Going to the Zambales youth camp (hosted by MegaCity Ministry) is a yearly thing for PCF Nova. But this summer, God challenged us to send two buses, for a total of almost 100 seekers and 14 counselors.
Two weeks after the camp, we scheduled a fun-filled sportsfest in our worship center, sort of a reunion event for the campers and a follow-up as well. There were about 30 seekers who attended that weekend, and several returned on the next day's worship service. This coming June 12-13, we are preparing a youth retreat for them. Next year, we envision to send three busloads of seekers.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
With two marriage seminars and a special dinner hosted by the youth, it was an event to remember for the 14 couples. So many things can happen right there in our worship center. There were flowers, dances, candle-night dinner, and renewing of vows.
The PCF youth made it happen. They prepared everything, decorated tables, food, photos, make-up (for the wives), baby-sitting, program, and videos. They were even our waiters and waitresses. Usually it's the parents who prepared for them in their activities. This time, they wanted to return the favor.
Not expensive and rich in lessons and loving memories, it was truly a gift from our generous God!
This year, God has led us to concentrate on the G12 discipleship process. Not that we're leaving Purpose Driven totally, we're carrying-over the good stuff that we've experienced there, like Discovering Spiritual Gifts, seeker-sensitive worship service, formal membership, and the leaders' forum among other things. Purpose Driven has a different small group paradigm - more facilitating rather than mentoring. As such, development of small group leaders is not its priority unlike in G12. At this early stage in our 3-year old church, I need a company of small group leaders to help me produce fruitful disciples of Christ.
It's a long way uphill, requiring 3 months for each module, totaling 9 months for the 3 modules. We've just completed ("hurrah!") the first module (Foundations and Family) which we started in March. Our 28 leaders have a feeling of triumph as they hurdled the hot sleepy afternoon sessions, the quizzes and memory verses. I doubt if we can still eat pandecoco, our regular bread during the 3- month class. At any rate, we lay our claim on God's promise of blessings on Mark 10:29-30, which I have restated as... "No one who has left the comfort of a lazy Sunday afternoon for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age."
To start the year right, we invested 3 days and 3 nights for prayer and fasting. We posted pictures of our deepest desires to represent our God-sized prayers - prayers that will give tribute to the bigness and graciousness of God. I, for one, asked for a house near our worship center (we're living 20km away right now) with no down payment and rent-to-own deal, so I can do more for the church. For each night, we gathered in the worship center and labored in prayers for breakthroughs in our relationships, salvation, finances, and ministry.
While I was reading Psalm 118 during that time, there was a sudden concern about some sick people who were fasting nevertheless. I threw a quick prayer on their health and got back on my reading. My sudden concern was nothing compared to my great surprise on the immediate verseI read. "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done." (v. 17) There was peace in behalf of my sick members. And courage to face challenges like never before. I just can't shake away the truth - God will answer.And we will wait on eagle's wings.
When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
More than anything else, this is how we want our success to be attributed to. As such, we installed a Prayer Hut in our backyard to epitomize our desperation for God. This is the home of our Prayer Warriors. Every Sunday before the worship service starts, they gather here to cover the congregation in prayer. We don't want to merely sing or preach; we longed for the powerful movement of the Spirit every time we gather together. Prayer energizes us. "God does not nothing but in answer to prayer." (Martin Luther)
Like Jacob, we will not let go of God. We wrestle until God has given us His blessing. PCF Nova will not stop until the entire community around us can take note and say "See what God has done in their lives!" No more people who can't attend a worship service because of work demands in the factory during Sundays. No more people who can't join church because they have no jeepney fares. No more people merely asking to be blessed but more to be a blessing to others. By faith, I'm claiming this word for PCF Nova - "Before all your people I will do wonders never before done...The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you." (Exo. 34.10)PCF believes it! PCF receives it! PCF walks in it!
It's harvest time!
