CRUZ, Kyra Jean T.

SANTOS, Joshua C.

CABUDOC, Zyra Corrine

DE LEON, Mark Nelson

LAZARO, Mich

A Leap of Faith

Connection is what binds people together. Most connections are formed through
shared experiences. The Students of Destiny is a Born Again Christian group that is
under the supervision of the Destiny Church which is led by Pastor Angelo Balagtas.
Most people don't even know them or for those who have witnessed them
worshipping at the University of the Philippines--Baguio Oblation Grounds, they
would usually be deemed as a cult. But little do they know, Destiny Church is what
more than meets the eye.

Students of Destiny was built because of a desire to surrender themselves to the

Lord. They are worshipping the Lord, not because of their religion but because it is
their hearts desire. They do not want to be called a religious group for they believe
that religion is just something you do for the sake of routine. They believe that they
are worshipping because they are spirit-led with their faith. Every Wednesday and
Saturday at 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., people may spot them crying in front of Oble
because of their overflowing emotion and compassion about surrending themselves to
the Lord and that, for them, is what worshipping is all about. They are driven because
they knew that this will change them for the better and that they can really see that
there is a change.

Through the years, members of the Students of Destiny observed changes in their
character, attitude, and way of living. Kia Gabrillo, worship leader of Destiny, said
that before, she used to be lazy, unproductive, unfulfilled, and unmotivated but ever
since she joined the Students of Destiny, everything became clearer to her. She
believes that the Lord has reasons for everything that the people are currently
experiencing. For them, it is not an accident. It is just merely your destiny thus the
organization's name.

Destiny Church does not just only worship at Oblation Grounds. They also
conduct Life Group every week where they gather and share gospels or life
experiences. In addition, their targets are often those who are suicidal and depressed.
They reach them out in order to help them and because they believe that the Lord is
preparing them for they are the next generation. The Life Group is not limited to
church meetings. They also go out, have some fun, and build a genuine relationship.
Destiny Church doesn't only contains of Students of Destiny. There are also
Professionals of Destiny, Young Professionals, Couples, and Singles.

This organization sees the good in everyone and everything. No matter how bad a
person is, they still strive to see the good in them because goodness is something that
you just can't take out of a person. Goodness lives within the people. If society is
deeming someone to be bad, evil, or notorious, for them you are still simply God's
masterpiece.