Lyle Lopez embraces pastorhood

CEBU, Philippines - Lyle Areanne “L.A.” Lopez (born on June 1, 1985 in Quezon City) was said to have been discovered by comedy king Dolphy in the early 90s via talent search “That’s My Boy”.

After that, Lyle went on to win a fan base because of his charisma beginning with the children’s show “Eh Kasi Bata” and after garnering several Awit Awards as a child singer. “People like the quality of my voice kasi sobrang matinis (sharp) na ako lang ang nakakagawa among child performers that time,” Lyle said.

However, in the midst of the success of his award-winning album entitled “Yakap” in 2002 under Star Records, L.A. left the Philippine entertainment world.

“On national television, a talk show host called me ‘retarded’ and ‘gay’ despite what I have proven as a child performer. I got fed up with the hollowness of show business and had to bargain with the Lord that if He sends me somewhere I could live my life to the fullest, far from the limelight, I would be His servant,” Lyle said in a recent episode of the 700 Club Asia on QTV (Channel 27 in Cebu).

God works in mysterious ways, indeed, because He blessed Lyle with a scholarship for the performing arts in the United States.

He said that in 2003, he auditioned and applied for a scholarship in the U.S. and that the former dean of the Florida School of the Arts, Dr. Gary Piazza, stated that there were “hundreds of hopeful students who aimed for the prestigious presidential scholarship.”

“Out of the hundreds of students, I was among the 10 to be chosen. I was the only Asian-born Filipino to receive the Presidential Scholarship Grant for my chosen major. During that time, I was living independently in the countryside of Florida,” Lyle said.

“Away from the buzz of the city life,” Lyle continued, “I spent my time in prayer and fasting. I hungered to know the wonders and magnificence of God. Soon after in a local church, God’s calling came when the senior pastor of Christ Crusader’s Assembly offered me the office of youth pastor.”

Lyle said that, at first, he just sat at the back of the pews to listen. When the senior pastor approached him and offered him the position, he was deeply amazed at how fast God’s plan worked on him.

He was then ordained in Florida as youth pastor and lay minister and beautifully metamorphosed into a dynamic motivational speaker for youths and adults alike.

“While studying and pastoring at the same time, I was also employed as a working student for St. John’s River Community College Public Safety and Security Department. I worked as an Information Technology adviser and administration assistant. As I have this knack for repairing and modifying car engines, as well as computers and laptops on the side, these gave me revenue,” he shared.

Currently, Lyle is serving as an adviser to the youth ministry called Jzone Pinoy. His first comeback launch was in TV5’s “Shall We Dance” hosted by Lucy Torres-Gomez, Jon Avila and Victor Basa where he won the Celebrity Challenge for the Former Child Star episode.

The child star/recording artist is back not only as a singer, an actor, a dancer, and a public speaker. He’s come to terms with himself as a humble servant of the Christ Commission Fellowship.

Lyle said that being again on television, after a seven-year hiatus, but this time for God’s purposes, is “great start” for him who’s been born again spiritually.

“Truly God has been faithful. I am excited for the opportunities and the possibilities that have yet to manifest. Meeting old friends once more, serving God and going back to my passion for the arts. I am truly blessed,” Lyle said on the 700 Club Asia hosted by Mari Kaimo and Peter Kairuz. (FREEMAN)