DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — On May 2, the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission witnessed an unforgettable moment: two dedicated pastors were officially ordained for gospel ministry. For Pastors Jetro Dingcol Kadusale and Cristopher T. Amparado, this ceremony was more than a formal step into leadership—it was the result of years of perseverance, selfless sacrifice, and deep trust in God’s faithfulness.
Both men have faced real financial struggles, spent years working quietly behind the scenes, and placed their faith in God to guide both their ministries and their families. Today, their journeys offer encouragement and hope to anyone who feels called to serve, even when the cost is great.
Pastor Jetro Kadusale: Seven Years a Servant, a Lifetime a Shepherd
For Pastor Jetro Dingcol Kadusale, the road to ministry was forged through hard, physical labor. Born in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, before his family relocated permanently to Bagtic, Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Pastor Jetro knew early on that a college education would require immense grit.
When he enrolled at Central Philippine Adventist College (CPAC), he spent seven years working his way through school. He greeted the day in the campus gardens, hurried through shifts in the fast-food department, and stayed alert during late hours in the Recreation Center and Security Department—all to pay for his tuition. By the time he graduated in 2015, he didn’t just have a diploma—he had a character shaped by hard work and determination.
His ministry began in the trenches of laywork, serving the Bais District for three years before transferring to Initihan Church under the Canlaon District in late 2018. It was during this brief window in Initihan that God orchestrated a beautiful turning point in his personal life.
At a church association rally, Pastor Jetro was introduced to Maricel Caralde. Just two days later, he received an urgent call to serve as the new district leader of Siaton District. Though distance separated them almost immediately, the connection was divine. Guided and mentored by seasoned church leaders—Pastor George, alongside Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat and his wife, Belce—Pastor Jetro approached the relationship with sacred intentionality. He personally sought the permission and blessings of Maricel’s parents before courting her.
After more than a year of prayers and growing faith, Jetro and Maricel were united in marriage. Today, they minister side by side, blessed with a four-year-old son, Jireh Gem. Reflecting on his current assignment at District 12 (Maitom-Bonawon) and looking ahead to his upcoming June transfer to District 10 (Valencia-Zamboanguita), Pastor Kadusale sees the hand of God in every season of waiting.
Pastor Cristopher Amparado: The Long Road and a Pandemic Covenant
Hailing from Bukidnon, Pastor Cristopher T. Amparado’s journey through CPAC was equally testing. Financial hurdles stretched his academic journey across nearly eight years. Yet, his delay became the very incubator for his future leadership and family.
In his senior year, Cristopher met a first-year student named Jesamae. At first, he was interested in someone else and often asked Jesamae to pass messages to her classmate. But God clearly had other plans. Before graduating in 2015, Cristopher was asked to lead a summer student canvassing program—and he invited Jesamae to join the team.
Watching her dedication to the literature ministry, Cristopher saw her inner spiritual beauty. Jesamae ultimately finished the summer as the program’s top-performing canvasser—and she completely captured Cristopher’s heart. Before the program ended, he traveled to meet her parents to formally ask for their blessing. On June 23, 2015, they became sweethearts.
As Jesamae finished her studies, Cristopher devoted himself to ministry. He learned valuable lessons serving in the West Visayan Conference under Pastor Joward Blaza and later in Candelaria, Quezon, with his cousin Pastor Jonas Carreon. In 2018, Cristopher returned to Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission as a layman in Bayawan Church. His hard work and leadership soon led to a new role: by mid-2019, he was officially called to serve as pastor of the Ayungon District.
When Jesamae graduated in 2020, the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions and lockdowns made a traditional wedding impossible. Faced with strict limitations, Cristopher and Jesamae made a courageous, mission-first decision. On September 23, 2020, without their parents’ presence due to the lockdown, they exchanged vows for the sake of the ministry, refusing to let global chaos delay their joint service to God.
Now serving in District 18 in Lumbangan, Mabinay, the Amparado family looks back on that simple wedding day with grateful hearts. Their family, which includes daughters Briella Kosmer and Brielle Kassi, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a third child this June—a growing reminder of God’s continued blessings.
Two Stories, One Unchanging Call
Pastors Jetro Kadusale and Cristopher Amparado share more than a CPAC graduation year or a May 2 ordination date. They share the distinct badge of modern-day pioneers who laid down comfort, embraced extended seasons of trial, and let God build their families from the ground up.
As they move forward into their respective districts, their ordination stands as a reminder to the entire constituency of Negros Oriental and Siquijor: the harvest is plentiful, the road is long, but the One who calls is forever faithful.