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.
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.
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.
