From Service to Surrender: Julius’ Story

When Julius boarded a plane for the Dominican Republic with a STCH Ministries mission team two years ago, he expected to spend the week serving others. He did just that, but through t

he experience, God began a work in his own heart that would ultimately transform his life.

Julius works as a dental assistant, but also regularly volunteers at a Houston, Texas dental clinic that provides care for people who otherwise could not afford it. There he serves alongside Dr. Paul Lee, who faithfully volunteers his dental expertise as well. Paul is a member of CityRise Church in Houston and first invited Julius to accompany him on a STCH Ministries mission trip in 2024 to do dental work in the Dominican Republic.

While assisting with dental clinics on that first trip, Julius witnessed something he had never experienced before. “I saw people living out the gospel in authentic ways,” he recalled. “I met people whose lives were different because of Jesus.” Having grown up around religion, Julius realized he was seeing something deeper: a genuine relationship with Christ that transformed people’s lives. Looking back, he says that during that first trip, “seeds were planted” in his heart.

This year, Dr. Paul Lee invited Julius to return to the Dominican Republic on another mission trip with STCH Ministries and CityRise Church. Once again, Julius said yes. The first ministry opportunity of the week was serving boys at an orphanage in Higüey. As the team gathered for breakfast that first morning, a simple question from teammate and CityRise Church member Mark Wong changed everything. “Have you ever given your life to Jesus?” What followed was an honest conversation about faith, grace and the gospel. Before breakfast was over, Julius prayed to surrender his life to Jesus Christ, asking Him to be his Lord and Savior. That evening after dinner, Julius shared his decision with the rest of the team. Together, they celebrated with Julius what God had done in His life and prayed for him as he began his new life in Christ!

Later that week, at the Boca Chica beach, surrounded by the CityRise mission team and STCH Ministries staff, Julius publicly declared his faith in Jesus through baptism. Standing in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Mark Wong had the privilege of baptizing Julius as his brother in Christ.

Julius’ story is a powerful reminder that when we go to serve others in Jesus’ name, God often transforms our own hearts as well. While He works through us to impact the lives of those we serve, He is also at work within us, shaping us in ways we could never imagine.