The majestic seas, vast skies, and beautiful sceneries are all constant reminders that the God we worship is not limited by geographical limitations nor hindered by any powers. In other words, God’s miraculous ways transcend beyond physical borders—this is a truth that Idel and Jasmin Castañeda, the current leaders of ICOC Isabela, know very well.

Idel after working six years abroad to provide for his family back in the Philippines (also known as an Overseas Filipino Worker or OFW), is no stranger to distance. But even someone like him still felt lost and isolated without God. Idel spent those six years—and admittedly even years before becoming one—looking for the truth; he attended many different churches and studied a variety of church doctrines but still felt far from God. 

Little did Idel know that God was also seeking him as well. When Idel was in Bahrain, he started longing for the presence of the Filipino community. While strolling at a bus station on a random day, Idel was able to find more than just a community, he finally found his spiritual family. When he first attended the Sunday Worship service with the disciples of Bahrain he was unable to deny the Spirit moving in him. Soon after, Idel started studying the Bible and got baptized.

When Idel became a disciple and came back to visit the Philippines, he constantly prayed for his wife, Jasmin, to make Jesus her Lord and Savior. However, Idel’s family lived in the province of Quirino, an eight-hour bus ride away from the Manila Church (which was the church they were attending at the time). Unfortunately, the geographical distance between Idel’s family and the church raised challenges that made it difficult for Idel’s wife to study the Bible consistently—but still God showed His power overcomes any distance. 

God answered Idel’s prayers in an unexpected manner. Some challenges that came up with Jasmin’s business in Quirino led her to move to Manila with their children. From there, Jasmin studied the Bible consistently and she became a disciple. 

In December of 2010, upon his return to the Philippines, Idel and Jasmin’s family faced financial difficulties, which inhibited them from traveling back and forth to Manila from their province. This meant they weren’t able to go to Church as often.

After some time, the physical distance between Idel’s family and the church negatively affected their spiritual well-being, leading them to grow distant from God. For a while, they joined another church to support Idel’s father-in-law. Despite this, Idel could feel the growing weight of being physically distant from God. Yet, he had no idea that, behind the scenes, God was already working to bring the church closer to him. 

In 2013, a brother from Abu Dhabi who came back to the Philippines informed Idel of the plan to plant a church in Isabela. When he heard this, Idel kept in touch with the church leaders. For a year, Idel and his family attended meetings of the body being held in Isabela while simultaneously undergoing restoration studies. With God’s grace, Idel and Jasmin were officially restored during ICOC Isabela’s inauguration service. 

“Totoo yung when you know the truth, the truth will set you free (It’s true that when you know the truth, the truth will set you free).”

With your support we can help Idel, Jasmin, and the rest of Isabela Church evangelize their province!

You may be miles away but with your donation, you can be part of God’s mission.