Greatest Hits / Final Blog of the Semester

I can’t believe this semester is coming to an end. It’s exciting but sad because I won’t have any more “projects” for my blog.  I wanted to display my best blogs of the semester. I really enjoyed all of my project assignments, so here they are:

 1.        Interactive Feature – Timeline – This timeline was one of my hardest projects; it also was one of the projects that took the most time to do. That is one of the reasons why it is my favorite.  Another reason is because I am truly inspired by the person that this timeline is about.

2.        Preview for Interactive Feature

 3.       Final Project – Profile Story – This project was another hard one that took a lot of time to do. I enjoyed getting to write a profile piece about my pastor because I learned a lot of information that I never knew about him before.

 4.      Preview for Final Project

 5.     Multimedia Interview – This project also took a long time to do. I loved all of my interview assignments. They required more work than all of my other assignments, but it was worth it in the end.

6.     Preview for Multimedia Interview

 7.    Photo Essay – This assignment received the most hits throughout the semester (mostly because it was posted on Facebook so that everyone I interviewed could read what I wrote about them). It was a simple project for my first assignment, but it was fun to do.

 8.    Preview of Photo Essay

9.    Other Interviews – I also enjoyed interviewing people who attend different churches in South Jersey: Cristina and Alison.

I would like to continue to update this blog after my class ends. I’m not sure if I want to change the focus off of being strictly for encouraging Christian college students or not. I will create new posts when I make my decision, so keep checking to see what is to come!

God’s Remarkable Word

The message for Tuesday, December 15, 2009 of Our Daily Bread is called, “God’s Remarkable Word.” Usually I like to focus on the themes of the messages when I refer to Our Daily Bread, but I wanted to make this post more personal.  The key verses in this message are Psalm 119: 89-96. I’m going to separate these bible verses into sections, and explain what each one means to me. I will be using the New Living Translation of the bible because that is the one I have.

Psalm 119: 89-91 says, “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.”

-When I read these verses, I think of how powerful God is. Everything that is written in the bible is unchanging. All of the promises in the bible that God had for past generations are the same promises that he has for me. Some of these promises include: salvation, blessings, prosperity, and that we live this life in complete abundance to what God has for us. Everything that God has proclaimed will come to pass. There is a purpose for everything that happens.

Psalm 119: 92-93 says, “If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.”

-These verses remind me of the peace and joy that God has given me. I realize that if I had never gave me life to God and continued to serve him than I would have spiritually died.  I would have no hope, joy, peace, or love. God is love, so it can be hard to truly love someone when you don’t have God in your life. It is through God’s grace and mercy that I have received a new life in Jesus Christ. When I pray, read God’s word, and worship him daily my spirit is renewed.

Psalm 119: 94-96 says, “I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limits.

-Whenever I get overwhelmed with my schoolwork, job, church activities, family, friends, and plans for my future I need to take a deep breath and stop thinking about everything. I need to turn to God before I turn to anyone else, and make sure my priorities are in the right places. I need to make sure that my heart is right before God, and if it isn’t, I need to repent and ask God for forgiveness for my sins. Only he can help me in this way, and keep me in his will. Even if different situations come up against me I need to keep pursuing God. It’s important that I don’t look to others; if someone else is doing something wrong, I can’t judge them. I can only encourage them, and then continue to move forward in my walk with God. It’s also important that I don’t compare myself to other people, because who will I look to when those people are struggling? I can only compare myself to Jesus and make sure that my life mirrors his as best as it’s humanly possible to do so.

I hope that I have encouraged someone today. I encourage you to read “God’s Remarkable Word.”

Final Project

On Sunday morning, the Rock of Salvation Church’s congregational prayer and fasting starts at 7:00 a.m., and that is when the pastor’s day starts. Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. kneels at the altar to pray for another busy Sunday. Not only is he praying for that day, but his focus is on the future of Rock of Salvation. Ocasio has been the pastor of “the Rock” for 12 years. Now, he is preparing for the upcoming year and the changes that are in store for the church.

Ocasio, 50, is not an ordinary pastor. In 1998, he decided to quit his job at Ace glass, and focus entirely on his new position as the pastor of “the Rock.” He acknowledges that his upbringing has strongly influenced the way he has raised his kids. Ocasio supports his kids throughout their college experiences, and gives advice for Christian college students. He is encouraged by where his church is now, and looks forward to where the church will be in the upcoming years. 

Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. when he was four years old.

Growing Up in Church

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 14, 1959. Ocasio grew up in church. His father, Rev. Pedro Ocasio Sr., was the pastor of Church of God Mission Board in New York. He came from a big family.  His mother, Maria Ocasio, had four sons and two daughters.  Even as a child, Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. was very involved in church. He was the leader of the kids’ church, cleaned up the church, and played the guitar. He just didn’t realize that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and pastor his own church someday.

His family moved to Vineland, NJ in 1970. Ocasio’s family continued to go to church. However, Ocasio didn’t continue to serve the Lord. In 1981, his father-in-law, Ramon Atiles, founded the Rock of Salvation Church. Ocasio started visiting the church, and his dad, Pedro Ocasio Sr. started coming to “the Rock” to support him. After two years, Atiles stepped down from pastoring “the Rock,” and Pedro Ocasio Sr. became the new pastor.

Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. said he never saw himself as a pastor. He said he could see himself working in an administration level, but not as a pastor. Ocasio said he was called to be a pastor in the early 1980’s. At that time he was involved in the building fund committee.

“I just wanted to give a helping hand,” Ocasio said.

However, Ocasio knew that he was being called for greater things. On January 16, 1993, he became his father’s assistant. He was ordained as a minister by the Jameson Evangelistic Association in 1996. Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. was installed as the pastor of Rock of Salvation on November 8, 1997.

There is someone else who likes “to give a helping hand.” Neyda Nieves, 47, has been working with Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. since 2002. She is the treasurer, and helps with the ushers, missionary department, and decorating the church for special functions.

“I do a little bit of everything,” Nieves said. She has only good things to say about Ocasio.  “He has a compassionate heart,” she said. “He wants to help the community.”  She said he is a spiritual leader. “He leads by example—I’m blessed to work next to him.”

Family Values

Ocasio says his dad knew how to balance his pastoral job with the family. “It showed us the value of family and the Christian family,” he said. He says that it is important to take what one has learned from one’s parents and hope that it is produced in one’s kids. Ocasio says that when he was growing up, he always sat down with his family at the dinner table. This is something that he has continued to do with his kids throughout the years. He has been married to his wife, Naomi Ocasio, for 30 years. His son, Benjamin Ocasio Jr., is 27, and his daughter, Stephanie Ocasio, is 22. The entire family is involved in the ministry.

He supports his kids during their years of college. “We’ve always encouraged them to do better—because of the line of communication we have, they [Ben and Stephanie] share what they want to study.” Ocasio says they discuss how things will work out financially and with transportation. He says he wants them to “make sure that’s the career they want to take.”

Stephanie Ocasio says she never came home to a chaotic household. “Everything was peaceful,” she said. “Church values were incorporated in the house, but when we were at home we would do normal things that normal kids do.”  When Stephanie Ocasio spoke about how she was raised, she mentioned that her family always ate together for dinner.  She says that she liked getting to just talk about the day with everyone.

“You learn to respect your parents in two different ways. You respect them as your parents, but when you’re in church, you respect them as your pastors,” she said.

She is a senior at Rowan University. Stephanie Ocasio says that her parents never forced her to get a full-time job while she was in college; this gave her the opportunity to go to school full-time and work part-time.

“They’re really proud of me,” she said. “They tell me they couldn’t have done what I’m doing now.”

A New Year

After Sunday’s morning prayer is done (around 8:30 a.m.) there is a break.  Sunday School starts at 11:30 a.m.  When Sunday School starts, Ocasio makes copies of his afternoon message, in Spanish and English.  Then, he goes over his notes with his wife, Naomi Ocasio, who is the Spanish interpreter.  Rock of Salvation is a bilingual church.  Every service is interpreted in Spanish.  However, all of that is about to change in the upcoming year.  Instead, there will be two Sunday services:  one in Spanish and one in English.

On Sunday, December 6, 2009, Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. announced that his church would be starting to have two services on Sunday, January 3, 2010. He said that it would require more help from the congregation to make the transition from one service to two services run more smoothly. That Sunday he preached a message called, “The Christmas Gifts.”

“I present to you today the hope of salvation,” Ocasio said.  He offered three Christmas gifts to the congregation: hope, peace, and love.

“Peace offered here today is not the peace that the world offers,” he said. Ocasio says that Christmas is not just another day on the calendar, but it is the day the “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords was born.”

A Church’s Vision

Once he starts having two Sunday services next year, Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. plans on making bigger plans for “the Rock.”  In five years, he hopes to open another congregation and continue ministering overseas.  The church has participated in missionary trips to the Dominican Republic in 2005 and 2006.

Ocasio hopes that the church is “able to send men and women out, and do what God has called them to do.”

He hopes that the youth group members and young adults of the church “will be able to take the ministry to a new dimension as we depart.” He says that Christian college students should “get connected with positive people so you can stay focused on your goals.”

After Sunday school is over and the afternoon service is about to begin, Ocasio leaves the sanctuary at 12:45 a.m. He goes to the prayer room called The Secret Place, which was dedicated to his father, Pedro Ocasio Sr. Here he is away from all the distractions of everyone trying to get ready for the service.  He prays for what is about to take place on that day, and for the future of Rock of Salvation.

Preview for Final Project

Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. after preaching his Sunday message. By: Stephanie Rockliss

My next post will be my final project for the semester, and one of my last blog posts.  I’ve interviewed quite a few people, and I thought my blog wouldn’t be complete unless it included someone who has impacted my life in a powerful way:  my pastor.  Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. is the pastor of Rock of Salvation Church in Vineland, N.J.  I don’t want to reveal too much about him before I share my final project with everyone, but I will share some topics that won’t be in the project. 

Before Ocasio became a pastor, he worked at Ace Glass, in Vineland, N.J., for 14 years (from 1984-1998).  After he was installed as the pastor of Rock of Salvation on November 8, 1997, he had a decision to make.  He prayed and spoke with his family about leaving his job, to focus completely on his new position as the pastor of the church.  They agreed, and Ocasio has continued with this decision ever since. 

Ocasio says something to encourage Christian college students:  “Resist the temptations out there that are going to distract you from your Christian walk and from losing your focus.” 

He says that he wants the young people of his church to fulfill whatever dream they possess. Ocasio says the young people are the future of the church.  He says that they should “put God first in their lives.” When talking about his kids being in college, he says it’s important to “encourage them along the way.” He says he wants to be supportive and “always be there for them.” 

Stephanie Ocasio, 22, is Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr.’s daughter, and she is active in the ministries of Rock of Salvation.  These ministries include: the worship team “Chosen Nation”, the mime ministry “Faces of Glory, the choir “Divine Melodies”, doing PowerPoints for services (computer technician), the youth group “Rock Youth on a Mission”, and the young adults group. 

“Growing up was unique; even before my dad was a pastor, my grandparents were pastors,” Stephanie Ocasio said. “I was kind of always in the lime light.” She says that this caused her to mature quickly. “Being pastor’s kids, you have to mature quicker than normal. You see a lot of things, and you see what your parents go through. You need to have an understanding of things.” 

She has many good things to say about her father and pastor. “He’s a man of integrity,” Stephanie Ocasio said. “He doesn’t give up easily—he’s really good at multi-tasking. He just has a heart to help people.”  She says that he is good at talking with people. “Some people think you can’t talk to a pastor, but he’s really down-to-earth.” 

Stephanie Ocasio says she wants other people to know that he is human like everyone else. “Some people don’t realize he hurts just how we hurt—some people don’t consider how he will feel,” she said. Still, she knows that “he’s a man of prayer—he’s always looking for ways to give God the best at what he does.” 

Neyda Nieves, 47, has been going to the Rock since 2002. She says she has been working with the pastor ever since she first started attending the church. “He really cares about your spiritual growth,” Nieves said. “If you come to the church he wants you to grow in the Lord. He’s genuinely a good person.” 

Her mom has been at the Rock for over 25 years. Neyda Nieves says that when her mom was sick with liver disease, Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. always used to visit her at the hospital.  She said he would go and pray for her, even if it was two in the morning.  She recalls him visiting the hospital one time on a Sunday.  It was an hour before the church service started, and he didn’t rush his visit.  He said everyone at church would be fine until he got there. 

“He’s committed to what he does.” 

If anyone is interested in visiting Rock of Salvation, one can visit 513 Grape St. Vineland, N.J. Here’s the weekly schedule: 

Tuesday’s: Kids Church – 7:30 p.m. 

Thursday’s:  first two of every month—Worship Service – 7:30 p.m. 

                     last two of every month—Youth Service – 7:30 p.m. 

Sunday’s:  Prayer – 7:00 a.m. 

                  Sunday School – 11:30 a.m. 

                  Explosive Service – 1:00 p.m. 

 Note:  This schedule will be changing in 2010.  This list will be updated when these changes are made. Also, the web site is under construction.

Interactive Feature

 

By: Melanie Guadalupe

 My interactive feature is a timeline about the life of Daisy Guadalupe.  The timeline shows a few of the significant points in Guadalupe’s life that have contributed to the person who she is today.  The focus of my blog this semester is to encourage Christian college students.  This assignment can relate to my blog easily.  I can’t see how anyone cannot be inspired by her.  She is truly an amazing person. 

Guadalupe has been through many hard times, but she is pressing forward because of God.  “I’ve had some tough times with health and my marriage, but the only reason I’ve been able to make it is because of my faith in God.  That’s the only way I’m here today and still standing,” she said. 

 In 2001, she was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an incurable skin disease.  This is the reason that Guadalupe stopped working as a licensed practical nurse.  “My doctor always says that I amaze her.  I amaze her because I’ve been through so much (with complications with the disease).  I’m doing so well now,” Guadalupe said.  She tells her nurse that it’s because of her (her nurse’s work and the medicine) and because of God that she is doing so well now.     

 I hope that any Christian college students (or anyone who reads this blog) will be encouarged as they read this timeline. 

Preview of interactive feature

The Guadalupe family, the day of Moses Guadalupe Sr. and Daisy Guadalupe's ceremony. They renewed their vows for their 25th anniversary. By: Stephanie Ocasio

In my next blog post, I will present my interactive feature.  The feature is a timeline based on the life of Daisy Guadalupe.  Guadalupe is 46 years old, is very active in her church—Rock of Salvation—, and is looking forward to her future.  The timeline will show important facts about Guadalupe’s life.  Therefore, I thought I could use my preview to share some very interesting information that wasn’t given in the timeline.

 Guadalupe’s grandparents, Ramon and Carmen Atiles, raised her for most of her life (since she was three or four years old).  Her grandfather founded three or four churches.  She says that that’s what her grandfather was called to do.  “I definitely got my foundation in my beliefs because of my grandparents,” Guadalupe said.  She also said that her grandparents were very strict while she was growing up.

 She is actively involved in the Rock of Salvation Church (founded by Ramon Atiles).  Guadalupe is an elder of the church.  She is involved with the worship team (making schedules), and making programs for specials during the Sunday services.  She is a substitute teacher for the adult Sunday school class, and she also participates with the women’s fellowship.  Guadalupe says that when her church decides to do outreach programs, she wants to be involved with that.

 Guadalupe is looking forward to her future.  In the next five years, she says, “one, I’m hoping that I’m totally healed.”  In 2001, she was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an incurable skin disease.  She had to quit her job as a nurse because of this illness.  After Guadalupe is healed she plans on working as a part-time nurse again.  She hopes that in five years all three of her kids will be married; after five years she expects to have grandchildren!  After her kids get married, she looks forward to enjoying the empty nest with her husband.   

 When talking about encouraging Christian college students, Guadalupe said that they should keep focused on God and the goals they have.  “They have to live lives of integrity, no matter what,” she said.  “Don’t give up.  At the end it’s going to be worth it.”

Shachah Ministries International

My group of five girls that went to the dance conference prayed over our flags, tambourines, and streamers.

One web site I wanted to share with my readers is Shachah Ministries International. According to the site, “Shachah in Hebrew means worship (prostrated with face touching the ground). We are here to share the joy found in the freedom of dance for God in worship.” 

 This web site shows that this ministry instructs others how to worship with flags, tambourines, streamers, and dancing. Pastor Michael and “Aunty” Magrate Yap, founders of Shachah Ministries International, sell manuals and videos to help people learn how to use these biblical, worship techniques.  According to the web site, “Shachah Ministries International has ministered in countries around the world. Conducting seminars and conferences in places such as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji Island, Cayman Island, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico and the United States of America.”

 Thursday, November 12 – Sunday, November 15, 2009, I was able to go to Shachah’s Dance Conference at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center in New Ringgold, PA.  I went with two other girls from my church, and two girls from Maranatha Revival Church.  I drove to Pennsylvania for the first time!  We got to Blue Mountain on Thursday late at night.  Friday and Saturday were very busy days for us.  The sessions for learning the flags, tambourines, and streamers were two or three hours long each! Some sessions were longer, but the times were split before and after lunch.  The only times we had a break was for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Whenever we had a break we enjoyed practicing with our flags and tambourines.

 All five of us had a great time last weekend.  We really enjoyed learning the new techniques.  We also enjoyed the services and times of prayer.  Our group prayed for one another throughout the weekend.  The whole trip was an amazing experience.  We learned a lot and we hope to learn a lot more at our next dance conference next year.

Praising God in every circumstance

Our Daily Bread for Thursday, November 12, 2009 talks about the book of Job.    The passage for this devotion is Job 1: 13-22.  This book talks about a man named Job who loses everything (his possessions, family, livestock, etc.).  However, in the midst of all his suffering, he still praised God and didn’t blame him for his suffering.

The devotion says, “Many believers live in circumstances where it seems as if God, for some reason, has removed His hedge of protection.  Others, also for reasons unknown, live in relative calm, seemingly unaware of their fragile existence.”  This means that Christians have times where they go through hard situations, and they believe God isn’t with them.  Others may live very carefree, not aware that they should be more cautious and careful about the decisions one makes in life.

Another statement in the devotion says, “Like Job’s friends, they assume that nothing bad will happen unless they do something to deserve it. “  No one should think that bad things only happen to bad people.  Anyone can experience difficulties, and many times it may not be one’s fault why they’re going through these situations.  Sometimes we do make decisions that result in bad consequences, but it’s important that Christians aren’t judgmental of others. 

Christian college students may go through difficult situations.  Therefore, students might think that God doesn’t care what happens to them or that He isn’t helping them.  However, the bible says, “We should not trust in ourselves but in God” (2 Corinthians 1:9).  Having faith means to believe in the unseen.  One should praise God no matter what circumstances they are in.  After all, that’s what Job did.

Joyce Meyer Ministries

Another organization I wanted to look into was for the Joyce Meyer Ministries.  I thought this ministry would be good for Christian college students to learn more about for many reasons.  First, there are many biblical resources through the web site that are given to instruct Christians and encourage everyone in their faith.  Second, the web site is updated with technology such as podcasts and videos, which make the site more appealing to our generation.  Finally, Joyce Meyers has a background that is relatable to this generation.  She also has a message of hope and overcoming difficult circumstances.

There is a section of the web site called Everyday Answers.  This section directs someone to various articles, videos, scriptures, and more.  One can look at daily devotionals, testimonies, and how to become a Christian.  There are even more resources if one doesn’t find something that interests them.  However, the selection is so big, everyone should find at least one answer to what they’re looking for.

Another part of the Joyce Meyers Ministries site offers free podcasts.  One can view radio podcasts, TV podcasts, or other featured podcasts (in this section) through iTunes.  College students could find this feature very useful.  People can also view sections of the magazine online. 

 Joyce Meyers has a testimony that can inspire anyone.  According to her web site, “Having suffered sexual abuse as a child and the pain of an emotionally abusive first marriage, Joyce discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God’s Word to her life and in turn desires to help others do the same.”  The web site says she also battled breast cancer.  Students may not experience situations quite like this, but this testimony proves that, with God, anyone can overcome any situation.  College students can have many struggles, but one has to believe:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”~Philippians 4:13

Multimedia Interview

*Here is the first part of Nate’s message at Rock of Salvation’s Super Saturday on October 31, 2009. Videos taken by a member of Maranatha Revival’s Church.

Nate Peña has a very eventful life for a 24-year-old.  He is busy with a full-time job, a family, and being the youth minister at Maranatha Revival Church.  Most of all, Peña has a passion to reach this generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ and that they experience the power of God in a way that will create a movement.

He was born and raised in Vineland, NJ. Peña graduated from Vineland High School and attended Cumberland County College.  He has a full-time job at Bandfield Animal Hospital in Mantua, NJ, where he works as an office manager. Peña has been married for two years to Gabrielle Peña.  He says that she is involved with teaching the youth group and singing in the worship team. “She’s got a tremendous teaching gift,” he said.  On October 1, 2009 Gabrielle Peña gave birth to their daughter, Lilia Hope Peña.

 When he isn’t working or at home with his family, Peña is involved in his church, Maranatha Revival Church.  He has been the youth minister for two and a half years. Therefore, he preaches at the youth services, and puts together church events and outside activities for his youth group. Peña is involved in the worship team; he plays the guitar and the drums.  Peña also takes part in the evangelism team that was established about a year ago.

 Mountain Experience

 Peña’s parents, George and Yolanda Peña, have been the pastors of Maranatha Revival Church for over five years.  Though his parents were in leadership positions as he was growing up, Peña didn’t always have a desire to serve God. He said that his old church his family used to go to had very strict rules and didn’t have programs for teens.  From the time he was 14-16 years old, Peña’s parents had him and his sister visit another church’s youth group (Abundant Life Church in Buena, NJ).  

 He found out about a youth retreat at the Abundant Life Church, and wanted to go—but only for the snowboarding. Peña got more than he expected to receive. “I had a mountain experience with the Lord,” he said.  He says that he had an encounter with God that changed his life. Now he wants others to have a fire for God that he has experienced.

*Part two of Super Saturday at The Rock.

 The Best is Yet to Come

 Peña says his youth group hasn’t grown in numbers, but the kids aren’t the same as they were two years ago.  “We’re now finally at a place where we can give something to our city,” he said.  He says that his first priority is to get the youth members on fire for God.  His second priority is for them to preach the gospel.

 “We want our church to reflect that the gospel has no cultural boundaries.  We are not a Spanish church—we’re just a church.”  Peña says that his church will be having its first youth rally in December.  Different churches will be involved in the service.  “Maybe you’re a different part of the body [of Christ], but we can all work together.”  He says he wants to bring churches together that have the same desire as him.  “I don’t want to see just a revival, but a movement of God,” Peña said.

 When speaking about his own future, he says that he is called to preach.  Therefore, Peña wants to become an ordained minister.  He says the program he is looking into is an external studies program under Rod Parsley’s World Harvest Bible College.  According to Peña, this is a one-year program that would get him a diploma in biblical studies.  He says he would receive he diploma from Pastor Parsley himself.  His ultimate goal after the diploma and ordination is to eventually get a degree, but he says that’s not his first priority.

 “The message that God has put in me is not for a church, but for a generation,” he said. Peña wants to encourage Christian college students.  He says that Proverbs 16:3 says to commit your works to the Lord and He will establish your thoughts.  “We’re here to build the kingdom of God.”  He says that college is the perfect place for Christians to get different degrees and use them for Christ. Peña says students should look at that degree as a door—as an opportunity to use the gospel.