As I recently celebrated a significant birthday milestone, I found myself reflecting on the journey that brought me to this point. Life is a series of milestones, each offering its own lessons and opportunities for growth. In this blog post, I’d like to share some reflections on this journey and the invaluable lessons learned along…

On October 27, 2023, the Cross-Cultural Connections Food Festival illuminated a vibrant and diverse evening. More than a feast for the taste buds, it became a joyous celebration of diversity—a living testament to unity, echoing the essence of the Kingdom of God. This success is owed to our dedicated Cross-Cultural Connections planning team, whose unwavering…

As your Group Life Connections Pastor at FUMC Hurst, I am fortunate to have the privilege of connecting with individuals who are new to our church community. My role involves assisting not only newcomers but also our long-standing members and guests in finding their place within the various groups and ministries that make up our…

Small groups made a huge impact in my faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I believe that small groups are one of the best ways we disciple each other. (2013: Joint fellowship of two of my small groups in the Philippines) Earlier in my life, I led small groups in my church back in…

Our Rooted young adult men’s small group meets every Wednesday, 6:45PM at Starbucks in Precinct Line, Hurst. We would always start our conversation talking about how our week went and even sharing our highs and lows, then we dive into our discussion using our small group material. Last week, we started using the Upper Room…

I wanted to share what God has been doing with the Rooted Young Adult ministries at First United Methodist Church of Hurst. But before we get to that, I thought it is worth talking about how it all started. Not long ago after I got appointed as one of the associate pastors at FUMC Hurst,…

Through the busyness of this season and with all the challenges and uncertainties of the world, how can true peace be experienced? Without a doubt, we all wish for shalom. For some, shalom means physical and mental well-being; for others, it means the absence of war, disease, and injustice; and for others, it can be…

While this time of the year many in the U.S. are busy preparing for Halloween, there is a group of people who has already started the countdown to Christmas. Yes, you read that right! As early as September 1st, most Filipinos, in the Philippines and around the world, start to celebrate Christmas in their own…

Does living in a place where the culture is different from your own entail adopting the theology that shapes that culture? Coming from the Philippines, poverty and oppression are everyday realities for many people in my country. Despite the hardships in life, Filipinos are known to be positive and caring people. Now that I live…