Many are looking for rescue...

...and they are turning to Jesus.

In our overnight Encounter God Retreat on Aug. 25-26, 38 delegates attended. That was our largest, and most complicated EGR we ever had. We capitalized on a Monday holiday, and so we started it on Sunday side-by-side with our second worship service. Good thing we have the warehouse now to hold the worship service, and a chapel for the EGR. Problem was that the counselors in the EGR were also involved in the worship service (ex. sound system, Visitors Zone, etc.). We just did our best to accommodate the two events. We did our best, and God did the rest.

With 38 delegates, it was like A Series of Unfortunate Events. Insufficient plates and tables and bed mats, long lines in the toilet/bathroom, and the stove broke down because of giant cookwares. But those couldn't take away what the Holy Spirit has planned for the delegates. We served with joy, enthusiasm, and hope. We brought plates from our homes, counselors ate holding their plates, old worn-out mats were reused. Together with the Lord, we did everything possible in this rescue operation. The Lord did the impossible in changing their hearts.

In spite of the "harassment" from a large group, we promised the Lord - we're not backing down. And so we're preparing for even more. We plan to buy more tables, and plates, and bed mats, and build additional makeshift bathrooms. If the funds are available, we're not sparing any expense to rescue more people. The Lord gave his life for this. We're not doing any less.

By all possible means

Basketball should really be the national sport of the Philippines. Filipinos are crazy about it. And because of this fact, Brod Willie thought he could attract some male youth with an indoor basketball liga, right there in our new worship place in the warehouse! It seems like a crazy idea because we need to move the chairs after a worship service to clear the area for games. We hold the liga during Sundays so the players can also attend the worship service. What a great way to reach out to young men!

It's not even a well planned event. The players were not even in uniform that one team in every game needed to remove their upper shirts. Good thing we have lights, so games can still proceed until around 8 pm. No matter how messed up our worship service area was, I can say it worked! We have turned a holy place to a playing area so that by all possible means we might save some. (1Cor. 9:22)

I saw players attending in their basketball attires, and some attended small groups as well during midweeks. And so Sunday after Sunday, the Word of God was being planted in the hearts of around 40 young men. In our last Encounter God Retreat, 7 of them joined. Hopefully we will have a good harvest sooner or later.

PCF: Pang-espirituwal na, pang-sports pa!

Let there be light!

We know we're going there. We just lack the funds to provide electrical wirings for the 550-sqm warehouse and strong lights to brighten the place. Before our 7th church anniversary in June 2013, someone gifted us with P100,000 and told us... move!

And so, since our anniversary, we've been holding our 2 worship services there. We bought 8 LED lights and run wirings and outlets at the perimeter of the warehouse. We leveled some holes and cracks on the cemented ground and put up decorated blocks for the air to flow. We added industrial fans to make the place more comfortable.

Since the anniversary, we averaged 235 attenders with a high of 280, 23 first timers per week and 17 returners. In the beginning, when God wants to fill up, he first creates space. God has prepared a big place for growth. It's time to go and multiply...

Christmas Sunday, etc.

Two days after the supposed end of the world, PCF Nova had a great special day!

The roof is repainted. Insulation is provided. Stage is assembled. Only 10% of the ground is not yet cemented. So for 3 Sundays starting December 23, we temporarily held our worship service in the warehouse to see what else is needed so the church can move there permanently. We still lack lights, electrical wiring, industrial fans, band instrument covers, echo minimizer, etc. But one more thing I discovered, I still need to adjust to talk to a large crowd. Somehow I was uncomfortable when I couldn't make eye contact with the people somewhere at the back.

December 23 was also our Christmas Sunday where we spent the rest of the afternoon with a dance showdown among the Care Groups. We call it CG Festival. It was a full house of talents - fun, riotous, creative. It was great bonding time as well for the Care Groups. Whatever the result was with the judging, I felt everybody won. Before that day, I was asking God for some giveaways, as we had done for the past Christmas Sundays. Fortunately, a friend contacted me if someone can pick-up some Johnson&Johnson products in the morning of that day. But of course!

The first test drive was special to me in a different way. December 23 was the 25th wedding anniversary with my life partner, Ruth, and I can't let that pass without something different for her. So before I delivered the sermon, I surprised her with a dozen roses. She is my loving and humble supporter in everything that I do. She deserves every petal of that bouquet and every bit of my love.

What a productive and meaningful day! Thank God for his favor!

Best season break

Armies attack with a shout of "charge!" Our youth warriors retreated with a whisper of "recharge".

At the last week of every year, youth leaders and potential leaders in PCF Nova gather together for a 3-day camp in Bulacan. It's a time for strengthening, fellowship and getting further directions from the Lord. It's a balance of wackiness, work and Word. Youth leaders, including my family and me, are always excited for this annual event.

Last December was our 6th Bulacan Camp, and 30 youth delegates raised funds for their camp fees through many small contributions from church members. It was a good mix of Care Group Leaders, Star Awardees, and Top 3 in the Praise School of Leaders. I've discovered that this mix is fruitful as potential leaders get to establish relationships with long time leaders that hopefully will be a bridge for further mentoring throughout the year. I wish the unity of these youth leaders will be strong enough to victoriously face their temptations later.

Amazingly, as it was in the previous years, Lectio Divina had the greatest impact among the campers. And this is the time when there's no human speaker - only plain reading of the Word, silent meditation and sharing of insights. This is the time when we claim that the Holy Spirit will be the speaker himself. As expected, he never fails to convict people in fresh new ways.

Campers, be strong, remain faithful to the Lord, and I hope to see you all next camp!

Star Awardee

May Anne (center) along with
Julie (left), her discipler & Ptr. Sandy

Give honor to whom honor is due. This year, we honored 39 on two separate occasions.

Twice a year, we honor those who have excelled in winning people, making disciples, doing ministry, and character growth. It is a source of jubilation for most of us, and these awardees make their leaders proud. Among those who have received awards was May Anne Bernardo.

Eldest in a brood of 4 girls, she gave way for the second girl in family to go to college because of financial constraints. She became a member of PCF Nova on April 1 just last year. Last month, she already has 4 girls whom she is discipling in her Care Group, kind of unusual for a new member. 

Previously she didn't accept a job that will make her unavailable to do her church responsibilities. Now she works as a helper in a family who goes to PCF as well, removing any problem with church schedule. She is simple, has a servant heart, prayerful, and reliable in the Usher Ministry and PEP Team. She is the living proof that being poor or uneducated is no reason not to make disciples. She loves her Savior too much to make excuses. As such, she earned the distinguished Warrior Award. May Anne lived with this word... "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed..." (2Tim. 2:15)