Manus Dei

Is this a difficult reality to transition? Not really! After my 8.3 years tenure in the Singles for Christ Abu Dhabi, finally it is time to bask in my new home called S.O.L.D. (the Servants of the Lord).  But first let me quickly take you back to my journey in SFC. It was on the 2nd of December 2009 when I received the most important, valuable Certificate in my life.  A Certificate that can never be quantified by any amount that I earned after a 13-week, no-fee yet fulfilling Christian Life Program conducted by the Singles for Christ. A Certificate stamped and sealed by God ~ certifying me to be His ‘own’ and servant.  Life then was never tranquil as I expected. Joining a renewal community aimed to transform people’s lives does not offer absolute comfort. During my service life, I had so many falls, and though struggling, I have to stand up and walk my feet out, until one day I found myself kneeling before my God and convicted. Yes, I was convicted. I was tran...

What on earth are you here for? What on earth I am here for? I was puzzled by this question asked by one of my best friends way back 2012 that forever marked and served as a foundation of my spiritual growth even to these days. Joining in the community was a life-changing experience. I discovered my identity and the purpose God has already bestowed upon me even before I was conceived. I had come to understand by God’s grace that living in purpose is the only way to really live. Since then, knowing my purpose written by the Author of my life gave me so much hope and joy in my heart. June 2, 2017 when the Lord called me to be a DGL (Discussion Group Leader) for Batch 2017 Christian Life Program of SFC Chapter A2. Prior to that, when my Household Leader Sis. Ever informed me that I was discerned being a DGL, I was in doubt and ready to give her my “no” for I have a lot of worries and feeling of unworthiness, and maybe I won’t be able to fulfil the responsibility.  Again, s...

“And priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of Jordan while all Israeli crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. “ – Joshua 3:17 The night was filled with God’s presence during our Chapter B1 Prayer Assembly held last 21st of June in SFC Center 1. As an individual, I have my own circumstances and struggles in life. And most of the time, I tend to focus and ponder on those things that I cannot control. Before I went to our assembly, I have with me all my carry-on baggage’s. I kept on thinking how can I get out of these things that occupied me. But I know one thing is for sure, God called me to be present in our assembly because he knew what’s in my heart and in my mind.  That night was very special for me because it was my first service as part of the Music Ministry. At first I didn’t understand the title of our assembly – Crossing your Jordan River, but as the worship progres...

The ratio of brother-sister serving in SFC is around 1:3 (to say safely).  It’s more of a challenge than an understatement for us in our Chapter A2 to maximize the potential of our brother.  Thus, June 23, 2017’s “Kapatiran, Walang Patid Ang Samahan,”  of SFC Chapter A2 Brother’s Fellowship and Empowerment happened. The goal is to gather as much brothers as we can in our chapter to pray, bond and learn from each other. We surpassed the limited 2‐3 day preparation but as long our hearts are in line with our purpose, structure and execution will take care of itself. We started with a prayer (praise fest), followed by a series of activities that focus on self-familiarization, getting to know others, building confidence, and team work. The experience that night has been amazing. It was fun and full of substance. The conversations, dialogues and testimonials shared from one brother to another (learning in its highest form). A night truly to remember. Thank you A2 brothers n...

It wasn’t my plan to travel abroad but it was indeed a blessed journey coming to Abu Dhabi where my SFC journey started, unexpectedly. It was one fine Sunday morning, me and my brother went to church. After the mass, my brother then went to CLP for CFC.  On the way out of the church, a brother suddenly approached me and asked me if I am a bachelor and I just said yes. He did invite me to attend SFC’s Christian Life Program if given a time and my SFC journey began with that simple and willing response “Yes po”. Well, just to make the story a bit short, I was not able to complete attending the CLP as scheduled due to my work timings, but capped the rest of the talks during make-up sessions.  But GOD is so good that I was able to squeeze my time and eventually became a member of the Singles for Christ Abu Dhabi Chapter A2 in 2013.  I could still remember some of the moments I had with my first Household group. At first, I was really too shy and scared to open ...

A Reflection: After attending House Hold Orientation workshop I get a better understanding of the context “House Hold” and “House Hold Leader.” At first I thought that a House Hold is just a simple small group. It consist of 5-6 people who put up together to form a small group to pray, to chat or to simply gather together. But through the months of spending with my House Hold I get a better understanding of what is it really stands for. It’s not just about building friendship, getting along with each other, praying for each other,  having someone you can talk to, having someone to accompany you but most importantly it’s supporting each other towards knowing God .  Motivating each other to get to know God, accompany each other to walk towards God. It is not just about building up your relationship with people rather building your relationship with God with the help of others as well. Because people as we are we sometimes get easily tired, we tends to forget something, s...

 Last 9th March & 20th March we had our Household Head Orientation Talk for Chapter B2          Into this talk it has filled our mind to know who we are as a servant or what a Christian Service is and being Household head or leader is all about. We come to know that we serve not only for ourselves but for The Almighty God. It is not what you do but who or what you are as you do it.  We serve the Lord regardless of ourselves and which you are also to be focused on what is the posture of our heart when it comes to service. This talk had opened my eyes towards my own service it got me through on those questions in which I really am when it comes to service.  Apart from it they do introduce what is household all about and what we should do in household? Why we should prioritize household? It was told that by means of household helps us to practice our pastoral side and builds our faith to the Lord it also let us share our personal ex...

February 17, 2017, a cold, rainy Friday morning when B1’s first prayer assembly, entitled “Set Apart,” was held. But not even the gloomy day could douse the burning fires in our hearts, especially us 2016 graduates, who were really looking forward to this activity after a long break since our Covenant Orientation Weekend. We were welcomed warmly by the service team and surprisingly, a photo booth was being set up at the side. The venue was filled with light chatters and greetings while we were being pumped up by our lively music ministry. Bro. JM Comia, our chapter leader who always had smiles for everyone, led us into glorifying our Creator through a very heartfelt morning worship. Worship always feels like coming home, always feels like being embraced, and always makes you feel so overwhelmed that you cannot contain the joy and bliss in your heart that you cannot help but cry. So when Bro. JM had asked us to pair up and pray for each other, one can only imagine the liters of te...

Looking Back: Last year, I met someone over social media and we became friends. Then one day she invited me to this thing called CLP (Christian Life Program) for SFC. At first I was hesitant to attend the talk because I really thought it was some kind of “NETWORKING”. I missed the 1st talk then I finally decided to attend the 2nd talk. It all began there. One discussion is held every after talk with one designated DGL (Discussion Group Leader). I first met there my brothers (Francis Gonzales, Kendal Baluyot, and Almar Castro). During the 7th talk, our DGL had conflict with his schedule on his work that’s why he asked someone to take over our group then there I met my current Household Leader (Nathan Sobriguel). CLP Graduation is one of the highlights in my journey as an SFC member.  After CLP Graduation, I really looked forward in every activity that we are going to have especially this Household. During our first household, we were able to know each othe...