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REFLECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY

IN THIS ISSUE: CFC BUSINESS DEALINGS GUIDELINES

The Heart of the South Central B

COMMUNICATING ACROSS OUR CFC-USA COMMUNITY

CFC, South Central “B”AS WE WRAP UP THIS ISSUE, TEXAS IS STILL STRUGGLING AMID THE VAST DEVASTATION BROUGHT

ABOUT BY HURRICANE HARVEY. THE ENTIRE CFC COMMUNITY LIFTS ITS VOICE IN PRAYER FOR ALL

OUR BRETHREN WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES AND PROPERTY, BESEECHING OUR LORD TO GIVE

THEM THE GRACE AND STRENGTH TO OVERCOME AND BOLDLY MOVE FORWARD.)

Dallas, Texas – The fourth most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S., Dallas is where CFC first established itself in Texas in 1996. Just a year after, CFC found its next home in the city of Houston.

Inspired by the workings of the Holy Spirit, the CFC brethren in Texas reached out to bordering cities and formed households in Grand Valley, Port Arthur, and McAllen. Subsequently, they moved onward to the neighboring state of Louisiana as their new mission area. Households with strong commitment to CFC were formed in the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

Within five years, Dallas and Houston was able to form two Chapters. The community was quickly growing its membership ,when it was put to a test in 2006, with the split between CFC and CFC FFL. This crisis severely affected CFC South Central. With a number of leaders opting to join CFC FFL, a reorganization became necessary and household heads had to step up to unit level leadership. The Elders’ focus on evangelization was diverted towards preserving the name and identity of CFC.

With God at the helm, our community was able to overcome. And today, CFC South Central once again is back on track as a strong and vibrant group. CFC Elders have obtained recognition from the dioceses of Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin, San Angelo among others. They also succeeded in reaching out to the Vietnamese community, subsequently forming two households which remain active up to the present. Recently, the group completed a Marriage Enrichment Seminar, a lay service to the church and gateway evangelization with 27 strong couple attendees.

CFC Leaders of South Central are united with the rest of the community and the greater church as they remain focused on the prize and their mission of serving God’s people.

How has CFC transformed your life?

The Lord, through CFC, has brought about many changes in my life, Foremost is my perception of who my neighbor is. In the past, I felt that serving my family and relatives was enough. But I have come to learn that my “neighbors” go beyond family and relatives. Since then, I have become more open and willing to serving my larger family, recognizing opportunities to help more people that the Lord brings into my life. The Lord has also trained and prepared me to become his deacon in the Catholic Church, with the privilege of being able to serve at his table. —Orly & Amy Batongbakal, CFC Shreveport, LA – Household Head______

A lot of prayers and commitment to serve helped me to become who I am today. I am still a work in progress but CFC taught me:- to live a simple life- to make service to Him a priority- to support and trust our leaders and those assigned under our care- and to faithfully attend household meetings, teachings, assemblies, other activities. Tat & Ellen Reyes, CFC South Central “B” – Regional Head______

I was born Catholic but my parents were converted to the Jehovah’s Witness. Until I met Helen and we got married in the Catholic Church. My faith was in a roller coaster ride, until CFC came into our life. Through this Community, I began to truly embrace the faith with no doubts and apprehensions about my spirituality. Tito & Helen Racho, CFC North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) - Area Head

My wife and I used to have a lot of misunderstanding. I easily get mad, so much hatred in my life. I have learned a lot about forgiveness in CFC. We are not perfect, still working on it but we have changed. There is less misunderstanding and more of the forgiving! Victor & Pat Gaas, CFC Mississippi – Area Head

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What are some of the best practices in your work with CFC? I believe in leadership by example as well as in effective communication. Leading a group of unpaid volunteers to take on a task requires motivation and clear explanation --selling the idea to make them understand why the work needs to be done. Once they buy into it, you can expect good results. Action always speaks louder than words, and when members see their leader working hard, they are inspired to follow. It is about being able to walk the talk. A leader must be able to practice what he preaches. —Keith & Eleanor De Leon, CFC Houston - Chapter Head ____

As a leader I always consider CFC is all about doing business for Jesus not mine. In this business, humility and always being ready to serve is the key. You serve so that God will be glorified. I cannot serve Him if I have my own personal agenda in my service. As a member, humility and readiness to serve is very important! Tito & Helen Racho, CFC North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) - Area Head

During our CLP, we were taught to pray and worship before starting any activity – before listening to the talk, before starting our group discussion, before fellowship, before going home. Indeed, starting all our activities with a prayer has become our way of life in CFC. We pray before we start our household meetings or general assemblies, before appointing household/ministry heads, before giving talks, before engaging in a one-on-one with our household members or family members. Truly, prayer is a wonderful practice in our community – in fact, our very best practice in CFC. —Orly & Amy Batongbakal, CFC Shreveport, LA – Household Head____

As CFC leaders, we strive to lead by example - being on time for all activities and starting on schedule- regularly giving tithes and reminding members to do the same- encouraging members and letting them feel the love and sincerity of their leaders.- praying over members- keeping our food and fellowship simple. —Tat & Ellen Reyes, CFC South Central “B” – Regional Head

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How do you take advantage of social media as an evangelization tool? Simple things can go a long way in social media. Posting pictures of CFC events and activities; sharing bible verses, inspirational quotes and uplifting messages – these little gestures are much appreciated by our brothers and sisters, and can bring about a lot of positive thoughts and personal blessings. —Rodel & Ellen Santiago, CFC Louisiana – Area HeadCFC North Texas - DFW is blessed of having many IT professionals as members. With their help we are able to use social media (Facebook, Free Conference meetings, Zoom) in our work of evangelization as well as connecting to other members who live far apart from each other. Tito & Helen Racho, CFC North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) –Area Head ____

I created a Facebook closed group for our CFC brothers and sisters in Shreveport, LA, where I posted Bible verse or verses that touched me personally. I did this from early 2012 until late 2014 when I got ill. In November of 2016, I learned how to use Twitter. It was at this time that I was deeply touched by a twit from Pope Francis (@Pontifex). I was so moved by this experience that I started using social media (Facebook and sometimes Twitter) more vigorously to “evangelize” my CFC and non CFC friends – posting or twitting inspired Bible verses, and prayers from the “Liturgy of the Hours”.

My prayer is this: “Lord, if this FB post or twit can deliver your message to even just one soul who is in ardent need of your grace, then let me be your instrument”. —Orly & Amy Batongbakal, CFC Shreveport, LA – Household Head____

There is no denying that social media has profoundly changed our lives. However, we need to be able to learn to use it more effectively and accurately. There is a lot of information that can be good material for household meeting discussion and sharing, but which must be carefully evaluated against our teachings at hand. Information on social media is quickly shared, so it is a good venue for posting Christian teachings that can inspire and encourage. —Tat & Ellen Reyes, CFC South Central ”B” – Regional Head

SCRIPTURE-BASED GUIDELINES FOR BUSINESS DEALINGS

1. BASIC COMMITMENT The commitment to love and serve one another takes precedence over the pursuit of profit or economic gain. (1 Pet. 1:22; Phil. 2:1 4)

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS All our business dealings are to be conducted in a right¬eous and just way, in accordance with Christian tenets and principles pertinent to the particular business situation at hand. (Pov. 16:8, 10:29, 11:28, 15:27; Lk. 16:13; Col. 4:1; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 12:17 21; Rom. 13:13)

3. PROPER STEWARDSHIP We are stewards of the talents and resources entrusted to us by the Lord. (Lk. 19:13 27; Col. 3:23; Prov. 10:4. 22:29)

4. GUIDANCE IN CFC Business dealings with members should be shared with one’s household head for information and guidance. (Heb. 13:17)

5. HOUSEHOLD HEAD’S NEUTRALITY/INDEPENDENCE – The household head should generally inhibit himself from entering into business with any of the members under his care. This is necessary to safeguard and ensure the freedom of the household head in giving objective input or direction affecting not only the personal life of his members but also their business affairs. (1 Pet. 5:1 3)

6. SPOUSES Husbands are to be open to their wives in whatev¬er business deals that may participate in or be involved in. A wife is to secure her husband’s approval before entering into any business relationship. (Eph. 5:22 31)

8. OPENNESS AND FULL DISCLOSURE Those engaging in business must put all agreements and other important matters in writing as a record of the commitments and mutual expec¬tations. (Eph. 4:15, 25:29; Ex. 17:14; Mt. 5:33; Gal 6:10; Rom. 13:8; Prov. 25:9)

9. CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, JOINT VENTURE, ETC. All possi¬ble conflict of interest situations are to be avoided and the members concerned have the duty to make full disclosure of all facts and circumstances involved in the business proposition. Any individual who finds himself in a conflict-of-interest situation must inhibit himself from all delibera¬tions on the matter and can only proceed with the ex-press consent of the other members.

10. SUPPLIER/PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMER/CLIENT Profit not being the only consideration and recalling our commitment to meet and serve the needs of our buyers/clients, a supplier of products or services has the obligation to look after the welfare of his buyer/ client. Once agreements are entered into and commitments are made, each member must faithfully comply and be steadfast to his word. (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 6:10)

11. BORROWER LENDER All borrowing and lending should be done with the knowledge of the household head, or when required by the particular circumstances of the members involved, with the approval of the CFC Council. (Rom. 12:5; Col. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:21; Eph. 5:11) 12. WORKING OUT CONFLICTS If the controversy cannot be resolved by the members involved, the dispute should be elevated to the Chapter Head or to whomsoever the CFC Council may designate to handle the dispute. The decision of the CFC Council shall be binding. Court litigation normally should not be resorted to, but if deemed necessary, members are encouraged to seek advice from the CFC Council (1 Cor. 6:17; Dt. 17:8 11)

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A group of enthusiastic souls who just found where to channel their energies and dedication to a worthy cause as Baton, Rouge, LA participated in their first ever ANCOP Walk 2017.

Warming up before Baton Rouge ANCOP walk that has been duplicated all over the globe.

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To have a picture taken at their first CFC Youth camp in Shreveport, LA with Jesus as “badge” is showing off to everyone their first step to a long lasting relationship with the Lord.

The only thing noticeable to every CFC activity is the fixed smile at everybody’s face shining brightly with contentment and unmistakable peace. First CFC Youth Camp and CLP at Baton Rouge, LA work wonders.

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Mother’s Day - what a fitting celebration in May 2017 Houston, TX General Assembly! Mother is the most enviable title one can possess in this world. What a wonderful creation of God!

There are many ways to show love and appreciation of our wives; serenading them at Mother’s Day celebration in Houston, TX General Assembly is certainly memorable and long lasting.

Lovers of the poor of Shreveport, LA proudly participated in their 4th ANCOP Walk 2017!

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Couples For Christ, Vietnamese Community

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Young families of CFC Dallas/Forth Worth gathered for a session of fun activities and guided questions. Each topic is based on the Sunday gospel. An initiative aims to instill CHristian values in both parents and children.

They were empowered. CFC Dallas/ Forth Worth gathered and listened to the inspiring journey of Brother CHolo Labog, Country Coordinator CFC-USA with lovely wife, Christy during their pastoral visit.