Our families are under constant attack by the enemy. We are in a spiritual battle and we need to stand firm and protect our families! If your family is currently experiencing spiritual attacks -- you feel you are in a mess, it is chaotic, and it’s like you have nowhere to go -- do not lose hope!

Two things to keep mind. First, you are not alone in your struggle—every single family is under constant threat. We all need strengthening. We all need encouragement. Second, we have a great God who loves us with an everlasting love and He will remain faithful (Jeremiah 31:3). He will do great things for us—He can redeem our past and give us a new future!

Whatever situation you are in -- whether you came from a happy or a hurt family, you or your spouse work abroad, you are a single parent or have been separated, you have strained family relationships -- it is my prayer that God will give you hope, a resolve to never give up, and the strength to move on.

Two years ago we launched our Family Ministry that empowers, enables, and equips the entire family (parents and children) to be strengthened in their faith in God and relationship with one another. This ministry has grown to 20 families from the four clusters that completed this program.   Each cluster is composed of five families who meet for five Sundays.  The sessions tackle important topics relevant to families namely, Growing like Christ, Effective Communication, Affirmation, Celebrate Differences and the Church in your Home.

The family clusters will celebrate “love” in their first reunion on February 12, 12:30 - 4:00 pm at the Youth Center.  We invite all the members of these family clusters to join us for three hours of fun as we play, sing, eat, share, and listen to God’s Word.  Other families interested to join the family clusters are also welcome to attend our first reunion for this year.  Please contact Grace Quilang at  09276262005 for registration and details of this event. 

WELCOME ELDER RAYMUND SANCHEZ

Our speaker today is not a stranger to GCF South Metro. In fact, it is through one of our Growth Groups in Parañaque that he came to know the Lord in October 2002. Soon after, Elder Raymund Sanchez became a GCFSM member who was actively involved in the ministry. When GCF Parañaque was launched in 2008, he and his family become part of the core leadership of the satellite. I had the privilege to partner with him in the ministry when I was appointed to be the Interim Pastor of GCF Parañaque then. It is a privilege for me to personally know Elder Raymund as a family man, an elder, and a CEO.

As a top executive, he is sought after by various companies because of his diligence, excellence, and integrity in the workplace. He worked as Director and Country Manager of Reckitt Benckiser Philippines, Inc., Director of Pilipinas Makro, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc., and The Hershey Company. Currently, he is the CEO of Ever Corporation and concurrently Chairman and Director of Local Roam, Inc. and HeartShaper Asia Media Group respectively.

Aside from regular speaking engagements at various corporate events, socio-civic activities, academic, religious and government affairs, Elder Raymund leads bible studies and disciples presidents and directors of companies across many different industries.

He is married to his wife, Girlie for 19 years, and they are blessed with two children, Denise (18 years old) and Raymund II (17 years old.)

Let us welcome Elder Raymund and pray God’s Spirit will empower him to give us the burden to share the gospel in our own spheres of influence.

- Rev. Lito Villoria | February 5, 2012