The CFC-FFL family hit the ground running as it kicked off the new year with its first community conference for 2010 last January 9 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City. Hundreds of leaders and members from all over the country, together with some CFC-FFL brethren from different parts of the world, came united in spirit and love, geared up as one community for a promising , exciting and challenging year ahead.

The afternoon opened with a very spirit-filled worship led by Bro. Roy Maturan (District Servant of Marbel, South Cotabato). During prayer, white doves were released to symbolize the offering of thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year, 2009, and the freedom to pursue the directions and plan of the Lord for the community for 2010. This was followed by an equally energetic community dance led by the YFL dancers. To the upbeat techno music of “Our God is an Awesome God,” the program emcees, Xavy Padilla and Denice Price invited everyone to learn the whole dance sequence that consisted of only ten easy steps. Everyone enjoyed watching the members of the Body of Counselors and District Servants lead the assembly in the community dance.

Our Servant General, Bro. Frank Padilla, delivered the first talk that helped everyone gain a better appreciation of this year’s theme taken from Job 37:23. We were invited to see God as He truly is – “The Almighty! Just and righteous is He.”

To Job’s questions, God responds by pointing Job to His awesome majesty. And to our amazement His greatness leaves us responding in humility and reverential fear as we try to live just and righteous lives. However, the more we strive to grow in holiness, the more we will experience affliction of every kind. It is in these trying times that we are called to hope, trust and find joy in the Lord. We are drawn to a deeper relationship with Him and our hope becomes genuine when we choose to keep the faith even when there seems to be no longer any reason to hope. To persevere in carrying our cross is an opportunity to experience redemptive suffering. Hence, we have reason to rejoice for the privilege of walking the way of the cross, the way of Jesus.

The second talk was rendered by Bro. Jerome Protacio, our new CFC-FFL Mindanao Region Coordinator. It was a highly exhortative session that focused on the kind of posture we should adopt as we internalize the message of the Book of Job. The inspiring testimonies of Bro. Jess Lumbao and Bro. Stephen Ramos (both from CFCFFL) as well as Ronald Repolona (from CFC-SFL) gave much encouragement as they shared about their faithful witnessing through regular attendance at households, tithing and evangelization in their workplace. All these they persevere to do despite the the attendant struggles.

Holy Mass celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Gabriel Reyes gave the event a meaningful ending. In his homily the Bishop exhorted the CFC-FFL community to take action in transforming society by conquering sin. Gaining victory over sin will entail suffering. But when this suffering is endured for the love of God, then it brings true joy. We can do all things in God’s name, for He is truly “The Almighty! Just and righteous is He.”

Contributed by:

Marie Relucio
CFC-SFL Missionary