Time till departure:
2017 #iTESTIFY TEAM
John Loo, 26
TEAM LEADER
Pensacola, Florida
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Hello Filipino Family!!!
As many of you may remember this is my third trip to the fabulous country of the Philippines! My first trip was back in 2014 with Tita Rechie Albano and her amazing church in San Diego, California. And just two years ago in 2015, I led my first #iTestify missions trip to the Philippines which was a fantastic success with our two youth camps, youth rally, and numerous churches, orphanages, and jail ministries. Both past trips, I have been so blessed to work alongside Pastor Nelson de Jesus and IGS ministries. I am so excited to be able to lead this second #iTestify missions trip this summer! I am confident that the Lord has a lot of wonderful opportunities and people for our team to serve this summer. I can’t wait to see you all very soon, and I can’t wait for you all to meet the incredible twelve other young people that will be joining me! See you soon! :)
Hannah Loo, 24
GIRLS' LEADER
Canoga Park, California
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Hi! I’m Hannah and I grew up in a Christian family, but did not receive Christ until the age of seventeen. I am a Texan girl, currently teaching English at a Christian high school in California. My passion is to share Christ wherever I am, whether I’m at work serving my students or teaching English and sharing Christ’s love overseas, including to fourteen missions trips in Mexico, Peru, and China. This is also my third trip to the Philippines like John, and I am so excited to be able to go back again! My greatest passion is to counsel broken young women and work with children and youth. I look forward to what God will do on this trip! Can’t wait to see you all again!
Connor Gaul, 24
GUYS' LEADER
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Hello, my name is Connor Gaul. I am 24 years old and am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I am currently living in Pensacola, Florida. For the past 7 months I have been working on an M.A. in Bible Exposition from the Pensacola Theological Seminary. It is my desire to finish my education and serve the Lord one day on the mission field. I have been able to travel to Haiti, New Mexico, India, and South Africa on missions trips in the past, and cannot wait to see where the Lord will direct me in future! I am extremely excited for the opportunity to serve our great Lord and Savior in the Philippines, and am honored to be included on the #iTestify missions team.
Melissa Dieckmann, 25
GIRLS' CO-LEADER
Dallas, Texas
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Hello! My name is Melissa Dieckmann, I'm 25 years old and from Dallas, TX. I've spent the last four years old at Pensacola Christian College where I've been studying Studio Art/Graphic Design and Education. As a recent May graduate, I don't have many immediate plans other than staying in Texas to be with my family and find some work. In the long run, God has placed family, missions/ministry, and adoption on my heart, and I'm excited to see how I can serve Him through these opportunities or others that He brings my way. God placed in my heart a love for the Philippines, and a desire to use my life in a way that is most effective for His kingdom and glory. I don't mean to be dramatic, but there truly hasn't been a day in the past two years that I haven't thought of the Philippines since 2015. I am SO EXCITED to be going back!
Jason Albano, 23
TEAM MENTOR
San Diego, California
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Hey there! My name is Jason Love Albano and God has recently allowed me to be part of something much bigger than my self! Last August 2016, I joined the World Race. This is a missions organization that focuses on sharing the love of God with the world. This was an 11 month missions trip, where I traveled to 11 different countries (4 in Asia, 4 in Europe, and 3 in Africa). God has been so real and so great in my life. I want to share His Love because He first loved me! Though I've traveled to the Philippines more times that I can count to visit family and do missions, the Philippines has always had a special place in my heart, and I absolutely loved our first #iTESTIFY missions trip in 2015! I'm so excited about going back to the Philippines this summer as well! Please pray for our team as we prepare and raise funds! I'd love to talk and share the many ways God has been transforming my life with each of you! See ya!
Edward Hwang, 23
TEAM LEADER'S ASSISTANT
San Diego, California
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Hello! My name is Edward Hwang, and I am currently a nursing student at Pensacola Christian College. I have one year left, after which I plan to work as a nurse in a hospital and help patients physically and hopefully spiritually as well. This is my fourth trip to the Philippines! In fact, since 2014, I have gone every single year! I absolutely love going to the Philippines and getting to meet the children, youth, Pastors, and families we get to work with. I was also a part of the first #iTESTIFY missions trip back in 2015. That was an incredible experience that taught me so many things! I loved working with my campers, and I am so excited about gettting to go back this summer and working with more youth! Though a college student for the past 4 years, I have seen God provide financially for me every year, and I am grateful to be anonymously sponsored once again this year! Can't wait for July!
Lauren Zacharias, 25
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Pensacola, Florida
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My name is Lauren Zacharias, and I was born and raised in the home of the Christian school administrator. Both of my parents were teachers; so you might say that Christian education is sort of in my blood. I am currently a speech instructor at Pensacola Christian College where I believe God is preparing me for work in a smaller church or Christian school setting. I am really excited to go to the Philippines and work with the kids. Children are one of God's greatest blessings to man, and watching them grow in His love is one of my greatest joys. I am excited to use my speech, dramatic, singing, and creative skills in the Philippines during our day camps and leadership training! See you all very soon!
Teaghan Avrett, 25
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Houston, Texas
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Suh Ya! Teaghan Avrett is the name. I truly came to understand Christ’s love for us when I was 22 years old. Growing up I thought if you broke one of the commandments you would be condemned to Hell with the only way back to Heaven would only be achieved by climbing a rope of good deeds. All of this was shattered after I lived a life of chasing temptation in my late teen and early twenties. Life was full of pain, misery, and anger but it was because I was chasing what the World said was happiness. I was blessed to have an open heart when several people decided to step into my life, educate and share their faith with me. The true meaning of life has been very clear in my mind for the past 3 years. Living for Christ is revolutionary and very fulfilling.
I am a fighter for Christ and am looking to serve our Lord in all ways, every day of my life. I have NEVER been on a missions trip before. That being said I am SO EXCITED to meet every single one of you! I know the Lord will provide the strength and wisdom to be prepared to go on this journey with all you!.
Abby Hall, 18
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Cincinnati, Ohio
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My name is Abby Hall. I grew up in an amazing Christian home with parents that pursued Christ and taught our family the Bible. When I was 12 years old, Jesus changed me. I surrendered my life to Him and he gave me a passion for life and a love for serving Him. I'm in nursing school school and plan to graduate in 2018. I really want to go to the Philippines as a way to experience the mission field and to begin praying about God using me in foreign missions one day. I cannot wait to serve this summer! I'm so happy to be a part of this #iTESTIFY missions trip!
Dillon Overton, 24
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Houston, Texas
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Howdy! My name is Dillon Overton. I was born and raised near Houston, Texas, as the eldest of 8 kids. Some fun facts about me include that I am 6 foot, 6 inches tall, I like to try crazy foods, and I grew up on a small farm. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour when I was 13, on Easter of 2006. My life verse is Romans 12:1-2. I work as a rescue paramedic, and I really enjoy the challenges and opportunities my job gives me. But for several years now, I have felt the Lord leading me to pursue medical mission work. However, I have never before had the opportunity to travel outside the U.S. for missions. I also love spending time with children, so I am very excited to visit the Philippines and to discover all the opportunities and appointments the Lord has arranged for us to be a blessing, to be blessed, and to share His matchless love. I am praying for and love you all!
Elisabeth Luckhaupt, 18
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
West Harrison, Indiana
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Hello, my name is Elisabeth Luckhaupt! I am eighteen years old and I'm from West Harrison, Indiana, USA. Through a missionary my family is close friends with, my excitement and interest to visit the Philippines has grown. I love working in children's, music, and missions ministries and am very thankful for the opportunities God's given me to do so. My anticipation to meet you all and to see what our Savior has planned for this trip is becoming greater each day. Thank you and God bless!
Joshua Allen, 21
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Lancaster, California
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Hey! My name is Joshua Allen and 21 years old from Lancaster, California. I just finished my studies at Pensacola Christian College in May, where I have been studying Business Management. I plan on going back to California to work for a bit till I go into the US military. I'm excited to see how the God plans to use me in the military. I grew up in a Christian home going to a large baptist church. I was completely saturated with church growing up, and became complacent with the Christian life. After my family was faced with some difficult times, I began to learn what true Christianity was. I began to learn who's faith was real and who's was not. Many members of the church began to help my family in time of need. Through those members, I learned what it meant to truly show the love of Christ to others. I'm excited to be able to go on this trip to the Philippines to show what I have learned to those in need. I want to be able to show the love of Christ through me to those we help throughout the trip!
Avery Gaul, 20
1st TIME IN PHILIPPINES
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Hi! My name is Avery Gaul, I am 20 years old. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA, and I currently finished my second year of college at West Coast Baptist College, studying secondary education, with a main concentration in English. While I’ve never really felt a call to full time ministry service, West Coast has helped teach me the importance of being a full time ministering Christian. Recently, and through a series of circumstances, I realized that God was calling me elsewhere. Although I am uncertain of where this call will lead, in training and vocation, I have learned that I can put my full faith in Jesus. I am so grateful to be apart of this missions trip. I’ve only been on one missions trip and that was the summer before my freshman year at WCBC, to Nicaragua. I loved the people there, the energy was infectious and we were encouraged to have a mind to work. We were able to paint houses, invite people to church, and witness to people everywhere. It was such a blessing! I know God wants me on this team, and I am so excited to see how He will work through us as we minister to the people of the Philippines.
