Pinoy Reality Children's Church

(in Filipino native language)

IntroductionWalang perpektong children’s church o Sunday School ng mga bata. Pero mayroong epektibo at mayroon ding hindi sa iba’t-ibang churches. ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang iba may development at ang iba ay “monotonous” na lang. Dapat alamin ng nangangasiwa kung alin kayo?

1985 pa talaga nagsimula ang In Christ We Live Family Christian Center. Noon ay Live in Christ pa ang pangalan. Makalipas ang ilang taon ay sinimulan ang children’s Sunday School. Maganda ang naging simula at lumawak ang naabot bunga ng kasiglahan ng mga nangangasiwa noon, ang mga kabataan. Noon din nag-umpisa ang Vacation Bible School.Pero isang malaking “question mark” kung bakit ang mga tinuturuan noon ay hindi nagpapatuloy kapag sila ay nag high school na. Bumili pa nga noon ng mamahaling mga books bilang curriculum. Gumagastos din ang church ng iba pang materials at facilities. Nag hire pa nga ng graduate pa ng Bible School. Pero kahit sa kabila ng mga gastos ay parang ganoon pa rin.

Nanghinayang ako sa kawalan ng development kaya sinubukan kong lumabas sa mga “Americanized theological books,” at nag apply ng practical na sistema. Hindi na ako nagturo at nag raise na lang ako ng mga tagaturo. Binawasan ko ang puros teaching at ginawa kong 50% lang ang salita, at 50% naman sa gawa o activities. Mula noon nakita ko ang pagbabago, lalu na ng binigyan ko din ng role ang mga batang grade 5 & 6 na. Lalo na ng gumawa din ng mga activites sa youth na sasalo sa mga graduate ng Children’s church. Mula noon ay umabot na ang marami sa high school at nandiyan pa hanggang ngayon. May hindi talaga makukuha sa libro. Alamin ninyo yon.

PATOTOO
Isang araw sa bansang Amerika ay may isang guro ng Sunday School ang nagbitiw sa kaniyang pagtuturo dahil sa tingin niya wala namang nangyayari. Kasabay ng oras at araw na yoon ay may mga sundalong Amerikano ang “inambushed” sa bansang Vietnam. Napakaraming namatay. Ang mga sugatan ay kaagad na dinala sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan. Sa dami ng pasiyente ay hindi maasikaso lahat. Ngunit may isang kabataang sundalo na naghihingalo ang sumenyas at tinawag ang isang Doctor. Kaagad naman itong nilapitan at inilapit ang tainga sa bibig na bumubulong. At ang sabi, “Doc, pakisulatan mo naman ang aking Sunday School teacher noong bata pa ako na ganito ang pangalan sa ganitong lugar sa Amerika.” “Pakisabing maraming salamat dahil isang Linggo noong ako ay bata pa ay pinasunod niya ako sa panalangin ng pagtanggap kay Hesus bilang Panginoon at sariling tagapagligtas.” “Tinanggap ko noon si Hesus sa aking puso at nanalig na ako ay ligtas na.” “Salamat dahil ngayon ay pupunta na ako sa Langit.” “ Pakisabi ring siya ay aking hihintayin doon.”Ilang saglit lang at ang kabataang sundalo ay namatay.Makalipas ang ilang araw ay may dumating na sulat sa bahay ng dating guro ng Sunday School. Nagtaka siya dahil wala siyang matandaang ganoong pangalan. Ngunit ng kaniyang mabasa ang kabuuan ng sulat, hindi niya napigilan ang lumuha hanggang siya ay mapaiyak. Magmula noon, siya’y bumalik sa pagtuturo sa children’s church. Ito ay naganap sa totoong buhay, hango sa “Our Daily Bread, back issue.”

Huwag mong panghinayangan ang naging contribution mo sa Children’s church. Hindi ka man dito pansinin o papurihan, ang mga batang iyong tinuturuan ay mga kaluluwa din. Kadalasan mas marami pa at masmadali pang magbahagi sa mga bata. Ang bawat batang tumanggap sa Panginoon ay may gantimpalang kapalit balang araw. Marahil magugulat ka din, may lalapit na lang sa iyong magpapasalamat sa langit.

HINDI LANG SILA BASTA BATA,SILA’Y MGA KALULUWANG DAPAT DING MALIGTAS.
Maaaring hindi mo pa alam o hindi mo pa akalain. Ang pagtuturo sa mga bata sa Sunday School, sa V.B.S. o sa special Number ang isa sa pinakamabuti mong magagawa para sa Panginoon. Ito rin ang pinakamabungang ministry at kung mae-enjoy mo, pati itsura mo’y mag mumukhang bata.Hindi baduy o “dyologs” ang maging children’s church workers. Hindi sukat akalain ng ibang mga workers na ang “calling” sa mga bata ang may isa sa pinakamaraming gantimpala sa langit.Hindi lang ito para sa mga babae o walang trabaho. Masmabuti nga kung lalake ang tatayong teacher o leader dahil physically strong at maraming pwedeng gawin.Ngunit sa totoo lang, hindi rin ito gaanong pinapangarap o pinapansin tulad ng Worship team at ibang ministry. Pero dito ay halos kusa at madaling lumalapit ang mga kaluluwa sa Panginoon. At kung nakita ng mga magulang na mahal mo ang anak nila, sila rin ay mahahamon at mailalapit sa Panginoon.
Ang formula na natutunan ko sa Panginoon ay huwag puro sermon at salita. Turuan mo sila pero kailangan mo ding i-train. Huwag mo silang i-baby sit. Hayaan mo silang makatayo gaya ng ginawa sa iyo. Tulad ng ginawa sa matatanda, kailangan mo din silang pakainin ng karne hindi puros gatas. “Never underestimate the children.” Sila ang gagamitin ng Diyos pagdating ng araw para masmarami pa ang maakay.“Train up a child in a way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Kadalasan kasi ay isang taon lang ang kainitan. Mahalagang mabigyan mo siya ng responsibility para magpatuloy. Be a mentor to your student .

KIDS' CATEGORY
Sa mga churches na malalaki at may sapat na workers o gamit, apat hanggang higit pa ang division (Infants/Toddlers, Pre-school, Primary, Middlers, Juniors, at special children o yung mga abnormal). Sa di naman gaano kalakihan, pwede na ang tatlong levels (sa center o outreaches man):

(1) Infants/Toddlers – babies o yung mga alagain. Kadalasan sila yung mga 2 yrs. old pababa. Maganda sana kung may mga crib dito at play pen.

Key words: alagain, mahilig maglaro, pinapatulog

(2) Small kids – sila ang pinagsamang pre-school at primary na may edad mula 3 to 8 yrs. old, o grade 2 pababa. Pwede na dito isama ang mga special children kung mayroon.

Key words: malikot, malaro, mahilig maglakad, matanong, madaling mainip, madaling magutom

(3) Big kids - sila ang pinagsamang middlers at juniors na may edad mula 9 to 12 yrs. old, o grade 3 to 6.

Key words: aktibo, may malisya na ang ilan, sensitibo, may interes sa grupong paggawa at challenge.

Kailangan dito ang immagination at creativity.Kung ikaw ba ang bata, sa tinginmo gaganahan ka kung hindi man lang pinaghahandaan ang bawat Sunday School?Problema talaga ang isang church na boring na nga, wala pang programa at activities. Kung walang pondo, minsan kailangan mong magsacrifice. Gastusan mo sila kung kinakailangan para maramdaman nila na mahalaga sila. Ibabalik naman ito sa iyo ng Panginoon.Suggestion sa programa.Diba tatlo ang parts ng isang individual? (Body, Soul and Spirit). Kaya dapat tatlo rin ang ita-target mo sa iyong programa linggo-linggo. Kung umaabot ng tatlong oras ang service sa church, kailangan mo itong i-divide sa tatlong bahagi para hindi puros pang spiritual lamang. Kailangan mayroon ding pang physical, emotional at mental. Kailangan mo ding may activities at parte na may participation sila. Magandang ang program ay tulad din ng Tabernacle, may tatlong bahagi.

SuggestedProgram sequence: (Pwedeng mabago)

I. Arriving of Children’sChurch workers (should be earlier than kids) / Facility preparation

II. Arriving of kids and moodsetting

III. Physical stretching with livelyworship song (e.g One way)

IV. Opening Prayer. Mahalagang may time na bata ang magpe pray. Magandang minsan ay ipasulat ang prayer ng mga bata. Magugulat ka sa laman ng kanilang puso.

V. Learning of songs & Singsperation

VI. Snack

VII. Lesson for the day.

Dapat may iba’t ibang creative na paraan ng pagkwento para may excitement sa mga bata. Madalas, masnatututo ang bata kung may kasamang activites. Minsan pwedeng practice ng special number na indirectly ay tinuturo ang lesson.

VIII. Crafts or Values formation

IX. Prayer of Acceptance / Closing

Special Number

Iba-iba ang pwedeng gawin sa Special number ng mga bata. Basta maging creative lang angNamumuno.Kung magiging sensitibo ang taga pamuno ng bata, may panahong ang Holy Spirit ang nagli-lead kung ano ang situasyon sa church at kung ano ang dapat gawin. Never under estimate the children. Sa aking karanasan, may time na ginagamit ang mga bata para i-encourage ang church o ang isang individual. May time din na mayroon palang kino-convict o ang Lord, bata ang ginagamit. May time din na mababa ang moral ng lahat, sa pamamagitan ng special number pinapalakas nito ang loob ng marami. Marami na din ang nagpatuloy dahil sa mga special number. Hindi lamang ito para sa mga nanonood. Ito ay para sa gumaganap din. Two birds in one stone, ika nga. Kahit mataba ay pasayawin.

Interpretative dance ang isa sa pinaka simple. Pero ito ang isa sa pinaka pag relay ng mensahe ng Panginoon sa Congregation. Tumbok nito ang kalooban at damdamin ng isang akakapanood, lalu pa’t kung tamang-tama ang music na ginamit. Hindi dito kailangan ang pinakamagaling magsayaw. Pinaka simpleng bata ang kailangan lang na kayang magpatangay sa agos ng isang madamdaming Christian song. Dito ko nakita na nawawala na sa paningin ng nanonood ang nagsasayaw. Ang nakikita na nila ay ang Panginoon na kinakausap sila. Ngunit hindi dapat palimita para huwag magsawa. Pwedeng maging creative o gumastos kung kailangan talaga, basta malinaw na maipapaabot ang mensahe ng Panginoon. Pwedeng kumunta o sumayaw. O kaya ay skit, demonstration ng kakayahan tulad ng tae kwon do o sa sports. Pwede ring pa cute with props. Pwede ring folk dance o kaya ay banda ng mga bata. Pwede ring tumula o declamation. Walang limitasyon basta maabot ng iyong imagination.

Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapahanga sa mga ala-magician na tira ni Efren “Bata” Reyes (Billiards); mga shoot ni Michael Jordan (Basket Ball); sa galing ni Manny Pacquiao (Boxing). Marami pa akong hindi nabanggit. Pero sa tingin ko, ang isa sa dahilan kaya sila iniidolo at ginagaya ay dahil sa kanilang “performance” at hindi pagsuko. Halos magpa-kamatay na ang mga manlalarong ito maibigay lang ang “best” sa laban. Syempre ay nandoon ang kanilang likas na galing. Sa panahong ito, sila ang nagbibigay ng pag-asa at inspirasyon na dapat sana ay mga Christians ang gumaga-wa para si Lord ang maitaas. Masmaganda sana kung ang mga guro ay inspirasyon din. Alam nyo ba na ang mga Christians ang mga original na “extremes” at “radicals.” Tayo ang dahilan sa pag-abante ng technology, ang breakthrough sa halos lahat ng fields of science, freedom ng maraming tao at record breaker sa maraming paligsahan. Kaya’t kung maibigay ng tagapagturo o leader ang tamang motivation sa mga bata, hindi lang sila magiging mabait. Magbibigay pa sila ng karangalan sa Lord at sa church. Lalu na kung ang isang batang walang pag-asa ay nabago ang buhay.Masmaganda kung ang iyong tinuturuan ay magsusumikap sa pag-aral, gagaling sa sports kung ito ang kaniyang hilig, makakamit ang kaniyang pangarap, may maabot na position sa lipunan o sa ibang bayan, at iba pang imposibleng pagbabago sa buhay. Kailangan din ng challenge at saya sa Children’s church para sila ganahan. Encourage mo sila lagi.

REALITY

Lahat ng bata ay dapat welcome sa Sunday School o sa Vacation Bible School. Huwag na huwag kang magtatangi.

Nakakatuwa pagmagaling ang isang estudyante lalo na kung impressive sa memory verse o cute. Pero higit pa dito ang basehan kung talagang nagawa mo ang gusto ng Panginoon sa mga bata. Hindi ka lang isang ordinaryong tagapagturo. Isa kang lingkod ng mga bata, anuman ang kanilang kalagayan sa buhay, ugali, kapintasan, sakit, o anumang katangiang kinaiinis mo. Maging sensitibo ka sa kanilang kalagayan. Kadalasan, ang kanilang negative attitude ay bunga lamang ng mga pasakit kahit pa sa mura nilang kaisipan. Kung kinakailangan, pakainin mo sila kung nagugutom. Encourage and laugh with them kung sila’y maramdamin o depress. Turuan mo kung kulang sila sa kaalaman sa eskwela. Palakasin mo ang kanilang loob kung sila’y mahiyain. Mahalin mo silang para mong tunay na anak, kapatid o kaibigan. May mga pagkakataong kailangan mo silang dalawin sa kanilang bahay. Huwag ka lang malapit sa mga magaganda sa panlabas. The more naghihikahos, may kapintasan o walang maigaganti sa kabutihan mo, sila pa ang mas lalo mong paglingkuran. Bring out the best them. Kahit mataba ay pasayawin o pakantahin mo.

SET YOUR GOAL NOW! PLAN AHEAD
Magmasid ka. Tingnan mo ang kalagayan ng Children’s Church. Kontento ka na ba? Diba’t masmaganda kung may sapat at modernong gamit tulad ng musical instrument o projector gaya ng sa matatanda?Hindi sapat na magaling ka lang magturo. Kailangan mo ring maging committed sa ikakaunladat lawak ng gawain sa mga bata. Kailangan nito ang support para lumawak sa kagamitan. Athabang tumatagal, maganda rin may magmula sa Children’s church ang maging matagumpaysa buhay at kikilalanin ang kaniyang pinagmulan. Kailangan ditto ang magmamalasakit sa mga suportang kailangan tulad ng mga donasyon material at financial. Magandang patotoo rin kung may maitayong institution tulad ng eskwelahan o learning center; foundation na may ugnayan sa mga grants at donation; etc. Ang ikakalago at tagumpay ng ministry ay kadalasang naka depende sa pangitain at pangmatagalang plano ng mga nangangasiwa.Hindi masamang dumalo sa ibang churches o seminar para makita ang daan sa tagumpay ng iba. Hindi masamang mangarap na sana magkaroon na ng sariling private space ang mga bata, may guitars and other musical facilities. Hindi masamang mangarap na magkaroon ng sariling computer at accessories, magkaroon ng projector at copier, at iba pang napapanahong kagamitan. Hindi masamang mangarap basta set your goal and developmental plans. Walang imposible sa Panginoon basta ipagkatiwala sa Kaniya ang mga plano.Maganda na ngayon palang ay ipanalangin na sa Panginoon ang mga pangitaing gustong tahakin ng mga tumatayong leader. “Set your mission and vision now,” and led God bless you as you bless the kids.”

icwl old timers and overseas members
in support of non-traditional ministry projects

Our unconventional start
I just do not know exactly how we went to the house of our former youth member, Donna and her sister Tonnette de Lima. I was invited once after we have had attended the youth fellowship. We were just teenagers then. For a change, it was relaxing and unwinding experience after a stressfull week... school assignment, house chores, church responsibility and extra curricular activities. All the while, we just relax and watch film videos as we eat crackers or anything that we prepared. But I notice one thing, we were beginning to be more motivated to do more things not just for the church but also for our goals in life.

As times goes by, we begin to get smaller. But the more we meet informally every Sunday afternoon, the more we get closer and plan things for the benefit of our Church.
On around 1992, around 10 young people only left due to changes in priorities and the drastic split of our church into two. Incidentally, we became more intact. Ironically, our supposed to be relaxing moment every Sunday afternoon sprouted visions and plans, as we talk informally. It also became the brainstorm focal point for various projects we have achieved. With just a bottle of Coke and crackers, we conceptualized plans and projects. Later on, Bro. Hector de Pedro call ourselves the, "Sunday Club." The rest is history.

Below are projects and what we have had achieved over the years.
Hopefully, eventhough we were now separated by distance and various reasons, Sunday Club will evolved into a support body, a sort of foundation that will enable the new generation of workers achieve more than what we have in the past. Perhaps what we did will be a stepping stone for them.

CASE STUDY

Case Study 1

It was probably 1992 or 1993 when I was ask to accompany a co-worker in her mission work in particular mountain somewhere in Luzon. It was a tribal mission. We had a long trip and first travel via bus. I can't remember how many transfers we had until we reached a river where we rode a boat. Then on the other side we travel again until we reached a mountainous area where there was a small villagers of dark skinned kinky haired natives. They already dress like us, may be bacause of the influence of nearby villagers and other missionaries who came before us.

We stayed the night at one nipa hut. You will feel the povery and primitive lifestyle because of the soil flooring and their food. The following day, my companion taught Bible stories to the kids. I assisted through prayer and basic guitar accompaniment when they were singing. We also gave clothes, canned goods and materials for kids. During nightfall, the adults were taught how to read the alphabet. Many smiled at us because of our service and donations.Inspite of what we did, I felt something that nobody seem to feel. The expected development was not seen. They still remain in poverty and in their idolatrous primitive beliefs. In my spirit, I feel witchraft still being practiced by some and they were using it against us. Thank God for His protection. With this observation, I was made to ask a question... why?

The following day after we were served with breakfast, the acting Pastor ask me to join them and to go with her. I ask them to leave me instead so I could wash the dishes. After they left, I immediately did what I said. The native owner of the house gladly appreciate what I did and said... "Bakit ikaw ang naghuhugas?” (Why are you cleaning the dishes?) I told them that it is the right thing to do. It was normal for us, our parents taught us this way. It surprises me more when she said more, "alam mo, ilang taon na dito pumupunta ang Pastorang kasama mo pero ni minsan hindi sya naghugas?” (Would you believe that it already been years since the Pastor first came here but not once did she wash the dishes?) I was bit shock and ashamed have not asked the Pastor about those words to confirm. But now I am telling you this story to learn from Christian life's realities. I don't want to comment, my intention was not to humiliate said worker or to criticise. As the tile says, this is a case study for any reader to relate and learn. This lesson are seldom mentioned on the pulpit but it is a reality. No offense to the worker. I my self have shortcomings. Thank God for in the end, whether we have shortcomings or faults, God are still preach and testified. His words will not return to Him void. Let this be a lesson to all

I have known her since my childhood days. She was a typical housewife with simple lifestyle, yet a true soul winner. She possesses all ailment yet suprisingly, her physical weaknesses was just on the other side of the coin. Flip it up and you will see the soul winner and a giver in her. She feel what the weak feels and it made her an effective God's servant. She seem to have a big heart for the poor and to the less fortunate. One time, I was surprised to hear that she bought basic school supplies to one of the kids she just met on a squatter's area nearby. She was so religious then but her sincerity to God was felt. Would you believe, she invited even the gamblers and the drunkards to attend Life in the Spirit Seminar at a Catholic Chapel in our village. Incidentally, that precious day was also the beginning of the salvation of many due to a Christian preacher brought by God. Later on, she was one of the few homeowners who's minds and hearts were opened due to continuous Bible reading and study. She left our native religion with my parents and others. They bagan to stood with the truth inspite of persecution and threat from religious panatics. She later on offered a vehicle to be use to mission and ministering to various places. Her eagerness to learn, made her study more and began to be a part of new ICWL church workers. Since then, many have been saved and blessed because of her kind heart and perseverence. Her faith was like a torch that led others to serve as well.During the early and critical years, she was apointed to handle Church finances. Her dedication and personal sacrifices innovated church assets and facilities. She was a Christian at heart and served as the foundation of ICWL faith structures. And yet, he still works with her husband like Saint Paul. They work for their living even if they are full time church workers/leaders. And in many cases, she mediates between leaders and members' conflicts. Sis. Leony was also known for her bloopers yet loved by many. She was trully the mother of faith to many. And her house was the launching pad of many (mostly relatives). Surely, this Sister of ours would be thank for in heaven one day! Glory to God!Let the generousity and faith of Sis. Leony Baldueza be remembered though like anybody else, she is not perfect!

Unfinished Stories:

Sis. Narcing PlazaBro.

(Atty.) Rudolfo Gonzales

Ptr. Ruben Balansag

Ptra. Thelma Pantig

Bro. Elpidio Mendozaand

many more

FATHER OF ICWL WORKERS

In Christ We Live Family Christian Center (formerly known as Live in Christ Fellowship) have been the launching pad of fiery Filipino Church workers in many places across the archipelogo, and in some countries since 1995. Its former workers and members have reached places none have anticipated. Surprisingly, none of the original workers were trained or discipled by the first two consecutive pioneering Pastors, Bro. Oliver or Rev. Jun Isaguire. But to their credit, most of us were born again and grew in knowledge through them. But whom have raised the workers were a different issue.It unexpectedly happen during the critical transition period and transference of leadership from Bro. Oliver to Rev. Jun Isaguirre. The Church then was located at Sis. Puring's residence lot then, under a tree (first location). Before the conflict, Bro. Oliver brough someone to testify. Later on, he became the first church song leader. During the conflict, this ordinary song leader stood and continued what Bro. Oliver has started. He established the first two outreaches... "Arty and Villilia." Even though he already establishes himself as a preacher, he deligated some of the task and trained others. His first disciples were the least among the members in terms of talent. But because he himself was a nobody yet used by God, he did the same to the first workers. All he did was gave a break. It then lead to establishment of various outreaches and formalization of ICWL church. Two of them became full time Pastors (Ptr. Ruben and Ptr. Benjamin Baldueza - Canada). This brother's name is Bro. Ermin. To those who did not knew him, let me tell you his qualities:

- He is an exconvict pardoned. His body has full of tatoos of Oxo Sige-sige gang (known deadly gang inside the jail)- He did not even graduated from elementary and a stow away from his hometown, Bicol (Philippines). His going to Manila turned him into a Batang Quiapo (notorious pickpockets). He later on turned into a hardened criminal.

- He accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior inside Muntinlupa "Bilibid" prison, through a missionary he mentioned as "Mama Olga."- He was not a Bible school graduate.- He did not sing well and cannot play any musical instrument.

- He has not received any church titles and only receives minimal offerings during his time with ICWL or at other inviting churches.

- He has no descent house then. He only sleeps in a small vacant space beside a church in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. His life was full of hardship up to this date (but Sis. Leony, his discipled church worker turned into an Elder, continually supported him from her pocket, especially during emergencies).

- Due to his life's hardship, there were cases that he was tempted to commit sin. He even had sinful petty cases and mild drunkardness. But even he struggles and fall, he continually crawl and stand again and again for Jesus.

- At times, his teachings and preachings were laughed by Bible school graduate preachers. But compared to them, his preaching won more souls and touched more lives.- He is more effective as an Evangelist than a Pastor.

- Eventhough he reached a lot and helped many, no particular church has continuously supported him and his ministry. He only visited some of us during Christmas.

- Most of all, he was the reason why many of us are blessed. We are here right now because a nobody has stood during the most critical times in our church. We were reached because he unselfishly trained the least person to be discipled. I know many may raised their eye brows but I will call hims the father of ICWL Workers. Let us give him the credit and due what he deserve.

It will not harm you if you will share a blessing to him. You may contact his Ninang, Sis. Leony Baldueza if you would like to honor or do something for him. Just like Bro. Ermin, I believe our past leaders deserves honor and due to them. May they be blessed as we are blessed because of them. May somenone from us established a care ministry for them .God bless you Bro. Ermin. God bless all of you who have been a blessing to us!

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Our church has a remarkable yet humble beginning. None have expected what had happened later on and how its former members were scattered to reached many.

How ICWL started.

We once called ourselves "Sarado Catolico" then and our original leaders were the ones who actively served at the Mendoza Village little Chapel, near the Salvatierra and Gonzales residence. It was sometime in 1994, a different kind of spiritual revolution was sweeping through the minds of the attendees. I remembered some signs but I did not expect that something dramatic was going to happen:

- I heard the song "tupang ligaw" as if God speaks while it was being played.- At one instance, a taxi driver just entered the Catholic Charismatic gathering inside the chapel. He shared Jesus and the truths in the Bible, contradictory to the teachings of the Catholic Church. He was so peaceful even though some of the so

-called leaders then got angry with him.- A different kind of film was shown within the Catholic chapel entitled, "Burning Hell." Other films were followed related to “Rapture” and “Tribulation.”

- The start of something big happened when known drunkards and gamblers attended a Life in the Spirit seminar one Saturday on 1994, as invited by Sis. Leony. Unexpectedly, the speakers did not arrived so someone suggested an alternate who, accidentally were present that day. We didn’t know that this person is a Born-again Christian. What I noticed was the drunkards and gamblers who attentively listens to what the speaker were sharing at that very moment. He was an ordinary thin man yet his words seemed to have life. I saw how a sinner truly repented. The speaker's name is Bro. Oliver. He became our first Pastor. He was able to beat the religious Goliaths at that time. He did not even finished college and not even a Bible school graduate. After that day, unexplainable things happened. Lives had been transformed and the young ones and “black sheep” of the community started serving God with fire and boldness. The rest is history. Something also happened at the chapel. The religious fanatics posted a sign, "for Catholics only." Because of that, people followed God, joined us or choose to be left behind. That chapel dried like a dead tree as of to this date. Many from the so called "Sarado Catholicos" on that subdivision were unbelievably born again and started what we call now as In Christ We Live Family Christian Center.

Because of that remarkable transformation, persecution and threat from hard headed homeowners followed. Even our relatives threatened us. But instead of giving up, the revival got stronger like a wild fire. We became the talk of the town and treated like a type of Israel surrounded by angry and large powerful nations. But God is bigger and stronger. He did not abandoned nor ignored us. After several months, Bro. Ermin was introduced to us. He was a hardened criminal changed by God. Because God gave him a ministry even without education and honor, he gave us a break. The young people then exploded with enthusiasm and our reached got wider and wider as times goes by.

Just like any church, we were not perfect and unexpected occurrences happened from time to time. But as I have said earlier, history follows. The Pastoral leadership was formalized after a few months. The leadership was handed down to Ptr. Jun Isaguire and later on assisted by Sis. Thelma Pantig. Since then, many Preachers and Pastors served in and through our church. I was too young then but the memories and sign of our new birth were as fresh as if it only occurred yesterday.

See you in Heaven

I dedicate this segment in memory of the following…

- Ptr. Jun Barcena

- Ptr. Ruben Balansag

- Bro. Elpidio Mendoza

- Bro. Nemencio Altoveros

- Bro. Benjie Villaluz

- Bro. Rito- Sis. Cely Atendido

- Sis. Maring Javinez

- "At iba pang mga kapatiran na namayapa na at makakasama natin sa Langit pagdating ng takdang panahon."

"Ang iba'y hindi man nabanggit o naipakita, ang kanila namang naging contribution ay may gantimpala sa Panginoon."