Three States in Three Weeks - Ptr. Dedel’s US Trip Report …so far!
As I look back over the last three weeks I am amazed and blessed that so much has happened in apparently such a short span of time.
Since I arrived here in California last Feb. 2, I have had the privilege to minister in several home Bible studies and at least three churches, attend two powerful and life-changing conferences, travel to two other States and have the pleasure of reuniting with many wonderful and dearly loved friends and brethren.
My first week here was spent mostly with Rev. Jaren Lapasaran, senior pastor of Heights Worship Center International Ministries (HWCIM), a Southern California AG church in Hacienda Heights, CA. Ptr. Jaren, was the founder and former president of Jesus Our Hope International Assemblies (JOHIA) in Cubao, Q.C. I was given the opportunity to speak in several weekly home Bible studies, held in the houses of their members. One home Bible study was actually the midweek service of another church, Glory To Glory Ministries, which is in a networking relationship with HWCIM. By the Lord’s grace, I was empowered to share the challenge to the believers to be “salt and light” to their decaying, darkened world. As a result, many testified as to how they were challenged, encouraged and blessed by God’s Word.
I was able to briefly greet the brethren in HWCIM during my first Sunday service. Then I was taken to another church, Keystone Assembly of God Church in Carson City, CA. There, I was blessed to lead their worship time as their worship leader… while playing on their acoustic piano. What was funny was I didn’t realize how high the very first note of the opening song was going to be - I missed it completely! Thanks be to God because, instead of being embarassed or rattled because I had obviously sung out of tune I was able to shake it off and keep going. Hallelujah! We ended up having a wonderfully rousing time in praise and worship. From there, I also had the privilege to speak God’s Word to them. The Lord blessed His message and the people ended up praising Him for His timely wake up call.
On the evening of that same Sunday, I was able to attend the evening worship service of New Hope International Christian Center, pastored by Rev. Eric Angeles, the husband of Sis. Ruth Angeles.
On my second week I travelled to Phoenix, AZ together with my travelling companion, Sis. Loreta “Mommy Lorie” Cruz of Faithful Flock of Jesus in Pasig Greenpark, Pasig City. We drove out to AZ with Ptr. Jaren and his son-in-law, Steve Wills. We attended the three-day “Tommy Barnett’s Annual Pastors’ and Leaders’ School” in Phoenix First Assembly of God (PFAG). After this, Ptr. Jaren and Steve returned to CA while Mommy Lorie and I stayed behind to attend the two-day Master’s Commission International Conference, themed “The Replacements ‘08″, also in PFAG. These back-to-back conferences proved to be high-octane, Spirit-filled events! How I wish I could just put everything I had seen and heard in a balikbayan box and ship it back home for everyone to experience and enjoy. Instead, I just did the next best thing - I blogged, photographed and videoed everything and posted it all in Multiply!
From Phoenix, the Lord opened a way for me to visit and minister with some dear friends in the Dallas, TX area. I was flown to Texas by my good friend (who requested anonymity). Thanks to his generosity, I was able to enjoy genuine Texan hospitality and food! I was able to share God’s Word in two home Bible studies while there.
Another highlight of my stay in Texas was the blessed opportunity to visit the ministry offices and church facility of Rev. Charles “Chuck” Swindoll! My other friend in Texas, Ronnie Aquino, works on-staff for Ptr. Chuck. As a result, I was able to be given a grand tour of their facilities in the Insight For Living office. I also got to visit Stonebriar Community Church, Ptr. Chuck’s home church. Alas, I wasn’t able to attend their Sunday morning service as I was scheduled to fly back to CA Sunday morning so I could catch another powerful man of God’s ministry there in the evening.
Back in CA, I was able to attend NHICC’s evening service anew. This time their featured guest speaker was the Book of Hope Philippines’ Asia-Pacific Coordinator for their GodMan Ministry, none other than ICS’ very own worship pastor, Ptr. Rodel Lacson. He blessed the NHICC with his timely message from God’s Word.
Since then, Ptr. Rodel and I have been hosted by Ptr. Eric and Sis. Ruth in their home. Last night, Rodel got to share another message from Scripture in one of their weekly study groups. Tonight, he flies to Las Vegas to visit with friends before flying back to CA, where he will be staying with family for the remainder of his trip. Tonight, I will have the opportunity to speak in another home group.
With just a week left to go before finally flying back home, my heart is filled with much gratitude and praise for all the blessings, ministry opportunities and wonderful times of fellowship that I have had come my way.
I look forward to what the Lord is yet to do in the remainder of my my time here. But I can tell you right now that I am already fired up to return and “download” everything I have received here to my ICS family back home.
That is, after I hug, love on and bless my wife and kids!
See you all soon!
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Comments
Hi Pastor Jesse,
How are you? probably you dont know me..I used to attend Johia in cubao until 2005. I was trying to find Johia website or any contact details/email address of Pastor Rene. It would be great if you can please provide me with his email. By the way I am the younger brother of Jean Molina and Ruth Molina villegas.
Teddy S.Molina
Canberra Australia
teddysmolina@yahoo.com
Well said