San Fernando Champions Community

Category: Uncategorized

  • SFCC leaders went into the DEEP

     
         As Jesus said to his disciples, “Go out into the deep for a catch,” six of SFCC’s leaders went into the DEEP, that is the Logos Hope’s Port Volunteer program.  DEEP is an acronym for MV Logos Hope’s volunteer program for local churches (D-iscipleship, E-xposure to missions, E-xpression of love, P-ractical Work).

         For two weeks, these SFCC leaders worked in various departments of the ship (Book Fair, International Cafe, Galley/Pantry, and Accomodation Services) where they learned to serve Christ and serve people by doing practical work such as stacking books, serving ice cream, preparing lunch, cleaning toilets, and more.

         Part of the DEEP program is a training on missions which was facilitated by officers from Operation Mobilisation, the missions arm of MV Logos Hope and other crew members of the ship.  Aside from doing practical work, they were challenged and equipped through ministry opportunities, interaction with crew members, and by making new friends.

         The Connecting Day or C-Day which was a day allotted for the volunteers to connect with the local people in the Book Fair and International Cafe was one of the program highlights.  In the C-Day, they had a chance to share the gospel to people in the Journey of Life which is a pictorial representation of the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible.  They also did one-on-one evangelism using varied evangelistic tools they learned from the crew members, staging dramas with life-changing messages in the mini theater, and by using other strategies and methods.

         Through their participation in the DEEP program, the SFCC leaders had a taste of ship life and missions where they were able to meet and make friends with the crew representing 60 countries.  Most of all, these SFCC leaders had a deeper experience in winning souls for Christ while working alongside with an international crew as they honor God and deliver His benefits.

     

  • A Good Problem


    God has been actively moving in the church. More and more people have been pouring in and filling up  the SFCC Worship Hall to the brim. Every service is jam-packed with people worshipping and jostling each other, elbow to elbow, but worshipping and singing their hearts out nevertheless. It’s deemed a good problem. As an answer to what God has entrusted San Fernando Christian Community, there is a desire to accommodate the growing number of attendees. Thus, the aptly-named Overflow Hall is currently being built. With this, there will be more souls saved, more lives touched, and more new people to call family. 

    Above ground and reaching newer heights

    Doing whatever it takes to make San Fernando Christian Community a safe, positive, and encouraging environment for everyone

    Serving with gladness in their hearts for the Lord

     The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. —Deut. 2:7
      

  • Reaching Out & Making a Difference

    It is one thing to hear the Word. But it is another thing altogether to hear it, embrace it, and live it. Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” The ‘food’ being referred here is that which satisfies and quenches all other desire—including physical hunger.  Food is pleasant and delightful, and refreshing to the  body of man. On the other hand,  doing the will of God was as delightful and refreshing to the soul of Christ—or to any of us who chooses to do His will. There is much pleasure in it, as much as the first bite when one is hungry. 

    It is such a blessing to witness Christ’s followers who choose to do His will. They go out on their own without any prompting by anyone but the Holy Spirit.  

    Every Monday, the San Fernando Christian Community volunteers converge at the ITRMC (Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center) and visit the Cancer Chemotherapy & Hospice Care Clinic. There they comfort both the stricken patients and their families. The volunteers have already built friendships with those who have been staying there for a long time. Because of the overwhelming love of Christ flowing over them, they could not help but extend that overflow to others. They share the Good News of hope, love, forgiveness, and salvation. In so doing, they correctly perceive what Jesus was really saying: “I already have what I need to satisfy My hunger.” 

    Life is not about having our own personal needs met. Being “other-minded” is what satiates and refreshes. 

    An affirming, reassuring word of love makes a world of difference

    Little Jayvee could not get enough of the songs of worship. Songs were sung to him until it was time to go.

    Reunion with long-lost cousins warrants a photo op

    Sometimes, they just want company.

    A touch communicates a lot. It brings smiles to their faces…

    …or tears to their eyes.

    Sending messages of hope, encouragement, and love to the families, making them feel and know that they do not have to go through it alone. 


  • 144 Gathering at SFCC with Guest Speaker, Pastor Rey Pactanac

    August 9, 2014 (Sat.)

  • From Captive to Captivated

    “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
    (Isaiah 61:1) 

    Being a captive is not just in the physical. It is one thing to be held behind prison bars. It is another thing to be imprisoned emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  Either way, you are being captured, taken hold of, bound, and in shackles against your will.

    In visiting with the inmates of the La Union Provincial Jail, my heart personally melted and broke in several pieces. I did not see people who were restricted from the outside world. I saw broken men and women in need of the Truth. Here are people who have not seen their loved ones for a long time. Here are people who are experiencing self-condemnation because of wrong choices. Here are people who feel rejected and judged and have little hope of having a second chance.

    The Good News, which San Fernando Christian Community is bringing to them, is that there is Hope. Jesus said He came to set the captives free. He is saying that anyone who put their faith in Him will experience and know a God who can forgive their sins and call them His own. Their sins, no matter how grave, would be wiped clean. 


    The people I met had different stories to share. And as I talked to them, I saw no difference between them and those outside who are deemed ‘physically free’. We were all in captivity until salvation came to us in the person of Jesus Christ.  And after the songs had been sung, after the Message has been delivered, and after the prayers have been said, I went home with a heart full of hope that despite their situation, they now have a new understanding of the word ‘free’. 

    An enclosed life

    We are free to worship no matter where we are. 
    Leading them into prayer

    The hands that used to steal and hurt are now joined together in prayer. 

    Homemade taho treats for the inmates after the program

    Enjoying fellowship with them and making them feel how much they are loved, especially by Jesus.
    Despite their situation, they now have a new understanding of the word ‘free’. 

  • Why We Look Forward to Soaking Night

    Every first Saturday of every month is a much-anticipated, momentous day.  At 6 pm, a 2 hour non-stop praise and worship ensues. To a spectator, it may seem just like a silly shindig with people jumping and dancing around or raising their hands with their eyes closed. But to someone who happens to be there and just surrenders to the worship, they will see and know that there is more to it than meets the eye.  

    Worship is a powerful thing—so powerful that it sparks a series of events. When we worship, we enter into His presence, and there, we see and experience Who God really is. Our misconception that He is a severe, stern ruler will be erased and replaced by the truth.  We encounter a loving Father Who is happy to see us and is eager to bless us. When we worship, we find God freely moving in, around, and behind the scenes of our lives. We experience an epiphany: HE REALLY DOES LOVE US. 

    Now you ask why this is how this is the preferred choice for spending Saturday night. It’s plain and simple, yet unfathomable: Nothing is as precious as basking and being enveloped in His presence and His love.

    Till the next first Saturday! 



  • The Never-ending Process of Learning / July 2014 Sharer's Training

    25 July 2014 
    Friday, SFCC

    It is San Fernando Christian Community’s culture to ‘keep learning’ and to ‘keep growing’. Thus, the quest to improve on the various ways of sharing the gospel has been given emphasis and importance. It has been months since the monthly ‘Sharer’s Training’ started and by God’s grace, more and more leaders are catching the heart and the vision of the church. Not only are they catching it, but they are embracing and running with it.  
    This session, there was a film viewing featuring the Canadian missionary, Don Richardson. The film showed how God used him and his wife to bring light to the Sawi tribe of Irian Jaya. This was a cannibalistic tribe.  Don and his wife  knew of the great risk they were taking to reach this tribe. Their lives and their health were in danger, and there was a great gap in terms of culture and language. But they knew it would be worth every risk. 
    Rizze (the sharer’s trainer) pointed out that in our country, it does not take much risk to share the Gospel since there are no language or culture barriers.  There are no life-endangering risks, either.  We are, in fact, at an advantage.  Besides, we are not doing it alone. God does not make a command without a promise to back us up.  

    “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” ( 2 Tim. 4:2, NLT) 



    Related Links: 

    Don Richardson – Peace Child

    The Peace Child (Malayalam)

    Never The Same: Celebrating 50 Years Since Peace Child

  • Out Of Darkness Into Light

    20 July 2014
    Post-encounter Graduation
    Batch 4



    “Out of darkness into light. Let my life be a flame that burns for You. Putting all my past behind. Out of darkness into Your great light.”—Out of Darkness Into Light by Drew Ley

    This season’s latest batch of Post-encounter graduates have every reason to celebrate. After 10 weeks of meaty discussions, relevant teachings, and  challenging applications—the Post-encounter graduates have finished strong! It was a blessing to witness a diverse age group  of graduates ranging from 12 to 60. Nevertheless, age was never a deterrent for higher learning. In fact, most of those who finished with excellent standing were of the senior age group, and one of them was even hailed valedictorian of said batch. 

    Two of the graduates were husband and wife. Both shared their respective testimonies of how God has made a radical change in their married and in their family life.  Francis Munar, Sr. underwent severe depression after an unfortunate incident at work. It affected the way he treated his family and for years, their family suffered. Thanks to PEPSOL, the couple found restoration in Jesus, and as Mrs. Munar would say, “Muling naibalik ang tamis ng pag-ibig.”  (“Our love was restored.”)  

    Indeed, there is endless victory and joy as we put our lives in Jesus’ hands. He takes us out of darkness into His great light. There is no other way to live. 

    Strong finishers all! Congratulations, Batch 4 Post-encounter graduates! =) 





  • Extreme Saturday Jam

    Every Saturday at 10, young people troop to  San Fernando Christian Community to attend the Extreme Saturday Jam. The youth service is open to all young ones and the young at heart.  It usually starts with people pouring in early so that they have time to catch up with one another and share breakfast or snacks. There are other courtyard activities, too, which cater to the various interests of the youth. 


    At 10, the Jam usually starts with an ice breaker. This is followed by praise and worship. The highlight, of course, is the new teaching every week which offers guidance and practical tips to young people. 




  • Proud of You! 4 Words That Can Change Your Life

    “Those the Father has given Me will come to Me, and I will never reject them.” (John 6:37) 

    For the full sermon, click on this link.