Good news and bad news for starters

Bad news - the Nova Mall that was originally planned to house the new church plant in Novaliches didn't take off. The management's offer was too expensive for us to begin with. The good news is - it doesn't matter.

A couple of Praise Christian Fellowship-Tondo has allowed us to use their idle property located about 1 km from Nova Mall. It has a structure already, and it suits us for a start. We just finished cleaning up the place, removing one wall division inside and replaced the entire roof. We're waiting for the installation of wirings and Meralco service before we start our first worship service. Nice part of this fixes is that, some core leaders in Novaliches were the ones managing the entire work. I was left to focus on executing my discipleship plan. With people such as them, the church plant is off to a good start.

God deemed it wise to delay the worship center. For the last 4 months, I had the time to build my core of 7 couples, establish growing relationships with them, teaching them how to evangelize and lead care groups, and building the youth group. When we start the worship service, I believe I have a working group that I can count on.

Following Jesus can be comforting

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. As Jesus started with a group of disciples, I'm also starting off with mine. It gives me comfort to know that Jesus started with mere mortals, and where He succeeded, so will I in the power of the Holy Spirit. It has been almost 5 months now when I started a new church planting in Novaliches under Praise Christian Fellowship. But unlike my previous one, I have the privilege to work with mostly new but dedicated Christians as my starting group. I hope to live and die with them. I know it is going to be hard work in dealing with them as they grow spiritually and as I adjust with them, but no complaints. I have just been with them for a few months; Jesus labored with His group for 3 years.

What Ruth is to Naomi, so is my wife to me

Maybe it's not a coincidence - my wife's name is also Ruth. And as Ruth the Moabitess was an inspiration and a blessing to Naomi, so is my wife in my church planting ministry. Right now, she leads the wives of my men leaders, counsels young ladies, co-speaker in love & marriage seminars, my shock absorber and my check and balance. Oh, what will I do without her?

Cynthia Roxas, wife of the President of ISOT-Asia said about Ruth, "You have a rich experience, knowledge and wisdom just waiting to be shared." Now that they are being shared, the women flock to her more than the men flock to me (or maybe men don't show emotions so much). With great amazement I'm slowly realizing that my horizon is wider and my territory larger all because my wife is a great partner in ministry.