Jerome Cepeda – OralityTalks

Story-Shaped Faith: Reimagining Discipleship Through Story and Play

Jerome Cepeda — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:13:56 +0000

Discipling a multigenerational church, especially helping young people engage meaningfully in theology, has long concerned me. I want them not only to learn theological truths but also to be transformed as they understand God and deepen their relationship with Him. This has led me to consider how theology can become a lived process of spiritual formation, beyond knowledge transfer, in a church whose generations learn, communicate, and practice faith differently. I have also reconsidered storytelling’s role in theological reflection. Stories can do more than communicate established truths: they can help people encounter God, interpret their experiences, and deepen their understanding of Him. To bring this into disciple-ship, I began developing a game that makes biblical narratives accessible, engaging, and less intimidating to the next generation. This article explores how narratives can foster theological reflection and discipleship, particularly among young people. It shows how stories, when approached intentionally and creatively, can open new ways to engage biblical narratives and support an engaging, transformative discipleship process.

Adopting Orality Studies at Koinonia Theological Seminary: Challenges and Opportunities

Jill Zwyghuizen and Jerome Cepeda — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:12:58 +0000

Jerome Cepeda, one of our Orality Collaborators, sat down with Dr. Jill Zwyghuizen in Davao on September 11, 2026. She is an Old Testament scholar, teacher, and the academic dean of Koinonia Theological Seminary (KTS). Jill joined us to discuss the newly launched Orality Studies program. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.

Building a Movement among Filipino Muslims

Jerome Cepeda — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:17:18 +0000

Jonathan’s heart for mission among Muslims, shaped deeply by his own life story, became the foundation for both a growing movement and a lasting compassion for reaching young Filipino Muslims for Jesus. His personal journey gave him a unique perspective on the urgency, complexity, and beauty of cross-cultural mission, cultivating a burden to see lives transformed through the gospel. Called in the year 2014 to lead a missions movement in Manila, Jonathan stepped forward at a time when such efforts were uncommon in his church. What he and his team built was more than a program; it was a mission initiative that required courage, respect, and persistence, intentionally reaching various Muslim tribes across the Philippines. Guided by the Great Commission and strengthened through strategic collaboration, they have focused on evangelism and discipleship for young Filipino Muslims. Their long-term commitment, grounded in relational engagement and cultural sensitivity, continues to foster spiritual growth, trust, and transformation not only in belief but also in identity, purpose, and community.