San Fernando Champions Community

Author: Tim Warden

  • Spread the Life-giving Word

    Last week Tuesday, June 17, some 20+ San Fernando Christian Community representatives attended the Philippine Bible Society Seminar held at the Blessed Sanctuary Christian Center. Simultaneously, some of them attended the Children’s Ministry Seminar downstairs. After that, the delegates were able to acquire helpful materials to use for their respective ministries. Most of them acquired Bibles to give away. Nobody minded that they had to lift a heavy load. Whatever it takes, let us help spread the life-giving Word. 

    The delegates were all smiles with their fresh supply. 

    Unmindful of the heavy load. Whatever it takes: that’s the spirit. 

    Happy to spread the Word. 

    The Good News is for everyone. 

  • Church Is Crowded Like This in All Services: Don't Miss Out!

  • Women's Sharer's Training

    June 6, 2014

    Last week, it was the ladies’ turn to undergo the monthly sharer’s training.  San Fernando Christian Community believes that everyone has potential. And a  good way to tap that potential and get it running is through training.  Quality upgrade programs are being offered constantly, hence, producing quality workers and volunteers.  Growth is a highly-esteemed core value. And with growth comes  excellence.  SFCC does whatever it takes to run God’s vision and to encourage everyone to finish strong.

    Rizze shares some helpful tips and insights on how to tell the Good News of God’s love to others

    The women take careful notes.

  • Training Hour is Happy Hour!

    Fri, May 30, 2014

    We cannot give what we do not have. With the mindset that every believer is a leader, the aim is to equip and train a person to reach his maximum potential. Last week, the San Fernando Christian Community men underwent the monthly sharer’s training. New ideas, techniques, pointers, and guidelines were downloaded to the trainees.  
    Good job, men! 

    Intent on leveling up: The men pay attention to the lesson. 

    Peter Nang shares his viewpoint. 

    Hands on training. Training hour is happy hour indeed! 


  • Multiply Baguio Media Training Workshop


    “…the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” (The MSG Bible, Phil. 1:6) 

    Level up training sessions have been going on left and right at the San Fernando Christian Community.  Recently, the Champion Multimedia Team underwent 3 glorious days of training at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Ambuklao, Baguio.  The object of this workshop is to maximize the utilization of the various media tools to make God famous. Their tagline is “His message. Multiplied.”   



    Here are the testimonies of the delegates who participated in the Multiply Multimedia Training:

    Vikki Cayago ( middle) during the Web Design & Social Media Training. She did not know how to use her God-given artistry and creativity for His glory until she volunteered for the church social media.


    “Your being an artist is God’s anointing.” That statement struck me the most. For the longest time, I did not have an outlet for the raging artist inside of me. I was like an aimless arrow with nary a clue as to where I was going.  It was also a great pressure on my part to hear that ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’. (Lk. 12:48) I did not know how to utilize my God-given artistry and creativity for His glory.  But now, being a part of the creative department of  SFCC  has given me a clear answer. Jesus used different conversation strategies to communicate with different people—the lepers, the prostitutes, the educated, the followers. Now being  in the age of technology gives us an advantage to reach diverse people at a wider scope. The Multiply Multimedia Training has inspired me to maximize the endless possibilities of utilizing the social media. We use a different method, but the Message remains intact. — Vikki Cayago, Head of the Social Media 

    Christopher Cornelio during the culminating activity of the Multimedia Training. He now has a clearer vision of why he does sound mixing—to minister to people through good sound. 


    Christopher Cornelio, the resident sound man of the SFCC Champion Multimedia Team states that he has a clearer vision of why he does sound mixing.  He shares that sound mixing is not pure technology but to utilize good sound to deliver God’s message.  He learned that the knowing the basic facts about sound is key.  


    Hazel during post-production: “What struck me was that I am not merely a multimedia person.  I am a multimedia minister/ evangelist.”


    “Nag-stick sa mind ko na hindi lang ako multimedia person. I am a multimedia minister/ evangelist.  Lahat ng ginagawa sa media ay for souls.  (“What struck me was that I am not merely a multimedia person.  I am a multimedia minister/ evangelist.  All media outputs that I produce are for the purpose of saving souls.”) ” All throughout post-production, I was acknowledging God’s grace.  Sure enough, the finished product fulfilled its desired purpose which was to move the viewers and to touch their lives permanently.” —Hazel Joice Paras, Multimedia volunteer

    Josh Bartolome resolves to make videos to campaign for Jesus.


    Josh Bartolome, another multimedia volunteer has been greatly inspired by the training.  He resolves to make videos to campaign for Jesus. 

    Living out the core value of excellence has pushed the media workers to upgrade their knowledge and to improve their craft.  Here’s looking forward to a more fruitful campaign to reach more lives.  

  • Kids' Encounter, The First Batch

    22-24 May 2014



    After the successful Amazing G-race: Kingdom Quest event, the kids questers aged 8 to 14 have moved on to the Kids’ Encounter.  Proverbs 22:6 says,   “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Isaiah 54:13 also says that, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”  

    San Fernando Christian Community believes in starting them young so that the much younger generation will be equipped to live a quality life.  God’s will is for us to enjoy the benefits of what His Son paid for dearly at the cross. Seeing that the kids understand and embrace this is reward enough for the organizers, volunteers, and teachers who so selflessly gave their time and energy into bringing this event to its triumphant end. 

  • Amazing G-Race: Finish Strong

    May 15-17, 2014 


    San Fernando Christian Community continues to reach out and change lives one person at a time. At the recently concluded “Amazing G-Race: Finish Strong”, characters were radically shaped and molded into God’s original plan.  The 3-day, activity-filled event was instrumental in touching the lives of each of the G-Racers as well as the volunteers and workers. 

  • SFCC Joins Brigada Eskwela 2014

    The beginning of another school year draws near. In preparation, the San Fernando Christian Community volunteers gathered at the La Union National High School for a 2-day clean-up drive. The  drive is geared towards creating an environment that is conducive to learning.  
    Louvie Magat: happy to serve
     
    Louvie Magat, a volunteer and a father enthuses that he is happy to work for God. “Ang Diyos ay gumagawa rin para sa atin, kaya masaya ako na maglingkod din sa Kaniya,” he adds. (“God works in our lives and I am happy to work for Him, too.”)

    Ma’am Banao, an Araling Panlipunan teacher, explains the purpose of cleaning up the school prior to the opening of classes. “Kung maayos ang atmosphere, kung maayos ang silid-aralan, maayos din ang takbo ng isip ng mga mag-aaral.” (“If we  have an atmosphere conducive to learning, the students will think more clearly.”) “We want to create an impression that learning is fun!”

    Roxanne Fontanilla (left) wants to make God famous through her service.


    Roxanne Fontanilla, another Sadulawit volunteer shares that her purpose in helping out is to campaign for Jesus—to save souls and make disciples.  She could not help but be encouraged by the resident teachers’ various comments about the team’s “Go,go, go!” attitude.  She is happy that the people witnessed the DNA of SFCC which is the DNA of Jesus.  “Pagod, pero andun yung saya. (Despite being physically tired, the joy is there.)  Through Brigada Eskwela 2014, we are able to give God the glory.”

     More of our happy helpers:

  • Palawan Conquest 2014: G12 Mentoring

    It was a fruitful and  eventful trip to Palawan.  There were 26 delegates who attended the Palawan Conquest 2014.  It is said that a true disciple loves and welcomes every opportunity to learn and grow.  Pastor Ancho Buenaventura stated that, “Training is our happy hour.” Everyone cheerfully agreed.  Indeed, the primary and the 144 level leaders of San Fernando Christian Community were blessed to have the privilege to upgrade and acquire more wisdom to expand their territory, their knowledge, and their skills.   To whom much is given, much is required. As shepherds leading their flocks, they have the responsibility to equip themselves to become more effective as leaders.  
    Anointed speakers. Pastor Raffy Panlilio, Pastor Ancho Buenaventura,  and  Bishop Oriel Ballano took turns teaching and speaking to the crowd of thousands who came from all over the different Philippine islands. There were so many nuggets of wisdom and revelations from God.  Each participant could not wait to go home and share what they have learned from this trip.  

    Awesome worship at the City Coliseum, Palawan

    Pasto Ancho Buenaventura : “Training hour is happy hour!”

    Pasto Raffy Panlilio: “Be a multiplier!” 

    The San Fernando Christian Community participants haveing a great time while listening to the teachings. 

    The thousands who attended  the Palawan Conquest 2014


    The San Fernando Christian Community participants—all smiles and refreshed after the 2-day mentoring


  • Moving Forward and Upward

    The first batch of PEPSOL students celebrated a victorious finish  from the School of Leaders 1.  The School of Leaders 1 lessons are more on application of the things learned.  Participants are learning to not just embrace but to run with the vision of the church.  At the culminating activity, the participants had fun reminiscing about the exciting and challenging parts of the journey.  Most were challenged by the weekly book reports. Not everyone is used to reading one to two chapters per week but the sweet part was realizing that they have finished a whole book! 

    Ces Myra Mabalot, well-known as a woman with a strong personality, confessed that she may be fearless and outspoken in most areas  but has reservations when it comes to evangelizing and sharing her faith.  Thanks to SOL 1, she has overcome that fear—and how! She finished as the batch salutatorian. Truly, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! (Phil. 4:13) 

    Ces Myra Mabalot finally overcomes her fear, thanks to the SOL 1 training.


    Lolit Basilio, a SOL 1 student who is in her early 50s almost gave up during the early part of the SOL 1 sessions.  She found it too difficult to read and turn in book reports week after week.  But she realized that she should not keep her focus on her weakness. She chose to rely  on God’s strength and as she was about to do the processional march, she could not help but be overwhelmed.  

    Lolit Basilio (center) focused on the goal and finished strong.



    Rizze Panit, a graduating student during the duration of the SOL sessions,  had to juggle her time between accomplishing her school requirements and her SOL requirements.  Looking back, she could not imagine how she managed to do it.  It was all because of the desire planted in her heart to run with the vision whatever it takes. To her fellow graduates, she has this message: “Es tu turno!”  (“It’s your  time to shine!”) 

    Rizze Panit: “Es tu turno!” (“It’s your time to shine!” )



    Vikki Buendia, a church worker,  had to budget her time between her work load and the rigorous SOL training.  She claimed that she would not have done it without God’s grace. She believes not in grace under pressure but grace  above pressure.  

    Grace above pressure


    Roseann Gallardo, the batch valedictorian, invited everyone to expand their vision and to reach their maximum potential. “Let’s expand our territories. Let’s bring the nation to salvation. Let’s live by grace, let’s heal the sick, pray without ceasing, walk in love and in truth. Let’s reign in life!  And don’t miss every miracle that God is doing in your life.”

    The class valedictorian advises the crowd:  “Don’t miss every miracle that God is doing in your life.”
    Tim & Bambi Warden congratulate the graduates.

    Strong finishers. Congratulations, champions! 

    Indeed, God is at work and cares about every detail of our lives. He wants us to reign, to maximize our potential, and to enjoy the benefits that Jesus paid for us on the cross. It is a gift. All we have to do is to receive it.