Christmas Celebrations

Little Stewards Club

 Libjo, Batangas City

Alangilan, Batangas City

Dumantay, Batangas City

San Pascual, Batangas

Youth Camp 2018

This camp was planned around 2nd quarter of this year.  Four churches united to set this camp held at San Isidro, Cuenca, Batangas (Mt. Maculot).

Camp Director - Ptr. Mike Sanchez

Meet the rest of the staff

Bro, John Raguindin - Finance and Co-ordinator

Ptr. Rommel Flores - Purchaser and Kitchen Management

Zander and Aily Quitain - Sports and Reacreation Facilitator

A total of 65 delegates joined the camp.  During this period a typhoon struck but it didn't stop the move of the Holy Spirit to make a change on these youth's lives.  Of course our schedule outdoor activities were all cancelled specially our hiking activity.  We are looking forward on our next summer Youth Camp this April 2019.

We are also praying for the Lord's provision for the completion of the Camp's facilities.  

One of our goal is to develop the next generation of servant leaders who will follow God's calling for them for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Christ was The Father's Gift Made Visible

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."- Matthew 2:10

When Jesus was born, God made it visible through a star. He was born in a manger but heaven declared His arrival for He will reign over us. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." His love was made visible.

As Filipino leaders we tend to maintain a low profile and try to dim our lights to fit in to others' wishes. "Baka daw masabing mayabang." But world class leaders are visible. They want to be in an open field and they always ask the Lord to set them on fire. As Christ said in Matthew 5:14-15, "A light should be set on a hill..., not hidden under a bushel." Jesus went to synagogues and in the mountain or places where people are to proclaim salvation and God's Kingdom. Even religious leaders of that time became indignant of the attention He got from all the people and tried to stop what He is doing.

Staying out of public notice is what the enemy wanted us to do so our message won't matter to anyone. Jesus was visible even at birth. Portraying a low profile defeats the purpose of visibility. If you are a leader, be visible. This is the best way we can reach out to a greater multitude of people whom we wanted to share God's message of love and forgiveness.

Mga Practical Tips para Maging Masaya ang Inyong Pasko:

1. Ilista ang mga bibigyan sa Pasko. Bakit po bibigyan hindi tatanggapin? Kanino po bang birthday? Di po ba kay Hesus? "It is better to give than to receive."

2. Huwag mangungutang para lang may magastos. Mahirap nang maging masaya kung baon ka naman sa utang. Tandaan natin ang masasamang loob gumagawa ng kahit anong paraan para lang may maibili o maipaghanda. Tayo ay hindi kabilang doon.

3. Gawing spiritual time ang kapaskuhan- "Go out with your family to worship the Lord", iyan ang banal na pagtatago sa inaanak.😊

4. "Clean your conscience."- Magpatawad ng ikaw nama'y patawarin din. Ang prayer nga ng isang bata, "Forgive our Christmases as we forgive those who Christmases against us." 😊

5. Gawin ding "family time". Magandang sama-sama ang pamilya kahit na walang bago o maraming handa, ang mahalaga ay nagkakasundo. Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon!

Mt. Maculot

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come? 

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth."- Psalm 121:1-2

Today, I have one unforgettable moment climbing up to one of the most popular mountains in the Philippines for hikers - the Mount Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas. The last time I went up to this mountain was 15 years ago with my former fiance' now my wife Hanny, together with some friends. This time the mountain hiking is not for us but for the next generation- our youth that we will lead on top of this hump as part of our youth program for our upcoming camp this Christmas vacation. I have to be honest, it is not the same compare to 15 years ago's feeling and energy but it is worth the climb. I found out amazing facts with this mountain climbing that we can compare to our life experience. 

Number 1: YOU CAN ONLY LEAD OTHERS TO WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN BEFORE.
As the hikers need a guide to conquer a mountain, we also need a mentor to go up where we want to be. Without the help of Mamay Gitoy, we cannot reach the mountain and eat at his lomi house on top of Mount Maculot. You read it right- a lomi house at the mountain top. That makes this lomi noodles so special. Thanks to the guys that help us succeed for without them we cannot reach our destination.

Number 2 fact: IT IS NEVER LONELY UP THERE IF YOU WILL BRING OTHERS WITH YOU.

We always heard from those who "have been there, done that" that they never really enjoy their success for they are all alone "up there". Why don't you bring others with you? It is worth the climb and you can share your lives with them. You will also discover that you have not reach the top alone. Others brought you there- your coach, your colleagues or maybe angels. So cheer up and enjoy the ride.

Lastly: THE MOUNTAIN IS NOT TOO BIG, GOD IS.

When I was looking up to this mount from the campsite, it seems like insurmountable and high that I ever wonder if I can reach the top again. But you know what happened when we reached the peak, the retreat house where I am at before is so little that I hardly saw it from the top view. It is the same when we look at our problems from God's perspective, it will be small and conceivable when we operate it with divine guidance and help. Whenever you face insurmountable odds, see it through God's eyes so it will be solved and things work out His ways. Until next time...

Three Lessons when you look at a Bamboo plant

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”- James 4:6

Every time I visited my parents in my hometown, I normally go out to our back yard to walk down to the river. I notice this bamboo tree and look at it in different perspectives. So I walk along this one and try to get a lot of lessons from this bamboo tree.

Do you know that before the bamboo tree breaks through the ground it will take around 5 years. But when it comes out, it will grow up to 90 feet tall in 6 weeks. Number 1 lesson: YOU NEED TO PRAY AND WAIT FOR YOUR VISION TO SHOW UP. You have to water or "feed" your dream and wait for the right moment. Because success does not come right away.

Many times when we are in the "barrio", the young bamboo tree (we called it "labong") is harvested by the villagers for it is edible or can be eaten. It provides food and when it grows, its branch can be used to build an entire Nipa Hut (kubo). Even furniture can be made out of the bamboo tree and several other things useful you can create out of this unique tropical plant-tree. Lesson number 2: DO NOT LOOK ON THE OUTSIDE, LOOK AT THE INSIDE. The size of the needs does not matter; what truly matters is the size of you. We always heard, do not look at the outside appearance, look at the heart. Some people judge us on how we look, but they never truly know us until we speak and act our dream. And the next lesson is...

Did I say that the bamboo tree can grow up to 90 feet long? When the wind blows, it has the ability to stoop down so that its trunk would not break. Number 3 lesson and certainly not the least: THE LESSON OF HUMBLENESS. One of the most impressive things about the bamboo is how it sways with the breeze. This gentle swaying movement is a symbol of humility. The foundation of the bamboo is solid, yet it moves and sways harmoniously with the wind, never fighting against it. They bent but don' t break. It means it is strong but flexible. The bamboo tree is resilient! Even you hit hard by life, be strong and resilient just like the bamboo tree.

So every time you see this tropical plant- tree, remember its 3 lessons. Until next time. -CCN