After 27 years in pastoral ministry, I have walked through many seasons—times of growth, challenge, and
waiting. But what we have experienced in the last two years is something I can only describe as a deeper
and more intentional work of the Holy Spirit. It has not simply been about ministry moving forward; it has been about learning, in a very real way, what it means to depend on God.

This journey began when I joined the PEAK church revitalization program through the Alliance Northwest
(ANW) District. At first, I was seeking practical help and guidance on how to better lead and strengthen my church. But over the course of 10 months, as the church leadership team and I met regularly with our ANW mentors—Pastor Ken Rice and his wife, Jalee, and Pastor Eric Byers—and examined different aspects of church life such as our history, culture, strengths, and challenges, I began to realize that the Lord was doing something deeper in us. He was leading us back to dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit Preparation

In April 2025, together with our church elders at the finale of our 10-month PEAK journey, our church embraced a shared vision that reflected what we sensed God was shaping in us: “Building longer tables, not higher walls.” It is a simple phrase, yet it carried a clear direction—a call to create space, to welcome more, and to extend the love of Christ in a way that draws people in. Looking back, I can see that the Holy Spirit had already been preparing Filipino Christian Church (FCC), my church in SeaTac, Washington. Over the years, we had seen steady growth. Our youth ministry was becoming stronger, our worship ministry and children’s ministry were increasing, and our small groups were becoming more rooted in the Word of God. But beyond these visible developments, there was also a growing hunger among our people for the presence of God.

At the ANW district conference in April 2024, we met Pastor Dan Samuelson, who shared about the Vision Alaska initiative, which aims to help create partnerships between ANW churches in the continental U.S. and Alaska. As he spoke about the Filipino population in Alaska and the need for ministry among them, my heart was stirred. I remember being especially moved by the fact that this burden was coming from someone outside of my Filipino community. It caused me to reflect: If God has placed this desire in his heart, how much more should I respond?

I invited Pastor Dan to visit our church and share more. As he spoke, I sensed interest and conviction. It felt like a significant opportunity, an invitation from the Lord.

God at Work in Ketchikan

Soon after, I reached out to three other Filipino Alliance pastors in the Pacific Northwest—Pastor Sam Badon, Pastor Jonathan Ferrer, and Pastor Doods Sente. We gathered together over a meal with Pastor Dan. As we shared and prayed, I sensed the Holy Spirit bringing unity among us in thought and purpose. That was where we began to be on mission together—not through our own planning, but through a shared response to God’s leading.

In February 2025, the five of us traveled to Ketchikan, Alaska, to see the need firsthand. During those few days, we met with local Alliance churches, connected with people in the Filipino community, and spent time exploring the area. Even the small details reflected God’s hand. The weather, which is normally rainy that time of year, was unusually clear and sunny. Many locals said it was not typical. To us, it felt as though the Lord was allowing us to see clearly and to observe, discern, and recognize what He was already doing!

On the flight home, Pastor Dan asked me what I thought about the trip. Without hesitation, I said, “I think I need to come back.” I felt this strongly in my heart.

In April, my wife, Norlinda, and I returned to Ketchikan with Pastor Dan. We reconnected with a Filipino
couple we had met earlier, and they graciously hosted us. As we spent time together, we learned that they had been faithfully leading Bible studies in the community for over 10 years. They were known and respected leaders among the Filipinos in Ketchikan, yet there was still no Filipino church. It was clear to me that we were not starting something new; we were stepping into something the Lord had already been doing in Ketchikan.

Even the provision of a place to host worship services reflected His hand. We were introduced to a church facility, Good News Fellowship at Downtown, which we did not know was already ready to host us because of coordination prior to our visit. As we spoke with the church leaders, we learned that they had been considering closing their ministry. Yet, for reasons they themselves could not fully explain, they had extended their time in that space. Now we understood why.

With these confirmations, we felt led to begin. In May our team from Seattle traveled to Ketchikan, bringing what was needed—equipment, food, and willing hearts. Around 60 people attended that first gathering. It was simple, but there was a clear sense that the Lord was present among us.

Building Longer Tables Together

That gathering became what is now the Ketchikan Filipino Ministry. Each month, one of the pastors in our group—Pastor Sam, Pastor Jonathan, Pastor Doods, or myself—rotates with their church team to travel to Ketchikan and lead a service with worship, the preaching of the Word, fellowship, and encouragement for the Filipino community and beyond. Over time, we have seen how the Lord has sustained this work. What began primarily as a ministry for Filipinos has grown into a gathering of people from different backgrounds al coming together.

One of the most tangible expressions of our vision, “building longer tables,” has been through our fellowship meals. After the monthly services, we gather around food, often Filipino dishes that are sometimes even brought all the way from Seattle. These moments are more than shared meals. They are spaces for connection, encouragement, and shared life. The “longer tables” we once spoke about have become literal tables, filled with food and people, reflecting the welcoming heart of Christ.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit has also been working deeply within our home church in SeaTac.

Through the deeper life portion of the PEAK program, our church was challenged to move beyond understanding into true reliance on the Spirit. We brought this before our church leadership team and then to the congregation. Since then, we have seen growth in hunger for God, openness in worship, and commitment to prayer.

We have also witnessed moments that are difficult to explain yet clearly marked by the presence of God. During last year’s baptism at our church camp, seven youth publicly declared their faith. As they entered
the water, surrounded by around 80 members of the congregation gathered by the pool, it felt like heaven touching Earth. It was a holy moment filled with awe, joy, and humility as we witnessed God transform lives like only He can.

More recently, during our April 2026 visit to Ketchikan, we experienced a full Sunday of ministry. Our
worship team—mostly youth and young adults from our church in Seattle—began by leading worship at a morning service at South Tongass Alliance Church, where we had been invited to serve. Later that afternoon, we gathered for the Ketchikan Filipino Ministry service, which was the main purpose of our trip. There, I had the privilege of preaching the Word while the team led worship once again.

By the time we returned to South Tongass Alliance Church for a final community worship service that night, our praise and worship team was tired. Some were not feeling well, and I wondered if I had pushed them too far.

Before the service began, we gathered to pray. We asked the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and take over where we could no longer continue in our own abilities. When the worship began, I immediately sensed that something had shifted. There was a tangible sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the room.

Despite the long day, with three services and many songs already offered, the band worshiped with a boldness and freedom that went beyond their natural strength. They stepped beyond their comfort
zones, and it was evident that the Holy Spirit was empowering them. There was a stillness during the exhortation, which was shared by my daughter that evening, as though hearts were being drawn in. Then, as worship continued after, I saw joy, freedom, and people responding to the presence of God.

That worship night was a simple idea to encourage the youth and make the most of our time together, but it became a beautiful picture of churches coming together, bridging people from Seattle to Ketchikan, to glorify God and encourage one another.

That same evening, I also became aware of something that reminded me how personal the work of the Holy Spirit is. One of our youth noticed that another young person had stepped out of the room and felt prompted to quietly follow. What he found was someone in deep distress. In that moment, he stayed with him, listened, and simply offered presence and care until help could come. I will not go into details, but
it was clear to me that the timing was not accidental. The Holy Spirit had prompted someone to notice, to respond, and to be there at exactly the right moment.

God’s Plans Go Further

As I reflect on all that God has done, I am continually reminded of what it means to depend
on Him. When He calls, His plans often go further than we expect, and He orchestrates what we could never arrange ourselves.

When there is a need, the Lord is already at work, providing people, places, and resources
according to His purpose. We are simply responding. And as we continue to walk in unity, depend on the Holy Spirit, and follow where He leads, we are learning what it means to be on mission together. And truly—not by our efforts, but His!

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