Rhesa Gravino grew up in a Christian family and made a personal decision to follow Christ at age 10. After college she began her teaching career in public school in the Philippines but resigned to experience the adventure of teaching abroad. After a year of teaching IELTS English in China, she returned home to the Philippines with many experiences—both good and bad—looking for a job after all of the teaching positions were filled. But God gave her a job, had her promoted from secretarial worker to Head Teacher in a school and eventually to the position of elementary school Principal. 

While experiencing outward success in her career, God then removed Rhesa from her school thru school politics and cancer. God was preparing her for a bigger, more strategic challenge. 

Rhesa is now cancer free and is prepared to serve God in Bangkok for many years to come. She has completed a masters degree and a TESOL English teacher’s certificate. 
Rhesa said “yes” to God’s call to join the Bethlehem Star of Peace team starting churches in partnership with Santisuk (Peace) English schools and churches in Bangkok. This movement was started by Converge missionaries more than 25 years ago. Santisuk is now expanding from the current seven centers to fifteen campuses in metro Bangkok by 2025. Each campus will house a conversational English center as well as a Santisuk cell church. Rhesa has completed two years of formal Thai language study and is teaching at Santisuk English Center–Pakkret in northwest Bangkok.

Each Santisuk English student is interviewed one-on-one in Thai and English at appropriate times measuring their academic growth as well as assessing their spiritual development. Wherever learners are in their spiritual journey, Rhesa and other Santisuk teachers guide students to move closer to knowing and loving God. Rhesa also disciples Thai believers in the Pakkret cell group through personal relationships, camps and retreats, as well as special activities of SEC–Pakkret.