Youngest CCC evangelist shares "Revelation of Hope"; team traces Filipino descent
By Armon Perez Tolentino
The seventh cycle of the Year-round Evangelism and its first for 2010, highlighted the theme "Revelation of Hope" this January through a dynamic and young preacher who was formerly a drug addict, proving how change could be markedly real despite the darkest past.
Taj Pacleb, 26-year-old Hawaiian, admitted his former life of drugs, partying, and emptiness in one of the meetings of the series that resulted to the baptism of 45 new Adventists. This effort began January 1 and ended on January 16. Pacleb, the youngest public evangelist of the Central California Conference (CCC), came with a team that included his wife, Wati; the "Revelation of Hope Singers: Robert J. Crisostomo, Jr., Taylor J. Fa'aui, Sivasa Laupati and Jacqueline Esposo; also with them are missionaries: the couple Jose Esposo Jr. and Carel Lyn Esposo, with their son James P. Esposo.Memories
Jose Banaag Esposo, Jr., who has a mix of Chinese, Spanish and Filipino bloods, found the places he visited to have a common need for a loving Savior. The men's prison, National Bilibid Prison, and the women's prison, CIW-Correctional Institute for Women gave him the unique experience of witnessing baptisms in a barrel.
"An answered prayer for a woman with stage four ovarian cancer [and] meeting and establishing new friendships with warm, friendly, hospitable, cordial, fun-loving and easy going people [are memorable]," he said. "Memories that of Corregidor tell of how beautiful our country is."
Carel Lyn Garcia Esposo, born in Manila with a mother from Bacolor, Pampangga and a father from Duenas, Iloilo, believes that their trip was really orchestrated by God.
"I went to Tanza to visit my aunt, Emy. She and her husband, Abe, are doing NEW START and Wildwood programs in that area. They fed us wholesome food harvested from their produce and gardens," she shared her memorable experiences. "I also can't forget the driving experiences around Manila and its outskirts with Pastor Carmelito Galang, Jr. [Central Luzon Conference (CLC) president]. Only in the Philippines talaga (really)."
James Esposo, as the youngest member of the team, had only appreciation to summarize what he experienced in his native land even if he did not grow in the Philippines.
"God is so good because in all the places that we have gone to, He has been there with us," he said. "There are many beautiful places in the Philippines and there are many poverty-stricken areas as well. There is a need for Christ in both places."
Wati Pacleb, wife of the evangelist, also enjoyed her visit at the at the women's prison that showed her women, who even though locked up in jail, had the joy of the Lord. She also appreciated the LL7 Sola Scriptura Ministry.
"The meetings at Manila center were a blessing, to see the church full of people. LL7, wow," she said. "Those followers are committed to spreading the gospel, not only to the poor, but to the rich. To their peers. They are powerful workers for Christ."
"Revelation of Hope Singers: Robert J. Crisostomo, Jr., Taylor J. Fa'aui, Sivasa Laupati and Jacqueline Esposo had the joy to witness a people that live in hard times but still smile and embrace them with love. The singers became so dear with many Filipinos, Adventists and non-Adventists alike.
In all these experiences most of the team members have traced back their Filipino descent. And for others who do not have Filipino blood, they seemed to have related to the ways of the country.
Final Message
Pacleb, who baptized 45 persons after the meetings, finds the Filipinos friendly and helpful and says he is happy to be one, has this for his final message, "If you never see my face again here on earth. I'll meet you in heaven. Let's allow God to do whatever it takes to save us! For heaven is cheap enough!"