300!

It was the largest crowd I've preached to.

It was overwhelming. Combining the two services won't fit our regular chapel. So we celebrated in a nearby warehouse. Many visitors were invited, and most of them if not all, were non-church goers. My parents and all siblings were there too. We had worship service in the morning, lunch, CareGroup Festival (small groups doing talent presentations), raffles, and gift-giving courtesy of Johnson&Johnson.

A large crowd posed tremendous challenges - cleaning a large place, feeding a large crowd, providing sufficient ventilation, sound system not enough. At any rate, I got all the help from our leaders, and they were worn out afterwards. 

God allowed us to have a taste of what's up ahead, and I was so privileged to see the leaders rose up to the challenge. I've seen their mettle and unity. Nobody's backing down. Laban kung laban!

With God, who needs Santa Claus?

God is full of surprises. That's why He never fails to amaze me.

Christmas, and I was wondering if there will be material blessings to the church members just like in the previous years. A sister-in-law called and recommended that I wrote to Johnson&Johnson for some giveaways. And they gave! And not some, but several boxes of their products - mouthwash, lotion, soap, napkin, etc. We gave to members and visitors alike.

As if that's not enough, PCF Los Angeles gave a huge amount (it was huge to us) of cash. I used it to bless my leaders in form of awards, to recognize their efforts and dedication to the work of Jesus. Among there were the Invest&Invite Award, for the person who invited the most visitors to church; Service Awards, for those who labored in the 'dirty' works of the church; and the Fruitful Awards, for those who discipled the most in their CareGroups.

We truly serve a God who wants to bless very much.

Jeng's Birthday

It was her first active year in PCF. Two youth dragged her to a nearby mall. Then the rest prepared a bountiful array of food, drinks, and cake. They borrowed tables and chairs. A crude videoke was set up. Since no house was big enough, everything was set up along the street in our community.

Somebody texted they were coming back. And church members in that community, parents and youth,  gathered to give Jeng a warm surprise greeting. She was pleasantly awe-struck, nothing like this has ever happened in her life. These people were not her relatives, but on that day she understood what a spiritual family truly meant.

Oh, how I wish that there will be more occasions like that in PCF where we can show how valuable each person is. I believe this is church at its best. For Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Make room

It's getting crowded.

After much consultation with other pastors, PCF Nova has decided to provide two services in July. First times like this is a great step of faith for us. The last confirmation came from a pastor whose church has 4 services. This friend said, it's like planting a church within a church. Church planting is my long-time holy ambition. In fact, I graduated Master of Divinity major in Church Planting. God planted that dream in  me, and this is His opportunity to fulfill it.

We don't know if it will be sustained. I personally fear it will be an embarrassment if we revert back to one worship service. However, I told myself, if ever I will make a mistake, better make it on the side of trying to expand the kingdom of Jesus rather than not trying at all. Better to err on the side of advancement rather than retreat. So here we go on the journey of faith.

Conquerors

One mother was crying. She said she's too shy and too afraid to handle a small group. Nevertheless, she persevered in the 3 levels of the Praise School of Leaders. And true to its name, the school made a leader out of her. She's still shy and afraid, but those won't stop her from fulfilling the call of Jesus - make disciples.

She's one of the 24 people who hurdled the year and a half training, who endured the 3-hour afternoon sessions, who ate pan de coco until they were sick and tired of it. They are the first batch of PSOL graduates. Even before their graduation, they were so empowered to invite others into the church, thus causing a significant growth in number. Now these leaders are ready to disciple those that they have invited. Jesus knew this will happen. And by His grace, these co-shepherds were developed to act as the caretakers of the people coming in.

The school may be so draining, but after seeing the fruits, I say it's all worth it. I look forward to one more round of new graduates!

All work and no play...

...makes Jack a dull boy.

Well, we don't want that to happen to the leaders of PCF Nova. So we visited La Mesa Ecopark, enjoyed mother nature, had a picnic, climbed the dam, and swam in the cool waters. We don't have much of this, so we made the most of it, arrived early and went out late. Going out with these people, along with my family, is such a treat. I'm so glad that these leaders have become my family's friends as well. What a blessing!

4!

Loved this church fourfold!

Together we believed that the best is yet to come. Together we made a difference in the lives of others. Together we have exercised our extraordinary power in spite of being ordinary people. Together we have gathered into small groups and made big changes.

First Sunday of June is our 4th anniversary. Side by side with this, 24 leaders have finished our year-long Praise School of Leaders composed of three courses. These are the people who have been helping in discipling new believers in our small groups (CareGroups). Entering our fifth year, we will be together to pursue this goal - every believer is a leader.

Celebrate!

I believe anniversaries must not gear far away from our mission - to seek and save the lost. And so in the middle of our celebration, we had water baptism for 7 people. They have recently finished Encounter God Retreat and a 4-day Post-Encounter class about basic Christian living.

And of course, we don't want to leave the fun out. So in the afternoon of our anniversary day, we had presentations from the various CareGroups, ala Pilipinas Got Talent. The result is three-pronged - closer relationship among the CareGroup members, outlet for talents, and loads of laughter as we watch each other's creative craziness.

Chill!

Things are heating up for PCF Nova!

We’re averaging about 120-people attendance (excluding the little children) in our Sunday services, and the heat is beginning to be counter-productive. We want to boost attendance of seekers and make the place conducive for them and the rest of the congregation to hear God’s word well. As such, we deem it best to put up air-conditioning in our 100-sqm worship center.

The Lord has provided through various people - friends and members! As such, we have built the ceiling, the glass door and windows. We have installed 4 second-hand units and 2 brand-new units. We're still plugging some leaks and making changes to make the air flow efficient. But more so, we're hoping to plug leaks from those who want to experience God's love.

Celebrating Christmas 2009

On Christmas Sunday, there was the usual gift-giving, the presentations of various groups, and the eating bonanza. But more than that, I would remember this Christmas as a time when we baptized 8 people, and 5 of them are fathers. The water was cold then. But our hearts were warmed with the gladness of the Lord. 

Fruits of our labor

EGR Delegates (Batch 5)

They trained for 6 long months, going through the School of Leaders Part 1 and Part 2 of the G12 system. Then they went through a two-day Re-Encounter retreat, to receive annointing from the Spirit. They are simple Christians, with teachable hearts and obedient to the Lord's calling to go and make disciples. In November 2009, these leaders invested and invited delegates for the 5th batch of the Encounter God Retreat. 14 seekers in all, and it was our biggest batch. These seekers are the fruits of their labor. Truly the Word of God is true. "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)

Refreshing family retreat

Wow, what a treat! My family celebrated New Year of 2010 in Club Manila East, Real, Quezon for 3 days and 2 nights, courtesy of the owner. The Lord is truly good. He knew it's time to recharge my family for the great work in ministry that lies ahead. Great place. Great time. Great God.