Ministry Update February 2014
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Transcript of Ministry Update February 2014
Dear friend and Ministry partner,
The last quarter of 2013 brought many trials and temptations to many of our students and graduates in the areas
severely affected by both the magnitude 7 earthquake in October and super typhoon Yolanda in November. The
horrific aftermath makes St. James command for us in his epistle to consider this circumstance as pure joy ,
seem glib and even callous. (James 1.2)
I was struggling hard with this especially after our first visit to typhoon ravaged Tacloban last Nov. 14, 2013, six
days after the storm. Littered with debris and dead bodies, the air filled with the suffocating smell of death, the
smile and laughter we managed to bring out among ourselves had the twist of despair and the ring of sarcasm.
These merely masked the excruciating pain of grief and pity we felt deep inside.
December came and death came even closer to me when my older brother Leo and Doray s 20 yr. old nephew
Martin suddenly died from heart attack in close succession. Death has been mocking us last year. Starting with our
near fatal car accident in January, our dear friend and former staffworker Naome Basilio, our young staff James
Roaring and Manong Jesse Alisbo died one after the other before the earthquake and the storm.
Lord, I am sick of death , I complained. Is there no let up? The Lord spoke through the turbulence of my
thoughts and emotions. He reminded me that it is his command and not St. James to consider these times as pure
joy . James only wrote it down for him. The context of the epistle was extreme persecution. The believers then,
experienced sudden death, torture and extreme suffering and temptation. As they were tested, their faith, hope and
love were refined and came out like pure gold whether in consequent life or death. Only in the crucible of severe
trials and temptations and even death, will the dross of our faith, hope and love be removed so that like pure gold,
these will attract others to the saving love of Christ for the praise of God s glory. Death will not have the last say,
Jesus made sure of that. So we rejoice, becoming more resilient to serve him better.
We joined hands together with our ministry partners to bring relief and hope to the survivors through our
Operation Ahon (latest update in a separate article).
And our ministry among students and graduates continues
Below are some of the ministry highlights by regional units thankfully showing our God given, trial forged
resilience.
Ministry Update
Shining Forth as Gold in the Hardest of Times
1. Metro Manila
a new ISCF chapter was formed in Tandang Sora
High Schoolanother one is in the making in Sauyo High School, Novaliches in partnership with a local church, Ikthus Christian Fellowshipthe chapter in the Philippine State College of Aeronautics in Pasay, is now officially recognized by the school administrationa core group of committed students is now meeting regularly in FEU, Morayta
Philippine State College of Aeronautics Chapter
February, 2014
2. Southern Luzon
difficult problems that threatened the unity of the
region and the integrity of a university chapter were
resolved by God s graceclose partnerships between IVCF and alumni founded ministries - Christian Youth Action Network (CYAN) in Calamba, Reaching Hands in Cavite and Common Ground in Batangas
3. Northern Luzon
revived chapters in St. Louis University in Baguio
and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation in San
Carlos, Pangasinan
mission points in Barangay Namolan, Lingayen
Pangasinan by Pangasinan State University
IVCF ers and an orphanage in Baguio by UP
SVCF ers.
IVCF SLRU Celebrates their 4th Anniversary
4. Bicol
second mile and timely efforts by students and
grads to help typhoon Yolanda survivors. They
symphatize more because they suffered strong
typhoons frequently in the past. They hosted a
family and a student from Tacloban during the
Christmas break.
strong grads network even in Metro Manila. They
had a well attended Alumni Christmas Party last
December.
growing and fruitful boarding house bible studies in
Legaspi City
Sports evangelism (boxing, jogging and Frisbee)
every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
Monthly meeting with the Regional Director (every
1st Friday) by chapter Presidents and Vice
Presidents for closer mentoring.
Jazeer Camp and Retreat Center, their new
campsite in Santiago, Iriga, owned by former
National Board member Dr. Justin Novela. It was
the venue of the Leadership/Discipleship Camp last
October and is being jointly developed with other
grads.
started Read to Grow and Operation Ahon projects
with MEANS Connect
IVCF Bicol hosted a family from Tacloban
5. Western Visayas
conducted an ISCF Football Clinic in Good
Shepherds Fold Academy, Guimaras in partnership
with MEANS Connect
appointed student regional missions coordinators
Aireen Cadiz and Angelica Pilares
conducted relief efforts in Roxas City and Sagay in
partnership with MEANS, iBless and others
Operation Banca in Estancia, Iloilo led by Christy
Jutare and family
Pascere et Psyche (feeding the soul) spiritual
formation program for student leaders and GTs
missions exposures for Iloilo students to Guimaras
tree planting, gardening and clean up of Busay
Elementary School as part of camp program and
Bless the Community program for IVCF s 60th
Anniversary
the IVCF ers in Riverside College are not officially
recognized by the school administration but have
found a champion in Ervie Gallespen, their Dean of
Arts and Sciences. She happens to be an SVCF
alumni and allowed them two rooms to use for their
meetings.
IVCF WVRU conduct football clinic in GSFA Guimaras
We praise God for all these exciting developments yet one
persistent problem remains. While giving for our
Operation Ahon relief efforts has increased, the giving to
our General Fund for operations and Staff salaries has
been inadequate so that we continue to owe our staff
workers more than two months of their salaries. The latest
release were for partial December salaries and partial 13th
month pay. Please consider to give and help us cover this
deficit.
Last November 30, 2013, IVCF Phil became a senior
citizen. Each region joyfully and gratefully celebrated 60
years of God s faithfulness. Through six long decades and
many trials and temptations, we are shining on with our
fire tested faith, hope and love, by the grace of God. With
your prayers and support we will continue to serve the
students and grads of the nation with pure joy , growing
together in Christlike maturity.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ferdi Juni
National Director
6. Central and Eastern Visayas
growing chapters in Cebu Technological University
(formerly CIT) and Cebu Normal Universitygrowing ISCF chapters in Abellana National High School and Opra National High Schoolresumed meetings of IVCF in Eastern Visayas State University, Tanauan, Leytestudents and grads involved in relief operations in Bogo, Bohol and Tacloban
7. Northern Mindanao
vibrant IV Home ministry in Cagayan de Oro and
Iliganreactivation of the Regional Advisory Council
ISCF chapter in Abellana National High School
8. Caraga
prospects of expanding the ministry to Tandag and
Hinatuan cities in Surigao del Sur before the school
year ends
partnering with OMF (Vernacular Media Network),
Care Caravan (a group of concerned Chinese
Christian Churches) and TBKK (Taga Butuan Kaw
Kung ) a humanitarian friendship group in
Butuan City for relief operations for Typhoon
Agaton evacuees in Butuan City Capitol covered
court and in the Training Center.
ASSCAT (Agusan del Sur State College of
Agriculture and Technology) IVCF ers in Bunawan
brought bread and bihon (pancit) for the typhoon
Agaton evacuees in their campus.
growing college and ISCF chapters in Caraga State
University and Laboratory School, Cabadbaran,
Agusan del Norte
9. Southern Mindanao
increasing graduate support for the ministry
SMRU has qualified as a partner institution of
Mission Increase Foundation - Mindanao
Equipping Program (MIF-MEP). IVCF ers can
now avail of their training modules and be
recipients of infrastructure or program based
projects.
Growing ISCF chapters in IVCF Caraga region
IVCF Philippines
60th Anniversary