The Champions Academy is on its way to completion. Right now the foundations are being laid and fortified. There is an area of 133 square meters to be paved with bricks. One square meter consists of 40 bricks. A brick costs only Php 10.
Last week, SFCC started a drive to accept love donations for the Academy. The response was overwhelming. At the end of the day, a total of 14 square meters was covered by the generosity of the people. Only 119 square meters to go!
Thank you guys for championing this cause!
119 square meters to go! These halls will soon be resounding with the pitter-patter of tiny feet.Generous heart for the future!Every P10 counts! =)So blessed that even these little kids are happily giving away their allowance for a cause.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” -John Maxwell
It is SFCC culture to lead the way Jesus led His flock. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Greatness is not about hogging the limelight and earning accolades. It is about being contented with working behind the scenes, touching one soul at a time, and bringing them to an encounter with Jesus.
We thank our pastor and his wife, Bambi for casting the vision & for tirelessly building us up to become who Jesus planned us to be. And we thank him for this night of affirmation. We feel so loved, so blessed, and so highly-favored!
Armor bearers all. SFCC goes Western and takes a much-earned break. Yeee-hawww!We cannot do without worship. This is our reason for being.Pastor Tim never tires of downloading the vision God has for this church. His words of affirmation continue to strengthen & encourage the leaders.Kicking those cowboy heels high. SFCC loves celebrating what God has done for us.Congratulations to the previous months’ VIP inviters. The heavens are rejoicing over every soul that gets saved.“You shine when you are with the body of Christ.” Miss Bambi shares precious words of wisdom to equip the SFCC leaders.
Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program enjoining all the public schools and community to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure the schools’ physical and conducive-to-learning environment.
Sadulawit Inc., recognizing the need, gathered 52 members and volunteers distributed in teams to extend help into 2 secondary schools — La Union National High School (LUNHS) and North Central School. Add to that, there were 2 primary schools — Catbangen Central School and Santiago Elementary School. Led by Sadulawit alumni R-jay dela Cruz, Sadulawit gave 1 gallon of paint, 3 paintbrushes, repair materials (nails, wires, etc.) and cleaning materials (20 broomsticks and 12 soft brooms).
The teachers were happy to accommodate the volunteer teams. The work involved classroom general repair and cleaning to outside beautification. The team exuded enthusiasm in cleaning. Ceilings, walls, tables, chairs, windows, and doors were repaired, cleaned, and repainted. On the school grounds there was landscaping and rehabilitating of the school garden (weeding and replanting).
The volunteers starting the endeavor with a prayer huddle.
Rjay dela Cruz, a Sadulawit alumni, took the lead in signing up at the La Union National High School and North Central School endorsing the teams to the 4 different schools.
Sheryl Medina, Julie Orosco, and Carlo Metila (Sadulawit members) didn’t waste the opportunity to be involved. They were former students of the school.
Roseann Andaya (woman in black) led the team in helping out at her former school. Her former teachers recognize her as an asset being a youth leader with a different perspective.
Till the next school year. We serve because Jesus first served us!
(Blogged by Miss Roseann Gallardo, Sadulawit Coordinator)
“I am watching to see that My word is fulfilled.” Jeremiah 1:12
God is faithful & He will do what He says He will do. As we seek to do His will, God supplies the manpower, the strength, & the resources along the way. If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill.
Last Saturday, May 28 at 5 pm, the Summer Internship Training participants marched victoriously towards the finish line. After six eventful, fruitful, and purpose-filled weeks, SFCC witnessed the graduation of 38 interns. The parents were in full force & many testified to the changes that God has done in each of their children. Jerico’s parents admit that their son is happy being planted in SFCC. Diane’s mom is surprised to see her child active & performing onstage. “Mahiyain yan dati,” she says. But now, Diane is seen acting, strumming the guitar & wowing the crowd with her God-given voice. Jazha’s mom attests to the radical changes in her daughter. “Maaga siyang gumigising ngayon. Bago siya pumunta sa internship training, ipinagluluto muna niya kami. (She wakes up early now. She cooks food for us before she leaves for the internship training.) She used to be dependent on me a lot.” It wasn’t surprising that Jazsha got the the ‘Metamorphosis Award’ among the female interns. “Matigas ang ulo (hard-headed), puro tablet at computer lang ang hinaharap (he is always in front of the computer),” was the old description for Paulo, another intern. But ever since God moved in Paulo’s life, he is now giving advice to his mom. He would say, “Pag may problema ka, Mama, pray ka lang. Andiyan si God (If you have a problem, just approach God. He is near)”.
Congratulations, interns! This is just the beginning of a wonderful journey ahead! A glorious finish: the Summer Interns march proudly with their parents Jerico’s parents noticed that he has never been happier ever since he joined the Summer Internship Training. From no confidence to God-fidence: Diane shines for Jesus as she performs onstage Jazsha cries as her mom affirms her. Jazsha received the Metamorphosis Award and rightly so. God is a radical changer. Proud mom boasts about her son’s positive changes brought about by the Summer Internship Training. After a long, strained relationship, Paulo is now closer to his mom and is even giving her wise advice. Truly, God is a God of restoration!
This summer 2016 is proving to be a remarkable, memorable year for SFCC. After a 2-year long hiatus, the Summer Internship Training was re-launched. God’s ‘kairos’ (perfect timing) has blessed us with receptive young people who are willing to be trained to become champions in life.
Part of the program is the care group session. This is where the interns get to open their hearts and share the wonderful experiences of having a new-found relationship with Jesus. Kim Aldrin reveals that ever since he joined the training, he has developed closer relations with his mom and sister. John Aezer has made God his best friend and talks to Him on a regular basis. “I feel closer to God because of the internship. Babad ako sa Salita ng Diyos (I soak in God’s Word)”, shares Den Mark. Leonel makes it a point to seek God’s counsel before making a move.
Kiko, their care group leader, shares that they are already comfortable when it comes to sharing what they are going through. They also could not wait to share how their lives are being changed. “There are subtle changes in their home lives as well; and they recognize that it’s because they started praying for their respective families. They are already applying what they learned here.” Kiko (middle) facilitates a care group session during the Summer Internship Training. Kim Aldrin (holding a guitar) has blossomed not just at the Summer Internship but at home where he is building a stronger relationship with his family. John Aezer found his real ‘BFF’ (Best Friends Forever) in Jesus. “I feel closer to God because of the internship. Babad ako sa Salita ng Diyos (I soak in God’s Word)”, shares Den Mark.
“They are already applying what they learned here,” shares Kiko.
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Allister is a 20-something fresh graduate pursuing a career as a college instructor at a local private school here in San Fernando City. Growing up, he was forced to rely on his coping mechanisms when both his parents left him under the care of his doting grandma. He was just an infant then. A product of a broken family, Allister learned to be detached and seemingly unaffected by outside circumstances. He intermittently felt the emptiness brought about by his absentee parents during school affairs and every time he sees a happy family. He would cave in and give in to bouts of crying in the privacy of his bedroom and would go back to wearing his mask when he was done. He constantly craved for his parents’ presence whenever he needed someone to open up to.
Life went on as usual for Allister until one day, he got invited to attend one of the services at SFCC. And there, he readily received what he had been looking for all along—Jesus. Allister became a consistent attender and volunteered in various ministries—among them the Guest Relations Team, and as English translator for attending internationals. Wanting to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, he attended the 5-week Pre-encounter sessions at SFCC. It was the right preparation for him to have an encounter with God. His needy, clingy heart found the love he was looking for. It was, indeed, a breakthrough. “Hearing the Word of God is life-changing,” he professes. “I have been through a lot and I realized that I did not need to go through them alone. God has been reaching out to me all along.”
Totally surrendered to His Redeemer, he declares, “My life is no longer my story, but His story.” Allister and his guide do S.O.A.P. (S-cripture, O-bservation, A-pplication, P-rayer) / devotionals. Receiving the Father’s love was a pivotal moment in Allister’s life. “Hearing the Word of God is life-changing,” he says. Surrendering all
It was a long weekend put to good use as the finishers of the Pre-encounter sessions hied off to DMMMSU Sapilang to have an encounter with God. It’s true that SFCC has held countless Encounter God Retreats but none of them is similar to another. God is a personal God and every encounter He orchestrates with each individual is customized and unique. Suffice it to say that meeting God and experiencing Him never gets old. His grace is fresh and new every morning!
Each of the participants proclaim a 180-degree life-changing experience. When God takes over as one surrenders his life, radical changes take place. Long-standing grudges, past hurts, traumatic experiences, irrational fears, and emptiness are all washed away and replaced by God’s overflowing love.
Like Saul who became Paul when He had a Damascus experience, every participant went home with a renewed heart—never to be the same again.
To God be the glory! Tim Warden never tires of sharing God’s love and His message of grace. The participants and their guides paying full attention to the Good News Real men pray and worship God. Overjoyed and overwhelmed
“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. 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.
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.
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:
