All In One Day

July 6, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

a.) Received a surprise prophecy at the morning prayer session. I didn’t see that one coming. Thank God for prophetic gifts in our midst.

b.) Joined the Metro Manila Monthly Staff Meeting for the first time. The atmosphere was exhilarating. Pastor Joel Barrios’ worship was so powerful; Pastor Manny Carlos’ exhortation from Matthew 13: 44-46 was more than a full spiritual meal; reports from all over Every Nation Ministries inspired faith and worship. Glad to see full time missionaries in person- those who are on vacation and those who are being sent out. I introduced myself to Ms Mary Malinao who just got back from Dubai. We both came from the same home town, Ormoc City.

c.) Laughed and cried at Pastor Jun Escosar’s retelling of Victory stories. As a newcomer, I am not really that familiar with the stories of how Victory started. Pastor Jun’s stories inspired faith and awe. Pastor Joseph Bonifacio was right, whenever Pastor Jun gives a lecture, you wouldn’t need coffee to stay awake. His passion (and the sheer volume of his voice) is a natural caffiene.

d.) Overwhelmed at the joint sessions of four Every Nation Schools: World Missions, Church Planting, Local Church Ministry and Campus Ministry. Seeing a roomful of world changers is a real spiritual boost. As I often say, I deeply admire church planters and full time missionaries for their courage to be in the frontline of our ministries.

e.) One big idea: I’m in a company of great men and women of God. I have a room to grow here and I am grateful at the kind of discipleship culture our leaders built.

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Set the Foxes On Fire

January 25, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

I know it’s almost 3am, I’m too sleepy but there’s just something about IGNITE 2011 that I can’t shake off my head. I am talking about the upcoming Lifebox Campus Conference in Manila on May 26 this year. And I’m also talking about setting 300 foxes on fire. Crazy idea, huh. Let me explain:

In Judges 15, there is this weird story where Samson caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, set them literally on fire and let them loose on the fields of the Philistines. The fields caught fire and in just a few minutes, the Philistines’ source of food and military strength were nothing but black ashes on the ground.

Smart move. Bold move. Unprecedented move. Weird move. Crazy move. But no one can argue that it was totally effective. Samson was picking a fight with the Philistines on purpose so God can bring down his judgment on the people who oppressed Israel. But of course, that has nothing to do with IGNITE 2011, right?

Wrong. What if it is possible to invade the enemy’s camp and burn it down to ashes faster than usual? Sounds like a good idea? Yup, definitely. How? By following Samson’s crazy strategy. Catch foxes, tie them tail to tail, set them on fire, and let them go.

Did you catch that? Let’s do it again: Engage them, establish them in the faith, equip them, and empower them to go! Seriously, I think I’m just making this up and the analogy is a little forced. But let me get to my main point: Let’s help our students catch fire so they can run with the vision and turn this nation around for Jesus.

In plain English, what I’m really saying is that, hey, singles, young professionals, and working people, can we please help our students pay for their registration for Lifebox Ignite 2011? They say it only takes one spark to start a fire. Let’s help them make it happen for their generation too.

Yun lang, thank you!

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