The phrase that I use over and over again when people ask me about my trip to Israel with the Father’s House Foundation is “I literally saw the Bible come alive!” What do I mean by that? I mean that while I have never doubted the inerrancy of the Word of God, it is something else to stand in the places that in times past, I had only read, studied, and preached about. 

I gained new geographical and theological perspectives on the Scripture that I never expected.What it has done to my preaching has been phenomenal! I started both a discipleship class and a sermon series called “Lessons From The Holy Land”. My congregation feels like they are diving deeper into the Word than they can remember doing in a long time. Watch Video Testimonials from members of Rick’s Church

It definitely provided a wonderful educational experience. I learned things that I had never even thought of before simply by being able to see the land with my own eyes.It has caused me to slow down when reading because I’ve seen how many little things I’ve passed over before. Overall it was a fantastic trip that I will never forget. It was challenging to my faith in a good way in that it helped lead me into a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The other people on the trip were truly a blessing to me and a bond was created that will last a long time.

This was the greatest journey I have been on in my life. I’ve not been out of the states, never even been to Mexico and all of a sudden I am invited to go as a part of a group to Israel…. It was just a life changing experience for me. Having seen in my own mind, trying to picture where Jesus walked and what it was like to walk there and then to be there was such a phenomenal change in my life…and to walk, not just where Jesus walked, but as we walked thru the ruins of David’s house and remembering those stories…. I get God bumps right now just talking about it. But I didn’t really go having any idea how it was going to impact me and my ministry back home…. but so many people in our church have talked about it has changed the dynamics… of my ministry there. I don’t know that I sense it that much but they said they just sense such an intensity in the message…. Now even when I’m sitting in my easy chair at home reading my Bible and I read a verse and all of a sudden I realize I’ve been there.. I’ve been there and I see what that really was.

The recent trip to Israel was a tremendous blessing.  I personally have been able to travel to the Promised Land now on three different occasions.  While each one was special, I think this last trip was the most meaningful because of who went with me.  This is the first opportunity I have had to take members of the Bono congregation as well.  Seeing their joy and amazement at being in the land of the Bible was priceless.  The trip to Israel, over 3,000 dollars.  The gasoline to the airport and home again, 60 dollars.  The smiles and tears on faces of those who saw where Jesus walked, lived, taught, and died…PRICELESS!  They will never view the Word of God in quite the same light again.  Chris Ellison, fellow Bono traveler, perhaps summed it up best.  When ask what he thought about the trip, he said “It’s not just a story anymore!”  The Word has taken on new meaning and a passion for learning more of God has been stirred.  I would encourage, challenge, implore…beg if need be…any Pastor to find his way to a Father’s House tour of Israel.  It is unlike any other tour and is certain to spark renewal in the hearts of all those blessed to go.  Not to mention, the Word promises that God will bless those who bless Israel.  Be blessed by the Father’s House so that they in turn will be blessed in future trips and so that you might bless others with this life-changing experience.  Just let the blessings flow!

Over the New Year of 2012, I was blessed through the work of the Father’s House to be on the Journey Group to go to Israel. It was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever done in my life. Actually, it is THE most remarkable thing I’ve ever done. I’m not a Preacher or a pastor; I’m an active member with my church family in Glen Rose, Texas. The way that I came to Christianity was because I was shown that God is real and that God cares about us. I used to not claim to be a Christian even years into my adult life. But, I had a horrific accident whereby almost every other person would have died from the accident, and most that lived would not have received the Blessing of recovery that I received. After this horrific accident and as I was in the medical rehabilitation process, I prayed and I was saved through a very strong Christian friend of mine. As far as sharing the news about Christ, I do that often as I now spend much of my time presenting to people about life choices. Tied deeply to my message is the message of Christ’s love for us. That’s my number one priority: sharing the message about God’s role in our lives. Now, going to Israel cemented my desire to do this to do JUST this: to share the message of Christ’s love for us. When I walked on the land where Jesus walked, when I was at the place of His birth as a human, when I was at the place where Jesus performed many miracles, when I was on very trails where Jesus walked, my awareness that He is listening to us that Christ / God is listening to us grew tremendously. And, one of the greatest gifts about being in Israel is that my awareness about God listening to us IS STILL present with me now even being back in a different country and on a different continent from Israel. I love God for what He has done for me for us and I desire nothing more than sharing the message so that others are also turned toward Him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR HAPPY NEW YOU! Year may change but the God we are serving is the same yesterday, today & forever. He is our Immanuel year in and year out. December 2011 @ ROLFC The last month of the year was a year to gather the Harvest of Souls to His fold. The different Campuses had their Christmas Celebration but it was not just it was a Gathering of people whose lives has be connected to God through the effort done by each leaders & members. New faces, happy faces, expectant faces our hearts rejoice when we saw all who came and join. We group the different Campus or Outreach into Cluster: One cluster attendance was 598 (Ruel & Fretzel Yu (Church Leader/couple) William Sasam(youth leader)& Jay Torno(youth). They prepared the programme, Christmas giveaways, food. God is good! Cluster 2- Felix and wife Leng Chagas together with some leaders, gathered 350. Cluster 3 – Albert & Melody Laga together with some leaders gathered 230. Cluster 4 Ian Cayunda & company 100 ( due to heavy rain when the event was held). January 13-15 it will start tonite, Friday we will have our new believers retreat. Expected delegates is more or less 50 people. Please uphold us in your prayers. January 15 Sunday is Nelrose and our son William Victor will be celebrating their birthday. Our firstborn son was born on my wife’s birthday.  He is God’s gift to us. Say a special blessing/declaration – prayer for them. Thank you. January 29 Releaser of Life Family Church (ROLFC) will celebrate our 9th year Anniversary-Thanksgiving. On this day’s part of the program will be we will be presenting to the LORD everyone who have been connected to God/ saved last year 2011. Souls who have been ushered to His Kingdom. Fruit of the labor of God’s children. Thank you for your prayers and support for the year 2011 Praying our partnership to continue this 2012 to the Praise of His glory. Indeed our labor is not in vain in the Lord the road may sometimes be bumpy but we never lost focus on our destination, finances may sometimes test us but God supplies and we are rest assured God is with us and you are with us. Your prayers and financial support are much appreciated. Blessings to everyone in 2012.