Construction to start early 2009
By Katrina Alvarez

Soon to rise. An artist's rendering of the building's facade.

This October, the CCF Building Project Department finalized the design of the new worship and training center to rise in Frontera Verde, Pasig City.

Pastor-in-charge Roy Felipe said on October 8 that all consultants and engineers needed for the project are on board. “They have submitted their designs which are now being coordinated by architect Daniel Go and his team,” he said.

Go designed the complex that will serve as CCF’s new headquarters, housing the Pastoral Staff offices as well as school and training facilities.

Artist's rendering of the new sanctuary

The Worship and Training Center will have a total floor area of 84,000sq.m. The central feature is a two-balcony, 8,400-seater auditorium with the latest in digital audiovisual technology.

This is an immense improvement upon CCF St. Francis’s present auditorium with a 3,200-person seating capacity, barely accommodating the large number of people who come to worship God.

The center also features a spacious lobby or social hall with an adjoining 800-seat cafeteria and a two-level bookstore/cafe. The hall will be an ideal venue for small group meetings, through which much of the church’s ministry is carried out.

Across the social hall, a theater to seat 1,500 theater-style or 800 banquet-style will be the place for weddings, seminars, and training sessions.

The south wing of the Worship and Training Center will house a school with 55 classrooms, comprising ten classrooms and one lecture hall on each of the five floors. These rooms will be used by weekday
elementary and high school classes under The Master’s Academy (TMA), evening Bible studies for adults, and Sunday School.

Office spaces totalling 3,000 sq.m. have been allocated for the new headquarters of the CCF Pastoral Staff, TMA, TMA Homeschool, and other units currently serving the church at CCF St. Francis. Several media-editing, music, and band rooms will also find their place under the auditorium stage.

The entire center will be capped by a covered roofdeck to hold a Youth and Sports Center with two full-size basketball courts.

Excavation for the ten-story building (seven above ground, three below for parking for
850 cars) begins in January 2009, while construction starts in March. The Worship and Training Center will be completed by December 2010.

By Marose Alvero

The Kool Solo Parent Family Ministry (KSP.fm) launched a new parenting module incorporating a new component to the heart of the ministry — the “kool” parents’ children. In the past, the ministry centered on the concerns, emotions, and needs of solo parents. This year, the spotlight is on KSP kids and their needs, with the objective of improving solo parent and child relationships.
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By Sasa Felipe

Thirteen delegates from CCF composed of pastors and their wives attended the 2008 Global Leadership Seminar held live last August 6 and 7 at Willow Creek Church, Chicago, Illinois. They were part of the 7,400-strong audience who felt blessed listening to speakers who talked about leadership
and values. The impact was life- and heart-changing.

Such was the blessing they felt that CCF committed to show the video broadcast of the whole seminar on November 6 and 7 at CCF St. Francis.

In October 2007, CCF St. Francis was chosen as the Philippine venue for the video broadcast of the 2007 GLS. The event was broadcasted simultaneously in other countries. CCF co-hosted the seminar in
Manila together with the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and Append.

Then in early February of this year, CCF again had the wonderful privilege of hosting Bill Hybels and Wayne Cordeiro as they spoke to a select group of church leaders, an offshoot of the 2007 GLS.

The GLS volunteers in Chicago this year were very active and deeply involved in all aspects, such as assisting in the parking lots and attending to the bookstore. They were very hospitable yet firmly imposed rules and policies so as to maintain order.

CCF delegates left the seminar realizing that no leader will survive without “IT;” that nothing is impossible for those who have a clear vision and mission and work hard to make their visions and dreams come true; and that no matter how stupid an idea, if we have the passion and a clear vision and mission, God will orchestrate everything to accomplish His purpose.

Discipling this nation for Jesus Christ is not impossible;spiritual and emotional maturity are possible; and character transformation takes place within the confines of strengthening one’s leadership and influence.

By Sherryll S. de Luna

Working in CCF is considered a joy by Leticia P. Alves, chief accountant of CCF St. Francis Square (SFS). “Ate Letty,” as she is fondly called by the people around her, started working January 2004 in CCF Alabang, as accounting staff. She transferred to CCF St. Francis in November 2006 as general accountant and was promoted to chief accountant last June.

“I enjoy working as an accountant in CCF. Iba ‘yung joy ng serving the Lord (The joy of serving the Lord is different). At the end of the day, the Lord is your boss,” says Ate Letty.

Ate Letty considers the accounting department as one of the tools to help further God’s kingdom. She says that all of them in the department are service-oriented, foremost to God, then to the pastors, elders, and the whole congregation.

“It was really the Lord who impressed it in my heart to serve in a Christian organization. When I learned that CCF Alabang would have an accounting team, I prayed and fasted for it before I filed my
application,” narrates Ate Letty.

Ate Letty first heard the need to have a personal relationship with God at a retreat in college. Back then, even though she knew that she was a good person, she was not sure if she will go to heaven. She found herself searching. She soon accepted Christ when her officemate, whose sister attends the Bible studies, invited her to join CCF, which was then located at the AIM building in Makati. That was in October 1986. And the rest is history.

By Sherryll S. de Luna

He was tagged prince of the hard court. No goal in basketball, whether at the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) or the professional league, was spared by the winning points brought by Benedict Manalo Jr., better known by basketball fans as BJ Manalo. But for some reason, he opted to have a different goal this time around.

Gone were the days when basketball was what he considered his life. BJ was the star player of De La Salle University Green Archers when he was still playing for the UAAP. At that time, he considered his basketball years fulfilling and rewarding. On top of that, he even had a showbiz career, doing commercials and TV hosting. Everything was going his way.

BJ was already earning millions at a young age. One time he bought a brand new car that only a few could afford to buy, thinking it would make him happy. After two days of driving it, he thought “Ito lang pala ‘yon. (So this is all there is to it.)”

Back then, despite his success, he was already feeling a deep sense of emptiness which he couldn’t explain. He thought he was living the good life. He considered himself the religious type but there was still something missing in his life.

A terrible court accident resulted to serious knee injuries, which resulted in tears in his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). He feared it was the end to his illustrious sports career.

But it was this injury that paved the way for him to discover the things that really mattered. During this time, he could not do anything but reflect on why God allowed this to happen to him. While God was healing his injury, he felt he had nowhere to go.

This was the time he decided to hear from Athletes in Action, a group of fellow athletes who were Christians, about what they had to share to him about the God they talked about a lot of times in the past. He then found a deeper faith, based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

From then on, BJ decided to play the real game he was created for and follow the real coach of his life-Jesus. Today, he is now in full time ministry with Athletes in Action, a ministry under Campus Crusade for Christ.

Nowadays, BJ disciples athletes in the college, national, semi-professional, and professional levels, most of whom are basketball players. His goal is to help them reach their full potential as athletes but with a holistic view of life. The Athletes in Action ministry, which works hand-in-hand with the Sports Ministry of Christ’s Commission Fellowship, also holds Bible studies in campuses, a great mission field indeed, as this allows volunteers to reach out to teammates, classmates, and friends.

Aside from his newfound purpose, BJ now also has a new role-a husband to his wife Diane and father to daughters Cailin and Ava.

BJ knows the Lord wants him not just to be the best basketball player he can be but also to be the best husband, father, and missionary to fellow athletes that God wants him to be. For him, there is only one way for anyone to reach his potential: “Put God first and include him in all your plans because God has a wonderful plan for your life.”

Do you have a personal relationship with God?

By Mae Young

Pastor Jim and Louie

Q: How did you and your wife get started with doing God’s work? Where are you involved now apart from CCF?

A: We met as staff members of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). Louie was involved in the professional ministry of CCC while she was a mathematics faculty member at UP and FEATI. God led her to join CCC full-time at the same time I joined CCC in the US. I had been involved in CCC as a college student and while working as an engineer. My first assignment after joining CCC full-time was here in Manila, where Louie and I went through a nine-month new staff training together.

God has given both of us a burden to equip leaders. Nearly 20 years ago, the Lord led us to work with ISOT-Asia, part of CCC, which is committed to building Asian leaders to help fulfill the Great Commission of Christ. When the school was moving to Manila from Baguio in 1990, I spent time with Pastor Peter and saw what God was doing at CCF. So, when we moved, we committed to be involved in CCF.

Since then, we have led a pastoral area, headed up the training department — Louie was at one time the head of CCF’s Sunday School — and now we are part of the elders and in charge of CCF Missions. But our full-time work is still with the school. I am the executive director of the Global Leadership Group-International Graduate School of Leadership (GLG-IGSL) and Louie is a full-time faculty member there.

Q: What keeps you and your wife persevering in ministry?

A: God’s grace and seeing the lives that are being impacted through those we train.

Q: How many years have you served in ministry, and which ministries have you been involved with?

A: 28 years with CCC, 18 with CCF, 10 years as an elder, and one year as missions pastor.

Q: Did you and your wife always have a heart for missions? How did God confirm this assignment for you both?

A: When we first met, we were attracted to each other because we both had a burden for China. We continue to train and equip students from a variety of strategic Asian countries. Both of us share a desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled by raising up leaders who can reach their own people with the gospel. It is really in our blood — God’s call is not something we want to escape.

A leap of faith. Pastor Jim takes a bungee jump.

Q: What would be the most trying time you and your wife had to face while in ministry and how were you able to overcome it?

A: Being in ministry is no guarantee that you will not have problems. We have had losses of family members, illness, and stress from ministry overload. Maybe the hardest time was a stretch of two months: our youngest, Sharon, was a newborn and had to go back to the hospital due to complications, then Louie’s mother passed away, and Louie was found to have cancer. We just had to learn to trust God in very trying circumstances, and God honored our faith. Sharon is strong and healthy, Louie has been cancer free for many years, and we continue the ministry He has called us to.

Q: How has your missions work enhanced the growth of your own family’s love for God?

A: No family or kids are perfect, but both of our kids have been on mission trips, and continue to be interested in missions. Sharon recently went on a mission trip to Mexico last summer where coaching other missionary kids was part of the project. Both our kids love the Lord and have seen His faithfulness in our family. We have no regrets that He has called us as a family to be missionaries.

Q: What is that one dream that you and your wife have that has yet to be fulfilled by God? What would you like CCFers to pray for you and for Mrs. Whelchel?

A: Of course, as parents, our greatest prayer is for the future of our children. Please pray for Michael and Sharon as they discover God’s plan for their future, for their future spouses, and for God’s protection and covering. Often in the spiritual battle of ministry, Satan targets our children. Please pray for their protection and victory in their own walks with God.

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

CCFers pack the Araneta Coliseum

CCF recently celebrated its twenty-fourth anniversary at the Araneta Coliseum last August 31 with the message, “A Fresh Vision of God’s Greatness.”

CCF Senior Pastor Peter Tan-Chi delivered an inspiring message on motivation and how to bring out such excitement in serving the Lord. His message was based on in 1 Chronicles 29:11-20.

He started out with several questions that left the crowd thinking: “If I were to ask you, ‘Why are you here this morning? Why are you doing what you are doing?’ what will your answer be? Why are we going to fulfill the great commission? Why are you here?”

He stressed that the more people understand their motivation, the more that joy and excitement will fill
their lives. His message ended with a prayer and a commitment to follow and obey God, and just to love Him for who He is.

As early as 8 A.M., people began flocking to the Araneta Coliseum. The program started two hours later with joyful singing from the choir and the audience, and a heartwarming song from singer Kuh
Ledesma. Businessman Bulgin Manapat delivered his testimony about how God was able to transform his life and the life of his family. A rousing video on how great and awesome God’s love is was also shown onscreen during the latter part. The anniversary was capped by another round of pleasant singing from the choir and the crowd.

More than 18,000 people from different CCF churches within and outside Metro Manila attended the event. Aside from CCF St. Francis Square and Alabang, attendees from CCF Taytay, CCF Pasig, CCF Marikina, and CCF Binondo joined the festivities. The program was also beamed live to other church plants from Luzon to Mindanao.

By Karen Galarpe

CCF pastors and volunteers recently went to India and Nepal to visit the missionaries allied with CCF, to enhance church partnership, and to conduct a medical mission.

God’s Word was planted at an evangelistic dinner in Kathmandu as CCF missions pastor Jim Whelchel shared principles of leadership and integrity. CCF senior pastor Peter Tan-Chi then shared the gospel.

CCF missionary partner Ptr. Raju Sundas organized the dinner, which 32 Members of Parliament and some other leaders, including the brother of Nepal’s Prime Minister, attended.

“It was especially meaningful for us since, less than 20 years ago, people were being jailed simply for believing in Christ,” said Ptr. Jim.

God is continuing to work in Nepal as another CCF missionary is now part of a task force to craft a new constitution guaranteeing religious freedom in Nepal.

The Bronze Staff ministry conducted a medical mission in Barahbise, Nepal near the Tibetan border. Doctors, dentists, and nurses from CCF treated those who were sick. “They made a great impression on the local people who saw the love of Christ manifested through their service to the community,” said Ptr. Jim.

In Barahbise, CCF conducted training from Global Leadership Center’s “CCF DNA” for around 250 people, mainly from Ptr. Raju Sundas’ church. Ptr. Peter and Ptr. Jim taught the men, while their wives, Deonna Tan-Chi and Louie Whelchel, trained the women.

In India, the team went to Siliguri in the northeast and to Haryana and Delhi in the north. The team taught CCF DNA to church leaders in Siliguri, and visited church plants among low caste and tribal people groups.

Ptr. Peter also spoke at the graduation ceremony of a training program for church planters in Haryana State. This project, supported by CCF International Church Planting in coordination with Campus Crusade for Christ in North India, has helped plant over 800 village churches in Haryana State. Overall, the trip highlighted the growing scope of CCF’s church planting throughout Asia.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I came from a dysfunctional home. Violence and hostility are the words that best described my family. With both my parents into drugs, I questioned the purpose of my existence because I thought that I came into being only to experience misery and suffering. Depression took hold of me and I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I attempted suicide.

While I was recovering from my suicide attempt, the hospital psychiatrist encouraged me to try attending college Bible studies here in CCF, which I hesitantly did. Eventually, she sponsored me to a college camp where I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.

I soon developed a hunger to know God and know everything I could about Him. Attending every Bible study became a delight for me as God revealed Himself to me through His Word. But whenever I got home, reality would set in. I still lived with an imperfect family with parents that would fight every chance they get.

The bitterness and hatred toward my parents grew even more as I felt that they were the reason that my life is so messed up. I responded by acting as if they didn’t exist. They in turn would ask me if what I was doing was what I learned from all the bible studies that I’d been attending. This discouraged me; my parents could not see any significant changes in me.

A counseling session here in CCF helped set me free from all the hurt I had inside. It was an uphill battle for me to respect and love my parents. But my quiet moments with God reminded me of His loving-kindness toward me. This opened my eyes to see my parents the way God sees them, with eyes of compassion and not hatred.  I realized that the times I asked God to change my parents were times God used to change me — changes that my parents could now see.

As God continued His work in me, the Lord impressed in my heart a desire to serve Him in the mission field. The idea of me being a missionary was highly unlikely, so I began praying for God’s leading.

God showed me that the real issue is me! I was skeptical; it was not something that I wanted to do. I had already made my own plans. I planned to enter a career in interior design.

God allowed me to go through experiences that confirmed His assignment for me. Pastor Ryan gave me guidelines to help me confirm God’s calling for me. The Lord then began speaking to me through my daily devotions, in which I learned that when God reveals something, He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly.

I again experienced God when I sought the blessings of my parents and spiritual mother. When I told my father that God was calling me to the mission field, he suggested that I take the board exams and help the family instead. In prayer, I surrendered this to God.

Two days later, my father gave his blessing, quoting the exact passage I had been reading days before. My father said “As Abraham offered his son Isaac, so am I offering you to God.”

Since I wouldn’t be seeing my mother for two more weeks, I decided to get the blessing of my spiritual mother. Our scheduled meeting did not take place, and I thought that I wouldn’t see her for sometime because of her busy schedule. But I was able to get her blessing when I bumped into her in Megamall.

As for my mom, I thought it would be close to impossible. Three years earlier, I told her about what God had impressed on my heart, and she walked out. I was not confident that my mother would give her blessing, and I just remained honest with God about my doubts. While we were talking with the rest of the family, it became clear on me that God had already been at work — my mom gave her blessing as well!

As a CCF Campus Missionary, I share the gospel of Jesus Christ one-on-one and in small groups. I help JZone leaders set up small groups in campus, and I disciple ladies here in CCF and in university campuses as well.

I had never thought it possible, that the awful events in my life could be worked out and be used to bring glory to God.

All honor and glory to our Abba Father!

Do you have a personal relationship with God?