From Laid Off to Led by God
Gabrielle never expected a layoff to be the turning point of her calling, but looking back, it’s clear that God was orchestrating something far greater than a career change.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Gabrielle moved to the United States at age 11 and now calls San Antonio, Texas home. A creative entrepreneur at heart, she launched her own real estate media business while still working full-time, but in April of this year, she took a leap of faith and stepped into full-time entrepreneurship.
What many might have seen as a setback, Gabrielle recognized as an answered prayer.
Two years ago, she was invited to be a leader for a missionary program. At the time, she couldn’t imagine taking 10 weeks off work. Still, she prayed—asking God that if He truly wanted her to go, He would make a way. Not long after, she was laid off. It wasn’t what she expected, but it was exactly what she needed.
With the missionary program still months away, Gabrielle sought a temporary income source that would allow her to leave when needed. That’s when the idea of real estate photography popped into her mind. She didn’t speak it aloud, didn’t search for it, yet an Instagram ad for a real estate photography course appeared on her phone within the hour. It was the confirmation she needed.
Armed with her sister’s DSLR camera and her own 360-degree hiking cam, Gabrielle began building a business, but it was never just about photos and floor plans—Gabrielle saw a bigger purpose: to one day hire Bible workers and missionaries who could fund their own ministry through media, just as Paul supported his ministry through tentmaking.
A Faith That Endures
Gabrielle’s spiritual journey has been marked by both deep conviction and deep disappointment. With a Baptist pastor for a father and a mother who embraced the Adventist faith, she was given the freedom to explore both paths. Ultimately, it was Adventism that gave her the clarity and comfort she craved—especially in understanding the state of the dead.
“The more I study and live out my faith,” she says, “the more amazing God is to me.”
But like many, her path hasn’t always been smooth. There was a time when a hurtful experience with a church leader drove her to stop attending her local congregation. The emotional toll was so heavy that she felt physically sick at the thought of seeing that individual. Yet even in that season of pain, God was at work.
Gabrielle found comfort in Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13), realizing that both good and bad would exist within the church until the end. Her faith, she learned, must be rooted not in people but in Christ alone.
A Divine Appointment at AYP
Shortly after moving to San Antonio, Gabrielle was added—mysteriously—to the local AYP chapter’s WhatsApp group. She didn’t know who added her, and she hadn’t met anyone from the group, but she stayed connected. Earlier this year, she had hoped to attend the AYP Convention, but logistical challenges made it seem impossible. That is, until the day before the event began.
Out of nowhere, a church she had never attended offered her a free ticket. Not only that—they found sponsors to cover her travel and lodging. And just like that, every obligation she had for the weekend cleared. It was undeniable: God wanted her there.
“I wasn’t supposed to be at AYP, but God moved everything so I could be. That kind of divine orchestration makes me believe something amazing is still coming.”
The convention left a mark. It inspired Gabrielle to continue ministering locally and even consider launching a Bible study group. While she doesn’t know exactly what will come of the connections she made at AYP, she’s confident that God is aligning her path with purpose.
Called for Such a Time as This
Today, Gabrielle is focused on growing her business, not for success alone but to support mission-driven work. She dreams of starting a school of trade and evangelism in Palawan, Philippines, and hopes to become a global public speaker for Christ, sharing the gospel through her testimony.
She encourages other young professionals to recognize that their current station in life might be their divine assignment.
“Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” she reflects, quoting Mordecai’s words to Esther. “God can raise others up, but He may have called you to reach someone only you can reach.”
Her anchor verse comes from Romans 6:4:
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
In moments of doubt or temptation, Gabrielle leans on the truth that she is a new creation—raised to walk in the power of Christ. For her, faith isn’t just belief; it’s obedience. And sometimes, it takes a closed door to reveal the wide open one God has prepared.
Want to experience the kind of community Gabrielle found through AYP? Find a local AYP chapter near you. Ready to support the mission? Your generosity helps us keep creating spaces for young adults to grow in Christ.
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