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Testimony

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Juan Felipe Castaño
May 11, 2025

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Testimony


Juan Felipe Castaño
May 11, 2025

Hi, my name is Juan Felipe, and I’m from Colombia, a beautiful country in South America.
I was born and raised in a Catholic family, like many others in my country, where Catholicism is deeply rooted in the culture.
Growing up with my mom, dad, and sister, faith was just part of our everyday life.
My parents taught me the ways of Catholicism, including morning and night prayers and going to church.
Even though I followed these traditions, I didn’t feel a real connection to God.
I was going through the motions, but something felt missing.
I didn’t really understand who God was or what having a relationship with Him truly meant.
When I was about 11, a series of events changed everything.
My grandfather passed away–he was very close to me.
Not long after, one of my favorite teachers died of cancer.
And then, to top it off, I found out that “Baby Jesus” wasn’t real.
This is the Colombian version of Santa Claus, who brings presents at Christmas.
All of these things hit me hard.
I felt confused, disappointed, and angry.
For the first time, I started questioning everything, including the existence of God.
I asked myself: Why does God let these things happen?
Why doesn’t He stop our loved ones from dying?
And if people had lied to me about “Baby Jesus” bringing presents, how could I trust anything else?
Eventually, I stopped going to church and began saying, “God doesn’t exist”.
Later, to avoid arguments, I called myself agnostic.
If someone asked me something about God, I simply responded: “I don’t know.”

Still, in my lowest moments, I found myself praying, asking for help or forgiveness.
Not because I truly believed in God, but just in case he was real.
And surprisingly, my prayers were often answered… though I’d justify those answers as a mere coincidence or casualty of life.
Then in 2023, I joined a Work and Travel program and worked at a summer camp in Missouri.
It was in the middle of nowhere, which made the experience emotionally and mentally challenging.
Thinking that Missouri reflected the entire U.S., I promised myself I would never come back.
(No offense to anyone from Missouri!).
But last year, some friends encouraged me to apply for the Community College Initiative Program, a scholarship by the US State Department.
I got accepted and placed in Arizona.
But just a week before traveling, I was told I’d go to Virginia instead.
And that’s where everything started to change.
Here in Virginia, I met AJ and his International Friends group.
He invited us to One Voice Fellowship, and honestly, I just came to meet people.
But I was surprised.
The food was good, yes–but what really stood out was the worship and sermon.
It felt so different from anything I’d experienced in Colombia.
I kept coming, mostly to have something to do in those long summer days.
But without realizing it, the Holy Spirit was already working within me.
The community at One Voice felt like what I always imagined God’s love should look like.
I felt like I belonged.
During prayer time, I started talking to God honestly–telling Him what He already knew about me.
And when I prayed, I felt love and peace every single time.
My prayers weren’t “just in case you exist” anymore.
They became “because I believe You exist.”
My faith grew with my curiosity.
Every answer brought more questions.
And in one conversation with members of OVF, someone said:
“You don’t need to wait until you have all the answers.”
That really hit me and that’s when I thought, “Maybe I already am a Christian.”
In just 9 months, I went from completely denying God to never wanting to deny Him again.
And a few weeks ago, I officially became a member of One Voice Fellowship.
I just want to say thank you.
To all of you, especially those I’ve gotten to know closely:
Pablo, for giving me a ride every week and being an amazing friend.
AJ and the volunteers from International Friends, for the first invitation.
Chris and Naomi, who’ve adopted, guided, and inspired me to grow in Christ.
Clement, who has helped me find answers and who along with Joe, helped me recognize myself as a Christian.
I’m also thankful for the young adult group, and honestly, so many more.
But the biggest thanks are to God, who met me at the right place, with the right people, and at the right moment.


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