Jesus is Lord Church

Can a church be born from the heart of a communist? Here at the Jesus Is Lord Church, that very question is answered. The Jesus Is Lord Church, or JIL, has a history as captivating as its founder. Eddie Villanueva, once a communist and activist, had a life-altering encounter with God in 1973. This experience transformed him from a street parliamentarian to a respected spiritual leader. Five days after this encounter, a miracle solidified his faith. Land grabbers he was fighting against were arrested. A greater miracle, however, happened within Villanueva. He surrendered his life to Christ, and his wife, Dory, soon followed. Jesus Is Lord Church began in 1978. Villanueva, then a professor, started with a small Bible study group of 15 students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. His passion for activism transformed into a zeal for evangelism. The small group blossomed into a congregation of over a million, making JIL one of the largest churches in the world. Jesus Is Lord Church also extends its reach through television, radio, literature, and schools. JIL has expanded globally, with chapters in Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. Villanueva’s vision for JIL is to give everyone a chance to hear the Gospel. The church focuses on Filipinos abroad, hoping they’ll act as bridges to share the message with different cultures. Jesus Is Lord Church aims to be a “worshipping church,” a “healing church,” and a “soul-winning church.” It emphasizes prayer, vision, and being filled with the spirit. It’s also described as “nation-loving,” promoting love of country alongside faith.