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.

Love More Weekend; CFC Canada Conducts National Conference

In a weekend celebrating Couples for Christ's theme for 2015 "Love More," over 800 members from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies. The three day National Conference at the RBC Convention Centre was loaded with uplifting praise & worship, meaningful teachings, powerful sharings, creative performances, invaluable dialogues and fruitful fellowship. "Love More" is taken from the scripture of John 21:15-17.

Donning white tops, bow ties and black aprons, Vancouver Area Leaders Jimmy & Liza Arzadon hand out snack packs to their constituents. They, along with other Area Governance leaders personified "loving more" through service.

From left, Arnel Simbulan, CFC Canada Central Region Coordinator; Greg Parillas, CFC Canada National Director; and Ador Cabrera, CFC Manitoba Area Director, formally open the 2015 CFC Canada National Conference.

Nic Escalona, KFC International Coordinator based in Manila, gives the prologue of the entire event. He reminds everyone that our hearts, our minds, our souls are capable and prepared to love more.

Vancouver's presentation team awaits their turn. The banner in the foreground garnered first place. The t-shirt design won second place and the entire Vancouver contingent was also awarded the "Most Vibrant."

In a show of physical and mental dexterity, the Vancouver presentation team relish their performance.

The CFC Vancouver delegation enjoying a light moment.

Jun Clarito, CFC Canada Eastern Region Coordinator delivers the first talk: "It's Too Little" which reminds us that all our efforts are not enough.

Joe Yamamoto, a member of the CFC International Council, expounds on the second talk. He points out that despite our faults and failures Jesus still invites us to "Come Have Breakfast" with Him.

Arnel Santos, CFC Social Development Program Director, dissertates the third talk and mentions the times when we are asked: "Do You Love Me More Than These?"

Each and every day of the conference starts with the Rosary followed by the Holy Mass.

Eric Delos Reyes, CFC Canada Country Coordinator discusses the final talk and rallies everyone to "Love More."

Larry Vickar, a Winnipeg-based businessman and avid ANCOP promoter who continues to support an entire village in Southern Philippines, surprises everyone with another $25,000.00 donation to ANCOP.

Bong Salmon, CFC Winnipeg Family Ministries Head, (one among several praise and worship leaders during the conference) leads the closing praisefest. 

Spirit-filled, a conference of this magnitude always succeeds in enlightening the minds and uplifting the souls of all those who are present. It never fails to enrich a person, to set oneself on fire and to love more. We hope to see you next year at the CFC Western Canada Regional Conference in Calgary, Alberta. (For those in the Eastern Canada Region, it will be in Ottawa, Ontario).