Christmas Party on the street of Nazareth

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(Written by: Ms. Risa Labis)

“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity—hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory.” – J.I. Parker

Evangel Family Church CDO is blessed to have embarked on its first outdoor Christmas Party on a community outreach in Barangay Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro dubbed as “Christmas at Nazareth”. “Christmas at Nazareth” was a striking departure from the Christmas parties we used to have inside the four corners of our church where we enjoyed the fun and the fellowship of fellow believers and of course, feasted on a variety of delicious food.

The church, under the guidance of Pastor Andrew Kwong and Pastora Rowena Kwong, felt that Christmas should be a time where we can showcase God’s generosity because on that first Christmas night, God gave the most precious thing He has, and that is His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. So instead of lavishing ourselves with gifts and toys and all that, we decided to go out to the community and spend Christmas with them. Interestingly, a barangay in Cagayan de Oro named after our Messiah’s hometown was fittingly chosen for the event.

It was a warm afternoon of 21st of December 2014 when about 500 children from Barangay Nazareth were gathered together in a gymnasium. It was an uncomfortably humid day, yet the kids did not mind because they were very excited on what were in stored for them during that day.

The active and dynamic TKK (The Kingdom Kids) teachers started the program on “Christmas at Nazareth” with a Praise and Worship led by the Music Team. Kids were attentive to hear the sharing about Christmas, and Jesus being the center of the celebration. Moreover, Burglar, a mascot brought fun to all the kids when he started playing with them. Teachers also entertained the kids with various games and fun activities.

Moments later, grandparents, parents, and more adults started coming in. The second part of the program was dedicated for them. Everyone enjoyed worshiping and praising the Lord. Everybody raised their hands as they all sung joyous Christmas songs. Evangelites continued on by having more surprises through various games and activities.

The day will not be complete without hearing a word of encouragement from beloved Rev. Andrew Kwong. He gave a very uplifting word of Hope. Also, a brother in Christ, Jeff Ouano and his band presented songs about his life experiences in encountering the Lord during the darkest moments of his life.

After all the games and giving out of prizes, four families were surprised with gifts given by Evangel Family Church. They were thankful and indeed surprised.

 

The fellowship with an estimated 900 adults and kids ended with a night of shared happiness and so much laughter over the warm and simple foods prepared by Evangel Family Church’s Staff and members.

By going into Nazareth, which happens to be the name of Jesus’ hometown, we meant to be a blessing to others as the Lord wants us to be. We shared material things that we could manage to buy to give to others so they would be happy on Christmas. We did this to let people know God is a generous God. But little did we realize that we in turn were also blessed to share the message of God’s relentless love with the people most in need of it – the destitute, the downtrodden, the hopeless and the restless. Indeed, the true message of Christmas is His undying love for everyone.

 

 

 

 

Christmas is giving to children

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(Gift-giving for Leyte and Samar kids)

The Christmas holidays in the Visayas region, strikingly 2011 up to 2014, have been ravaged by typhoons with shocking death tolls and destructions. For those who have witnessed in the news the horrific climate crises in the Philippines, one can only imagine the sufferings of children in the provinces of Leyte and Samar, Eastern Visayas.

JECPP churches in the Visayas region have since taken part in the nationwide relief and humanitarian aid to trauma and grief-stricken victims. This Christmas 2014, JECPP aimed to soothe the pain of the weakest victims, yet packed with God-fashioned strength and resilience in their soft hearts and quick smiles despite tragedy after tragedy. The hope of Christmas belongs to them, the Filipino children of Leyte and Samar.

Last December 22 and 23, Evangel Family Churches in Leyte and Samar spent the Christmas break gathering about 600 children from various barangays. The little kids were treated to a party filled with games, prizes, food, toys, and most of all, a Christmas Bible message of love and hope. The children were introduced to their strongest advocate and defender, Jesus Christ himself, who calms the storm and the fears it brings.

In Ormoc City, Evangel Family Church-Ormoc spearheaded the event they called GASA: Kids Christmas Party and Gift Giving 2014.  The activity, from the Visayan word gasa which means gift, was well appreciated by one hundred children from two barangays who flocked to the church for a morning of fun-filled party led by Pastor Bobby Subong and the energetic Hearts on Fire (HOF) youth.

The GASA team proceeded to two other barangays where 52 children awaited them in the afternoon of the same day. The next morning on December 23, another group of 83 children in Brgy. Talisayan, Albuera, Leyte received the surprises, and so did the 65 kids in Brgy. Montebello, Kananga, Leyte.

Children’s laughter rang loudly not only in Leyte but also in Calbayog City and Sta. Margarita in Samar on December 23. Evangel Family Church-Calbayog also launched the same gift-giving event they called Evangel Children Christmas Party Samar Section led by Pastor Gerry and Pastor Ailene Fernandez. About 200 children from three barangays in Calbayog City were the recipients of this activity as well as the one hundred children from Brgy. Magsohong, Sta. Margarita.

The children gave their merriest “thank you” to this generous project of Rev. Dr. Robert and Rev. Marion Lim and all JECPP Spiritual Leaders and church volunteers.