Jose Briones – Colorado Springs, Colorado … Manuel Dominguez Palmero, a devoted member of a local Adventist church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has seen his life profoundly transformed over the past 26 years.
His journey into the Adventist faith began when he was just 22, a time when he was deeply entrenched in worldly distractions. It all started when missionaries visited his home. They came to give Bible studies and offer Godly counsel.
While his wife welcomed them, Manuel was initially resistant, finding ways to avoid engaging. He made all sort of excuses to get out of the Bible studies. However, their persistence and the influence of a woman who would become his “spiritual mother” gradually softened his heart. One pivotal day, Manuel finally listened to their message, and the Holy Spirit touched him deeply. He knew he had found his place.
On December 4, 1998, Manuel and his wife made their first visit to an Adventist church in Cuba. The warm reception from the congregation and the beauty of the hymns left a lasting impression.
Manuel, who had previously enjoyed secular music, found the hymns particularly moving and felt an immediate connection to the church. “Living a Christian life is the greatest joy,” Manuel reflects. “The world offers momentary happiness, but the joy and fulfillment I find in my faith are unparalleled.”
Living a Christian life has brought Manuel immense joy and fulfillment. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges the chaotic and unfulfilling nature of his life before Christ. He urges those who are undecided to choose Christ, stressing that the world offers only fleeting happiness, whereas God fills the void in our hearts.
Manuel, an elder at the Colorado Springs Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, emphasizes the importance of family worship, both morning and evening, as a source of strength and grounding. He encourages fellow believers to pray, study the Bible, and remain steadfast in their faith. “Family worship gives us the strength to face the day,” he says. “You can’t thrive on a single meal a week, and similarly, you can’t sustain your spiritual life with just one church service. Daily connection with God is essential.”
Looking to the future, Manuel reminds his fellow believers that Christ is coming soon. He urges them to remain faithful, for when the time comes, they will join Him in the Eternal Mansion, prepared for those who have lived according to God’s word. Watch Manuel’s story below.
—Jose Briones is lead pastor at the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo capture from RMC’s “Always Faithful” video series.
