Pre-encounter is an event prior to an Encounter God Retreat. It is like a “taste test” to those who are seeking a deeper level of relationship with God. It is giving the participants a meaty preview of what they will experience at the retreat. The common driving force is wanting to know God in a deeper way.
Aurelia Baniqued, a mother of two, is one of the Pre-encounter participants. She shares that she feels less lonely since she has been living apart from her husband who is working overseas. She says she used to just stay in the house taking care of her two children. But attending the services and the Pre-encounter sessions paved the way for her to meet new friends that she could relate to. More than that, she is happy to know more about God and how He would love to be involved in her life and in the lives of her family. Her husband is also happy about this. He is very supportive and is excited to come home so they could all attend the services together as a family.
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| Aurelia Baniqued, a mother of two, realizes that she is not alone. |
Rizza Cariaga, an education student of Union Christian College, has always had this desire to know God deeper. She has been a Christian for a long time and her craving for a closer, more intimate relationship with God has been answered when she joined the Pre-encounter. She found a second family in SFCC. She loves staying at the center a bit longer after the sessions enjoying the ‘safe, positive, and encouraging’ environment. She claims she is always ‘hungry for more’ and is never in a hurry to go home.
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| Rizza listens intently as her guide leads the post-lesson discussion |
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| Rizza Cariaga (left) with her Care Group leader. She has always desired a deeper relationship with her Father. |
As mentioned, this is just the tip of the iceberg and the best is yet to come. It is only the 2nd week but everyone is already excited for the Encounter God Retreat this April 17 & 18 (Thu. & Fri.) at the new venue—the All Christians Pavilion and Retreat Center at Poblacion, Santol, La Union. (see photos here )
It is an experience that should not be missed.
