Expanding CFC Vancouver's Reach Through Evangelization

The Evangelization Rally has usually been a platform to assemble the troops, pass along mandates and inspire them into action. For 2016, the directive of "strengthening the core and expanding the reach" could not have come at the perfect time for Couples for Christ in the Greater Vancouver Area. This means bringing the "CFC life and mission to a higher level," says Jimmy Arzadon who heads the CFC GVA. He calls on all CFC members to deepen their spiritual formation, to intensify the call to strengthen the family, to spread the Good News and to care for the poor.

Jimmy Arzadon, Greater Vancouver Area Head and National Council Member, addresses the colour-coded crowd. The E-Rally is one of the largest event of the year that brings together members of CFC and its Family Ministries (YFC, KFC, HOLD and SFC).

Owing to a continuous growth in numbers, Jimmy Arzadon announces the introduction of a new cluster into the GVA. He is flanked, from left to right, by Jimmy Dimaculangan, North Cluster Head; Alex Boquiren, Family Ministries Head; Elmer Tangco, East Cluster Head; Henjie San Juan, West Cluster Head; and Rene Perez, South Cluster Head. The North Cluster is composed of the chapters in St. Francis the Sales in Burnaby, Our Lady of Fatima in Coquitlam, and Holy Trinity in North Vancouver. The East Cluster is composed of the chapters in Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Matthew's both in Surrey, and St. Anne in Abbotsford. The West Cluster is composed of the chapters in St. Patrick, St. Mary's and Corpus Christi all in Vancouver. The South Cluster is composed of the chapters in St. Paul and St. Monica both in Richmond, and St. Bernadette in Surrey.

As a means to expand CFC's reach, Elmer Tangco of the East Cluster highlights the diligence needed in the conduct of Christian Life Programs (CLPs), and the extensive and deliberate utilization of social media.

The E-Rally began (and ended) with uplifting and spirit-filling praise and worship.

South Cluster presentation 

Kids for Christ presentation

West Cluster presentation

Handmaids of the Lord presentation

A significant development in the Life and Mission of CFC GVA are full time pastoral workers who increase support for mission work. FTPWs, from left to right, are Hannah Pambuan, Anton Brosas and Henjie San Juan who lend assistance to the YFC, SFC and CFC, respectively. 

Servant Leaders Open the Year with a Huddle

To acquire a unified vision and direction in building up the people of God, servant leaders' from the Surrey 2 Chapter led by Jim Diaz huddled one January night and revisited the highlights of the retreat held in Squamish, BC last October. It was an informal gathering opened with vigorous praise and worship and capped off by a short but jovial fellowship.

As a vine grows in full bloom with the splendour of its leaves and branches, the Surrey 2 Chapter has grown to be one of CFC Greater Vancouver Area's largest chapters with over 200 active members encompassing five parishes in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford. Like the plant that is occasionally pruned to ensure optimal growth, we too are pruned in order to give rise to a new chapter in Abbotsford, BC. The tasks ahead will be daunting for the two chapters as they start and pick up courses of action for continuous evangelization work, but with your prayers and commitment, the ride will be smooth-sailing.

Like all the chapters in the GVA, the Surrey 2 Chapter will now be known as St. Matthew, named after the parish it is based off of. Abbotsford will be named St. Ann. God bless us all.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Servants from St. Matthew pray over and bless servant leaders from Abbotsford and Langley.

Honouring God with our First Fruits

Honouring God with our first fruits is a testimony that we are recognizing our position as stewards and God as rightful owner of all creation which includes all of our possessions. First fruits involve the first of our increase and not our leftovers. "Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today." - Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Jimmy Arzadon, Greater Vancouver Area Director, encourages the Couples for Christ community and its Family Ministries to think first of God through what they do to others. He also recounts the practice of the first fruits offering which the community started in 2003 as a result of one of its recollection.

Fr. James Kairu, assistant pastor at the St. Joseph Parish in Langley, BC, inspires listeners with thought-provoking stories on blessing others and being blessed. He affirms that what we offer to God is an agreement between ourselves and the Creator.  

Families, couples and individuals take turn in presenting their offering.

2016 CFC Canada Western Region Conference Registration in Full Swing

Website:  http://couplesforchristcanada.ca/2016westconf/

The Power To Love More: A Weekend of Renewal, Revival and Fellowship

What started off as an idea for fellowship and team-building, culminated into a two-day retreat where servant leaders of Couples for Christ in Surrey 2 engaged in meaningful and purposeful activities geared to create headway for the chapter. It was an opportunity for all the participants to step back and refocus as they took time off of work and family and paid attention to relevant talks and discussions. Lauded as a first of its kind in the CFC community, the event raised awareness to see God's vision of grace clearly, to rekindle the passion and always be connected to the source of power, to be a source of life and healing, to show genuine love and care, to live as a people of joy, and to serve with conviction, confidence, courage and commitment.

Various support groups made the event possible most notable of which came from the Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) and the Youth for Christ (YFC) ROCK Team. They concerned themselves with the affairs relating to food and refreshment, and to child-minding, respectively, a testament of an operative cross-functional service.

ANCOP Walk Vancouver Reminder

Come join us and register for the annual ANCOP Walk Vancouver at Holland Park in Surrey, BC at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Fun in the Sun: A Surrey 2 Chapter Picnic

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19). 

When a picnic was organized by brothers and sisters in Couples for Christ, Surrey 2 Chapter at Alouette Lake in the Golden Ears Provincial Park, the weather could not have been any better. The Greater Vancouver Region has been experiencing relatively long stretches of clear skies and warm sunny days that doing literally anything under the sun would be ideal.

However, on the weekend of our fellowship, the forecast models started to shift and indicated a high probability of rain that could potentially dampen anyone's spirit. To some, the rain is a much-awaited blessing because the Lower Mainland has been experiencing drought-like weather conditions so much so that water restrictions have been slowly coming into effect and British Columbia has been issuing severe wildfire danger ratings throughout the province. To accept the rain as a blessing or a curse made no difference to the folks you see in the photos because they decided to brave the weather to be with brothers and sisters in faith. They took a leap of faith, hoped for favourable weather and together they prayed.

As Saturday approached, so did the dark ominous clouds that provided cover from the sweltering heat of the sun. Yes, rain came down as forecasted but it checked in the night before, drenching the parched earth with its invigorating power. On the day itself, there were a couple of occasions where it would start to drizzle but that was as much precipitation we got during our picnic. Throughout our entire stay at the park, the weather kept its calm and sunlight bathed our faces. Our collective prayers were once more answered by our Father in heaven.

No gathering is complete without physical nourishment. After saying grace, everyone shares in the abundance of food at lunch time.

Now an S2 staple, this ballgame aids in remembering names while generating tons of laughter.

The brave men of S2 enjoying a game of dragon tag.

Warm up exercise before "going to town."

Pulling the rope with all their strength in a healthy game of tug-of-war.

The victors showing off and biting down their gold medals.