Saturday, March 19, 2011

BK Saturday - A Partner Church's Testimony after the Christmas Party

We just would like to share with you a wonderful testimony as we continue our drive to empower churches. This email was from Pastor Alden Manglicmot of Familiy Christian Fellowship, one of YM's partner churches located 5 hours north of Manila.

Dear Youth Mobilization,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

First of all we thank God for the year 2010. It was full of challenges, but of blessing as well and of people who were willing not only to help but also to make sacrifices and a lot of efforts in fulfilling the call of God purposed for them especially the Youth Mobilization team of International Teams Philippines. Thank you for the fellowship and for ministering to us last December at our Christmas Party.  Thank you also for the opportunity you gave us to minister to you as well. It is such a great privilege. Thank you for the team who came from different countries. You are really a wonderful blessing to our church and to our community. The church right now is filled with hope - children who are “a new generation of mighty warriors for building God's kingdom” and a new breed of missionaries too. Hallelujah!




(The Team that held Christmas Parties in Bataan last December 2010)

This year 2011, for us is even a greater year with greater things which are still to come and to be done. Amen! I believe the Lord of the harvest is going to give us a great spiritual harvest especially of souls, as He reminds us in His word, “The fields are ready for harvest.” This is why we also need to give more commitment, more prayers, more time, more studies and more giving. “The fruits of tomorrow are the seeds of today.”

“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus!”

Thank you YM, may God continue to display His glory upon you and through you.

May God greatly bless us all!!

FAMILY CHRISTIAN
Assembly of God Church
Tipo I, Hermosa Bataan 2111 Phil.

Family Christian Fellowship is a church that always supports every YM activity by sending their youth and youth leaders. Their youth attended our Overnight Modular Training and Windows YP (YM's annual Youth Missions Conference) as a result Faye (one their youth leaders) received the passion to go to missions and she joined YM's Touch Trip both here in the Philippines and Malaysia. 


Moreover, we also witnessed how Faye became a great testimony to her fellow young people.  Because of that passion for missions, she started influencing them to organize events that will impact their community. Their youth group spearheaded a Vacation Bible School and other activities geared towards reaching-out the kids in their community.


Pastor Alden is so amazed on how God used our ministry to impact the lives of their youth group. His church is so blessed to see their youth standing up and taking lead in serving our God.


This is always our hope and prayer - that many churches like Pastor Alden's church will be empowered and be able to reach out to the poor and the needy in their respected communities.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Training Day Friday - Story of the Three

STORY OF THE THREE (written by Anne Benavidez - as seen in Breaking Grounds March 2011, YM's Official Newsletter)

Mery Grace, Joy and Wendy - these are the three youth leaders from our partner church, Hills of Savior Christian Church, who attended our Overnight Modular Training (OMT) last March 2009 in Dinalupihan, Bataan (3 hours drive from Manila). This OMT was held in Valley of Grace Campsite. Pastor Romy, the pastor of Hills of Savior Christian Church gathered youth leaders from different churches in Dinalupihan, Bataan.


(Pastor Romy preaching at his church, Hills of Savior Christian Church)

Last month, I was able to talk to their pastor and I took the opportunity to ask how his three youth leaders are doing. The pastor testified that it was such a great help to him when these three youth leaders took over the responsibility in leading their youth ministry. 

“Now they are the ones who are doing the planning, programming and goal-setting for our youth ministry. They continue to apply everything they have learned from the OMT.  Sometimes they amaze me by the creative programming they are doing in the youth services and fellowships. I could see that what they are doing are so effective because many young people keep coming back to their gatherings,” the pastor excitingly testifies. “They are also very active in evangelism by inviting young people to our youth ministry. I could see that they are growing in attendance,” he added.

He also testified that they were so fired up that they decided to enroll in a Bible School. Two of them have already graduated and the other one is still studying. All three of them are not just being used in their youth ministry but the Lord is also using them now in preaching the Word of God in their church. We can see the many potential in their lives that are just waiting to be revealed. We are indeed privileged to be part of what God is doing in their lives.

It was a great encouragement for me to hear what the Lord has been doing in the lives of these youth leaders. Their lives serve like fuel in our engine that keeps on burning so that we can continue doing what God wants us to do. Honestly, sometimes I am thinking if what we are teaching is really making an impact in the lives of the youth leaders and in their youth ministry. Hearing these testimonies is really encouraging. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Our prayers and our hearts desire is to see many youth who will have the desire to serve God - serving their own churches and communities.

Thank God that our labor in the Lord is not really in vain. To Him be all the glory!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Meet the YM Team - Richyll Honey Torredes

I’m Richyll Honey Torredes, better known as “Che-Che” I’m a full-time missionary of IT Philippines-Youth Mobilization Team, serving as its office administrator and (Touch Trip) mission’s coordinator.


Testimony

Before I came to know Him, I was haunted by my experiences during my childhood days, a shaky past which put a strain throughout my teenage life.  My parents separated when I was little and I grew up without a father figure. Growing up in a strong religious background with complicating family issues and beliefs drew me into occult practices and vices that led me to be rebellious and emotionally disturbed. Feeling so lonely and wasted, I was so desperate and in search for parental love.  

One afternoon in September 2002, my friend introduced me to his best friend who later on invited me to a youth fellowship. That led me to hunger and thirst for the truth and because the fellowship made me feel so secured, I was led to God’s salvation.  For the first time, I felt that I belong to Someone who truly loves me.

Truly indeed, I became a new creation and received freedom from the bondages of my past and my life would never be the same again. I received His security, comfort and strength more than I could ask or imagine. My joy was complete and He became the Father I have been searching for.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Calling

In September 2003, God brought me to England for 4 months to experience cross cultural missions as part of our church exchange program. The experience I had in UK was surreal. I wasn’t expecting that I will be able to travel to the place I once dreamt of when I was only a child.  Chosen among many others, who were more qualified than I am, it was truly a miracle. I felt so special and my heart became so curious and concerned about His future plan for me.  For three months I prayed and searched for answers and I earnestly sought His revelation why He brought me there.  In January 2004, two weeks before we head back home, he gave me an answer.
           
Clearly as I recall, it was a freezing Saturday night. The worship seminar we were attending was drawing to a close. The pastor came to prophesy for seven people from our group, after sharing a wonderful sermon about worship and God’s calling. I was one of the seven who were called and received confirmation from God.  In that moment, I can’t believe what I heard from him and I consciously asked myself, “How can the pastor know what I am praying for since I don’t know him”? There is only one explanation; it was God who spoke through that person.  It’s been more than eight years now but I can still clearly recall the words spoken to me that night, “Che-Che you will walk in this place again and again and you will also walk in other lands for you have a calling for the nations.  Do not under estimate the depth of the gift God has given you. Remain teachable and set yourself in seasons of training for you will win souls for Christ.”

That moment was indeed a life changing experience, for I have received my missionary calling to be God’s witness to the nations. Two weeks later I decided to join the Youth Mobilization team as one of its full time worker.  Eight years later, I have witnessed and I know I will continue to witness the fulfillment of God’s call and purpose for my life.


 (Aside from being YM's Office Administrator, Che-Che leads the Touch Trips Ministry which organizes mission trips, local and cross-cultural for Filipino youth)


 (Inside Ankor Wat in Siem Reap during the recreation day of Touch Cambodia, October 2010)
           






Tuesday, March 8, 2011

JKKCC's Educational Assistance Program - The Interview

Last Saturday, March 5, we had the opportunity to interview those who will be part of JKKCC’s Educational Assistance Program.  This coming school year in June, we are set to send to school 10 kids – all of whom come from an urban poor community very near our office.  We wanted to know them better and to hear what is in their heart regarding their son/daughter’s education so we asked them to attend the interview.  Together with their kid, the mothers went to our office last Saturday.

It was indeed a great opportunity to hear their hearts.  All of the kids said that they would like to study even though they are poor.  In spite of their living conditions – no electricity and no running water, the kids in their own way of saying it told us how much they are willing to attend school and learn everyday.  In fact, according to them, they are now studying even though many times they were hindered by their present condition.  I sat there struck by what I heard from these kids. 


Already touched by these wonderful kids, my heart was even more filled with amazement when I heard the mothers speak.  Each one of them narrated to us all their hardships and the challenges they had to face just to make sure their kids get proper education.  Many times their kids go to school without any food or money with them.  The meager income they get, either by selling street food, washing clothes for others, or pedaling a pedicab (a manually driven bicycle with a sidecar which is used to bring people from one point to another for a small fee), is just not enough for their family’s basic need. 


They also have learned to maximize their resources.  For example, they buy the cheapest shoes and uniform and they ask their children to be careful in using them, making sure that they last for as long as they can so that they will have enough time to earn money to buy another set.  Some use the same set of uniforms and shoes for 2 years, some even 3.  Some don’t even have shoes, they use flip flops to go to school.

Through it all, they have resolved in their hearts that they won’t let anything hinder them from sending their children to school.  That’s why they are very thankful that God has given them this educational assistance program.  What really amazes me is when they said that with or without the program, they will send their children to school.  All of them said that the only treasure they can give their children is education.  Many of them are suffering the consequences of not having a proper education when they were young that is why they don’t want their children to have the same experience.


After the meeting, me and my staff became more determined to help these kids.  Not only that we are helping them go to school but the Lord also used the program to bring the mothers and their kids to church.  The mothers regularly attend not only the worship service but also other church activities like prayer meetings and women’s fellowships.  I told them that we don’t have the funds that will ensure their kids finish their education from elementary to college, but for as long as the Lord gives us the means, we will surely help them.  They answered by saying, together with us, they too will rely on God.  They will keep on believing in the God they have now trusted and He who gave them life and salvation.