Meet the YM Team

It's been said that it is all about God and not about us.  All of us couldn't agree more.  But that doesn't mean we don't appreciate the work and sacrifices offered by God's servant.  It's so true with the Youth Mobilization Team.  The team believes that it is all about God working in and through our lives so that His purpose will be accomplished.  At the same time, the team believes that God uses vessels that are willing and available.  Vessels, like the YM team, that we should also appreciate and encourage.  So, every Wednesday, we will be featuring one member of the Youth Mobilization Team as our way of recognizing one's effort in building the Kingdom of God and also our way to show appreciation and encouragement to the YM team.

(Note: The caricature above was made by Kristofer Purificacion last June 2010.  So much has changed in the last few months in terms of the members of the team.  Some have gone and new members are added to the team. Also, Kristofer is the YM's ministry leader for the Batang Krayola - Street Children Ministry)

Focus on YM's Partner Church - Jesus King of Kings Community Church

The Lord gave Jesus King of Kings Community Church (JKKCC), one of YM's partner churches, a beautiful end-of-the-year gift.  After existing for nearly three years, last December 21, JK's SEC application was approved.  A week later, SEC released the Certificate of Registration.  What a good ending indeed.  Now for the new year, JK is excited to announce its target, a fitting beginning after a good ending to a wonderful year.  To sum it up, the church's theme for the year is, "For the good of the community!"  The church is seeking to do three things that will lead to the transformation and improvement in the lives of the people.  They are: (1) Win families to Christ; (2) Make disciples of Christ; and (3) Build Christ-centered communities.

Continue to pray for them as they meet this coming January 7 and 8 for an overnight planning retreat.  It will be a time to seek the Lord, hear His heart out and translate the theme into a workable plan, and the plan into a dynamic action.  It will also be a time to be refreshed, for fellowship and recreation.

Word for this Sunday - Matthew 14:28-31 - WOW in 2011 (Walk On Water in 2011)

WOW in 2011 (Walk on Water in 2011) - Matthew 14:28-31

Three things we can learn from Peter who walked on water two thousand years ago.  Three things we can also apply to our lives this year as we WOW in 2011! 

1. God’s will – Peter asked for God’s will and waited for God’s answer.

v. 28 - “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

v. 29 - “Come,” he said.

Be Sensitive – This year, waiting on God and knowing Him intimately should be one’s priority.

2. Total Obedience – Peter got out of the boat without thinking twice

v. 29b - Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

Be Surrendered – Learn to fully obey the Lord no matter what situation you will be in this year

3. Focus on Jesus – Peter looked at the wind and the wave, that’s why he begun to sink.

v. 30 - But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 v. 31 - Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

Be a Surfer (The wind and the wave are there for your advantage) – As you continue to fix your eyes on Jesus, use the challenges and obstacles this year to reach greater heights.

FROM THE TEAM LEADER'S HEART - Changes and Decisions

Sometimes I wish that I had a dagger that I can use to bring me back to certain points in my life especially during those times that I had to make a difficult decision - most especially when I made a wrong decision.  Or maybe I am still experiencing the after shock effect of “The Prince of Persia”, the movie me and my wife watched just before the start of the new school year for our kids.  The truth is, I am really wishing for that dagger, simply because we are facing a lot of difficult decisions right now. 

The year 2010 came and is still coming with so many changes both in our personal lives and ministry.  Changes that we anticipated and changes that surprised us both brought tears, joy, frustrations and excitement to our lives.  Big or small, whether we wanted it or not, still those changes affected us in so many ways.  Changes like my father's passing away unexpectedly; team members returning to their own country for good; my sister's plan to get married; new leadership in our church partners; soon, I'll have a teen-ager in the house; our house and the YM office's expiring rental contracts, etc.

Should we transfer to a new location?  Where will my daughter get his secondary education?  Can we still handle the ministry that we have lesser workers than before?  Who should I put in-charge of our major ministries?

Honestly, I am just afraid - afraid to make a bad decision.  The “what ifs” clog my mind. 

What if the owner did not renew contract with us and we couldn't find a new house to rent, where will we live?  What if the person I tapped as the new ministry leader was not really capable?  What if the new project we just started was not part of God's direction for our team?
  
I just want to do it perfectly.

Then the Lord reminded me of the verse He gave me for the New Year.  Genesis 12:1-3.  That was when God called Abraham (he was still known as Abram that time) to leave his country and go to a land that God will show him.  How difficult that change and that decision must be for Abraham.  But the Bible didn't mention of any dagger in Abraham's possession.  Actually he did (the one he wanted to use when God asked Abraham to offer Isaac to Him), but he never got to use it because he had something way better than any daggers.  That is his faith with His God.

I realized that I don't have to go back to my past to correct my mistakes.  I just have to trust in God who called me for His purpose.  Yes, I will make mistakes (and I need to learn from them), but God assures me that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).  He will also show me His direction as I seek Him and follow Him in faith, just like when Abraham obeyed Him and left his country - He showed Abraham where to go as he went.

I will never be able to do it perfectly.

I will make mistakes along the way.  Many times I will fall flat on my face just like what I have experienced many times in the past.  The good news is God will always be there.  He promised to be with us until the end of the age.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  God corrects and rebukes us, but He also encourages and strengthens us so we can continue with the journey He has called us to undertake.

Changes and decisions will always be a part of our lives, but with God leading the way what else do we need.  What are we afraid of?  Truly, the Apostle Paul was perfectly right when he said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
(Romans 8:31, 37 NIV)

Flight No. 4 - Touch Malaysia

Seven youth leaders believed that God can bring them to another land to serve in missions. A few months later, they found themselves in an airplane bound for Malaysia. God honored their faith. For 7 days, from may 27 to June 2, 2009, they, together with Anne & Pen-Pen (YM Training and Partnership Directors respectively) served with a team based in Kota Kinabalu.

Flight No. 3 - Family Vacation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga

The Lord has granted our wish to visit my brother who now resides in Mindanao. Right after my flight from Ecuador and the US, I met my family in the airport, and after a few hours of waiting, we took a plane that brought us to Dipolog City. The first two and the last two pictures show us while inside the Cebu Pacific flight and the Terminal 3 of NAIA. While the succeeding ones show our time spent in Dakak and Dapitan.

Flight No. 2 - Leader Mundial Pics (Quito, Ecuador)