Funeral Weena Villarreal

We have heard from family and friends—demonstrating a genuine honor and respect for Weena Villarreal. As her pastor and friend, I too want to share my sincere thoughts about a woman who loved God and wanted others to know Jesus.

I know that our hearts are full and still attempting to grasp her homegoing. And then, we ask ourselves: “What do we do now?” We give glory to God, celebrate Weena as the godly woman we know, and continue the work of living and proclaiming the Gospel.

Weena was an integral part of Racine Assembly of God. Since I became the lead pastor of our church, she served as a leader of one of our ministries, Ministerio Impacto. She managed our kitchen and meal preparation—working with our other ministries of the church. She was an elected deacon, serving on our leadership team. It was obvious that she had a clear calling of God to serve in ministry. She pursued ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God, receiving her Certified Ministry Credential. At that point I appointed her as one of our staff pastors of the church, overseeing ministry to our Hispanic community. She led a weekly worship service in Spanish—preaching and teaching the Word of God, praying for those in need, and telling people about the grace of God and His free gift of salvation. Weena was full of energy and was always looking for more opportunities to provide effective ministry in our church. Weena will be deeply missed.

When the Apostle Paul was facing his own mortality—knowing that the Roman government would have him executed, he wrote about his final thoughts about the Christian faith.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 LBLA

6 Porque yo ya estoy para ser derramado como una ofrenda de libación, y el tiempo de mi partida ha llegado. 7 He peleado la buena batalla, he terminado la carrera, he guardado la fe. 8 En el futuro me está reservada la corona de justicia que el Señor, el Juez justo, me entregará en aquel día; y no solo a mí, sino también a todos los que aman su venida.

These words of Paul can be also the words of our sister in Christ, Weena.

She fought the good fight.

Weena was passionate about her journey as a minister of the Gospel. She was not timid in sharing her sincere faith in Christ—and her desire that others would experience the same life-changing grace that only God can give. As a shepherd, she valued the people of this church. Although she primarily served in Ministerio Impacto, she was involved in supporting all the ministries of our church. We would often talk about how we can better serve the congregation—and we worked together to build a stronger community of faith. When she faced battles, she would not give up. Even in this last battle, she focused on the things of God, including her love for her husband and family to the very end. Weena fought the good fight.

She finished the race.

This life can be difficult—a huge challenge. But Weena faced the challenge with the desire to complete all that God called her to do. Living the Christian life is not easy. The world and its values often conflict with the way of God. The journey God calls the believer to take is a journey that requires a commitment, even in the face of fear, uncertainties, and even doubt.

She kept the faith.

Weena believed in God and His Word. Her faith was not just something she shared with others, her faith was what guided every part of her life. And, at the center of her faith was the Lord Jesus Christ. She loved her husband and loved her kids and loved the church, but more than anything and anybody, she loved God.

Last Sunday morning, her faith became sight—and she beheld the One who saved her by His grace. Today she is celebrating—rejoicing in the presence of God.

My heart is heavy. I am sad and miss Weena dearly. I am a better pastor because she was part of my team. I will miss her conversations, her laughter, and her food. But most of all, I will miss her passion for the people of this church and for her family.

So I leave you with this promise from God’s Word:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 LBLA

13 Pero no queremos, hermanos, que ignoréis acerca de los que duermen, para que no os entristezcáis como lo hacen los demás que no tienen esperanza. 14 Porque si creemos que Jesús murió y resucitó, así también Dios traerá con Él a los que durmieron en Jesús. 15 Por lo cual os decimos esto por la palabra del Señor: que nosotros los que estemos vivos y que permanezcamos hasta la venida del Señor, no precederemos a los que durmieron. 16 Pues el Señor mismo descenderá del cielo con voz de mando, con voz de arcángel y con la trompeta de Dios, y los muertos en Cristo se levantarán primero. 17 Entonces nosotros, los que estemos vivos y que permanezcamos, seremos arrebatados juntamente con ellos en las nubes al encuentro del Señor en el aire, y así estaremos con el Señor siempre. 18 Por tanto, confortaos unos a otros con estas palabras.