2022 TOFSA Awardee

Pastor Joe Dejesa

Pastor Joe Dejesa started the Filipino American Christian Fellowship (FACF) in 1987. It became Lord of the Harvest Church (LHC) in 1991. In 1996, with twenty families, LHC built their worship center on a 6-acre property in Northeast San Antonio. In September 2018, LHC officially changed its name to Harvest City Church (HCC). By God’s grace, and its new Lead Pastor, Pastor Jonathan Clatt, HCC will break ground for a new 500-seat auditorium this December.

With God’s mandate to reach souls for Christ, Pastor Dejesa and HCC began conducting weekly religious services, cultural and social events that influenced families and impacted our communities in San Antonio and beyond.

The church sponsored “Back to School Program” distributing back packs, school supplies and provided hair cuts to community kids. It conducted “Neighborhood Medical Outreach Events” checking blood pressures, blood sugars, teaching first aid, and giving medical advice to help bring health awareness in the community. Sensing the need to reach High Schools in the area, its Youth Ministry Department sponsored a youth event called the “Blazing Furnace.” It is a well-attended gospel presentation through dance, skits and drama, changing hundreds of lives of young people through the years.

HCC supports more than twenty missionaries, orphanages, churches and other mission organizations in India, Africa, Israel, China, Russia, Thailand and the Philippines. Pastor Dejesa is an advocate of “Gawad Kalinga,” a housing fundraiser for the homeless in the Philippines through local San Antonio organizations. “Medical Outreaches” in the Philippines targeting areas where health care is needed most are conducted. The congregation sponsored “Annual Christmas Gift Distribution” to needy children in Northeast San Antonio in cooperation with area school principals and counselors.

Pastor Dejesa grew up in Mindoro, obtained his business degree at University of Santo Tomas, migrated to the US in 1977, served in the military and US Postal Service, went to Bible School with his lovely wife Rose, and last September celebrated thirty-one years in the ministry together.