Ptr. Jesse Licardo or Jesse boy, came to the United States when he was 12 years old.  

Jesse did not know anything about the US. With little to no knowledge of English, he started school right away. Since he did not know how to speak English then, Jesse boy joined a group of young Filipinos where he felt he belonged. 

One time, he was told to say something inappropriate to one of his classmate without knowing what it meant. He later learned that the words uttered were bad, thus leading to an altercation.

Jesse soon took fellow Filipinos coming from the Philippines under his wing. Without realizing it, he formed and founded a gang of Filipinos.  They come to Jesse for help when they were being taken advantage of. Although he was an honor student, his association with the gang always put him into trouble.

In 1984, Sis. Ligaya Bartolome, founder of a Charismatic group in the Philippines, came to the US and invited him and his family to join the church. Although he was the leader of the gang, he was slowly getting involved in the church.

His fellow gang member who attended a prayer meeting with Jesse got involved in a gang warfare and killed a young boy. Although Jesse was not part of it, being the leader of the gang, Jesse was pursued by the authorities for itt. 

This situation forced him to go back to the Philippines, which lead him to lose everything. Although, the real suspect was arrested, Jesse’s legal documents were put on hold. 

By the grace of GOD, Jesse was able to return in the U.S. and landed a job in the federal Government, in the Bureau of Prisons. While working at the Corrections, one day, his long distance older relative called him and asked for help. He was being beaten by two drunkards. He discharge his fire arm to warn the two men to stop, in doing so he was arrested. He  was facing 67 years in prison.

While undergoing trial, Jesse prayed to the LORD, then in the middle of the night, the LORD woke him up, Jesse saw writing on the wall by his closet. Written there was Isaiah 54:4. At first he did not believe that there was Isaiah 54:4 in the bible. He saw it again for the second time and on the third time, he decided to look at his bible. After surrendering to the LORD,  fasting, and seeing the writings in the wall, this is what it says in Isaiah 54:4 “Do not fear, you shall not be put to shame; do not be discouraged, you shall not be disgraced. For the shame of your youth you shall forget, the reproach of your widowhood no longer remember.” That was the complete forgiveness from the LORD

After receiving that Word, Ptr. Fernando passed by his home that week. It was the second day of his fasting. Jesse had not seen Ptr. Fernando for a long time. Back then, he was avoiding Bro. Fernando because Jesse knew he was not doing GOD’s will. Jesse asked Ptr. Fernando where he was going. Ptr. Fernando said,  “sa San Jose wala nga akong kasamang babalik .”  So Jesse decided to accompany Ptr . Fernando to go to Outreaches. 

A week after, he attended fellowship with Ptr. Lolit and his brother Bong. There, he met Sis. Gloria in fellowship for the first time. Members started teasing her and Ptr. Jesse. Then Jesse asked for Gloria’s number from Sis. Tess Francisco and the rest is history.

Since, he was undergoing trial at that time, Gloria was his source of encouragement and hope.

People were against Jesse thinking that Jesse was not good for Gloria. But Gloria stood by him holding on the Word of God Gloria received from the LORD: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jesse also received the same Word from the LORD. 

Jesse felt GOD’s love that in his biggest trial, the LORD sent Ptr. Fernando and Sis Gloria to him.

Jesse became a Pastor in 2007 with Pastor Fernando & Pastor Feliciana Hernandez. they founded Face to Face Church Inc, a non profit organization in the State of California. They felt the need of the church due to the growing needs of the members. 

When asked about his challenges as a Pastor, he says when he was being persecuted and cursed by some people inside and outside of the church. Although being persecuted, Jesse was not afraid, because he is committed  to GOD and GOD alone. He was and still not afraid to receive insults and persecutions because it is GOD whom he wants to please and not the people.

Having experienced all these, the LORD turned them to his favor. Having experienced the mercy and grace of GOD was one of the best things of  being a Pastor. He saw the greatness of GOD and His awesomeness realizing that he is nothing without GOD

Ptr. Jesse knows how privileged he is to see how the LORD does miracles in his life even though he does not deserve it. Isaiah 54:4, that writing on the wall by his closet was the Scripture he lived by ( his life verse ). Ptr. Jesse surrendered  his life to the LORD realizing that the LORD can turn his mess into a message.“Puwede NIYA akong baguhin at puwede NIYA  akong gamitin, “ as Ptr. Jesse says it.

Ptr Jesse encourages everyone to redeem the time.Be fully committed to GOD,  because HE is coming soon. We must see the redeeming power of GOD in our lives. We all need the LORD.  Be a model of CHRIST likeness. “Redeem the time mga kapatid.” he says.

Thank YOU LORD Ptr. Jesse for that powerful message.