Pastor Elias

Pastor Elias Turqueza's first recollection of our meeting was when I was recruiting new students for the Bethany School of Church Planting (SOCP) in the mid 90s. I asked him what his plans were. He said he hadn't talked about it with his family. He remembers me saying "Elias - you are 27 yrs. old - isn't it time to start making some of your own decisions." Elias enrolled that year and was the only one to ever flunk my "Plan of Salvation" course. What I so respected about him was his determination to complete his studies. He re-took the course the following year and aced it. Pastor Elias and his wife Josie (also an alumni of the SOCP) pastor a small church in Aurora province. They are part of a ministerial fellowship that is unique. They not only band together for weekly fellowship - they have formed a revival team called "Grace". They accompany one another to each other's districts where they hold revival meetings for several days. This group of dedicated pastors are planning to open up new outreaches in the tribal area of the Dumaget people group.

Pastor Elias's son, El Jay, was dedicated to the Lord with the church and his fellow pastors as witnesses. The blessing for me was the chance to not only share God's truth at the dedication but to also speak words of encouragement to the ministerial fellowship. Hot dusty mini-buses not withstanding, it was great to connect with these alumnus after not having seeing them for many years and encourage them in their faith.

Serving Christ with You, Steve & Alberta