16 College Grads!

We used to have few college grads before. In the early days of PCF, you can count the college grads in the fingers of your hand every year. And that's one hand only. Then this year, boom! And these are not just mere members but leaders of the church. Some of them are floaters and losers before they know the Lord. Tambay na lang. Japayuki na lang. But they met Jesus, and He turned their lives and dreams upside down.

Jethro, a Care Group Leader and head of the Ambiance Team, when he enrolled in his very first semester, he said "ang baon ko, tiwala lang." Most of them didn't know where the money will come for their next tuition installment. A few of them at times walked far to go to school or can't submit a project because money was involved or miss lunch or miss a day in school totally because of lack of jeepney fare. Ruth and I struggled with them, shook the throne of grace with them, and looked for fund support for them. Now after all was said and done, they believe more than ever that God will never leave them nor forsake them.

During the start of our church ministry, I used to pray for the Lord to give us more leaders and generous givers. Slowly but surely, the Lord instead developed members to become the very people that we need. Batch 2014, with all that you've been through, I know that you believe that with the Lord, you are unbeatable, unstoppable, unbreakable! Let's continue to conquer for our King!

Most exciting Zambales Camp ever!

Opportunities are miracles as well.

January, I received news that we can't go to the Zambales youth camp which we have done for 7 consecutive summers. Our contact was not able to give us bus allotments. After a month, I came across a pastor, who is one of the main coordinators of Megacity Ministries, and he allotted 12 buses to our network of pastors! Once more, we were able to send youth seekers to the evangelistic camp. We used to send 2 buses, but this time, by faith PCF Nova filled up 3 buses. We had 107 first-timers and 16 were water baptized!

The bus I rode was also another miracle. It was driven by a cool pastor (later we learned he actually owned the bus, even much later we learned he owned a fleet). Riding back home, he generously allowed us to visit Subic Bay and wet our feet. When we hit the road again, he turned his bus into a moving party place complete with strobes and dancing lights, and the youth in our bus had the fun of their life. Afterwards, when all were tired and settled down, the pastor-driver shared his testimony of how Jesus transformed his life miraculously. Some of the youth said this was their highlight, having impact in their hearts even more than the Zambales camp itself.

This was my 8th Zambales camp. I was becoming tired of it already. But after the best camp/trip ever that God had gifted us with, I'm looking forward to next summer. We shall see greater things than these!

No pastor left alone, no church left behind

That's the motto of our group. That's how we minister to each other - pastors from different churches and denominations taking care of one another. We rejoice with each one's victory; we weep with each one's misery. I look forward to these twice-a-month meetings where we strengthen each other and share ideas and resources in building up the church of Jesus. If you want fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk with a group. It's an honor to walk farther, and also wiser and stronger, with these godly servants who have the same purpose in life - to honor God, love people, and make disciples.