"As a child, my ambition was to become a soldier like my father. In college, I took advanced courses so I could be more than just a soldier- I could become an officer, a military leader. However, when I graduated from college, my first job was not in the military, but a science teacher in a religious school. My life seemed unsettled and without direction; I sought for meaning in friends, vices, and worldly pleasures. Although I grew up in a religious home and knew all about ‘doing good’ and trying to earn my way to heaven, I did not know my Bible or the Lord Jesus."

"In 1976, my college classmate, Cora, and I were married, but she returned to her nursing position in England where she could receive higher wages. After she left, my days were often wasted as I began to drink more and more. I was surprised when Cora returned home. She wanted me to understand what had happened to her, and she began to share the Gospel with me. I tried to ignore her, and I told her that I was not interested in her Jesus. I was unkind to her. Every night I would come home drunk; bur she was very patient, praying always. One Sunday morning in 1979, Cora invited me to go to church with her. Instead of my usual excuses, I went. Never in all my church attendance had I sensed the presence of the Lord as I did in that service. When the pastor gave the invitation, I found myself at the altar, and there I was forgiven - set free - born again - Hallelujah!”

“Instead of joining man’s army to kill and destroy, God took me into His mighty and victorious army. He gave me the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, to bring lost and dead people to life.  Now there was a purpose for my existence: to serve and glorify the Lord.” Five years later, in 1984, Wilson sensed God’s call to serve Him as a pastor.  He struggled, questioning the Lord concerning this drastic move, but the Lord reassured him through the Scriptures that this was His desire.  So, with the approval and backing of his wife, he resigned from his secular job entered Bible School in Manila.

By this time, God had blessed the Ladringans with two precious children. They had a six-year-old son, Immanuel, and a four-year-old daughter, Maranatha. To help with finances while Wilson attended Bible School, Cora had gone to Saudi Arabia as a nurse. So she was out of the country on that dreadful day in 1986. Both children were with Wilson in the car when they had a terrible accident. Three people were killed, including their precious Maranatha! When Cora had left, Maranatha was so healthy and so happy. What a traumatic shock for her - to suddenly receive word that her little girl was dead. Returning immediately, Cora found Wilson in the hospital, almost unrecognizable. His right thigh was completely broken, and he had many wounds and bruises on his head and body. They gave him 50/50 chance to live, but he miraculously survived. It was 2 1/2 years before he could walk without crutches. Their son Immanuel was spared by the Lord on that accident. He sustained minor injuries and has fully recovered. Cora was brave throughout those days, but her heart was crushed. She and Wilson wept together, as their wounded hearts slowly began to heal. The lie Lord's assurance to Cora was, "I have your daughter - and you have my Son."

Two years later, a further healing resulted when the Lord gave to them another little girl, their darling Maranatha Praise. Wilson says thoughtfully, "The Lord used these trials to teach us many lessons. He remolded our broken hearts according to His will." Six months before the birth of Praise, Wilson and Cora held a Bible Study in their home. It eventually grew from seven people to 200. This was the beginning of their - Bible Study and Worship Center ministry, and of their great burden for Aeta people.