Chastin Martel
Lakeside Leader
One unusual way to open a church is in a house basement and Lord of The Nation (LOTN), a Trinitarian based church did just that in May 2021.
The church is focused on the Bible, says Raquel Ann Hertez, senior pastor for the church.
Two other people from Slave Lake were among the first to open it with Hertez. She did not say who they were. Those two individuals didn’t take part in the interview.
However, Sheely Ann Privado and Merlida Curias did. Privado is the Bible study teacher for the youth of the church and Curias is the finance officer.
Back in 2021, a family opened their home and allowed them to worship God, says Hertez.
After some time in the basement, the church moved to an upstairs space at the Brick and once more to the plaza that has Burgers Plus.
“Through his grace alone, we need more space, and God brought us here again,” says Hertez.
LOTN is a church for everyone, says Hertez. It is not just for Filipino people.
In fact, Hertez told The Leader that a homeless person from Slave Lake took part in church services one time.
“For them to know that even though they’re living in a hopeless or helpless case, they do not have a home. But here in the church, they can find or encounter Christ, the Savior,” says Hertez.
Asked what kind of programs they have at LOTN, Curias says, every Monday, they have a prayer meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. It sometimes lasts until 11 p.m. On Tuesday, there is Bible study and a youth session. On Friday, there is another Bible study, but this one is for youth. On Sundays, it is the service and fellowship.
“Sunday service, regular one,” says Hertez.
For the future of the church, Hertez says that they are led by prayer to God. If they are to move to another building, they are hoping it is a bigger space than what they have.
“We are always praying for the big,” says Hertez.
“The thing is when God moved us here,” says Privado. “It’s like it’s still not enough for us. Because to be honest, we do not have a place or a specific room for the young ambassador for Jesus for the youth.”
At the end of July, LOTN had an event called ‘street evangelism.’ This is where Hertez, Privado and other members of the church waved flags with messages about God on Main Street on the corner of 7-Eleven. They did this to remind people of religion, says Hertez.
“We do that street evangelism just to remind everyone that if they’re feeling hopeless, they can find hope in Christ,” says Hertez.
During one of their street evangelism events, they encountered people who were negatively reacting, such as people putting up the middle finger or shouting at them, says Privado.
“I just said, Lord,” says Privado. “We do understand that kind of responses. Because of course, maybe they do not believe in Jesus, maybe they’re anti-Christ. But our desire is to soul-win.”
What’s rewarding about being a member of LOTN church?
Curias enjoys being able to connect with the community. For Hertez, she originally didn’t have any plans to be a pastor for a church, she says. It was God that guided her into being one. As for Privado, the reason is similar to Hertez.
“My rewarding is my eternal life,” she says. “My salvation, my family’s salvation. And God give me peace, God give me love,” says Privado.
Outside of the Church, Hertez, Privado and Curias all have normal jobs. Hertez works full-time at Sweetgrass, Privado is a receptionist at the Slave Lake Family Care Clinic and Curias is a fashion associate at Walmart.
