KIRBY LLABAN
“Are you a religion teacher? Or maybe a priest?” I often get asked these questions in my classes and always answer with a cheerful “nope.”
My adventure into theology started in 2013 when I was a lay missionary with Couples for Christ, juggling life as a husband and dad to four kids. My classmates were a mix of teachers, priests, and nuns.
Why theology? Well, I wanted to get to know Christ better through His Church. Sure, I could’ve just piled up on books (and probably let them collect dust), but I needed the push of deadlines to dig in—something about having to pass to avoid failing keeps you on your toes!
Beyond practical reasons, I felt a deeper calling. Without it, balancing work, family, and school might have crushed me early on. But God had a way of pushing me forward through every tough patch.
My focus during my master’s was on understanding the lay vocation, primarily as a family man actively serving other families. Inspired by St. John Paul II’s 1987 Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici, I delved into “Communion and Mission” for my thesis, connecting it to my work with Couples for Christ.
Post-master’s, the journey led to pursuing a Doctorate. By this stage, I’d transitioned from lay missionary to entrepreneur, setting up a corporate training company. I frequently engaged with business owners who were members of lay communities, eager to integrate their faith with their professional lives. This interaction inspired my first book, The Fired Up Life, which discusses integrating faith and work life and was met with enthusiastic reception.
I adopted “Live a Fired Up Life” as my mantra, promoting it through social media, daily podcasts, short videos, and blogs. My efforts led to a nomination as one of the Catholic Male Influencers in 2018 by the Catholic Social Media Awards. This theme also shaped my doctoral dissertation on “Pastoral Accompaniment in the Workplace,” focusing on the theology of work, pastoral care, and the secularity of the laity.
Then, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing unparalleled challenges. My business suffered as clients canceled and events moved online, impacting my income. It was a tough time, fraught with the fear and uncertainty of the pandemic. We scraped by with online talks and content monetization, yet my dissertation writing was stalled for three years.
During this period, my wife, Michelle, was a pillar of support, constantly urging me to finish my PhD. A discernment question about “What doors are open for you right now?” at a prayer meeting led me to deep reflection.
Seeking a fresh start, I prayed for an “open door” and reached out to Arnel Santos, the Executive Director of Couples for Christ then, to see if there was an opportunity for me at the Global Mission Center. His response surprised me: “Your call is an answered prayer.” Unknown to me, he needed someone to help bolster the Online Communities for Couples for Christ.
Eager to contribute, I dove into organizing consistent, engaging content for CFC. This dedication not only revitalized our community online but also opened another door for me to work part-time with Hallow App, the premier prayer app globally. As I embraced these opportunities, blessings continued to unfold.
As my PhD tenure was about to expire, I had one semester left to wrap up my dissertation. It felt nearly impossible, but I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me, “Keep going!” I completed my dissertation amidst nights spent writing in coffee shops, and by God’s grace, I graduated on December 7, 2024.
ORAL DEFENSE OF MY DOCTORAL DISSERTATION: PASTORAL ACCOMPANIMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IN LIGHT OF SECULARITY OF THE LAITY, THEOLOGY OF WORK, & POPE FRANCIS’ SPIRITUALITY OF ACCOMPANIMENT
Allow me to share three valuable lessons I learned through my theology journey.
First, when God calls you, He will equip you with the strength and wisdom to fulfill His will.
Second, serving God does not shield us from challenges and hardships; instead, it often brings us closer to Him in times of despair and moments of comfort.
Third, to know Christ daily—whether through prayer, study, service, personal encounters, or Scripture—is to deepen your love for Him.
Reflecting on my 11-year journey through theology, I’m excited for what lies ahead and how God will use this blessing of knowledge to guide my family’s next steps and increase my capacity to serve Him.