Let honor be bestowed to whom it is due. The Jesus Is Lord Church (JIL) Worldwide is an organization that has existed, from the dawn of its unsophisticated nativity to its massive influence today, for one purpose alone: to glorify God. So, for its 35th Anniversary, let us honor the Living God by looking back through the annals of our glorious walk with Him that were etched by the strokes of God’s love and the ink of God’s power, along with everybody and anybody who ever were a part of God’s grand plan for this precious Ministry…
Come and let us reminisce together the JIL Love Story IN A NUTSHELL –
JIL LOVE STORY IN A NUTSHELL
Most great organizations out there have thrived after weeks, months or even years of careful planning. Not so with the JIL Church Worldwide. For an organization as dynamic and as visible in the world stage, who would’ve thought that it all began with a string of oddities?
First: its founder, Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, was not a Bible school student who dreamed of preaching Jesus to the ends of the earth. Instead, he was a communist-atheist deeply immersed in Marxist dialectics, Leninist revolutionary tactics and thoughts of Mao Tse-Tung. But look at who God has transformed him to become today:
o A man deeply committed to serving the Living God. “I exist for God and God alone.”
o A man whose entrenched principles speak of integrity, faithfulness and excellence. “This world is too poor to buy my convictions and principles of truth, justice and righteousness.”
o A man who understands that true change in a nation must involve God, Biblical principles and Christ-like character. “Moral leadership is the foundation of good governance, and good governance is equal to good economics, and good economics is the key or the gateway to prosperity for the people.” Hence, his rallying cry: “DIYOS AT BAYAN!” (God and Country!)
Second: its charter members. They weren’t disciples immersed in dogmas and doctrines; they were mere students who thought of only to sharing the Gospel with their classmates and schoolmates and professors. But look at the fruit of their labor today: JIL Churches with millions of members spread over more than 50 countries worldwide.
And third, the original place that started it all? A polytechnic university, no less – not a Bible School or even an outreach program. A Bible study inside university premises that eventually gave birth to the “ARAULLO REVIVAL,” a revival explosion that has since been unrivaled in impact in the Philippine Pentecostal annals of history.
Founded by a professed practical atheist who was converted into one of God’s greatest champions… Begun by 15 students who had never even heard of strategies in evangelism and church planting… Came into being from a university that exploded into a historic revival that spawned believers throughout the nations… What can be odder than that? But what a gift born from the very heart of God!
This JIL Love Story In A Nutshell was written that honor may be bestowed to Whom it is due: to the Author and True Owner of this precious Ministry, the Lord our God! It is our most earnest desire that, in the quietest reflections of our spirits, through this little offering, all the evidence of God’s tangibly undeniable faithfulness prompt us back to the passion of our first love. It is through Him alone, after all, that we can find true life and true salvation. And it is with Him alone that we shall receive the bountiful blessings wrapped in eternity.
Join us this October 25 for our 35th Thanksgiving Celebrations!