We have been consolidating our membership for the past 3 years. The rapid and massive growth in the decade of the 1990s gave us a critical mass for the next phase of God's plan for CFC, which is to pursue the social dimension of the gospel. Our work with the poor, especially GK, requires greater commitment and sacrifice. So we continue to weed out the uncommitted, and our membership, hovering around the one million mark, is now poised in this third millennium to aggressively pursue our mission of bringing good news to the poor. This first decade in this third millennium, culminating in 2010 with GK777 (the work of course goes beyond), is witness to CFC members vigorously running the race and making a tremendous difference in the life of the poor and of the world.

Pastoral needs
Our leaders, especially our elders, need to continue to show the way. We need to be able to inspire our membership to greater heights of heroism. As such, we must continue to grow in holiness and in discipleship.

One thing this means is that with our massive work and the time and energy this entails, we must find time to be with the Lord and to continue to be formed by him. This is not just our own personal prayer time and times of corporate worship and fellowship. Like Jesus, we must at times physically go to the mountain to just be with our Father. This means a retreat. We recommend that our elders, especially the top governance groups (National Council, Area Council) have an annual retreat. We in the Int'l Council just had a two-day retreat this September. Wish it could have been longer, but we needed to get down from the mountain and again into the battlefield.

Another thing holiness means is that we need to be in right relationships with each other, and generally with others outside the community as well. In this regard, I am happy to announce that CFC has reconciled with Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community (LNP), which was the community that started CFC in 1981. Unfortunately, due to vast differences in our understanding of evangelization and mission, CFC and LNP split up in 1993, with some hurts and possibly animosities. Since that time, CFC has been vindicated by the fruit of its work and by the official recognition by the Vatican. But the split remained. Well, last July, we met with the leaders of LNP and reconciled. We are again brothers, though still going on our own separate callings. But they will be joining us in building a GK village.

Money matters
For JMDF in 2004, we collected only a total of P2.03M (if all members gave 100 pesos each, it should have been P104.4M!), P1.2M from Manila and P0.8M from the provinces. These latter figures represent only 9.9% of what Manila should have given, and only 0.9% of what the provinces should have given.

You can see the response is appalling. I really do not think any of our members will object to giving 100 pesos in a year in order to support our global mission. I place the dismal results right at the hands of our elders and leaders, who have either decided by themselves that this will be a burden for our members, or who have not given the needed effort to explain and follow up the JMDF to them. If this description fits you, repent! And do your work. The lack of giving prevents us from doing a much wider mission, even as very many opportunities present themselves. Please help, for the sake of the Kingdom.
For 2004, we applied JMDF funds as follows: P1.25M to GK, P0.4 to South Africa mission, P0.33M to Tekton Fund (microcredit), P60,312 to East Timor mission, and P2,500 to catechism books for prisoners. Needless to say, our mission expenses are much much more than these amounts.

Regarding JMDF for 2005, as of August 31, out of a potential total of P94.9M, we have collected only P3.07M, of which P1.81M came from Manila and P1.26M from the provinces. Manila has thus given 15.52% of what it should give, while the provinces have given only 1.51%. Much better than 2004, but still leaves very much to be desired. Elders, you still have three months to improve your record of giving before the year ends. Please do so.

I have also issued an appeal to our global family for funds with which to purchase two vehicles for the use of our missionaries in East Timor and in Kenya. They desperately need these in order to have adequate mobility, and of course in the long run also save on transport costs. I am trying to raise about US$12,000, more or less, in order to purchase two second-hand vehicles. The global family has to date responded with $5,330. I hope there is more to come. But I would like to extend to you the privilege of helping out. Will you help?

If you do give, please say it is for the Int'l Director's Appeal for mission vehicles. And remember, do not take it out from your tithe!

Miscellaneous but important items
The CFC Int'l Council has renamed the Elders Core Group (ECG) as the Mission Core (MC). This is because it is more appropriate. The term "elders" has become a misnomer as we brought into the ECG our fulltime pastoral workers, some ministry leaders and certain strategic persons. Besides, the wives also are strictly speaking not considered elders. So the ECG is now the Mission Core. While all CFC members are on mission and CFC as a whole is a missionary community, the elders, their wives, fulltimers, ministry leaders and strategic persons now comprise the core of our missionary work.

You can see from the membership figures on page 1 that there are only 40 persons registered as members of Jacob's Well (JW). As you know, JW is our group for those in irregular unions. But the reality is that there are more people in our membership now who should be in JW rather than in CFC or HOLD or SOLD. Our elders have not really implemented this ministry. But we need to do so, otherwise it can adversely affect our life and work, since accepting those in irregular unions into CFC/HOLD/SOLD undermines our basic foundational principle on the indissolubility of Christian marriage.

JW in fact is good news. Whereas before we did not have anything for those in irregular unions, now we do. And do not argue with the concern that such people will not take kindly to the JW tag. The reality is that with JW we are now able to offer them the fullness of life in CFC, but without JW we have nothing for them.

So you need to implement JW, starting January 1, 2006. Use this remaining quarter to study it and to inform others. If there is such a couple or an individual in our CLPs starting in 2006, they can only be accepted as JW. Otherwise, you are not allowed to accept them.
One exciting item: we are producing a coffee table book to chronicle the 25 years of CFC. This will be officially launched in June 2006. Please help out in providing pictures and write-ups, in soliciting sponsorships, in marketing the books. If at all possible, no CFC home should be without one. Details will be announced from time to time.

As a last item, we already have our theme for 2006. It is taken from the book of Tobit. Our theme is: "Show his power and majesty to a sinful nation" (Tb 13:6). Start reading the book of Tobit. It is fascinating, with many elements that have to do with our own life in the Lord. It speaks about living a righteous life, about the power of prayer, about caring for the poor. It instructs us about family relationships, and about courtship and marriage. There is spiritual warfare, there is testing and purification, there is trial and victory.
One more quarter to go in this year. Make the most of it and be productive for the Lord.

God bless you all.
Your co-worker in Christ,

FrankPadilla
Int'l Mission Director

Wow...Can you believe it.  This weekend we are running 23 miles. It's our last official long run before the actual marathon.  The past months have been an exciting, motivating, inspiring, and overwhelming experience. 

 

For those of you who that have been committed to the training...GOOD JOB. You are well on your way to being part of an elite group of marathon runners.  Remember, less than 1% of the population participate in a marathon.

 

For those of you who are seeking home partnerships...YOU are a HERO.  Every dollar that you obtain towards your GK Home makes a big difference.  Take with pride your act of heroism, it'll bring you one step closer to the marathon finish line. 

 

This Sunday, September 18 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl we will be meeting at 6am to do our 23 miles.

Please take note of the following important information:

 

EAT, SLEEP, STRETCH - you do know the deal. 

 

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING - This is the time to wear EXACTLY what you want to wear for the marathon.  Especially the socks and shoes.  We apologize that our Hero's Run jersey is not available yet. We are still waiting for a final approval from our corporate sponsors.  It will be with you for the marathon. WE PROMISE.

 

WATERPACKS and BAGS -  Remember to include PowerBars, PowerGels in your pack.  It is also wise to place your medical insurance card and ID in it.  Some of us, actually like to place BodyGlide to avoid chafing (chafing is the rubbing of wet clothes to the body that causes a painful rash) in their packs as well.

 

VOLUNTEERS  We need as many volunteers for this long run.  Please bring your family, friends, and household to the run.  We do need volunteers at Pasadena by 6am.  Please ask them to bring gatorade, pretzels, bananas, and gummybears for each station.  Also, we ask all volunteers to wear red. 

 

POTLUCK CELEBRATION - 23 miles is a celebration.  After the run we will have a pinic at the Rose Bowl field. We ask each person to a drink and bring the following by LAST NAME for atleast 10 people:

                  A-J --- Carbo loading meals/snacks

                  K-T --- Fruits & Vegetables

                  U-Z --- Desert and Munchies

By then it will be at around noon and we would have burned about 2,000+ calories.

 

We are excited to do accomplish this goal with you.

 

Sincerely,

Your GK777 Hero's Run Coaches