Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mission Trip - JIL Ontario, Canada

The Area Supervising Pastors of JIL Canada met for three (3) days last June 25-27. It was a very fruitful time of meeting for the direction of JIL Canada Churches. Pastor Evelyn Licayo overseeing JIL Alberta; Pastor Mary Juarana overseeing JIL Manitoba and Saskatchewan; Pastor Bong Gonzales overseeing JIL Ontario and Quebec Churches with his wife Pastor Rose Gonzales; and Ptr Monette and I were there representing JIL BC Churches and as the Regional Supervisor of JIL Canada to deliberate the agenda at hand.


We've arrived last Monday and the next day, we had the chance to visit the newly acquired 3.8 acre beautiful waterfront property of JIL Canada in Oak Lake designated as the JIL Canada Praise Valley Camp, a 1 and a 1/2 hour drive from Toronto.

The past weekend was a special one as well with joint anniversary celebrations of JIL Mississauga (11th year); JIL Brampton and JIL Kitchener (both 1st year) in the JIL Canada Praise Valley Camp at Oak Lake. It was a glorious one that God honored with His presence during the ministering time and prayer. Truly God was there to grace the occasion as His people gathered for this event. JIL Scarborough had their 3rd anniversary celebration the next day that showcased the talents of the JIL people from all levels including from the children’s special live band presentation. The choir was equally talented that gave a special rendition of “God and God alone.” If you have a chance, watch out for the web site release of the celebration in www.jilcanada.com soon!

I believe that God was truly blessed and glorified in these celebrations and I was there to witness it as their Anniversary Speaker. It was an honor to be used by God as His messenger to speak His word to encourage and challenge them.

Altogether, it was a week filled with mighty things both from the meeting and the anniversary celebrations of these JIL Churches.

Thanks for reading and God bless us all!!!

Friday, June 27, 2008

CYN Camp - JIL Vancouver

Last weekend (June 20-22), the Christian Youth for the Nations (CYN) Vancouver had its first camp with 23 young people aged 12-17 using the facility of the JIL Canada Prayer and Retreat Center in Mission, BC. It was filled with exciting things that made every participant both young and old expecting for God's move and He did!!

The Welcome Night (Friday) with an Opening session was held in the existing barn where some CYN leaders came earlier to clean and tidy it up for this event. As you can imagine, it was not at all fun due to the mosquitoes present as well and it was a fiesta for all of them. Before we moved the sessions to the house, Jayson Pingol, one of our CYN leader and a regular Sunday preacher taught a great session which made the CYN alive as he exhorted them. Jayson had the "Barn experience" also.

Recreational events filled the day and that night Pastor Charo Suson of JIL Burnaby Church and the first pastor produced from the CYN, gave a stirring message giving way to God's touch through the prayer of the Pastors and CYN leaders present. Altogether, it was a day to remember with a bonfire concluding it.

Sunday was a special one with Jovi Villanueva-Binalla, a Bible teacher and the youngest daughter of Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the Spiritual Director of JIL, taught on important guidelines in doing God's will in key aspects of youth life.

Last but not the least, my turn came after lunch with much challenge because it was the dreaded "holy hour" of sleepiness. I tried my best to teach and preach to keep them awake. I even saw some of them covered their faces and dozed off. I said to myself, "I have to hurry up or else, I will have a sleeping youth congregation." The best time of all came when God honored the ministering aspect with His presence and poured out His mighty touch on all of them as they were anointed with oil and were also filled with the Holy Spirit.

Many things happened that words can never described. They left that weekend with a mark of God on their life. It was a mark that they will not forget. Praise the Lord!!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Creation in the Womb

Here's an excellent way of seeing literally how the Psalmist's described God's creation of every person fearfully and wonderfully. Enjoy!!!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Congratulations Jathniel Navo!

Last Tuesday, it was Jathniel's Middle School Recognition Program as a Grade 6 student in Regent Christian Academy in Surrey, BC. This year, he received a certificate of being in the "A" Honour Roll. Just look at the smile and you'll see a fulfilled student....

The whole Navo family congratulates you on this achievement. Remember that we love you and pray for you always. God bless!!!!!

Monday, June 16, 2008

ENCOUNTER INSIGHTS

This last weekend, an Ecounter Retreat as part of the JIL 12 was attended by 36 delegates from JIL British Columbia churches as Batch 14. Two days filled with opportunities to discover one's self in relation to God's word, the Cross of Jesus and discovering the Holy Spirit's power through His anointing. No one could really foretell what could happen. In the past encounters, it was always special for each and every batch that went through. No two Encounters are the same and that's a fact we all have genuinely discovered and acknowledged.

God has always something special for the delegates because each one has their own needs that God will meet. I had only two assignments to discuss: "Deliverance" and "Immersed in the Spirit." Seeing how God moves afterwards as a witness of transformation is unbelievable. Nothing would match what occurs in the lives of people ready to allow God to change them from inside out. You just have to be there to understand what I'm talking about.

If you have not yet experienced to be in one...Find out and go for it. What do you have to lose??? Lots and more to gain.

Also, I would like to commend those who have been part of the Encounter as Team members doing their given assignmets with joy. They are a huge source of encouragement to all delegates. Thanks for being there and congratulations to all who are in the front and behind of this great event for God's glory alone! Keep up the good work!!!!

This man is about to die. Are you this man?

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Essence of Fatherhood

The ultimate measurement of manhood is to become a father. It is not just the ability to procreate but to function as a father in the right sense of the word! Then when you’ve reach the grandfather stage, you know that you have come a long way. It is the “grand” stage! Thus, wisdom and experience has given you enough ammunition to be the best grandfather instead. What a deal!

What do the Scriptures say about the role of fathers? The father's great duty was to teach God's laws continually to his children as stated in Deuteronomy 11:18-21, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” (NIV)

This I believe is the spiritual task of every father as assigned by God Himself. Therefore, knowing God is a key component to being a successful father in all aspects of the word. A father must start with this basic foundation of being a spiritual leader first and foremost. Knowing this will provide stability and direction for the whole family. That is why the old saying, “The family that prays together, stays together,” is a constant reminder for the unity of the family under the headship of a father. And having this kind of commitment by the family with the father at the helm is in line with God’s plan and purpose. Because doing otherwise will result in dire consequences as we see in our society nowadays.

The concept of “absentee fathers” is a sad tale of a society losing its bearing and priority. Allowing the disintegration of families and accepting the absence of fathers is unacceptable to God’s plan. Yet there is still time and opportunity to redeem the essence of fatherhood. Though there might be “absentee fathers” but there are still many fathers that are faithful to their calling. Therefore, a movement to call out responsible fatherhood must be proclaimed to go back to the ancient path that God established.

Fathers were not made to become just the provider nor the protector of the family; his main priority is to provide the necessary leadership that towards a godly relationship. In doing so, the father will act as the priest and the prophet of the family in declaring biblical and godly principles as stated in the Scriptures. To every father was entrusted the care of the family toward its development and growth in all aspects of life. Thus, the saying, “Father knows best,” is an appropriate description in this regard. That is why I believe that this poem and a prayer for all fathers and grandfathers speak volume:

A dad is a mender of toys,
A leader of boys.
He's a changer of fuses,
A healer of bruises
He's a mover of couches,
A soother of ouches.
He's a pounder of nails,
A teller of tales.
He's a dryer of dishes,
A fulfiller of wishes
Bless him, O Lord.

Though fathers receive fewer accolades than mothers, each has its own characteristics and attributes worthy of honor. It is just that fathers are a different breed that needs to be directed back to its mandate. Fathers must rise out of obscurity that it created due to the many pressures of life. Sadly, many have settled into. The time has come that fathers must take the primary role and come out of the background to the forefront of its calling as the most senior member of the family.

Let this Father’s Day become an important reminder of God’s calling to all fathers and grandfathers alike that every family needs your leadership back to God and His principles. C’mon, you are God’s voice to your children. Therefore, speak up!

Let’s talk again!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Mission Trip Day 2 (JIL Red Deer, Alberta, Canada)

Last Sunday was an unusual time during the Re-Encounter in Red Deer, Alberta due to my fever attack. The night before was trying to bring down my fever through the usual way of being under blanket until you sweat... whew! It was hot. It helped me and I praise God that there was some relief from it. The morning came and I need to complete my two speaking assignments for the day. It was good that Ptr Monette was with me and this is one of those days that your wife be best there. Or else, I would not know what to do. Thanks Jali!

The day was tough due to chill attacks from the fever but taking some advil and tylenol throughout the day helped. The fever went down before I spoke and sweating while I speak. But the day went alright and excellent. God was there to honor our efforts and labor. Though the people were not made aware of my condition it was not noticed at the time that I had a fever then. Probably it was due to the fact that I was totally energized while speaking. This will be one in my record books of being a preacher, "Preaching with Fever."

Keeping an attitude of faith during this time is an important factor to fulfill the task assigned. Seeing the result afterwards provides me joy in doing so. The 78 delegates were filled with expectation for God's move and God really moved mightily. It was truly a glorious event to see them respond to the challenges of the ministry in JIL Alberta.

Thanks to all of you who prayed for us and labored with us in JIL Alberta. To all the ministering team, you did a great job! God bless us all in doing the best for Him!!!