Tuesday, December 16, 2008

JESUS IS STILL THE REASON FOR THE SEASON



WITH A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
REMEMBER:

JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA . . . . .


Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
Santa is a myth
But Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

JESUS IS STILL THE REASON FOR THE SEASON . . . . . .

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008
And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.


Monday, December 15, 2008

JIL CANADA ANNUAL PASTORS' CONFERENCE 2008

Last December 6-7, the Annual JIL Canada Pastors' Conference was held at the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond, BC. It was attended by 46 pastors & spouses coming from the different provinces of Canada.

God has blessed us with his awesome presence especially during the "Soaking in the Spirit Session." All the sessions were truly inspiring and directional. I believed that each one went back to their respective Churches knowing what JIL Canada intends to do and where we are headed for 2009.


Pastor Aldrin taught on the "Character of A Pastor" during the first session. Some practical teachings were also imparted to us on the next sessions - Ptr. Bong Gonzales shared on "How To Minister Effectively", Sis. Millet Figueroa shared some information regarding MIS, Internet, website, etc. Ptr. Aldrin taught how to start a personal blogsite, use windows live mail and Microsoft Onenote and prepare a powerpoint presentation.

Pastor Aldrin also shared the Direction of JIL Canada for the Year 2009 including our Strategies and Action Plans.

After this, we broke out into groups (per area) to discuss the Strategies and Action Plans for each specific Area for the Year 2009.

The Area Pastors - Pastor Evelyn Licayo (Area 1); Pastor Aldrin Navo (Area 2); Pastor Bong Gonzales (Area 3 & 6); and Pastor Mary Juarana (Area 4 & 5), led each group in strategizing and planning for 2009.

Finally, during the Commissioning Session, Pastor Aldrin shared to us about "Receiving the Breath of God - His Holy Spirit."

Also, during this session, the newly appointed Pastors of JIL Canada for 2009 were commissioned by Pastor Aldrin. The Pastors who were commissioned were the following: Pastora Judith Abellanosa of JIL Ottawa West, Ontario; Pastora Edith Catayong of JIL Southeast Calgary, Alberta; Pastor Rex Solo of JIL Notre Dame De Grace, Quebec; Pastora Rowena Jagolino of JIL Toronto (5), Ontario; Pastor George Dela Rosa of JIL Winnipeg (2), Manitoba; and Pastora Delfa Tangonan-Nava of JIL Kitchener, Ontario. Congratulations to all of you and welcome to the Pastoral family of JIL Canada !!!


The Conference was concluded with a Dinner Fellowship on the night of December 7 where a Videoke Singing Contest was held among the Pastors. Congratulations to all the winners !!! You all did a great job!

We discovered that we have a lot of good singers among the Pastors and a number of them were worship ministers before they became Pastors. Everybody enjoyed the evening and had a great time of fellowship and knowing each other. Thanks to our emcees, Ptr. Bong Gonzales and Sis. Jovi Villanueva-Binalla.



On December 8, we all went to Whistler, BC for a sightseeing tour and for fellowship and bonding as well. Everybody enjoyed the Gondola ride going to the top of Whistler Mountain.





We also visited the Olympic Center located at Whistler Village. Truly, it was an enjoyable trip !!!



Thanks to all whom God has used to make this Pastors' Conference a success!!! God knows who you are . . .

Truly, we are so excited for 2009 and beyond for we know that God has still a lot of things in store for JIL Canada. We are not yet done !!! We will continue to conquer Canada for Jesus and even USA !!!

The declaration of JIL Canada and even the whole of the JIL International Operations is that 2009 will be a "YEAR OF OVERFLOW!!!" So JIL people, be ready for the OVERFLOW !!! . . . . It's coming . . . . . God bless you all !!!