I have had the pleasure of knowing Jean, Teisa and family for 8 years. I served alongside them in Africa for nearly four years. Here's what I can say, they are the REAL DEAL! They get Family and that the Kingdom of God is relational and that people are of utmost important to our Father in heaven. They strive to move and live from a place of Presence and a posture of RESTING in His plans and purposes. They live a wholehearted life of generosity, pouring into others with all of themselves, opening up their life, their family and hearts to be available including their finances! Jean and Teisa are servant leaders and understand that Jesus modeled a leadership style of serving with willing hearts even when it is not convenient or it costs something. They truly know how to go low, get behind others and champion them. I would NOT be the person I am today if I had not had the opportunity to grow and serve along these incredible Kingdom leaders and lifelong friends!!
Papa Jean and mama Teisa have had great spiritual impact on our lives. I served with them for 4 years in Africa, White River as a missionary in a base that they led and now they are mentoring my wife and I as we are leading a missions base in Krakow, Poland. They have a heart, experience and mentorship to mentor and encourage missionaries in various locations around the world. Both mama Teisa and papa Jean visited us in Poland to help with missions work despite their busy schedule and pioneering work in the Philippines. They are very dedicated to their mission and do not hold anything back when it comes to sharing the love of Jesus and advancing His Kingdom wherever He leads them.
Great people. God fearing. They really just want people to know Jesus. I feel blessed with them ministering to us. Thank you Awkaen Hearts for coming to the Philippines!
Awaken Hearts with Jean and Teisa Nicole was a blessing to me personally. They've been pouring their lives into me since they came to the Philippines. I love how they are so intentional in sharing Jesus.
Our weekly Tuesday habit has been very fruitful for it helps me to grow even more in the Lord and being in that group you really won't feel condemned or discouraged. I feel safe and heard every time we have our Dream Center meeting. What amazes me more is whenever we gather, there's no way that I won't be able to encounter the Lord through their lives. There's always assurance from the Lord in that gathering.
Indeed, God brought them into our ministry in such a time like this to awaken our hearts for Jesus.
May the Lord continuously use them not only here in our community but in other places as well!
Awaken Hearts is an organization that operates with integrity, commitment and follow-through. I have seen their work on action and trust they are true to what they represent.
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Awaken Hearts is led and founded by two people of extraordinary heart and character. It is a joy to walk alongside their organization and see all the ways they are making a difference. Their passion is to support national workers in their own endeavors to serve and support their local communities in a myriad of ways. Providing training, support, encouragement and connection with other like-minded people, Awaken Hearts is raising up snd sending out those who are hungry to serve!
I've had the joy of being mentored by Teisa, and have been really impacted by her passion for God and people. Jean and Teisa have served God faithfully as missionaries over several years and it's a privilege to learn from their servant-hearted leadership. Their humble, real approach to missions is an inspiring example and I wholeheartedly recommend Awaken Hearts.
What great experience we had working with Jean and Teisa. The warmth, care and love they always give out... What I loved the most about them is that they always put others first.
We worked together in harmony and love until we became a family.
The are a open book, what you see is what you get. They always give their best to put a smiles on faces around them. They feel for others. I will forever be grateful for having them and for all for me and our family in South Africa...
Awaken Hearts has a wonderful ministry that has impacted many lives including my own! Jean and Teisa are so authentic, loving, and gifted. When I first met them overseas, I was alone and nervous about volunteering in a different culture and unfamiliar territory. Their family made many personable efforts to get to know me and provide me with anything I needed, even if it was just a listening ear. Their genuine passion for missions and building the Kingdom of God really inspired me to do the same. Being able to watch their ministry flourish and do life with them is a huge blessing and I know God will continue to use them to be a light to others!
Awakening Hearts
This ministry is the true meaning of discipleship. Jean and Teisa, through God’s ministry called Awakening hearts, has touched me and my family both Spiritually and Personally. Jean and Teisa lead the “DREAM Center”, a program designed for local missionaries to be effective in their field. The local missionaries of Kids International Ministries - located in Manila, Philippines meet weekly to learn God’s Word and practical ways to raise fund for the ministry. They also go out of their way and their comfort zone just to support people. As for me, I experienced love and support from this couple, their ministry has a big impact in my family’s life and to the community.
The Awaken Hearts is surely on another level in welcoming their guests! I really love how they make me feel so loved and welcomed every time I visit them. Not just on welcoming, but Awaken Hearts has been a huge blessing in my mission-work journey to Japan. They have been my comforter, an encourager, and a shoulder that is always available when I want to cry. I have been greatly blessed with this organization, and I can't thank them enough for the impact that they have had on my life.
Teisa has been my mentor for over 2 years, and she's one of the reasons why I am where I am in this journey. A lot of times, giving up was the easier option, and she has her ways of making me realize who truly matters. The missionary journey is pretty lonely and hard. I am so grateful to have people who speak into the journey and just really love you. She is very supportive and really loving. I can't thank God enough for how their whole family has been a blessing and encouragement to me.
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I am mentored by Teisa for almost a year now and she's one of God's miracles in my life. Through her, I am seeing God's faithfulness in my life. Walking this journey of obedience and having no idea how to walk this path of uncertainties, having someone who can talk to me, and talk in me really made me feel that I am not alone on this lonely pathway.
I love Teisa so much but one thing that I really appreciate, I am assured that I am heard. Many people can listen but only a few make me feel that I am really heard, and it meant so much to me. The encouragements and just the time spent with her are moments that I am so grateful to God for blessing me with her,
I am so excited for their journey, and how they will be a blessing to many, and to the nations that will be blessed through them!
Hey everyone my wife and I served with Jean and Teisa at Michaels Children’s Village in White River South Africa on a three month mission trip during the fall of 2017. They are an amazing couple who are committed to helping and serving others. As directors of the base for 10 years they have helped provide leadership and direction for the children and staff. They were always available and very helpful to answer questions for us. While we ourselves weren’t there that long we were impressed with how things were done on the base and the impact they have had on the children and those who served there.
My wife and I have worked with Jean and Teisa from Awaken Hearts for 5 years in White River, South Africa.
They have always served God with joy and made sure to serve the people around them as good as possible.
The name of their ministry is exactly what we have seen them do over and over again!
We believe Jesus will show them the steps to take in the future according to His will and timing.
Hi! I'm KK from the Philippines, also a volunteer at Project Ablaze. It was such a blessing to meet Teisa Nicole from Awaken Hearts. We meet twice a month for prayer devotions, during which she shares about God's word, her experiences on the mission field, and how God works in her life. Even though our fellowship has been virtually done ever since, it encouraged and strengthened our walk in the Lord, especially in obeying God's command. May God continue to bless Teisa and the rest of the team.
God fearing, cheerful givers. Joyful lovers of Jesus.
They made huge difference in our lives through leadership at Harvest Bible college. Poured out the love of Christ and awakened our hearts to burn for Christ and preaching the Gospel to all nations. Taugt us a lot about the importance of our relationship with God and being happy.
I had the privilege of serving with Jean and Teisa Nicole for 3 months as a short term missionary in South Africa. One of the first things that stood out to me was their joy! They loved what they were doing, loving Jesus and loving and serving others. I noticed many times how Jean and Teisa would stop and listen to someone, pray with them, embrace them, make sure that individual knew God cared and so did they. My time with this couple began a process of change and reshaping of me on the inside! If you have an opportunity to get to know them or serve with them, go for it! It’ll be the adventure of a lifetime!
I met Jean and Teisa over 6 years ago in South Africa. They were directors of children Village and base directors for missionaries from all over the world.
Seeing theirs lives commited fully to serve others and to share the Gospel of Jesus impacted me for life. I learned so much from them how to stop for the one, how to carry joy, love and peace. They have never stopped being a support, encouragement and source of wisdom for us. What an honor to know them.
My husband and I have both been blessed enough to be a part of Teisa and Jean's ministries over the last 7 or so years.
Some key things we appreciate about them as leaders and friends are:
Accessibility and vulnerability: they are always seeking to be a listening ear and sounding board to those serving alongside them in Kingdom work, whether you're a part of Iris Global or Awaken Hearts' efforts, or just crossed paths with them for a short time. They value being authentic and fostering truly beneficial and healthy relationships.
Holy Spirit led: few things are done in the Nicole household and ministries that aren't covered with stories of the Holy Spirit speaking and moving and directing them to do so. They are sensitive and eager hearers (and then doers) of the Word.
Humility: if you've spent any length of time with them, you will see their grace on display for you through many examples of their own humility and vulnerability. They work to ensure that theirs is a family where anyone feels welcome, at ease, and encouraged.
It is truly a considerable joy to know them, and a great honor to call them friends. Their gifts to the Kingdom are given openly and with such care and thought, and God has been faithful to use it!
Teisa and Jean Nicole have been a great support for us in the process of pioneering a mission base in Poland. They were always ready to give us advice, support and attention in the mission activities we are doing in Europe. They live a life of laid down lovers for the gospel, ready to serve sacrificially anywhere God sends them, sharing their wisdom and experience with others. They are a wonderful example of missionaries who are ready to live out of their comfort zone to reach the people around in a personal way. We are very thankful for to their ministry.