Clean politics

The day before barangay elections, Dr. Linda Oakland, senior pastor of The Well, a Foursquare church in California, USA, visited PCF Nova once again. This time, God led her to talk about politics using King David as her text. That was the Sunday we had the opportunity to pray for some candidates for the Barangay Youth Council and a church member running for Barangay Kagawad. Much prayers were offered for other youth as well. Later after the worship service, the incumbent barangay chairman, a stroke patient, walked in asking to pray for his strength and healing. This is God's way of initiating PCF Nova to be socially relevant and to exercise our calling as the light and salt of the community!

The father of PCF Nova

He was admin department head of Lingap-Kapwa, a non-government office engaged in sponsorship program among the poor. But a fulltime secular work will not hinder Lester Quijano from building churches. He went around PCF churches to preach, impart strategies, and encourage leaders. These on top of what he loves most - planting churches. Being a green card holder, he visits USA several times. And in every visit, he uses the opportunity to promote the work of PCF in the Philippines among the PCF churches there. He made himself available, and God has used him in powerful ways.

Kuya Lester, as he is fondly called, is an action man. He cannot stand long meetings; he would rather be in the neighborhood establishing relationships and reaching souls for Jesus. Being very practical, he made use of the resources that God has given him. As a head in Lingap-Kapwa, God made use of his influence to reach out to its recipients. Those who have responded to the gospel have now become the core leaders who have helped to start PCF Nova.

Starting early next year, with peace in his heart, Kuya Lester will work in USA for keeps. Right now, there is a prevailing sentiment that he will be a big loss to the PCF family here. But I believe God in His infinite wisdom, can turn loss into gain and weakness into strength. "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." (Isa. 40:31) When Kuya Lester flies to US, some of us here will learn to fly on our own. The Lord wants to build more full-grown eagles.

She was our hero

On Oct. 19, 2007, the world paused for our family. Dr. Maria Dellota, Ruth's mom, died. This was the first time I've been involved in a funeral, from beginning to end. We prepared the funerary and interment sites, received visitors, conducted funeral services, ran odd jobs here and there. It was tiring, but it was a good therapy as well for us, loved ones, left behind. There were numerous visitors, most we've never seen for quite some time. We chatted, exchanged stories - their time was a precious gift to us. No matter how tiring, the Filipino funeral tradition remains to be truly endearing!

Dr. Maria's funeral was a reflection of what matters most in life, a celebration of a faithful heroine, and a reunion to send off what was left of a godly inspiration. When Ruth's mom was finally laid to rest, we rested as well. Whatever happened is best for all of us, most of all, for Nanay Maria. Her death was precious in the Lord's sight (Ps. 116:15) and meaningful to us as well. I say this must be the Christians' aim - to glorify God in our lives, and to glorify God in our deaths.

Animated, Energetic!

The future is right here, right now.

Many have said that the future belongs to the youth. But I don't want anybody to think, most especially the youth, that they need to move only when the future arrives. Consequently, I see God doing something great with YouthAblaze, the youth movement of PCF Nova. I truly believe that this year belongs to them.

They produced dance, music, drama, games, and a lovely backdrop to encapsulate their creativity. I envisioned the YouthAblaze to be for the youth and by the youth, leaving them to design their own events, and they were doing that exactly. Because they know what clicks among their kind, their youthful ideas attracted about 30 youth visitors, where I was able to preach God's desire to be their Best Friend.

They celebrated their first anniversary in August, and their teamwork truly reflected a fitting theme: "We're All In This Together." There was a final dance number featuring all the core leaders and some visitors in the community who practiced with them previously. It was artistry that included expanding the family. We're All In This Together was really more about Jesus The Shepherd being there and gathering His cherished sheep.

Ooh La La!

She was a backslider. Then turned around once more to walk with Jesus. Now she is the catalyst behind the creative juices of the YouthAblaze.

Lala Rodriguez joined us in one of our Zambales youth camps last summer. She started going to PCF after that and was baptized during our anniversary in June. She became very active in YouthAblaze and implemented the programs that used to reside only in the drawing papers. She is fun, creative, and influences the youth to give their best for Jesus.

Lala stopped going to college in the middle of her first year in 2002. Her father was terribly sick at that time. She used to be active in another church, but was burned out after 4 years. Unfortunately after that, her alternative was to hang out with non-believers, taking in their values and vices. But God will not let one of His children go astray easily. In 2007, she met one attender in PCF, who was a high school buddy, and things started clicking again for her spiritually. She is now trying to win her parents to God by being submissive and talking to them about Jesus. She also dreams of going back to college next school year.

She is now handling a new youth care group (see pic below). Last Sunday, she was our songleader in the worship service after being back-up for several months. She offers a lot to the ministry - she sings, dances, directs, washes the dishes, counsels, and prays. But even if not, Jesus would still die for her, and He would still look for her as a loving father would for a lost child. For laying aside her gifts and talents, she remains to be a beloved of God.

Building spiritual families

We're doing our best to build families in Christ. Our care group is our way of making new people feel they belong. This is the venue where we answer their questions, provide comfort for their concerns, and pray for their deepest needs. Here are care groups of fathers and teen girls, all within the community of PCF Nova. Our leaders go to meet them every Thursday night, whether they arrive or not.

PCF-Nova turned one!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Ps. 34:8) What a great first year of tasting and seeing the goodness of God in us! Last Sunday (June 10), we celebrated our anniversary in a nearby resort in Nova to simply declare our previous theme - "The Best Is Yet To Come!" We were around 100 including children who had fun in the pool after a worship service with Ptr. Loi Gatchalian (senior pastor of PCF Tondo). Since the water is plenty, we also took the opportunity to baptize 5 people, four of whom attended a youth summer camp in Zambales.

We rented the resort exclusively, not an inexpensive venture. The fun was made possible by some members selling placenta soap scrap provided by a Christian owner of a soap factory. We prayed for a grand celebration, and the Lord has provided. Taste and see that the Lord is truly good!

Building the church family

To make a solid family out of a couple with 4 children is a tremendous task. With about 75 people attending worship services, it's a miracle. We're not yet there, but I knew we're slowly getting there.

We had a beautiful couples' dinner party where our loving youth served and decorated the place.

Instead of a joint fellowship of two youth groups, we had a joint evangelism instead. Our visitors from UECP taught us the Wordless Book and then we all went to a nearby community to share the gospel.

We hosted two pastors' retreats for pastors and their wives to energize one another. What a great time of fellowship, gathering of ideas, and recognizing that God's work is much beyond the walls of our church.

We sent two delegations to Zambales youth camp - 35 went to an evangelistic camp and 42 for discipleship. I was able to baptize 10 youth from our delegation. Much thanks for Megacity Ministries, especially Ptr. Noel Alberto, for the opportunities to attend such powerful camps where one can see and feel the moving of the Spirit.

It's a comfort to know that I serve a big God, the Father of us all, who can carry us through!

We're still sane

After 12 months of doing ministry, and our parents becoming very sick, my family is still intact. We took some timeouts together once in a while. Here was a time spent in the new wave pool of Club Manila East (courtesy of relatives). We thank God for providing some refreshing moments like this amidst a hectic and difficult time.

More prayer, more power.

Call to me and I will answer you. (Jer. 33:3)

"Less prayer, less power; more prayer, more power." That’s what a pastor friend said, and it rings true to us. This January, we started with our Saturday PrayerWatch to cry out to God for our church and its ministries. One hour of pure all-out prayer. Because of this, our worship services have never been the same – I felt power and God’s nearness like never before. More visitors were coming. One Sunday, we had a record high of 97 persons including children.

The PrayerWatch made me realize again, this is Christ’s church, not mine, and He promised to build it. That made me more relaxed and restful in the Spirit’s power. In times of weakness, I know I have a reservoir of God’s grace to draw from in doing this overwhelming ministry.

When it rains, it pours!

Picking goodies in a box from PCF LA

The year 2007 opens with a bang of blessings. From various donors, God has blessed PCF Nova with so much, I almost wonder what He’s up to. Somehow it made me think, to whom much is given, much is required. It feels like God would ask for something in return from us. But then I remembered, it's just an evidence that we worship a sweet, gracious God!

Large amounts of money, a brand-new 21-inch television set, a DVD player, and a balikbayan box of goodies flowed in generously. These have made a lot of improvements in the worship center and lifted the spirits of the members. What a way from our dear Father in heaven to affirm us that we are truly His beloved.

Youth Overnight Retreat

Small group discussion

This February, we made a bold move to conduct an overnight retreat for the “True Love Waits” program. Around 35 youth had some fun and, of course, deep convictions on sexual purity.

Pledging for purity to their parents

This retreat has pushed us beyond our limits. Some fathers rushed the construction/renovation of two comfort rooms and borrowed bed mats from Lingap-Kapwa to lessen the inconvenience of the delegates. Dear parents cooked and served the food, and even brought in their own super-kalans and cooking utensils. Some of them stayed up to midnight, and came back early morning to prepare breakfast. A couple helped to conduct one lesson - their first experience to do so, and the wife was even not feeling well. Love has made this retreat possible, and I know, love never fails.