Can one find salvation by adhering to one’s religion or satisfaction by achieving one’s ambition? “Never,” is my answer as the story of the following missionary pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church (CBC) illustrates well.

Luis Dela Cruz Hitosis, Jr., the CBC missionary pastor to Villasis, Pangasinan, was born in the provincial capital of Sorsogon on September 29, 1964. He is the eldest child of Luis Hitosis, Sr. and Leonora Dela Cruz who have relatives in the Roman Catholic (RC) clergy and nunnery, and were themselves religious RC laypeople.

The family lived in Sorsogon, Sorsogon but, later on, they moved to Casiguran, Sorsogon. There the young lad enrolled at the Casiguran Central School to gain basic knowledge and learning. After he received his elementary diploma, Louie was sent back to Sorsogon, Sorsogon to continue his studies there. He enrolled at the Sorsogon National High School, where he finished high school. He then went to Legazpi City, Albay to enroll at Bicol University to take up electrical engineering.

While studying in college, the religious student had a classmate named Jun Nalagon, who once asked him if he is sure that he would go to heaven when he dies. Out of pride, he answered, “Yes,” but deep down his heart, he knew he was not. On another occasion, Jun invited him to attend a Bible study in a nearby Bible Baptist church; this time he decided to give it a try. Through the Bible studies, Louie gradually learned that his good works were not enough to merit him an entrance to heaven. He also learned that he can only be saved by trusting in the finished work of Christ for his salvation.

Sometime in late 1984, Louie made a profession of salvation. However months later, he doubted whether he truly trusted Christ or was just relying on his emotions. After his graduation in 1986, he went back to Casiguran, Sorsogon while waiting for employment. During this time, the fresh college graduate was still unsure about his eternal destiny. But finally, in August, 1987, through much prayer and meditation on the Word, his doubts were settled, and he, from then on, was sure that he was bound to heaven.

From 1988 to 1992, the loving son earned for his and his family’s living by serving the government in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). After four years, desirous of a greener pasture, Louie applied for work in the United States and resigned from DPWH. While processing his papers in Metro Manila, he struggled whether to continue his plan or not, for somehow he felt that it was not God’s will for him to work abroad. In the end, the rich wannabe gave up his ambition and decided to stay in his country, believing that God would provide for his needs.

The obedient believer, eventually, found a good-paying job in Metro Manila, and being far from his local church, he transferred his membership to CBC in 1993. While working for his secular company, Louie served the Lord through the local church in different capacities, and before the year 1994 ended, he was requested to visit and follow up the believers in the CBC mission outreach in Villasis, Pangasinan. He took the privilege, and visited the family, at first, once a month, and later on, twice a month. While serving the Lord, the part-time missionary worker experienced a different kind of joy and satisfaction that he never experienced before.

On August 28, 2001, in one of the revival nights of CBC, Louie decided to surrender his life for the full-time ministry, in response to the message preached by Pastor Leonardo Lorenzana. Out of love for the Lord, and love for perishing people, early the following year, he resigned from MGE UPS Systems Corporation. Not long after that, he was formally ordained by CBC as its first missionary pastor.

Today, aided by his wife, the former Generosa Cid, Pastor Louie is pastoring the CBC Villasis, Pangasinan mission church. He envisions discipling more people and planting more churches for the Lord, believing, “Ministry is serving others out of love for God”.