“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Christopher received Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at the tender age of 14. Immediately, his life soared to new heights— being appointed as one of the church’s Primary Leaders at 15 and heading the SFCC Multimedia Team at 17. It was his simple faith and sincere obedience to Jesus that brought him success. Notwithstanding his lack of resources, Christopher would often walk to and from the center where he serves and gets his regular feeding of the Word. In meeting with his care group at Santiago Sur, he would also walk even in the San Fernando heat to meet with them. This sacrifice did not escape his care group’s notice. These are kids ages 4 to 12. To show appreciation, the kids pool their money to contribute to his fair going home.
Truly God provides as we obey Him.
Author: Tim Warden
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Reaping the Benefits: A Testimony
Soaring high—Christopher (far left) shares a fun moment with his care group. Show them the love of Jesus and they, too, will pay it forward. Christopher teaches the kids, equipping them for life. -
The Road to an Encounter with God
Who does not want to have an encounter with the One True God? Who does not want to have the best, most exhilarating experience of being in His presence? Where God is, there is peace. There are miracles. There is tremendous change.
SFCC will not stop until the work is done. Jesus commissioned all of us to “go & make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and by His grace, more & more people in San Fernando are coming to know who God really is.
Another batch of Pre-encounter participants are being prepared for their Encounter of a lifetime. The anticipation is building up and this is just day one. We have Abba to thank for putting a common passion in each heart to know God on a deeper level.
Attending the Encounter Retreat will not guarantee that life will become better. But knowing Jesus will. He is excited to meet us and tell us of His wonderful love for us.
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Captured Hearts
SFCC loves guests. Everyone gets excited when someone gives their hearts and lives to Jesus. Luke 15:7 says, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
Last week there were a total of 115 guests who attended the services for the first, second, third, & fourth time. Guests at SFCC are treated as VIPs—Very Important Persons. Everyone makes sure that the guests feel at home and enjoy first class hospitality. They often gush about the warmth and sincere love they feel and experience. One guest was struck by the fact that, “Everyone was smiling!” Add to that, she commented, “You could feel the obvious joy they carry.”
The church is a family—it is Christ’s body. It is His will that “all people will be saved and will come to a knowledge of the truth” ( 1 Timothy 2:4). And we will run that vision and keep filling up God’s house.
The Worship Hall is always packed as more and more people come to the knowledge of Jesus.
The Overflow Hall is in full operation.
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24 Years of God's Faithfulness
There is every reason to celebrate because of God’s goodness & faithfulness. SFCC has gone through 24 wonderful, fruitful, exhilarating years of growing deeper and deeper in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The body of Christ is growing, too, in numbers. And last weekend, the Worship Hall couldn’t contain all the attending members & guests. Even the Overflow Hall was filled to overflowing. This year is going to be a year of more blessings. This anniversary is just the kickoff.
Shoulder to shoulder worship
Welcome home, Kari! SFCC family member Charina Santos migrated to the US but has always applied the teachings and principles taught at SFCC. She now shares the amazing testimony of Gods faithfulness as she continues to abide in Him.
The Worship Hall is filled to overflowing—just like Abba’s unending grace and goodness.
The Overflow Hall
After the services—the fun continues. The Anniversary Singing Contest was a lot of fun. The contestants were very impressive.
Souvenir photos are available at the photo booth
Tim, Bambi, & Zion with Primary leader, Jingo Bautista are all smiles at the SFCC Courtyard. -
Touching Heaven, Changing Earth
This 2016, God has given us a new theme: ‘Touching Heaven, Changing Earth”.
Jesus became flesh and came to earth. His purpose—to bring heaven on earth. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17) And now, Jesus is continually touching earth through us. He chooses to use us—His conduits—as vessels to overflow His love & His blessings, to let people know of His great love.As we touch base with heaven, we become an instrument in making a difference in this world. Eternal life can now be experienced as we become more aware of His blessings, fresh favor, new mercies, and His constant guidance.In line with our theme, we encourage everyone to take a photo of something that demonstrates heaven changing earth & to post it with the hashtag #langitdito. Here are some of the encouraging pictures:
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SFCC Anniversary 2016
Come celebrate God’s faithfulness & goodness! Come celebrate the new you!
Sat-Sun, Feb. 6-7, 2016 at San Fernando Christian Community.
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A Time of Refreshing
Worship is a lifestyle with overflowing benefits. It is a time for spiritual refreshment and reconnecting with God. Jesus is always eager to connect with us and to meet us in prayer and worship. Last Saturday (Jan. 23, 2016), there was an impromptu gathering. It started with a few people worshiping at dusk within the SFCC premises. Because His presence is always attractive, more and more people joined the singing. His presence was so palpable that people started crying and falling on their knees. It was an overwhelming experience according to those who were present.
It started with just a small group that got bigger and bigger.
“Sing to God, everyone and everything! Get out His salvation news every day! Publish His glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. And why? Because God is great—well worth praising!” (1 Chronicles 16:23-27)
“…let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
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The 1st 144 Gathering of 2016
The beginning of the year poses new hope, new beginnings, and fresh starts. At the first 144 Gathering, Pastor Tim and his wife, Bambi shared with the leaders the vision they received from God. This year is going to be a blessed one. Mindsets, culture, and attitude are being aligned to a ‘Kingdom mentality’ . We are all called by the King of Kings. And we will heed.
Pastor Tim and his wife, Bambi downloaded God’s vision to the leaders.
Fresh anointing for the leaders
The Primary leaders each shared their insight.
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SFCC Primary & 144 Christmas Gathering
A good shepherd gives the sheep a sense of belonging. He knows his sheep. He knows them by name. In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My own sheep, and they know Me.“
At SFCC, we are blessed to have a leader with a servant heart. He never tires of mentoring, guiding, and taking care of his flock. Every month the Primary & 144 level leaders gather to get downloads from Pastor Tim & his wife, Bambi. He relentlessly feeds & refreshes the leaders with new revelations, fresh inspiration, and recasting the vision. He leads his flock to water regularly. He prepares hearts to be receptive to the nourishment of the Holy Spirit. Like a good shepherd, he grooms his sheep, keeps them clean and free of contamination from the world & the flesh. He prepares them to be disciples, followers of Jesus. They will in turn be ready to shepherd others.
The year is about to end. And we celebrate the fruitful year that was & look eagerly forward to a more progressive, productive year of advancing God’s Kingdom. A child of the King has every reason to party because God is infinitely good.
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Encounter God Retreat, Dec. 11-12, 2015
https://youtu.be/zcBe1M1oXRs
Freedom.
Fire.
Focus.
These are just a few of the benefits of accepting Jesus and getting to know Him on a deeper level.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17)
A young college girl quit showing up at church when her father got incarcerated. She became paranoid and fed on the enemy’s lies that she and her family were the constant talk of the town. But now, she is free to hold her head up and stand on the truth that she is God’s beloved child.
Another young girl was freed from hurts caused by her parents, as she witnessed how they would lie to each other and have affairs behind each other’s backs. At the Encounter, she has tasted forgiveness & has released forgiveness is turn.
“I have learned to let go of my past,” declares a young junior in high school.“Now, I am ready to collect new, happier memories.”
Another high school girl, young as she is, has experimented with drugs to drown the ache of being abandoned by her mother. But receiving God’s forgiveness has freed her from anger & resentment and is now free to worship and serve the living God.
An overseas Filipino worker had a traumatic experience in Qatar that had him imprisoned in fear for a long time. But receiving the Father’s perfect love cast out all his fears, and now, he feels whole again.
A full-time mother learned to forgive herself. She used to keep things to herself, but is now very open and is using her test as her testimony.
The 30 participants were all on fire and filled with God’s love. One by one, they stood up to testify about the radical change that God has done in their lives. They are now more focused on the things that are of eternal value. They now carry the assurance that God and His love for them is bigger than anything they will ever face.
God uses the same gospel to save people, no matter how different we are. He desires to have an encounter with each one of us, and turn our stories into His story. In this encounter, fresh new chapters have begun.
Anyone who has encountered God will never be the same again.