Meeting the need: A back to school project

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By:  Francis Jhun T. Macalam

 

Children expressed their thanks by writing a letter

Children expressed their thanks by writing a letter

The act of true giving is rather pleasing to the heart of every believer. In truth, God’s generosity has been bestowed to us through our salvation and to those who received Him.  Our heart should be willing to give to the Lord and His Church and to the communities who are in need.

Last June 6, 2015, EFC-Ganghaan, one of the outstation churches in Northern Mindanao conducted a back-to-school program in its community. It was spearheaded by Mia Cynthia Adlaon, a volunteer church planter in EFC Cagayan de Oro. Together with the upbeat Xavier Heights outstation workers, they successfully conducted their Back-to-School community outreach through giving of school supplies which aims to uplift the lives of underprivileged children through education empowerment.

“We choose to meet this need because we observe that the families of our kids are having financial difficulties, and since it’s the beginning of class, this will be a great opportunity to bless them and to encourage the kids to passionately pursue their education,” shared  Mia.

One of the goals of this project is to encourage the young teens in the outstation to get involved in organizing the said event. The leaders were tasked to list down all the names of the faithful members and their siblings. The lists should be specific as to the age, grade, gender and appropriate notebooks. The program built their collaboration skills as they kept up with each other to ensure the details are correct. School supplies and cash donations were given by the kind- hearted members of EFC Cagayan de Oro. The day before the event, some young people and kids helped in packing the school supplies.

NM2There were twenty-two (22) children in all.  Thirteen (13) girls and fourteen (14) boys benefited in the said project.  The highlight of the program was the sharing of God’s Word on Giving. Mia, as the team leader, reminded them that the way to be blessed is to give.

As the young people stepped up in their faith by meeting the needs of the community, they experienced deeper commitment to the ministry.

“They need not worry if they cannot give big amount financially. Spending their time, lending their ears and participating in the lesson is also considered generosity, and that means a lot to God. We cast a vision onto them that one day they will be the people who will be empowered to give. “Mia said. Giving is about sowing and reaping. Indeed, these children are privileged to have been chosen as recipients, but they also touched the hearts of the young outstation workers. Before the program came to an end, they all personally made thank you cards to show their utmost gratitude to their benefactors. As the workers saw the smile of every child, a realization hit them, “It is all worth it. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

 

 

 

 

Sowing in good ground

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By Maricel Ibanez

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Pas. Gregorio Simpas

A rich harvest requires two important elements: a wise farmer and a fertile soil. To ensure that harvest laborers understand these keys in sowing and reaping, a Church Planting Movement (CPM) seminar was conducted at EFC- Mati City on June 25 and 26.

A total of 31 participants from the host church, EFC-Mati, and its outstation churches were taught by Reverends Gregorio and Rosario Simpas, the seminar speakers.

According to Pastor Gregorio, CPM started because of a man who built 200 churches in three months, and in one year, more than 53 thousand people were baptized in those churches. What was his strategy for such exponential church growth?

The man’s church planting strategy was not a secret grand new idea. It all started back to Jesus and his 12 apostles. These 12 were so keen in following their Master’s footsteps that thousands could be saved in just one sermon, as exemplified by Apostle Peter.

Pastor Gregorio carefully expounded each ingredient for such abundant harvest: TRAINING, PASSION, CO-LABORERS, ACCOUNTABILITY, and SKILLS. Without these, the opposite- CONFUSION, ANXIETY, FRUSTRATION, MIXED RESULTS and SLOW PROGRESS result.

Pastor Rosario, for her part, talked about “Discipleship Revolution”. This topic centers on the Art of Evangelism which focuses on the enjoyment of relating with new believers. Pastor Rosario encouraged the pastors and workers to have the fire of preaching and sharing the love of God. If the servants of God now have fire in their hearts in what they do, then the next generation follows, Pastor Rosario said.

When we invest, we can surely claim results. Pastor Rosario emphasized that “the harvest is plentiful” now, so there is no reason for God’s people to sit back and said, “Not yet Lord! I’m not ready” to win souls. We are living before the rapture, a time full of love and grace, therefore many hearts convicted by the Spirit of love and grace would respond to our message, said Pastor Rosario.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus Christ talks about a “good ground” which receives the seeds and brings forth great harvest. This kind of ground symbolizes the “Person of Peace”. The second day of the seminar was devoted to the topic of finding and meeting this person.  Pastor Gregorio said that, “finding a person of peace can help us plant new churches”. This person is the one prepared by the Holy Spirit with a heart so hungry for God’s words. He is the person who will open his life and even his home and direct his family, relatives, and neighbors or friends to the saving knowledge of God’s Word.

It is important for every church planter to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead him or her to this key person. The Christian must be courageous, confident and prepared to share the convicting message of the Gospel to everyone. Anyone we talk to could be this Person of Peace just waiting for us, said Pastor Rosario.

On the other hand, if this person doesn’t immediately show up, the Christian has other powerful means of evangelism. The first is the Presence which means God’s light illuminating in our own lives. This is God’s anointing in us which draws people to God’s love. The second is Power which is the gift of the Holy Spirit such as healing to those physically or emotionally sick. The third is Proclamation or the continuous preaching of the Gospel so that faith will come to those who keep hearing it. Proclamation is also simply talking about His words to anyone at any time.

According to Proverbs 10:4,“lazy hands make a man poor but diligent hands bring wealth”. This verse reminds every Christian that laziness makes our life miserable, but a man who is busy investing his time in God’s will and work deserves wealth that comes from heaven.

Isaiah 6:8-9 say, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” and Isaiah said “Here am I. Send me!”

As Pastor Rosario said, may we be the Isaiah of our generation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evangel QC marks a new chapter @ 3!

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Smile! Aside from the goodness and grace of the Lord, these people also make what Evangel Family Church Quezon City is today.

Smile! Aside from the goodness and grace of the Lord, these people also make what Evangel Family Church Quezon City is today.

By Joven Sierra-Llabore

The end of May ceremoniously marked another beginning chapter for the Evangel Family Church (EFC) Quezon City as its leaders and members held their 3rd founding anniversary at the 6th floor of Marian Medical Arts Building.

May 31st might seem an ordinary day to others but not to Rev. Jessie Yu, Regional Director of EFC Luzon Region.

He considered this day as one of the breakthroughs made by Jireh-Evangel Church Planting Philippines (JECPP) as he blazed a trail of putting up the first Evangel Church in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Armed with the vision of stretching the wings of JECPP in reaching out those who are in dire need of the Word of God and hope through Jesus Christ, he, together with his family and ECME students, swooped to Luzon and found his nest at 27 Buick St. Fairview Quezon City where he conducted the first service last May 27, 2012 with 16 people ready to listen.

Three years has already passed, and the church has built its roots.

Homes have been visited.

Several approaches to evangelism have been tested.

Lives were transformed.

Many were reached out and water baptized.

Community services have been rendered.

And as the saying goes, “The rest is history.”

The church has proven its growth in numbers and has shown development through the lives of each member who voluntarily serves to disciple others.

“For three years, we have visited and did evangelism with a lot of homes and families and even coordinated with the Barangay Captains and Councilors for community projects,” said Pastor Jessie.

Praise and Worship Him! The church members start the anniversary by lifting their voices up and bowing their heads low.

Praise and Worship Him! The church members start the anniversary by lifting their voices up and bowing their heads low.

“As a result, a number of people and families regularly attend the church from the surrounding community, not counting those from other cities within Metro Manila,” he added.

Celebrating its 3rd founding anniversary, the church was jam-packed with around 148 people to share in the momentous event.

Asked on the theme of the Sunday message which zeroed in on “Give Praise to the Lord”, Pastor Jessie explained why we need to, “Simply because we have seen how God has showed His grace and goodness to the church. He has given us more than a hundred people including children that attend every week plus the new place He has opened for us at a reasonable rate.”

“There are three significant events that happened in EFC-QC for the last three years: the numerous ‘Blessing the Community’ we have done to various barangays especially if there’s flood in the Metro, the visit of Rev. Dr. Robert Lim and Rev. Dr. Marion Lim during our Missions Sunday last September 28, 2014, and our moving to the new location now at the Marian Medical Arts Building on February 2015,” he narrated.

Give Praise to the Lord! Don in red, these young people render a special number that extols the goodness of God.

Give Praise to the Lord! Don in red, these young people render a special number that extols the goodness of God.

During the service, seven members were given the privilege to speak on “Evangel Quezon City and Me”.

“The main point of those testimonies was how the church made an impact on those selected people,” Pastor Jessie said.

“I found a niche here. I considered the church as my second home,” Bro. Alvin Jungco testified.

The fifteen-year-old Mark Quiambao confessed that he “used to wonder why the house across their home was throwing a party every Sunday because he found it noisy”. Nevertheless, when he was reached out and started to believe, he considered the church as agent of change in his life – from a timid and silent type of teen to an outgoing and talkative lad.

Grateful. Bro. Nelson shares how Evangel Family Church Quezon City made a 360-degree turn in his life.

Grateful. Bro. Nelson shares how Evangel Family Church Quezon City made a 360-degree turn in his life.

Bro. Nelson Acedera thanked his daughter for inviting him to church. He considered the church as source of moral support, encouragement and transformation for his family.

Attack! Bro. Jobert can't wait to munch the crispy skin of lechon.

Attack! Bro. Jobert can’t wait to munch the crispy skin of lechon.

Through the concerted effort of the members and leaders, several dishes were shared after the service.

Meet and greet took place as members from different community discipleship groups  and cell churches in Veterans, Caloocan, and Taytay, Rizal were able to attend the celebration.

“The Grace and Goodness of God alone make Evangel Family Church-Quezon City what it is today”.

Take My body. Ptr. Jessie Yu, together with Ptr. Rachel Yu and the leadership team, leads the communion.

Take My body. Ptr. Jessie Yu, together with Ptr. Rachel Yu and the leadership team, leads the communion.

And for the years to come, Pastor Jessie said that EFC-QC will continue to “reach more souls and families; raise and disciple more leaders; plant more cell churches; send more missionaries in other parts of Luzon provinces; and plan for a much bigger place of worship as the Lord leads and provides.”

At the end of the day, he thanked God for sending good people to the church and for His provisions. He was also delighted seeing the people get to know God and grow in their love, faith, knowledge and service to God.

“I feel very fulfilled inside but I know there are more wonderful things and events to come and lives to be touched by God,” he added.

Surely, Evangel Quezon City is yet to tell more stories as the church has opened another chapter for new endeavors.

All praises and glory be to God alone!

 

 

 

 

The Art of Marriage

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A lasting marriage leaves a good and godly legacy to the future generations.

Read more

JECPP holds 1st Writer’s Workshop

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By Joven A. Sierra-Llabore

3For the first time in the history of JECPP, a national conference of writers was held to primarily improve jecpp.org, the organization’s online platform for news and information.

To equip the writers with the basics of journalism, news and expository writing, as well as to create sturdy organizational structure for regular monthly publication were the  main objectives of this Writer’s Workshop held last May 14 -15 at Lispher Inn, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City.

The national conference was attended by 23 writers from Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, and Northern and Southern Mindanao regions.

Rev. Peter Wee, JECCP Vice Chairman and Regional Director of Davao, graced the  event and warmly welcomed the participants, encouraging them that their becoming voluntary writers will be a great help to “run the vision of JECPP.”

Mayme F. Olegario, Editor-in-Chief of the jecpp.org, was the resource speaker.

Serving as the lighthouse for the aspiring writers to produce balanced and well-written reports, she led and taught them to construct noteworthy news and feature articles that will make “readers clearly get the message”.

Articles made by these writers will be posted in jecpp.org, planned to be a monthly online publication which aims to empower the body of Christ worldwide through news, information, and testimonies of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

The event also tackled proposals for jecpp.org’s new website interface, staffing of regional editors and writers, and a regular monthly uploads of news and information  from among the more than 600 JECPP churches all over the Philippines.

The workshop not only geared the writers of the journalistic know-how but also opened avenues for other members from different regions to meet and greet for another feat. This feat fulfils JECPP’s vision to “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done and…tell all of his wonderful acts”(1 Chronicles 16:8-9 NIV).

 

 

The First DVBS in Sitio Olalo, Ajuy Iloilo

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By: Sis. Hella Nimes

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them for such belongs to the Kingdom of God” Luke 18:6

Evangel Family Church Ajuy leaders and workers conducted 3 days of daily vacation bible school last May 19-21, 2015 at Sitio Olalo, Pili Ajuy Iloilo. This ministry had three main purposes: First, to reach out to the people of Sitio Olalo with the gospel of Jesus Christ; Second, to convert them to genuine Christianity; Third, to congregate them, especially the next generation.

The strategies that were used were very effective. House to house visitation was done the day before, in order to invite them for the DVBS the following day; and posters were posted in some houses to inform the people about the said ministry. In order to capture the interest of the youth and the children, snacks were served after classes, and school supplies were given as graduation gifts for those who had been faithful in attendance. Different awards were also given to deserving students; and some of them were given the opportunity to enhance their talents by presenting their own special numbers in order to entertain the classes.

All in all we can say that the DVBS that we conducted in Sitio Olalo, was a success, because up to now, the youth and children who had participated in the DVBS, continue to attend our Sunday services; and enthusiastically attend the Bible Study that we conduct every Saturday in their Sitio.

We are truly grateful for the lives of those committed members of EFC Ajuy, who became part of this wonderful ministry. We also like to thank Sis. Theresa Oscares who financially supported this ministry by providing the school supplies for the youth and children who participated in our DVBS. We also like to thank our Pastors: Rev. Benjamin Chavez and Rev. Lina Chavez for their financial and spiritual support. All glory and honor belongs to God!

 

Northern Mindanao music teams learned worship language

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By: Deljane Balagtas

IMG_3953It is widely known that music is the language of the soul, and that it plays a great role in church services. Praise and worship is a time when people express their devotion unto God through songs, and well-arranged music helps people tune in to the spiritual realm.

Training is therefore crucial for all musicians and singers so they can effectively minister in worship services. In line with this, a music workshop was held at Evangel Family Church Cagayan de Oro last April 28 to 29 to equip and improve music teams from different Evangel Family Churches all over Northern Mindanao.

Music teams from Malaybalay, Balingasag, Lala and Manticao came in the morning of the first day. In the afternoon, the workshop was opened with a prayer by Pastor Rowena Kwong followed by a short praise and worship and orientation of participants.

The workshop was divided into three sub-groups: Song Leading led by Pastor Rowena Kwong and Philip Salinas, Guitar & Keyboard led by Neil Gregory Simpas, and Drums led by Jefferson Ouano.

Song leading participants were given an overview on the basics of song lineups for different church services and events, proper ways of song leading, keys and timing, and hand signals. The participants were also given a chance to examine themselves on what area they must improve for better song leading. The guitar and keyboard participants where taught the necessities on playing instrument as well as enhancement of hearing and listening skills which are very important in learning new songs. Drum participants, on the other hand, were taught beats and rolling in drums.

After the first session, all groups were given assignments. For song leading, each one must prepare a line-up according to a chosen theme. For the guitar and keyboard participants, they must learn one song by ear. Drum participants were asked to demonstrate the beats taught to them. The participants also gathered for prayer meeting in the evening. A short message reminded and inspired the singers and musicians to always clothe themselves with God’s anointing.

The morning session of the second day started with a praise and worship led by one of the participants in song leading. Workshop groups resumed and got even more exciting after the announcement of a praise and worship in the afternoon to be led by one from each group of participants. Facilitators of each group chose one participant for the final praise and worship as the culmination of the entire activity.

The participants also got a chance to learn teaching skills because they were invited to a meeting of Sunday School teachers right after the music workshop. In this gathering, EFC Cagayan de Oro and outreach teachers underwent guidance in lesson plans, creative visual aids and songs. An open-forum on classroom management and teaching strategies was also conducted.

After a hectic day, participants were treated at Mang Inasal for a hearty meal. The evening continued sweetly at JCO for doughnut dessert. After the good food experience, the best ending of the whole music experience was again another round of praise and worship that night.

 

The Road to Prosperity for Professionals

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by Micah Simpas

3Most professionals believe that hard work is a sure track of the money trail. But true divine prosperity is more than just seeing labor and cash flow.

The 2nd Professionals’ seminar called “The Rocky Road to Prosperity” was held last April 24, 2015 at Evangel Family Church-Tagum with speakers Engineer Dave and Godeth Domingo from Evangel Family Church-Davao. The seminar showed a Biblical understanding of wealth that transcends material abundance. Such prosperity also draws us closer to God instead of making us too busy making money. In fact, Bro. Dave warned us of an overwhelming desire for financial gain that would leave us spiritually bleeding. Therefore, prosperity is a spiritual battle that has a winning or a losing end.

In order to win, Bro. Dave taught us the principles of supply, support, sow, surplus, storehouse and sacrifice. These values are forged in love and generosity, and they can be shown in three ways. First, we are encouraged to help or give in any way we can to God’s kingdom because the Lord rewards faithfully. Second, we must love and support generously our pastors and others who labor for God, and third and most importantly, we must give back what belongs to God in tithes and offering.

Prof. gatheringAs an entrepreneur himself, Bro. Dave shared his personal testimony of how these principles steered his steps in the rocky road of business venture. Aside from teaching us how to prosper, he also cautioned us with attitudes that indicate love of money. Bro. Dave capped his talk with a warning to “remember Him always all the days of our lives especially when we are prosperous.”

Many of the participants said that this seminar is unique and relevant to the needs of the people. Rev. Greg Simpas of EFC-Tagum testified that he was teary-eyed when listening, and he would have wanted to move the seminar on a Sunday service so more people could hear and be blessed. We thank God for using Engr. Dave and Sis. Godeth as living examples of God’s overflowing blessings, and we thank them both for sharing to us how to win and prosper.