewardship and especially in tithing’
When Dr. Wehrman was assigned to teach in Union Theological Seminary, he was everybody’s father and grandfather. His compassionate spirit and practical ministries endeared him to many students and professors. With Dr. Richard Schwenk, he consistently pursued Aeta mission work. Because of this, we now have an Aeta People’s District.
Dr. Wehrman supported Bishop Peter Torio’s studies at Duke Divinity School. He was the first pastor to invite the now bishop as a preacher in one of his churches when he was 14 years old. Since Peter Torio was appointed a District Superintendent in 2010 and elected as Bishop in 2012, Dr. Wehrman continued to be his mentor. Along with his dad, he provided the best positive influence in his life as a pastor. Bishop Torio says he owes his stewardship lifestyle and evangelistic passion to him.
The Wehrmans preached to us in our Filipino languages—Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, and Pangasinense.
Adapted from a submission by Bishop Peter Torio.
