Area Servants Planning
L-R Bottom: Jill Padayhag, Joyce Caning, Charry Fernandez, Jong Edralin, Lisa Lamprea, Nancy Asok, Linda Mendoza, Mari Cruz, Melyn Lopina, Joyce Santos, & Maricel Justiniani
Attended but not in photo: Bit Magadia & Tony Pormento
On October 28, 2023 the area servants of MFC New Jersey gathered at Saint Bernadette Parish’s Lourdes Center to reflect on our accomplishments in the past 12 months and our plans for 2024.
The event started with a spirit-filled praise and worship led by Bro. Alan Padayhag (Head-servant of Chapter 7). After the prayer, our Area Servant Bro. George Santos gave his opening remarks and expectations for the planning. We then proceeded to have a 15-minute break to support and give out treats at the MFC-Kids All Saints Assembly which was happening in the same building. After that quick break, we had an icebreaker game led by Bro. Kenn & Sis. Charry Fernandez (Sections Coordinator). We divided into two teams and played a fun game of Bible Charades. Our competitive juices were flowing and in the end it was Team One, captained by Sis. Bit Magadia (PFO), who won the game.
We began the main session with Sis. Melyn Lopina (PFO) giving a talk about Correction and how it is difficult to receive and give fraternal correction in the community. She expounded on why the difficulty exists and provided suggestions on how head servants can provide effective and loving correction to the people they are serving. Following her talk, Bro. Kenn Fernandez presented the latest census of MFC-New Jersey and how it compared to the previous year. He also showed a bird’s eye view of our organizational structure and showed some visible strengths and weaknesses in each chapter.
Following the talk and census report was a forum session led by Bro. George. Each servant leader was given a chance to talk about the strengths, weaknesses, and threats that they encountered in their local groups. They also shared about their accomplishments this year as well as their goals for next year. After a quick dinner break, we reviewed and worked on resolving the weaknesses and threats that we identified earlier. The final hour of the event was spent on scheduling our area activities in 2024.
Everyone felt we had a fruitful planning session and agreed that for next year, we will have an overnight planning retreat in order to build a stronger relationship between area servants and spend more time planning our goals and future activities.
That was a very productive meeting in my opinion. I learned a lot and I felt stronger after. Praying for one another and may we continue loving Him as He never stop loving us. God bless all.
Thank you so much my co-servants for joining our Area Planning for 2023-2024. We are all Rise-up to build what we planted for our MFC Community, we are all guided by the holy spirit and each one of us has a role and responsibilities how to take care our flock. We, as one family of Christ are United to be as one to accomplish our Mission and Vision that God entrusted to each one of us. May our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to bless each one of us to reach our goal ! May God be Praise 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Bro. George and Sis. Joyce
Area Servant