Mamerto Fabro Cortez

“A Servant of God” – A Biography of Pastor Mert Cortez

Pastor Mamerto “Mert” Cortez, a devoted servant of God, peacefully went home to be with Jesus on October 16, 2026, at Condell Advocate Hospital in Libertyville, Illinois. Throughout his 92-year journey, he touched many lives with his loving and gentle spirit, joyful service, devotion to God’s Word, and unwavering faithfulness to his Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Mert came to know the Lord during his third year of high school in his hometown of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. It was during this time that he first heard the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as shared by ministers from the Church of God of the Philippines. On September 10, 1953, at the age of 19, he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. Shortly thereafter, he was baptised in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in fulfilment of Christ’s command found in Matthew 28:19.

After Pastor Mert’s conversion, he began to immerse himself in the Holy Bible. His love for the Scriptures, which he regarded as the Word of God, led him to make the bold decision to pause his schooling for four months in order to read all 66 books of the Bible. Remarkably, he finished reading the whole Ilocano Bible within that time frame. Initially, he feared that he won’t be allowed to return to school. However, to his astonishment, his class adviser welcomed him back. And at the end of the school year, he still managed to secure third place in the student rankings.

On the night of 20 May 1955, he experienced a profound restlessness in his spirit that prevented him from sleeping. He felt a compelling urge in his heart to attend Bible seminary and respond to God’s call on his life to become a minister. Consequently, he resigned from his job and sought his parents' approval to enroll in the seminary founded by his uncle, the National Bible Institute. To his surprise, his parents readily consented. He successfully completed his ministerial training, and upon graduating, he began teaching at his alma mater for the next 16 years, training and shaping hundreds of young men and women to become ministers of the gospel.

On 17 May 1959, Pastor Mert married the love of his life, the late Ms Jovenia Bulosan, who was also a fellow minister and a faculty member at their seminary. Their marriage was blessed with five children: four sons and one daughter. Together, they enjoyed 58 fruitful years, serving the Lord as they transitioned from one pastoral position to another, following His guidance. Despite being heavily involved in both church and family life, he successfully completed his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (B.S.E.D) degree at Isabela Colleges in Cauayan, Isabela, graduating with honors (cum laude).

After their time at the Bible seminary, he was appointed as the senior pastor of the Church of God in Pasay City, Manila in 1974. In addition to his pastoral role, he also served concurrently as a faculty member of the Church of God Bible Academy, which later evolved into the Asian School of Christian Ministries. He took on the responsibility of director of the School of Evangelism during this period. While fulfilling his pastoral duties, he also held the position of school registrar at Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. National High School in Quezon City.

In 1982, he felt called to serve the deaf community, taking on the roles of faculty member and pastor at the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation School in Laguna, Philippines. Over the

course of 16 years, Pastor Mert dedicated himself to ministering to hearing-impaired students, eventually becoming the school's director for seven years. Furthermore, he established a similar ministry in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, named the Far East Christian Deaf Academy, which aimed to support low-income individuals with disabilities in the region.

The Lord opened the door for Pastor Mert and his wife to immigrate to the United States in 2006, allowing them to settle in San Diego, California, where he took on the role of associate pastor at Peace of Christ Church. They proudly became US citizens in January 2012. In 2014, they relocated to Beach Park, Illinois, to live with their son. There, he continued his ministry as one of the associate pastors at the Faith Family Worship Center until his passing.

Pastor Mert was an exceptional teacher and a passionate preacher, dedicated to the instruction of theology and the proclamation of the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. His students held him in great affection. For him, retirement was not an option when it came to serving God. Even at the age of 92, he continued to lead two Zoom Bible study classes each week and remained actively engaged with friends, relatives, and loved ones on social media.

Before he was carried by the angels to glory, he left us with these heartfelt words written in his wish: “For my family, loved ones and friends: when the time comes for God my Creator to call me to go back to Him, please be comforted by the fact that I will be with our Saviour Jesus Christ forever in heaven.”

The good Lord has granted Pastor Mert perfect healing, eternal rest, and unspeakable joy in His presence, amongst the saints and angels in heaven. We hold fast to the greatest and most blessed hope of all, anchored in the very words of Jesus: “…that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). We will see our beloved father, uncle, grandfather, and pastor again. May we be inspired and encouraged by a life so beautifully lived for the glory of God.

He is survived by his loving children. Imelda Jovelyn (Benigno) Cortez-Ballesteros, Edward (Catherine) Cortez, and Richard (Vilma) Cortez; his cherished grandchildren Jefferson (Sarah) Cortez, Hannah Joy Cortez, Sheena Hazel (Harvey) Gante, Michael Ballesteros, Shekinah Cortez, Adrian Cortez, Joshua Cortez, Caleb Cortez, Kevin Cortez, Mark Cortez, Paul Cortez, and John Cortez, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss him deeply.

He joins in heaven his beloved wife, Jovenia Cortez; his loving sons Mamerto Cortez Jr (survived by Psyde) and Nehemias Cortez (survived by Maria Corazon); and his proud parents Policarpio and Crisanta (Fabro) Cortez.

Family and friends will meet for visitation on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 4PM to 8PM at Warren Funeral Home, 1475 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL. The visitation will continue on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10AM, with the funeral service to begin at 11AM. Interment to follow at Warren Cemetery.

With profound gratitude and deep appreciation for your overflowing support, heartfelt prayers, and generous love,

The Cortez family