by Rev. Jorge De Ramos
On our 60th anniversary, in 2019, we painted a canvas on how it will be for CCBC in the next 10 years. It was a result of a season of praying and consultations with key leaders of CCBC. Here is a video presentation of that vision canvas:
How Did CCBC Fare in the Past 16 Months?
This vision defines the scenario of what we want to pursue together in the next decade of CCBC ministry. Let me run through it again:
CCBC Vision Canvas 2029
June 2019 edition (CCBC elders)
MULTIPLYING LIFEGROUPS
We see dynamic multiplication of healthy disciple-making groups led by trained disciples having undergone the CCBC pathway (2 Timothy 2:2)
GROWING SPIRITUAL LEADERS & MISSIONARIES
We see CCBC’s community as a continuing seedbed for spiritual leaders engaged in ministries to their families, their communities, the city, among least-reached peoples, in the nation and among the nations.
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT
We see a transformational impact in various sectors of society by being an effective channel of God’s love and grace through ministering the gospel, teaching the Word, building up and training people to pursue God’s Kingdom purposes.
SAFE PLACE FOR HEALING & RESTORATION
We see a safe place for healing and restoration for individuals, couples, and families into wholeness in Jesus.
REPLICATING 111 WEST AVENUE
We see the CCBC DNA* replicated in key city centers in the Philippines and beyond.
ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED FACILITIES
We envision a multipurpose center that is accessible, appropriate, and conducive for effective ministry.
*DNA – Discipling Nations Aptitude. Strategically Engaged in Nations Discipleship through Christ-centered Community Transformation, Birthing and building up Churches. It is seeing every member a disciple-maker; every leader a Shepherd and everywhere CCBCers are, ministry happens.
The big question that confronted us lately is this: should we proceed pursuing this vision canvas with the challenge of the pandemic?
It has been 16 months since the last time we worshipped face-to-face. How did CCBC fare in this period of global crisis?
1. Worship services venue shifted from 111 West to each of our homes
Our worship ministry staff and leadership were quick to make adjustments to use online resources to facilitate worship. Thanks to our staff – with Pastor Bot Abealdo and J-Cip Lim, Myra Bansale, Chris Tarroja, and Jun Directo; they made a decisive move to do online worship services. Now worship happens in many different locations – wherever CCBCers are.
We see an average of 750 participating in CCBC’s online facilitated worship service.
2. Shepherds faithfully nurturing their disciples.
Our small group leaders were faithful in shepherding their small groups using online platforms available to them. They did not give up the habit of meeting together for mutual exhortation.
There are 113 groups actively meeting online. Five hundred sixty one disciples regularly take part in these small groups. This resulted in disciples maturing in their faith and beginning to serve others in the name of Christ.
In addition, 6 DEAF community small groups regularly meets including the CCBC Deaf outreach in Cainta. Thanks to the leadership of Pastor Julius Andrada.
Sis Jot Velasquez recently decided to serve as Discipleship and Training (D&T) Director of CCBC.
3. Creative shifts to deliver ministry.
Our CCBC Kids ministry used principles of homeschooling and online classes to sustain the discipleship of children. I’ve personally witnessed how my “apo” is enjoying her online Sunday School class with teacher Gladys and teacher Charm. This is also true with the AWANA program and Values Instructions Classes (VIC) and DVBS. It’s a picture of hardwork and dedication among our staff and volunteers.
We thank our CCBC Kid’s ministry director Sis. Sarah Esteban and her team. Attendance in the program is steadily growing.
The EE ministry was one of the ministries that was quick to adjust to an online training and evangelism ministry. Perhaps that is why EE calls their new program QuickShare. Thanks to pastor Rene Atienza and QS facilitators for faithfully training CCBCers for online ministry.
Let us applaud the youth ministry – Youth@111 for their creative way of reaching out to thousands of their peers online. Yes, social media is their turf and they use it well. Thanks to the leadership of Mark Cardenas and his core team of volunteers for making this possible.
The Young Adults Ministry (YAM) is also engaged constantly in discovering the most effective use of internet resources for their age-specific ministry. They were able to continue to sustain outreach among Young Professionals in BGC through the leadership of Pastor Randolph and his team of disciple-makers. YAM coordinator Darel Najos will share more about this ministry.
The All-Women’s ministry would not be left behind in using the internet in their connecting events. As a result there are new disciples being formed by women’s learning groups.
We invested to have better facilities and equipment in order to do online ministries at our best. Pastor Jcip Lim along with his team of volunteers completed an audio visual studio for our church.
4. Sustained outreach to the community and to one another.
Our ministry to the parolees and probationers is sustained as we continue to partner with the city government’s Board of Parole and Probation. We regularly meet and reach out to 200 clients. We thank the leadership of Pastor Bot Abelado, sis Connie Esguerra, Bro Willie Samson and their corps of volunteers. Now some of their clients are now followers of Jesus!
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) program was surprisingly sustained in spite of some challenges with the public school system. This year we saw 12 received their Elementary and High School diplomas.
Thanks to the persevering efforts of volunteer teacher – Gerry Batac, He received a special commendation from the Department of Education -Division of City Schools.
Many ministries happened as spontaneous initiatives of members. CCBCers shared resources and prayers to encourage and help alleviate the needs of those who were infected and isolated by the COVID-19 virus. Countless meals were shared. Money was given. Others extend practical help to shop for groceries and to assist in the discharge of a patient from the hospital. Thank you CCBCers for truly treating each other as family in Christ.
We thank the priceless ministry of our prayer intercessors through the Midweek and Saturday prayer. They systematically pray through a list of the sick and needy among us. Their joy goes deep as they witness the LORD’s answer to their intercession. Thank you Dr. Joy Lim and Dr. Leah Plucena for leading in these ministries.
CCBC’s community pantry is not a staff initiative. But It is sustained weekly because of your generosity also of the people in our neighborhood. Our staff, Gerda Abalora along with Leo, Joseph and Jeff would tirelessly give their effort in organizing the crowds who would come.
Another feature of CCBC ministry in the past months is the…
5. Sustained support of CP MInistry and Missionaries.
We were able to raise Php890k to support 30 missionaries in the Philippines, Nepal, China, Japan, Pakistan, and Thailand.
Because of your tithes and offerings we were able to send regular support to our church planting workers in Batangas province, Rizal province, in Pasong Tamo QC, and in Marinduque.
CCBC was also able to overshoot our promise to share to the CBAP Project Pagasa. We were looking forward to give 1.5 million, but the LORD enabled us to share 2M.
Let us rejoice together by giving a round of applause to the LORD and his faithfulness to His church!
UP NEXT: Detour on the CCBC Strategy: Church@Home
NOW what are the strategic changes we need to do as we go through the pandemic? The COVID-19 pandemic may have paused and threatened the church’s life but God’s power remains greater on high. It is like travelling through a highway but an avalanche wiped out the road ahead of you. What would you do?
