The Life Group Leaders Summit 2019: The Faithful

By Cheryl Novencido, JIL Church Brampton
 
The 2019 Life Group Leaders Summit with the theme “The Faithful” took place at the Americana Resort and Conference Centre, Niagara Falls on August 17-18. It was a resounding success. The 680 Life Group Leaders, together with JIL Pastors and Coordinators from all over the Eastern Canada Region ranging from the Maritime provinces to our neighbouring provincial cities attended this summit. We were graced by our special guest speakers of the JIL Church Worldwide Executive Management Board, including Rev. Joey Crisostomo, Ptr. Ellen Crisostomo, Rev. Bobot Bernardo, Sis. Shirley Bernardo, Ptr. Amor Adela, and our very own Rev. Bong Gonzalez.

The inaugural morning session commenced with the esteemed Ptr. Joey Crisostomo who started in the ministry at the young age of 21. He delivered a powerful message very near and dear to his heart: how to become a passionate leader. To become one means to have a servant-like character with every fibre of his/her being drawn to God as an offering. The conviction of the Holy Spirit was so powerful reminding us again to remember our first love. Our passion should be guarded and cultivated as it will be the driving force in fulfilling our purpose and calling, an important key to success and making a significant impact that will leave a lasting mark in people’s lives (Romans 12:11, Acts 20:24, Mark 12:30). His passion and love for Christ is very well evident in the worship songs he has written – a sweet aroma that sprung from the  heart of a passionate worshipper and servant of the living God.

The affable and revered Ptr.  Bobot Bernardo imparted a message like the one from above commissioned to preach like a raging fire fueled by the Holy Spirit. His theme expounded on Matthew 28:18-20, the great commission. We are to preach the whole truth of the Gospel, not diluting it to conform to our own personal beliefs and interpretation but rather with boldness and all honesty not compromising any written word in the Bible. He emphatically advocated for ‘Radical Discipleship’ among all genuine believers in Christ. We are to live a distinct, devoted and Holy Spirit-directed life before our Creator. Such advocacy resonates with the apostle Paul’s urge to the Corinthian church in Romans 12:2: “do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We are to die daily on the cross to live a life that leads to Christlikeness.

A life dedicated to total commitment is the cry of the heart of our beloved Ptra. Amor Adela. Serving under the banner of JIL Church since the very beginning of its 40-year history is a testament of her unwavering commitment, not only to the ministry but to God Himself who has called her to be a partner in building His kingdom. Commitment is part of our life. It demands responsibility and selflessness - forsaking our own will, subjecting it to the will of the Father instead and bearing the cross at any cost. God is looking for our commitment that will stand the test of time, the kind that will keep on going and will continue until the task is completed. A commitment that will see it through till the end, till God welcomes us as “good and faithful servants.”

After a full day of enlightening and inspiring sessions that fed our spirit, “The Faithfuls”  arrived at the banquet hall all glammed up in their beautiful evening dresses and suits. The evening is for them. A scrumptious dinner was served to fill our physical hunger, and yes, it was satisfying! Representatives from different JIL churches rendered song numbers that filled the atmosphere with worship and celebration at the same time. The highlight of the evening was when the most faithful of the faithfuls were recognized one by one as awards and tokens of appreciation (in cash and in kind) were presented by Ptr. Bong and Ptr. Rose Gonzales. The awards/tokens were handed as if we are part of the popular Philippine game show “Pera or Bayong” (money or bag) with our very own JIL twist “Envelop or Kahon” (box) making the evening filled with laughter and excitement as we await the decision of the recipient. This generous gesture is a great reminder that our service to the Lord will never be in vain. It will somehow be appreciated and recognized here on earth as much as it is in heaven. We, servants of God, never find serving as exhausting, but instead fulfilling, rewarding and fun

Day 2 of the Summit commenced with our Sunday Worship and Healing Service. Ptr. Bobot Bernardo delivered a sermon titled “God’s Divine Equipping Program” highlighting three key points: trials, inner struggles and blessings. He described trials and struggles as God’s way of teaching and molding us. It’s His way of preparing us to become somebody He has called us to be. He also lamented that blessings may take our eyes off the one who is the source of blessings. We can lose focus on God with our blessings - the more we have, the more we want, the more we want, the more we worry. His sermon touched members’ hearts and left a resounding impression to everyone that God’s equipping is for the purpose of building our character until we are conformed to His own likeness and image.

The Commissioning Service lead by Ptr. Joey Crisostomo gave way to the Holy Spirit to freely move in His own special way. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so heavy that Ptr. Joey had to skim through his outline to finish his sermon and then the powerful move of the Holy Spirit just took over. The Holy Spirit is there, He is indeed! Ptr. Joey led the delegates in worship for the rest of the service, singing with heartfelt melodies, songs of adoration giving honor to the King of Kings and the Lord of all. The heaven’s door was opened! People were kneeling down in repentance, broken and humbled by the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit. People were speaking, praying in tongues, and worshipping with hands lifted high in full surrender to the will of God, dedicating their lives once more for His service. Some receiving a fresh anointing from the Spirit, clearly seeing a vision from God, receiving prophetic word and fresh revelation; receiving healing in all aspects of their lives, being refreshed, renewed, mended and made whole again, empowered! The Holy Spirit was moving mightily throughout the banquet hall leaving not one soul untouched.
 
JIL Canada East’s faithful generals, great harvest awaits us. We have received from God and we have been empowered by and filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us go and make passionate and radical disciples boldly proclaiming the Word of Truth; declaring that Jesus is Lord all over the world, from this generation and generations to come! Let us be faithful to our calling until Jesus finally calls us to be reunited with Him and the Father - until we are finally home!
 
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