May 2015
This summer, the Champion Kids of SFCC have been attending Bible lessons daily. These lessons are punctuated with games and other fun activities. Consolidating these kids & keeping them planted in the Word is a priority. This is also an opportunity to build them up as future leaders.
As a result, there has been a significant increase in terms of attendance. Even the parents & guardians of these children play an active role. They faithfully bring their kids to the center knowing that these kids are in good hands and are spending their summer vacation wisely.
The heart of SFCC is to let the children learn what it means to faithfully follow Jesus. It is fulfilling to see lives being changed. This is of true eternal value.
Category: Uncategorized
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Gift-Giving & Champion Kids Summer Activities
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Make Kids Smile at SFCC
May 11, 2015 ( Mon.)On Monday, May 11, San Fernando Christian Community distributed gifts to children from all over San Fernando City. This shoebox gift-giving was started by a Welsh businessman whose heart was moved after seeing orphans on the news. He mobilized his neighbors & pretty soon, the movement reached children from all over the world. Each shoe box is filled with presents for children ( school supplies, hygiene products, food, toys, etc.). What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out is eternal. It presents an opportunity to invite children into a deeper relationship and knowledge of Jesus.It is a fact that 70% of our society’s children are unchurched. This drive gives an opportunity to up the stats in the Kingdom’s favor.This is just one of the many ways to reach out to the lost. If each of us would let our hearts be broken with the things that break the heart of God, we would all make a difference in this world.The shoe box that makes a lot of difference. It’s a kid’s world! Feeling the love of Jesus Bambi Warden’s passion to raise kids in the knowledge of Jesus is an inspiration. There’s plenty for everyone! What a treat! =) Happy faces all. Thank you, Abba, for the compassionate hearts that made this happen! =) Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Mt. 19:14) -
ENCOUNTER GOD RETREAT (May 1-2, 2015)
Hazel grew up trying to please her Dad to earn his approval. As a result, she gauges her acceptance according to how she performed. If she fails to accomplish a task at work, she feels rejected. At the Encounter God Retreat, she willingly accepted the Father’s love. The years of living in fear of being rejected has ended. “God’s love is the solution to all problems”, she shares.
Marverich carried with him 23 years’ worth of pain and hurt of being bullied by classmates. Add to that, he did not have a smooth relationship with some of his family members. He tried all sorts of remedies like tantric yoga, studied different kinds of religion, etc. What he really needed was to let go of all the pent-up anger he nursed for years. At the retreat, he allowed God to soften his hardened heart. Releasing forgiveness to those who hurt him gave him the peace that he has been searching for. “I believe Jesus when He said, It is done! Now I feel free,” he testifies.
Simo, a photographer/ videographer, now sees God at every angle. “When I shoot,” he explains, “I study all the sides involved.” Looking up, he says, he sees the ceiling. His vision is limited. In his heart, it was manifested that that ceiling represents problems, fears, any obstacles. But his spiritual eyes revealed that beyond the ceiling is the vast sky. He now realizes that God is bigger than anything. His vision may be obstructed in the physical, but his deeper faith made him see beyond any circumstance.
Deo claims that this Encounter is his best birthday gift in 37 years. He released forgiveness to his brother whom he has not seen since 2002. But God surprised him because that same night, he received a text message that his estranged brother was trying to reach him. Because he turned his life over to Jesus, restoration began to take place in his life.
“When people ask me how I’m doing, I always reply: I’m good,” Ken shares. “Throughout the Encounter, I started replying, I’m great! But after the Encounter, after I have totally received the love of God, my answer is this: I’m perfect!” And why not, when one is so confident that He is loved and accepted by the Father?Rochelle arrived at the Encounter hungry and desiring God. She was decided to set everything aside and really encounter God. In her heart, God told her, “This is how you will receive me. Say thank you because it is done!” So she did and she did encounter God so intimately that she could not contain it. “If you want to be filled, empty yourself,” she shares.
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And the #Trending List Continues
At San Fernando Christian Community, the culture is set ‘by design’ and not ‘by default’. The trend is set for the purpose of running with the vision that God gave.Of late, discipleship is the current trend. The tagline is “paayusan ng buhay”, which means “putting our lives in order.”Another trend is the act of volunteering. For a servant heart, it is a privilege to serve and to be a part in the advancement of God’s kingdom.It is also a culture by design to keep inviting. If one has found a treasure or a very important discovery, won’t he be eager to tell the whole world? If you have experienced the profundity of God’s love, then you will not hesitate to invite people to come and experience what you have experienced. -
SIGNS & WONDERS
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Testimonies are pouring in as the San Fernando Christian Community members are embracing the vision to honor God and deliver all His benefits. God is on the move and as one allows himself to be used by God for the advancement of His kingdom, miracles happen. Dada, a Primary leader under the mentorship of Pastor Tim,felt a prodding of the Holy Spirit to visit an old friend and invite him to church. She immediately obeyed and that weekend, her friend did attend the service and was able to hear God’s Word. Later, Dada found out that that person was at the end of his rope and was planning to make desperate measures to make money. How wonderful that God intervenes and sends people to make a difference in our lives!
Another testimony was that of Rosey’s friend, a youth leader of SFCC. She invited a friend whom she just met to attend a service. And what are the chances that that guy was planning to end his life that same week because of a broken heart? Now that person has completely turned his life over to Jesus and was even baptized. He has completely forgiven the person who hurt him and has moved on with his new life with Jesus.
Jingo, a budding leader, is bringing guests to the services almost every week. When asked why they accepted the invitation, they shared that they were amazed at the changes that God has done in the life of Jingo. They got attracted to the ‘aroma of Christ’ that Jingo carries.This is just the beginning of the growing list of testimonies of signs and wonders that God has promised in John 14:12: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (NIV) -
Stations of the Cross at SFCC
This Holy Week, SFCC journeyed with Jesus in His sufferings & towards victory. There were 3 journeys to choose from and to reflect on. The first one is the journey of the 7 Benefits of the Cross. Here, one can reflect on the benefits that we get because Jesus died for us. The 2nd journey is the 7 Last Words of Jesus. Here, one can reflect on them and understand each of their meaning & significance. The 3rd option is the 7 Places Where Jesus Bled. Here, one will understand what punishment Jesus took in order to buy us freedom from the chains brought about by sin.
The Stations of the Cross was a perfect opportunity to reflect on the awe-inspiring significance of what Jesus had to go through to restore our relationship with the Father. Personally, it helped strengthen my faith during this season of testing. Jesus died for me. That in itself should be a truth that will always bring great joy.
Start here. 
Notes of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done. 
It’s always a great time to reflect on God’s unstoppable love. 
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2-day Pre-encounter Sessions
April 2-3, 2015
The 2-day special Pre-encounter sessions was a success. Taking advantage of the special non-working and non-school holidays paved the way for those with busy schedules to make time for a fulfilling 2-day preparation for an Encounter with God. Working parents and young professionals took this opportunity for reviving their spirits as well as a respite from their tight schedules. -
Water Baptism (March 2015)
“Gusto ko nang ipahayag sa lahat kung Kanino ako, kung para Kanino talaga ako, at kung Kanino ako nagsisilbi.” (I want the world to know Whom I belong to, Who I am for, and Who I serve.”) This is the bold statement of newly-baptized Sandelyn Nuesca. She was near tears as she expressed that she wanted to grow deeper in God’s love and grace. She wants to embrace her identity as an overcomer. Whatever comes her way, she is convinced that God will back her up.
She also shares that as she was being immersed in water, she felt like she was getting ‘married’ to Christ. “He revealed to me that there are bigger things to come. I am excited and full of joy. Words cannot explain how I feel.”
Christopher Centino chose to be baptized because he wants a tighter, deeper kind of faith—one that can never be swayed. “Gusto kong mabago (I want to change)”.
For TJ Apigo, it was not just a decision but more of a response to God’s calling. He discloses that one night, He was just worshiping God. He found himself in tears and immediately called up his spiritual leader and said, “Sign me up!”
Indeed, water baptism is a public declaration to walk with God. To the newly-baptized, congratulations!
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SFCC JOINS THE PGLU STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
23 March 2015 (Mon.)
Every month, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) holds a Staff Development Program. The employees come by batches according to their birth month. So this batch consists of PGLU staff celebrating their birthdays this March.
SFCC is thankful for the open door, having Timothy Warden invited as keynote speaker. It was a chance to share the gospel of grace and to spread the news of how much God loves them. The response was very positive. The audience kept interacting as the message was being delivered, nodding at each revelation and sometimes verbally agreeing. Thank God that His Word does not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
This is just the beginning of the series of opportunities that will pave the way of spreading the Good News to the people of San Fernando City. This is the year of the Lord’s favor (Isaiah 61:2). This is the time to maximize all resources to build God’s Kingdom.
It’s pretty simple: just receive! 
The staff/ employees with birthdays this month (March 2015) listen intently to the message. 
Miky Ortega shares the Word. 
Many employees heeded the altar call for prayer and healing. -
JESUS FESTIVAL 2015
Personally, I feel blessed to belong to a church with a heart to grow each disciple. It is a privilege to undergo various training lessons, workshops, and seminars—all geared towards growing and developing the person not just spiritually but holistically.
Last March 13 & 14, the Jesus Festival was held at the SM Aura, Metro Manila. The long trip was worth it. The sessions were full of fresh revelation, and the worship was thick with the presence of God. As a believer, I feel more encouraged, equipped, and empowered with the new knowledge imparted by each speaker. What struck me the most was that whatever you do, whether leading a ministry or serving behind the scenes, everything should be Jesus focused. Nothing is ever about us.

















