Pastor Joel

I am a native of Santa Maria, Bulacan (a province of the Philippines in the north), the eldest among 7 siblings of my parents - Ricardo and Elena. I wasn't able to finish my Grade 6 level because of poverty and I needed to help my mother who was the only breadwinner in our family. My father has been irresponsible in his duties as a family man in bondage of vices and gambling. Though during the last part of his life, he was able to ask forgiveness from the Lord and I know that's a fulfillment of His promise. I, too, was a gambler at the age of 7 years old until 17 years old before the turning point in my life. I peddled bread to make a living and keep a small amount of money for my vices. The game becomes a gamble and it became very uncontrollable in my life.

The last job I had before I met the Lord was a runner of an engineer in construction. I was the one then in-charge of the company's payroll and was tempted to use it in gambling where I would lose. At that time, I wantd to end my life because of shamefulness but a person whom I didn't know very well invited me to attend a prayer meeting and that moment changed my entire life. I surrendered myself to the Lord and became too much in-love with Him. I never had a moment in my life not thinking of His goodness. I love His Word so much and His presence and I can't get away from it until this moment. I'm so captured with His love and it's always my heart's desire to fulfill His will in my life.

I'm now turning 40 years old this coming July 12, 2007 and for 23 years of serving the Lord, yes, there are ups and downs but it's always His will for my life that always prevail.

My aspirations as of now are:

1) to be an instrument of God for the many workers that are experiencing drought in their relationship with God.
2) to see families coming together worshipping and serving the only one and true living God.