Category: Stories of Faith

In preparation for Mexico’s first visit from Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, Southern California Choir Director Emilie Juatco reflects on the origins of the volunteer choir who traveled and witnessed the growth of the INC in the country.

Transcript

Emilie Juatco: My name is Emilie Juatco. I’m a choir director. I have two locales in US, but mainly, it’s Tijuana, Mexico and Guatemala. And Mexico has two group worship services. I think we started in 1996 with Brother Joe Ventilation, when the church was just starting. We were asked because they started to have worship service. And of course, every worship service, you need hymn singing. There’s no choir member in Mexico, so when we go, we have a few choir members who volunteer to come. And that’s how we do it before. Only Spanish speaker we have is Sister Grace. And we have to teach our Filipino members how to sing in Spanish properly.╙

Grace Feliciano: We’ve been coming with Sister Emy for many years and transition from the Tagalog speaking like in Tijuana, it’s a lot of choir members but some of the hymns are Filipino.

It is very rewarding. You can feel it. Even though you do not understand, of course, we have the hymn in Tagalog and in English so we know the essence of the hymn. But you can feel every time we sing Spanish, we have worship service in Spanish, we feel the Holy Spirit. We have choir member who are already singing on their own in the worship service. They understand the duty. You know, despite of hardship.

Emilie Juatco: Oaxaca is, I think to me, the group worship service there is very rich in history. Because the first time we went to Oaxaca was already baptism. But I know, before that, they were already having worship service, before they were even members. But when we start going there, because they were already member, we can see the eagerness, the Holy Spirit in the heart of the brethren. See Oaxaca is very… the weather are extreme. If it is cold, it is very cold. Very cold. And when it’s hot, it’s very hot that it’s dry. You can see the plant, you can see even the donkey, because I haven’t seen a horse in Oaxaca. But I see donkey and goat but they’re very very unnourished. So you know the place is kind of very poor, in poverty. But during winter time, it’s very cold. The brethren will come and they will carry their babies, their little kids in their back. They have a little.. like a blanket thing that they wrap on the baby and they carry that blanket and tie it in the front. And they travel like that. And they are there. Sometimes it rains, it’s very wet but everybody’s there. So, it’s to us, who goes there because it’s about ten sometimes twelve hours of drive. It’s still very rewarding to be there.

Ka Richard Rodas: Don’t you worry Sister Tomasita. With God’s help, with the administration’s approval, I will visit you here.

Emilie Juatco: We have a sister there, her name is Tomasita, she loves the Church. She loves the ministers. She lives close to where we attend the worship service. You know how she make her money? She has a bathroom. She charges two pesos, for the public, to go to the bathroom. And that’s how she makes her money. But when the minister come, even when we go, she wants you to go to her house for breakfast before worship service. Let’s say the worship service is at ten, she wants you there at seven. And she will boil let’s say apple, and guava, and leaves. That’s in the tea. And the Mexican bread, she wants to share what she has and that’s all her income.

Even though they are far and the poverty is there, you can see they’re very loving to their duty, you would see them there during worship services at 7:30 on Thursday. It’s 10 o’clock on Sunday, one hour before, one and a half hour before, you can see them cleaning. The choir member, the deaconess, the deacon, you can see them all working to put the worship service, house of God in proper cleanliness. They have fear, holy fear. You can feel that they understand. And they are really striving to fulfill their duty during worship service, during practice. And we practice everyday. Of course not during the day, but during the night. They don’t mind. The night. Because there are sometimes we have new hymns, we have holy supper hymns, we have EVM hymns. They don’t mind. We stay there every night. They are there after work. They are there. I can see the faith.

Last night, in our practice, I see all these choir members. All these choir members are spending money. Bought their ticket, prepared their hotel, and some of them, even the whole family are going. And they leave their job. Some of them, maybe have vacation time or no pay, but it’s the faith. It’s the faith.╙

Emily Andrade: I’m able to express how happy I am to see them and how they inspire me, how I love my duty more.╙

Being a choir member, it gives us such joy to be given this kind of opportunity.

Kristal Richarte: We felt really the need and the desire to come not only to meet the brethren here, but to be united with the Church Administration as well as do our sole purpose which is to sing songs of praise to God as choir members.

After finding the truth, a man shares it everywhere he goes.

Transcript

“How are you gonna reach out to the people of the world? There’s so many people when you’re driving around going through shopping centers, in your everyday routine in your life as you’re going around, how do you talk to these other people?”
[Terry Grant]

There are millions of people in the world and almost as many different religions. Terry Grant hopes they’ll find the truth which is something he spent years searching for.

“When I joined the Navy, I went from different religions like Mormon, Church of Christ Latter-day Saints, Baptists, Protestants, even looked at the Catholic religion. So I went through a number of different religions, but I really never stuck to one. “
[Terry Grant]

As Terry searched for the right way to serve God, he grew accustomed to feeling disappointed.

“I just didn’t feel right. For some reason I had a feeling inside that this just didn’t feel right.”
[Terry Grant]

But in the early 1980’s, he was invited to a worship service in the Church Of Christ. And he experienced something completely new.

“When he was preaching the words of God, it was question and answer. And every answer was straight from the bible. It wasn’t like the other religions that I had gone to where ministers would read a verse from the bible then tell a story. So that was impressive. This has gotta be the true church because they’re not giving their own opinion.

Right then and there. God called me right then and there because I felt it. I knew inside that this is the true church. As soon as the worship service, the singing, the prayer, everything, I knew I had found the true church. Just simple as that. Compared to all the other religions that I’d been to, once I was in the worship service, that was it. God called me right then and there because I knew it was correct.”
[Terry Grant]

Terry was so impressed. He began bible studies in the Church Of Christand was baptized in 1982.

“Because I can’t find anything wrong with the teachings of God that are being taught and implemented by the Church Of Christ, I believe that’s why I stay in the Church Of Christ because I know I’m on the right path. God is the one who called me into the Church Of Christ. The only reason why I still continue to be a member of the Church of Christ and even active in the Church of Christ is because of the loving kindness of God. It’s as simple as that.”
[Terry Grant]

Since being called into the Church Of Christ, Terry can’t help but think of all the people who need to know the truth and continues to reach out to everyone he can.

“So I put the stickers on my car concerning INCMedia.org. I carry church literature in my van. I’ve actually had people come up to me when I’m in the gas station and ask me what it means, INCmedia.org and I explain it to them. I don’t even have to go up to them, they’re coming up to me. And they were searching our website of the church and we hadn’t even talked to them. They were just looking at my van. So God will be the one to actually create the opportunity for you to talk to someone. When you’re doing missionary work, it really makes you feel good when you’re doing missionary work because you feel good inside that you’re actually doing something.”
[Terry Grant]

When a life-threatening illness cripples the spirit of most individuals, this young girl embraces the opportunity to reveal God’s love. See how Myla inspires others to be brave by turning to God through prayer.

A young woman’s entire future is at stake and close friends offer their help – all of whom place themselves in the hands of God.

Transcript

“It started when I was in… I was a sophomore. I started feeling tired all the time. I couldn’t concentrate on my studies. They thought I had anemia, but then it was last 8th of January last year when they said I have end-stage kidney failure.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

Cathlene Quizon was your typical teenager. She loves spending time with her friends and family and was focused on her education. But once she was told her kidneys were failing, her life changed completely.

“There were a few times where I wish I could’ve went out with my friends, but I couldn’t because I was too fatigued for no reason. Some people would tell me “Why are you so tired? You haven’t even done anything.” But they don’t get the condition that I have. I feel pain in my bones, my feet are always tingling. It feels like I’m being electrocuted.

As soon as I started getting sick, my grades started to fall down.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

But although she was in constant physical pain, there was one thing that was giving Cathlene strength.

“We have our worship service on Tuesdays. Since we’re only five in choir, I keep saying with her that “you can stay at home instead and relax…”. But then she would say, “No, mom. This is my duties. One of my duties.” And then “I have to do this.” Even in choir, when she’s crying because of in pain, no you can’t stop her in performing her duties. Because of her situation, though she’s sick, it helps us to stand firm in our faith that though she’s sick, but still, she can do everything inside the Church.”
[Cherry Ann Quizon]

“And I continue to perform my duties because I knew that God will continue to be by my side even if I perform.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

Cathlene remained devoted in attending worship services and performing her duty in the choir. And as she became a source of inspiration, two close friends would hear about her situation and make a significant impact on her life.

“My wife and I, we found out about Sister CK’s situation through social media. And when we found out that she had kidney failure, we were shocked of course. We thought, “Wow, she’s still very young.” She’s got her whole life ahead of her and she’s got a lot to give still to God and to the Church. So we thought, “ Wow, what a terrible thing for all of that to be shot down and to be taken down because of a kidney failure.” We feel God moves us for a reason. We decided let’s go ahead, let’s get tested. Let’s see if either of us are eligible to be a kidney donor. I happened to have the better kidney and I happen to be in good condition to be a kidney donor candidate.”
[Albert Dasalla]

Albert was excited to help out but the risks involved were still on his mind.

“The chance that everything could change. If you lose one kidney and you have problems later on, God should take me in this procedure, that’s something very heavy that we had to look at also.”
[Albert Dasalla]

“Usually it takes at least a year for someone to receive a call or a match, even. Some even take years, but for me in my case, I didn’t have to look anywhere else. I didn’t have to wait for that call to come.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

It’s been several weeks since her surgery and Cathlene is doing well. As a member of the Church Of Christ, she was blessed with a unique gift: the love and concern of her fellow brethren especially of Albert who risked his life to help a sister in faith.

“Yes, it’s right here. His kidney is right here. I saw how there were always all the messages like “God bless” and “Get well soon” and of course I felt thankful and I felt really blessed because even though they don’t know me, they wished me well and everything. Especially for brother Albert ‘cause I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. Most especially our Almighty God.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

“The good things those are obvious. You’re helping a sister out. She’s gonna live her life a little better. Like I said, she has offices in the Church. Her life’s just getting started basically and she has so much more that she can do and she’s gonna do great things in her life.”
[Albert Dasalla]

“The biggest thing I just learned was to just trust in God, have faith in Him. I don’t really dwell on the problems that I face in my life because I know that God wouldn’t put me in that situation if I couldn’t handle it.”
[Cathlene Quizon]

Having used his music for self-expression, a young Australian would use that same musical talent to express something much bigger than himself.

Staring death in the face, a man sets onto a path that leads to safety.

Transcript

“When we’re delivering the currency, one guy was already inside the other side of the south door. It didn’t feel right. Something just felt really bad. I remember just seeing him point the gun and the way he looked. There was such evil in his eyes. He wanted to kill me.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles county. I was a former Catholic, born and raised into that religion, obviously for my family. I was a former musician. I played bass in a band. I was working for a armored car security company.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

One morning, as Richard and his partner began their usual route as armored guards, they knew it wouldn’t be an ordinary day.

“Before I knew it, my partner falls backwards. I fell down against the door. My life could’ve ended right there and I wasn’t going to be saved on judgment day.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

That night shook Richard. And as he continued to work for the same company, a co-worker named Tony began a conversation that would change his life.

“We started talking about the bible. It was during a New Year’s day and it was a holiday. We were upstairs in the locker room. He was reading the bible. We started conversing. He actually requested me to be his driver throughout our 12-hour shifts, sometimes 16-hour shifts. We were working, we were talking about the bible and our Almighty God.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

Tony invited Richard to attend bible classes in the Church Of Christ. And Richard began to reflect on his situation.

“The way I was living my life, I was not serving God. I was living my life disobedient to God. So God wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. And it took me a long time to do that.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

As Richard continued to attend bible classes in the Church Of Christ, he was learning God’s words straight from the bible. Tony encouraged him to compare this to what the Catholic Church teaches.

“So I made an appointment to go see a priest. Is Jesus Christ God? He couldn’t answer anything. He didn’t know. The second one was about saints and Virgin Mary. The Catholic Virgin Mary, he had no answer. I was angry with the Catholic Church. I felt deceived. They do not focus on the truth. That was really an eye opener for me.

I wanna serve God. Pray for a deeper faith and understanding because it wasn’t until I started praying for that that I saw God working in my life.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

Richard could feel God pulling him closer and closer to the truth.

“I was going through bible studies learning more the truth and from there my mind was just so overwhelmed it was such a blessing to know finally.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

Today, Richard is even more thankful he is still alive to serve God in the true Church Of Christ.

“My life has changed drastically. I’m just doing my best to serve our Almighty God.”
[Richard Rodriguez]

A man lost everything and in his pursuit to achieve past success, discovers something more valuable.

From the moment she walks into the Church Of Christ, Sherry is amazed at what she finds.

Transcript

“I was not raised any particular religion. It was when I became older that I started going to church. And seeking, I believe that’s when God was calling me, but I did not have a lot of background. So I didn’t really know what to do. It was kind of just like go to this church or go to that church.

I’m Native American. I am a quarter Kato, wherein being in Oklahoma is where our tribe is headquartered. I’m also a quarter Cherokee, and that is Western Oklahoma Cherokee. I’m a quarter French and a quarter combination of a lot of different varieties. My former religions were Baptist and non-denominational. They were in various states like Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, California, but there was nothing that really kept me there. I had prayed to God that he would provide me with an awesome job in an awesome town with an awesome church.

I was introduced to the Church Of Christ by a coworker who told me about the Church, and told me about the website INCMedia.org. When I went home, I went online to INCmedia.org, read about the Church Of Christ, Iglesia ni Cristo, and everything I read was perfect. The first worship service that I attended, the things that stood out to me, was the purity when I walked into the Church. It just seemed so clear, calm, and relaxing. From walking up to the Church, walking inside, and sitting down, everything they teach here is definitely in the bible and that was very refreshing and very reassuring.

And I would just like to encourage everybody to come and listen because that hole or that gap that is in our heart, and is spiritually missing can definitely be fulfilled and filled by coming to the Church Of Christ. You will not want to leave. You will be amazed. When you interact with the brethren and you see how they follow God and how they are just inspired by God’s word and the way that they act and the way they behave and the way that they just carry themselves, it is truly living. And the bible watching them and being part of it, and that’s what’s so amazing too. So I’m no longer on the outside looking in. I’m actually living what the bible says and that’s what’s really amazing.

We’re following God’s word; we’re following what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had instructed us to do and it’s just amazing. You will be amazed. You will not want to leave. If you are called by God, you will definitely know. In my case, I was definitely called by God.”
[Sherry Richard]

Remembering only the street name from an old invitation was enough to find the Church of Christ, which changed his life.