Summary
She thought the distance was too far. Her family wasn’t on board. Her schedule was brutal. Sharia Buscato had every reason to say no, and for a while, she did. Here’s what finally made her say yes to an invitation to know God.
Key Moments
Sharia Buscato’s baptism inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo wasn’t just another ceremony. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Standing in the baptism pool, fully aware and present, felt completely different. Unlike infant baptism in her former faith, this was a conscious decision. Sharia was saying yes. Not just yes to an invitation to listen. But yes to a life with God. It was a moment that marked the start of her new life.
She Grew Up Catholic. But God Was Never Really the Center
Before she was introduced to the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Sharia grew up Catholic. Religion was part of her life but not the center of everyday life for Sharia. She attended Mass as required by her Catholic high school and joined the choir. But aside from that, her participation was limited. And Worship attendance was optional.
This made something else stand out: members of the Church Of Christ attended worship services twice a week. That sparked curiosity. Why twice a week? What kept them coming back consistently? Those questions led to initial skepticism.
"Are They Going to Kick You Out If You Can't Give?"
At first, Sharia had many questions. And assumptions. Why are there no statues of saints? Why is it mandatory to go attend worship service? Why do Church officers do so much?
She also had questions about offerings, and whether members have to give a tithe. Sharia asked herself, “What if you already have nothing, what can you give? Life is hard in the Philippines. What if you cannot give the 10%. What are they going to do with you? Are they going to kick you out?”
There was a lot she did not understand about The Church Of Christ. But everything changed when a friend introduced her to the teachings more personally. Her curiosity grew stronger.
She Said No for a Year. Then She Went.
She said no at first, and about a year passed by before she decided to finally accept a friend’s many sincere invitations to the Church Of Christ. This local congregation was only five minutes away from her home in the Philippines, but her family was opposed to her attending worship services, so her first visit was her last. At least for a while.
First Worship Service Experience
She could not stop thinking about her first worship service in the Philippines. Hearing members cry and respond in unity during prayer. “I saw how sincere they were. How proper it is. How formal it is.”
It was structured, orderly, and reverent. Phones were left outside. Males and females sat separately. There were no statues or crosses, just a focus on worship. “It’s just you and God.”
“It piqued my interest. That’s when I reached out to INC Media online.”
Sharia visited incmedia.org and reached out through the “Contact Us” form.
"I Don't Know Anyone There." "I'm Too Busy." She Had Those Excuses Too.
Her second worship service was about a year later, after she moved to the United States. On her own, in a new country, not knowing a single Church Of Christ member, she reached out to INCMedia.org through the “Contact Us” form. Staff connected her with a Minister of the Gospel, Brother Vic Alejandro, who conducted her Bible studies in the local congregation of Jacksonville, Florida.
The studies were meaningful. But the closest congregation to her home in Georgia was over two hours away. And as a nurse working 12-hour shifts, attending regularly didn’t feel realistic. Some days she showed up on very little sleep. But every time she did, she left feeling more recharged than when she arrived. Instead of drained, renewed.
INCMedia.org personnel stayed connected throughout, sending videos featuring Church news and Stories of Faith that continued to nurture the faith already planted in her heart.
"I'm Too Busy". Working 12-Hour Shifts
Sharia’s biggest ongoing challenge was her work schedule. As a nurse, balancing rest and worship was genuinely difficult. Some days meant attending worship services on very little sleep.
But something kept happening every time she showed up. Instead of leaving drained, she left feeling recharged. Every worship service brought a sense of peace and renewal that was surprising, considering her gruelling schedule.
That realization became Sharia’s turning point.
She made a major decision.
As soon as her job contract ended, she planned to move to Washington State, which would provide more opportunities for her to attend worship services consistently.
The Minister, Brother Vic, helped make arrangements for Sharia to be connected with Church members and officers in Washington state, so that she could continue her journey towards becoming a member of the Church Of Christ.
It also helped that the brethren in her new congregation welcomed her with open arms, one in particular, Jem Villanueva. For Jem, it was a simple Christian act of kindness, which also helped her consider her own faith. If Sharia found support in Jem, Sharia also inspired Jem to never let down her active services to the Almighty God.
A Long Journey, But Full of Determination
This wasn’t an overnight transformation. Sharia’s first worship service was one year after her first invitation, and then it was another year before she began Bible studies in a different country. Her journey continued for a while as she overcame various challenges in order to attend worship services regularly. Years later, in 2025, she was finally baptized.
Through it all, Sharia was full of determination. She allowed God to shape her faith, from learning the teachings, reflecting upon them, and believing in their power. This kept her committed until she could be in a place where she could finally be baptized: “No words can exactly describe how I feel. I feel like all emotions at once. Like, I’m happy. I feel so thankful. I feel so blessed at the same time. I feel like I’ve been renewed.”
Changes After Joining
One of the biggest changes for Sharia was prayer. Before, prayer felt uncertain. Spoken without knowing if anyone was truly listening. Now, prayer feels heard. Answers don’t always come immediately, but they come little by little, in ways that strengthen the faith. There’s also a stronger sense of direction, purpose, and peace. And even with her busy schedule, Sharia has seen the importance of holding an office in the Church that she has already expressed interest in.
A Message for Those Still Considering
For anyone unsure about accepting an invitation. Just try. Listening doesn’t hurt. Attending once doesn’t commit you to anything. It simply opens the door to understanding. Sometimes all it takes is one visit, one experience, one moment of clarity. Because faith often begins with curiosity, and grows through willingness.
Curious about the Church Of Christ?
If you’ve been wondering about the teachings and practices of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) and want to learn more, fill out the form below. You’ll be connected with someone who can answer your questions at your own pace. No pressure, no commitment, just a conversation. Sharia did it that way.
