By Simon Baker, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Christian speaker Edward de los Reyes will speak during International Week at Campbellsville University’s chapel service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville, Ky.
Reyes was born in 1988 in Washington, D.C. He said in his biography how he “grew up in a Christian home” which was “very involved in church.”
Reyes said growing up in church “led me to trusting my own good works for my salvation.” However, when he was 14, he “decided to stop trusting myself and trust Jesus to save me instead.”
Reyes described in his biography how since he was 18, he “felt burdened to go into missions.” He said, “Since beginning my relationship with the Lord, I have always known I would be living for Him in one capacity or another.”
Reyes attended Liberty University, where he met his wife, Bethlehem.
Reyes said he is a Liberty University alumnus with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with an emphasis in Speech Communication.
After graduating, Reyes completed an internship overseas in Harbin, China. While in China, Reyes, began working in a church planting ministry in 2010 with Omega Church.
Later Reyes said in his biography, in 2011, after “returning to the States, I completed another ministry internship at Calvary Baptist church in Bowling Green.”
Reyes said how at Liberty University, he got to “minister through dance.” At Calvary Baptist Church, Reyes said, “I acted as the worship leader and young guys small group leader.”
Reyes said at Vision Baptist Church, he “completed the Missions Training program, served as the worship leader, led a college-age Sunday school class, discipled youth guys and helped plan and execute church events and conferences.”
In his biography, Reyes talked about life after being back in the United States. He said, “I have volunteered with church ministries and have also been volunteering as an ESL teacher and assistant for refugees and internationals.”
Reyes’ wife was born in Ethiopia and spent the first 11 years of her life in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Bethlehem said she and her family “moved to the United States in 2001.”
She said, “It wasn’t until my youth pastor’s wife, began to personally disciple me, and I was able to see my need to be saved for myself.”
Bethlehem shared in her biography, how at the age of 13, she “was saved at an Easter service.” And ever since, her “burden” has been to “share the wonderful news of the Gospel with those that never had the chance to hear it before.”
Bethlehem said how she “studied psychology at Liberty University where I met Edward.” She and Reyes both “served on the mission field for the five years before returning to the United States.”
Speaking of their family, Reyes and Bethlehem share in their biography, how they got “married in 2015 and began traveling to raise the financial support to serve the Lord in China.”
Both Reyes and his wife have “traveled to around 300 U.S. churches in the process of raising our financial support.”
They both shared while in China, they “spent 2.5 years learning Mandarin and serving in a house church in the children’s, music and outreach ministries.” They also said, “During that time, we also started a Bible study in our homes for a few of our neighbors.”
Reyes and Bethlehem have four children: Eden, Noah, Zion and Cana.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.