And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Paul reminds us in his second letter to the Corinthians that we are continually being transformed into God’s image with ever-increasing glory. Though we may fall short of His glory, the God we worship is nothing short of perfect. We are all works in progress, sustained by His grace—beautifully exemplified by ICOC Legaspi, led by Ramir and Menchu Bodigon.

Ramir and Menchu had separate journeys in their Christian faith until God called them to further His kingdom. One day, Ramir was on his way to the mall when two disciples from church approached him and invited him to a Sunday service.

One day, Ramir was on his way to the mall when two disciples from church approached him and invited him to a Sunday service. Though he was friendly towards them, he was reluctant to attend. At the time, he was also serving as a choir member at his former church. But because of their persistence, he finally decided to come and attend the service. Ramir didn’t know what to expect that Sunday, but he was encouraged by the warm welcome he received fromthe disciples—they greeted him as if he were a celebrity! His heart was moved even more when he heard his favorite song, Amazing Grace, sung during the service. As though something clicked, this moment compelled him to study the Bible.

After a week of studying God’s Word, hearing about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross moved Ramir’s heart, compelling him to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. However, this decision was not without its challenges. Understanding the cost of following Christ, he also chose to end his relationship with his then-girlfriend.

Little did Ramir know that the path he chose would also lead him to the woman who would become his wife. Menchu was part of another Christian church when a friend from the Campus Ministry invited her to the kingdom. She attended church with her friend but had no desire to become a disciple. Since she already had her own church, she believed her soul was already saved. Despite this, the disciples’ commitment to reaching out to her did not falter—but, at the same time, Menchu’s heart remained hardened, and she avoided them.

One Sunday, she attended worship service, and after hearing the main message, she quickly left to avoid fellowship and headed to a mall. She knew the places where the disciples usually gathered, so she deliberately stayed clear of those places. But while Menchu was relentless in avoiding them, God was even more persistent. Despite her efforts, she still crossed paths with the disciples she’d been hiding from. They managed to set up a Bible study with her, and through consistent follow-ups at her home and workplace, she continued studying God’s Word. When she finally learned about her brokenness due to sin, her heart was moved and made the life-changing decision to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Ramir and Menchu have been faithful disciples for more than thirty years. Their loving relationship with Christ fueled their zeal to lead ICOC Legaspi as non-full-time leaders for over two decades. It was always part of their conviction to serve the church in whatever way they could. Even when the couple initially went to Legaspi as missionaries, their hearts were set on the mission of loving God and others, ready to go anywhere at a moment’s notice.

When the disciples gathered together to decide on the direction of the new leadership, they voted for Ramir and Menchu, who willingly accepted the call. With the same love and passion that once led them to serve as missionaries, they embraced leadership not as a title but as a calling–to love God and His people. Menchu beautifully captured this heart when she said:

“If you’re willing to die for God, you can do anything for Him.”

Ramir and Menchu took on the leadership of ICOC Legaspi while ensuring their strength was rooted in Scripture. They prayed and fasted for the church, placing their whole trust in God.

In 2007, Ramir and Menchu sent out missionaries to various parts of the Bicol region. By God’s grace, this led to the inauguration of three churches in the region: ICOC Camarines Sur in 2014, ICOC Camarines Norte in 2016, and ICOC Ticao in 2022.

Beyond this, ICOC Legaspi also continued to grow, reaching over a hundred members. Though there are still challenges that need to be addressed, Ramir and Menchu see the hearts of the people as loving, repenting, and eager to deepen their relationship with God. With this same passion, they aim to plant two more churches in the region by 2030 and hold a grand jubilee where disciples from every province in Bicol will gather to worship God!

The story of ICOC Legaspi, along with Ramir and Menchu’s journey, is a powerful testament to His power of transforming our lives and using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. From their personal journeys of faith to leading a church through seasons of trials and growth, their unwavering trust in God has shaped the ICOC Legaspi community into what it is today. And as ICOC Legaspi, Ramir, and Menchu press forward in faith, may we also be inspired to do the same—to love God wholeheartedly, serve His people selflessly, and embrace the calling He has placed upon our own lives.

With your support we can help Ramir, Menchu, and the rest of Legaspi Church evangelize their province!

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