About two and a half years ago, Rob Hennagan came from Riverside to help build the campus ministry at College of the Desert. With the help of Katrina Taroy who originally came from The O.C., they established a bible talk on campus as a means to minister God's Word to the students. One of the visitors that frequently attended was Joel Bonillas. However, Joel wasn't open to studying the Bible until a year and half later. After coming to a stumbling block brought on by his religiousity, Joel went "church hopping" only finding himself back in the Desert Cities Church of Christ one Sunday morning. He arrived almost an hour early to speak with Danny Saltz. "I want to be part of your Church," he said.

Soon after, he was back and eager to surrender his whole life to God. After studying for three weeks, Joel Bonillas was baptized on August 18, 2009. It was a life event, the love of the brothers, and above all, Jesus Christ, that compelled him to no longer live for himself but for God.

"His second time coming around, he was a totally different person," says Danny Saltz the day of Joel's baptism. It was true. Studying with him was exciting and encouraging because it's a rare sight to see someone so willing to study and be baptized. His humility towards God's Word was remarkable.
 
The day of his baptism was unique for lack of better words. It was one of those, you'd have to be there moments. His mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law attended as well as members of the campus and singles ministries. After prolclaming, "JESUS IS LORD!" he ended the night in a song he wrote only minutes to hours beforehand--the last part he came up with on-the-spot. Joel has a fire and zeal that the Desert Cities Campus Ministry really needs. He brings much to the table with his talent of singing, playing guitar, and his most noticeable child-like heart. It is exhilirating to see how God will use him in the years and years to come to impact his life and the lives of others.

  Written by: Rick Ortiz