FAITH UNFOLDING: PATRICK MEDALLA'S POWERHOUSE TESTIMONY

By Patrick Paul Medalla

I was part of the music ministry at my previous church. However, you would not believe I was a "Christian" who was actually serving the Lord. While everyone then knew that I was a pastor's kid, I was smoking, drinking, and cursing. I was not afraid of anyone seeing me engage in these vices. Proud as I am, I would even post them online.

During the pandemic, while many people feared losing their jobs, my wife and I were blessed with our work. At that time, I was using my hard-earned money to buy vape, alcohol, and cigarettes. I did not stop smoking, drinking, and cursing. Until one day, it crossed my mind that maybe the Lord would be coming again soon because of what was happening in the world.

It might be funny to others, but I was seriously contemplating it at that time. It knocked some senses into me, and I realized that I needed the Lord. I also recognized that I had to be a good example to my son and my wife as the head of the household. In the church, we always hear that our family is our first ministry. That time I asked, “How could I lead my family if I didn't know the Lord myself?”

Patrick, his wife, Mara and their son, Zeb, during the couple's wedding

That was when I started seeking help from the Lord, saying, "Lord, I want to go back to church. I want to do ministry again. I want to know You and lead my family towards You." I talked to my wife, and gratefully she agreed because she also wanted to go back to church.

It was then that the Lord answered my prayer through Josh, now one of the leaders of EFC Powerhouse. He sent me a message and invited me to attend Powerhouse Weekend. We talked briefly, and I told him that I wanted to go back to church. In November 2022, I attended Powerhouse Weekend for the first time. My heart was just filled with joy because I really missed being in the house of the Lord.

Patrick and Mara attending In Real Life Conference 2.0 Wheelhouse (August 2023)

I felt very welcomed. I did not feel any gap with anyone, and they treated me as if they already knew me for a long time. God surrounded me with great people through this ministry. He made the Powerhouse family instrumental in correcting, guiding, and helping me during times when I was weak, losing faith, angry at the world or just needed a friend to talk to.

I am also attending our mentoring sessions every month, which helps me strengthen my faith and trust God even more. I love hearing the testimonies of my friends in our mentoring group on how God is moving in their lives in times of struggle and how God is blessing them. Knowing that someone also relates to what I am going through helps me to move forward and to trust God in every step that I am going to take. It also helps that I have people around who will encourage me to know God even more. Our mentoring session is definitely one of the things that I look forward to every month.

Patrick enjoying Powerhouse mentoring sessions

Being out of the ministry for almost three years was very frustrating. Now, I am blessed to be part of the music ministry at EFC Powerhouse. Not only can I once again use my talent to glorify God, but I also have the opportunity to get closer to Him.

If you are a young professional seeking friends and companions who can relate to you, I believe the Powerhouse Ministry is for you. I will always praise God for bringing me to Evangelical FREE Church and will continue to serve Him through the Powerhouse Ministry.

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Patrick Medalla is currently working as a video editor in an advertising company. At present, he is one of the singers and instrumentalists of Powerhouse Band.

Just like Patrick, if you have stories to encourage your fellow young professionals in the faith, e-mail us at efcpowerhouse@gmail.com.