Tests of courage and perseverance tried many of God’s people over the course of the recent pandemic. Many faced difficulties in their workplaces and lost their jobs as a result of their convictions on how to care for and honor God with what they put in their bodies. Such tests brought JuanCarlos DeJesus to a pivotal turning point in his life’s work. 

For over 10 years, JuanCarlos DeJesus had provided administrative and accounting support to hospitals and a clinic in his native state of New York. When May of 2021 rolled around, he had just finished his fourth year as the Manager and Billing Coordinator for a Dialysis Center in Brooklyn, New York.

JuanCarlos, was raised an Adventist and gave his heart to God at the age of 25.  He had grown up with an understanding of the laws of health and the Adventist health message. This knowledge had kept him and his family from the fear that encompassed so many during the pandemic.  Now, his understanding of the health message—and how he could use it—was about to broaden considerably.

With the one-year anniversary of the 2020 lockdowns approaching, coworkers engaged in discussions about the vaccines and potential mandates. For those working with JuanCarlos behind the scenes, it was assumed that such a mandate would not fall on those not working directly with patients. JuanCarlos recalls a conversation with the medical director of the Dialysis Center, who proposed that a mandate across the board was possible. The hypothetical question was then asked, “What will you do?”

As had been JuanCarlos’ practice to decline the annual flu shot, a similar scenario came to mind. Yet the proposed scenario seemed a world of likelihood away. JuanCarlos continued on with his work and resolved to submit a religious exemption should the mandate escalate to that point. 

And escalate it did. In mid-August, the governor of New York announced a mandate for all employees of healthcare facilities. JuanCarlos recalls being deeply troubled by the widespread mandate blanketing even those who worked alone in cubicles. 

Not long after the first mandate discussion with his medical director, JuanCarlos was again approached by the same man. This time, it was confirmed that the mandate was indeed for all employees. JuanCarlos received word that his religious exemption had been denied, giving him no other option.  As per Human Resources he was forced to take a leave of absence from his role without pay in September of 2021.

As the manager for the center and the main person doing billing, a vacancy in his role would cause a degree of interruption in necessary functions, yet there was seemingly no recourse for either JuanCarlos or anyone who could intervene on his behalf. His work, and his future, lay entirely in God’s hands. 

“The situation was very trying,” JuanCarlos recalls. “So many different emotions daily. One day you feel very hopeful and the next, very upset. No one can tell me to put something in my body against my will. The body is the God’s temple and should not be defiled. I was upset that people in New York and across our country were all in the same situation.”

As the breadwinner for his family, the need to now rely on savings due to the loss of their main income stream brought on varying degrees of stress and deep concern. In addition to impacting his family, the loss of income also impacted his ability to finance his personal outreach and ministry. 

“Before I had income from work to fund literature distribution and outreach,” JuanCarlos shares. “Now I had no income to support my family and ministry.” 

It was during this time that JuanCarlos began experiencing faith-building mercies and discovered more fully that God provides and truly answers prayer. 

Included in JuanCarlos’ scope of ministry was a YouTube channel he started in 2012 to help him archive his sermons. His ministry name, Cleaver of Truth, became an established personal ministry for which he began receiving donations via PayPal. With time now freed to focus more on ministry, JuanCarlos began posting to his channel and providing Bible studies. It was during this time that unexpected financial blessings came in—and at often crucial moments. 

“Before I lost my job, I didn’t really get donations regularly,” JuanCarlos says. “After I lost my employment, I saw donations coming in, and I could see it was God at work touching hearts.”

Often, donations would come during or immediately following a season of discouragement. 

“I’m a private person and I didn’t tell anyone what happened to me,” JuanCarlos shares. “Only my immediate family knew, and some people close to me. When donations came in, I knew God was working on my behalf.”

Around the time that JuanCarlos began focusing more on ministry, he enrolled in the Med Missionary training course to equip himself to better share the health message with others. 

“In stepping away from the hospital setting, I could see how this system for dealing with sickness and disease is failing,” JuanCarlos shares. “It’s like watching the Titanic go down. The focus is on symptoms, and drugs are the only solution for every problem. It’s a revolving door of people getting sick.” 

In learning the laws of health more in depth, JuanCarlos realized why many people admitted to the hospital get even worse.

“Sunshine, fresh air, rest, these are things you can’t experience in a hospital,” JuanCarlos observed. “The place you go with sickness is set up to prevent you from getting better. It violates so many laws of health.” 

With eyes opened to the realities facing those with illnesses, and especially in light of Covid, JuanCarlos resolved to do more to educate people on what brings on disease, how to boost the immune system, how to take responsibility for their health, and how to restore the body to wellbeing. 

“I have used natural remedies on myself and they work!” JuanCarlos adds emphatically. 

Following his graduation from the six-week program, JuanCarlos started hosting Med Missionary’s Sabbath Study programs and collaborating on new outreach projects. One of these projects involves acting as the part-time Bible worker for a new website called  WholenessForLife.com. 

JuanCarlos now provides online Bible studies throughout the week. He also meets with young people via Zoom to recap their reading of Pilgrim’s Progress and to discuss the allegories and illustrative parables. 

“This book helps young people prepare for Jesus’ coming, as well as learn lessons on the state of the dead, hell, endurance, and many more pillars of Adventist faith,” JuanCarlos shares.

In focusing more exclusively on ministry, new doors are opening for JuanCarlos. As God opens new doors, the old doors are also closing. 

In May of 2022, eight months into a forced leave of absence, JuanCarlos received a letter from the Department of Human Resources sent via certified mail.  The letter stated that proof of the first dose of the mandated vaccination was due by Friday, June 30, 2022 at the close of business. Failure to comply would result in termination from employment, per the NYS Department of Health Regulations. JuanCarlos did not comply with the hospital’s demands and his employment was officially terminated on July 1st, 2022.

Though he had to step away from his career due to the mandates, JuanCarlos sees his change in occupation as a blessing. 

“So many are on Satan’s side, but by working for God, I can help people to be saved for eternity,” JuanCarlos says.

If you would like to support JuanCarlos in his work, please consider sending a donation via PayPal.