What makes your world go round?

For some (as the common saying goes), it’s money— to others, it’s their dreams, passions, and even love! However, Jesus calls us to do something completely different to give us purpose—to seek His righteousness simply, and Jesus will take care of the rest. This is how the story goes, especially Joey and Liezl Sampang.

Joey is an engineer who used to work for his uncle’s business. When Joey became a disciple, he experienced persecution from his peers and, worst of all, his uncle. As an internal policy in his uncle’s firm, most staff were required to stay beyond five in the afternoon, but Joey couldn’t follow this policy because of Bible studies and other meetings of the body. Joey’s uncle even called him out because he felt that Joey was being insubordinate and was setting a bad example.

During this time, Joey felt he had to choose between serving two masters, his work or Jesus. And so, faced with such a choice, Joey chose his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even if it meant he was without a source of income and new job prospects. Seeing Joey’s zealous and faithful heart, God blessed him with a new job at another organization where another disciple worked.

Joey’s new company put him as a project lead, which led him to move to the province of Zambales in Olongapo; there, he started serving the local church. Little did Joey know God was using this path to lead him to another calling: leadership. 

As Joey finished the project and was set to return to the city, the church leader in Olongapo asked him to stay and serve as a leader. The church in Olongapo desperately needed more disciples to take on leadership roles. And so, Joey was once again faced with a choice between staying in his current job or pursuing God’s call to leadership. 

While Joey felt anxious at the thought of his future in Olongapo, the state of his career, and how he would once more be without a source of income, Joey’s perseverance to heed God’s call remained stronger. Joey stayed in Olongapo and chose to serve through leadership. All the while Joey was choosing God in all His decisions, God never stopped choosing him. It is through his stay in Olongapo that he came across one of God’s greatest blessings: his wife, Liezl. 

Liezl used to be employed at a prominent bank in the Philippines. She was the bank teller who would often handle the church‘s transactions long before she was reached out. Liezl started studying the Bible with her sisters. but her heart wasn’t in it. Whenever her sisters would take a pause studying, so would she. She continued to attend her former church for a while, faithfully living by its teachings and doctrines, but even then, she knew something was missing. As she said,

“Consistent naman ako with doctrines and giving tithes pero feeling ko kung mamatay ako bukas, hindi ako mapupunta sa heaven.” (I felt like I was  faithful in my beliefs and in giving to my former church. But I felt as though if I were to die tomorrow, I wouldn’t go to heaven.)

While Joey’s bank was the same one that Liezl worked at, they never talked much outside of the bank transactions. But when Joey saw Liezl attend their Bible Talk, there was a click. Right there and then, Joey knew who he wanted to marry. One problem? At the time, Liezl was engaged to her high school sweetheart.

Eventually, Liezl made Jesus her Lord and Savior. While her fiance continued studying the Bible, any guesses as to who was leading his Bible Studies? That's right, it was Joey. But his conviction to make disciples pushed through. Joey focused on God’s call and studied faithfully with Liezl’s-then-fiance until he became a disciple.

Unfortunately, Liezl’s fiance lost touch with his relationship with God and walked a different path. However, this allowed Joey and Liezl, albeit after some time and healing, to go on an encouragement date and—fast forward to now, marriage.

Throughout their marriage, Joey and Liezl remained faithful in serving God and His Kingdom. Just a month after getting married, they were appointed to lead the church in Olongapo. Joey and Liezl were blessed to see the church grow rapidly under their leadership. 

At some point, Joey and Liezl faced difficulties in dealing with other disciples who were struggling, and that made them doubt their leadership. They discussed their doubts with other church leaders and considered resigning. These leaders told them to continue with leading but they encouraged them to experience training first. Hence, they were assigned to various churches in Metro Manila to be trained in leading.

“Hindi magiging dahilan ang finances para hindi kami maglead, Ikaw na tumulong sa’min.” (Our financial situation will not prevent us from leading; God, please help us.)

With your support we can help Joey, Liezl, and the rest of Olongapo Church evangelize their province!

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