From Café to Coffee Shop – ICS Youth Leaders’ Holy Friday Retreat

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April 5, 2008

Who said that Holy Fridays must be kept holy by just staying at home to quietly pray or visiting various churches around the metro? Not so for the youth leaders of ICS!

For starters, they spent half a day’s worth last March 21, 2008 in the Café YA (Young Adults), for their one-day leadership retreat, facilitated by the senior pastor himself, Ptr. Jerry Balbuena, and his associate pastor, Ptr. Jesse Dedel.

Ptr. Jerry shared about the church’s direction in the hope that the youth leaders would fully grasp ICS’ vision and mission. He taught about discovering ministry and its philosophy as the key to one’s success in ministry, aside from God’s grace. They were reminded of the primary need to be committed to a church family and to the habits that form spiritual maturity before one is ready for ministry because membership and maturity are the foundation for ministry.

Ptr. Jerry also shared that, as a pastor, his number one priority is to equip the members of the church for ministry.

A sumptuous dinner was prepared by Sis. Rose Dedel. It was the first time the ICS youth had a taste of her cooking and, as expected, she did not disappoint. Some of the boys were even asking Sis. Rose’s daughter Jesi Rose, who was one of the youth in attendance, if the food was always like that at their home. Needless to say, they loved the food!

After a few minutes of fellowship and seemingly endless picture-taking, the chapel service started with worship singing led by Daniel Gomez. Ptr. Jesse shared the Word.

This time, the CROSSLinC leaders were reminded to remain “hungry” for more of God by guarding against becoming too full of the world. They were exhorted not to treat Christ and the Kingdom business as a mere hobby and challenged to be truly committed to them, as opposed to simply being interested. They were encouraged to not let their seeming weaknesses and imperfections discourage them from getting involved in youth ministry. Instead they were to understand that, in God’s economy, nothing is wasted; everything is useful for his glory.

After the worship and the Word, pastor Jerry herded everyone to ICS’ favorite tambayan (hangout) and unofficial “annex”…Starbucks! There, life stories and laughter abounded, casually shared with one another over a cup of coffee.

Now, while this may not seem like a “holy thing” to do, and on a Good Friday at that, one will do well to consider that time spent in God’s Word and with His children is always time well spent, even if it culminates in a coffee shop. Indeed, the youth of ICS did not just have fun; they also learned more about why and how they should strive to serve the church and the Lord with all their might.

Click thumbnail for photos of the event.