Faith Without Boundaries
When faith steps forward, God moves without boundaries
God’s work knows no boundaries, and He often invites us to witness His power in ways that draw us beyond the safety of our comfort zones. He has a way of showing us where He wants us to be, and when we choose to step forward in faith, He graciously guides us to the place He has prepared and allows us to take part in His work. Such is the journey of Verge and Nenita Ricafort, the current leaders of ICOC Siquijor—a story that reflects how God moves when His children step out in faith.
Verge was part of a Baptist church when he lived in Missouri, it was there that he became friends with a former disciple who was reached out during the Campus Ministry back in the Philippines. Later when Verge lost his job, what seemed like an unfortunate setback was actually an opened door—leading him to New York. The friend he had made at the Baptist church told him about the New York City Church of Christ. Curious, Verge asked his cousins who lived in New York if they knew about it, only to discover that four of them were already disciples.
Not long after settling in New York, Verge made the decision to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior, with a heart set on remaining faithful in serving both God and the church. He continued to do so, even after moving to Virginia following ten years of life in New York—unaware that God was preparing greater plans for him.
Years later, God’s plan began to unfold. In July 2012, Verge attended the very first World Discipleship Summit in San Antonio, Texas, with the theme “On the Mountain of the Lord.” There, disciples were called to return to their home countries and help others come to know Christ.
This challenge echoed in Verge’s thoughts and settled deeply in his heart.
It was through this conference that Verge heard God’s call to become a missionary. In response, he joined the mission team in Dumaguete, Philippines. At first, his plan was to serve for only a year before returning to the United States. But God spoke to him through the wisdom of a leader in Cebu who said: “If you put a timeframe on your missionary journey, when things get tough, (you may think) let me just endure it, anyway, I’m just here for a year.”
Those words lingered in his spirit, echoing until they reached the deepest part of his heart.
He realized that placing limits on God’s call would keep him from giving his whole self—that he would end up staying only to finish a deadline, instead of staying for the Lord. And so, Verge chose to follow God’s call wholeheartedly, not just for a year, but for as long as God willed.
Verge then began his first missionary journey in Dumaguete, where God led him to help plant a church unique in its growth and spirit. The missionary team consisted of only five disciples—all singles without prior experience—with one of them even being a single mother. Still, Verge, together with the missionary team and a few disciples who had already settled in the province before the official church planting, chose to move forward in faith, answering God’s call despite their inexperience. Whatever they lacked, God supplied—making even more room for His power to be revealed.
Eventually, God blessed the work of His faithful servants, and the church in Dumaguete began to grow rapidly. Many who became disciples through the team’s efforts were “cold contacts”—people with no prior connection to the church, yet whose hearts were drawn to the hope they found in Christ. But with this blessing came new challenges: how could they care for the spiritual needs of a growing flock? One particular concern was how to guide the married disciples in their faith when all of them were single—learning, trusting, and figuring things out along the way.
Yet it was through this very need that Verge came to understand more deeply that while we may plant and water the seed, it is God alone who makes it grow. Seeing their faith and need, God provided help through disciples from other sectors, turning the work in Dumaguete into a beautiful collaboration—a family of believers united in caring for His flock.
Indeed, it became an exciting and humbling season. Verge arrived in Dumaguete thinking he was already a full cup, ready to pour out what he knew. But God used his stay in Dumaguete to prune and refine him, revealing that he still had much to learn. After almost two years, it became clear why God had moved his heart to stay longer than he had planned.
In 2014, Verge was invited by the church leader from Cebu—the same one who had earlier advised him not to set a time limit on his missionary journey—to attend a singles retreat that was meant for the disciples in Cebu. Since he was good friends with this leader, Verge was encouraged to join. Little did he know that it would be there where he would meet the love of his life, Nenita. Dumaguete was a 30-minute ferry ride and a four-hour bus trip away from Cebu, yet Verge didn’t let the distance discourage him. He pursued Nenita through encouragement dates, which also gave him the opportunity to know other disciples in Cebu and learn from their stories. In time, Verge and Nenita’s relationship grew—from steady dating to marriage in 2017.
That same year, 2014,
the Siquijor District Jail Ministry—one of the first prison ministries in the Philippines—began through a simple act of love. A disciple from Dumaguete had a friend imprisoned on the island of Siquijor, and Verge went with him to visit and encourage this friend during a difficult time. While there, they asked if he could find others who might be interested in studying the Bible. When they returned, ten inmates joined the Bible Talk—and from there, the work began to grow.
Verge and other disciples from Dumaguete continued to visit regularly, holding Bible Talks and studying the Scriptures with the inmates. Over time, several of these men made the decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
While the Siquijor District Jail Ministry flourished inside the prison walls, disciples outside Siquijor began reaching out to their own families on the island. After every Bible Talk, Verge and the team from Dumaguete would also study the Bible with these families—and through this, the fellowship in Siquijor continued to grow.
In 2021, a year before the official planting of the Siquijor church, the leaders in Cebu reached out to Verge and Nenita, asking if they would be willing to move to the island. It was not an easy decision—they had already built their life in Dumaguete and were comfortable there. Yet, they recognized that this was God’s call to step out in faith once again. And so, in July 2022, Verge and Nenita moved to Siquijor. Just a few months later, in September, the Siquijor church was officially planted.
The journey, however, did not come without challenges. One of the greatest difficulties they faced was the distance, made even harder by the island’s laidback culture. As Siquijor is an island, many disciples live more than an hour away from each other, even without traffic. Some of the senior members often struggle to attend devotionals, as safety becomes a concern with unpaved roads and limited street lighting at night. Moreover, the island’s relaxed pace of life can sometimes make people passive in their relationships. Verge and Nenita also faced the challenge of caring for a diverse group of disciples, from students in the Campus Ministry to seniors and single mothers, all with different needs and circumstances.
Yet through it all, God’s grace continued to move powerfully in their midst. Today, ICOC Siquijor continues to grow, now home to more than thirty disciples. Though the work requires great effort, Verge and Nenita have been intentional in building relationships, setting an example of what a spiritual family united in Christ should look like. They also ensure that every lesson and gathering is centered on cultivating genuine connection and commitment.
God’s provision has also been evident in other ways.
One disciple opened their unused home for the church to meet—a central location that can comfortably hold around forty people. This house has become more than just a meeting place; it has become a home of worship, fellowship, and growth, where disciples continue to be united by God’s love and purpose. Moreover, disciples regularly join motorpools just to attend meetings of the body—a reflection of their eagerness to be together in fellowship. After Sunday worship services, they often share meals and conversations, making the most of every moment to encourage one another and strengthen their bonds.
Looking ahead, Verge and Nenita dream of raising more leaders and establishing two house churches in Siquijor for easier devotionals and more intimate fellowship. They also envision a stronger Campus Ministry and, by next year, the construction of a church building where disciples and visitors alike can worship freely. Above all, their vision is to see ICOC Siquijor become a bright light—reaching more people and helping them come to understand God’s love and truth.
From Verge’s decision to follow Jesus in New York, to his years of serving in Dumaguete, and now to leading the church in Siquijor alongside Nenita, one truth remains clear: God’s plans are always higher than our own. What began as a heart willing to respond to God’s call has grown into a community of disciples transformed by His grace. Their journey stands as a powerful reminder of what God can do when we let Him lead.
When we surrender our timelines, our comfort, and our expectations, God moves in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine. He opens doors, unites hearts, and builds His church—one faithful step at a time. Through every season, He continues to prove that His work knows no boundaries and His power is made perfect in those who choose to trust Him completely.
With your support we can help Verge, Nenita, and the rest of Siquijor Church evangelize their city!
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