New worship service times! We will now have our worship services at 8:30am, 12nn and 3:30pm starting May 26.

CCF St. Francis will have services at 11:30am and 4:30pm. These will be recordings of the services in CCF Center. http://www.ccf.org.ph/location-time/ccf-st-francis-square/

Please inform your family and friends. See you there!

I am Tony Dela Paz, a former drug addict but now a follower of Jesus.

I first dabbled with marijuana, drugs and alcohol at age 12. Drugs and alcohol took away my shyness and insecurities, making me bold, self-confident and popular. I enjoyed my newfound image. I was unmindful of the dangerous consequences brought about by my misdeeds. I started all sorts of trouble – pushing marijuana, organizing a fraternity, getting into gang wars and fist fights. Violence gave me a sense of thrill. I relished the power, acceptance and respect I received from my peers.

God made Himself known to me on my family’s lowest moment. We experienced financial bankruptcy and my father was bedridden because of an illness. I had to stop going to school. In 1987, my mother also got sick. My parents were hospitalized separately. Coming home late from a drinking spree, I opened the television to find a channel airing a Christian program. The program featured a drug addict whose testimony mirrored mine. It was as if he was talking about my life! I watched him speak of God’s love and how Jesus Christ died for my sins so I can be forgiven and go to heaven. I cried out because I knew I was on my way to hell. I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior that night. The next day, I woke up with the heaviness in my heart gone. I immediately told my drinking buddies that Jesus Christ is real. I became sober for some time but my faith did not grow for I did not know God’s Word.

I prayed and asked God for a job. He answered my prayer but when a fratmate coworker offered me a packet of shabu (methamphetamine), I thought it was harmless. Trying shabu made me go back to my drug addiction. I eventually lost my job and my life became a mess as my addiction worsened.

Coming home from another session with friends one night, I felt a strong urge to reconcile with my dad. We were not in good terms because I blamed him for the hardships we encountered. I asked for his forgiveness. We cried and embraced each other. My father passed away the next day. I did not realize then that it was God who gave me the longing to be reconciled with my dad. God gave us the closure we both needed.

God was faithful despite my unfaithfulness. Instead of repenting, I got deeper into my drug use and became paranoid. I felt guilty and frustrated. I contemplated suicide. I was ready to put a noose on my neck and jump from a chair when I heard a knock on the door. My brother was there to see me. He wanted to put me in rehab. In my anger, I went out of the room with the intention of killing him before myself. I almost stabbed him. It was only God’s intervention that kept me from taking our lives. The police came and took me to Camp Crame for safekeeping. It was there that I got a hold of and read the Bible.

After 3 months, I returned home but failed to land a permanent job due to my drug use. I wanted to stop taking drugs but could not. Desperate, I cried out to God for help. I confessed my sins and recommitted my life to the Lord. God eventually took away my craving for drugs and replaced it with a desire to know Him. There was an insatiable hunger to know Him. I prayed and read His Word regularly. I didn’t know of any Bible-believing church then. A year passed before a friend invited me to worship in CCF.

I walked into Valle Verde to attend the worship service feeling insecure. I did not know anyone and the friend who invited me was nowhere to be found. I felt that I did not belong and toyed with the idea of not coming back. But God allowed 3 incidents that changed my mind. The first incident was when two Spirit-filled men warmly welcomed and accommodated me. The second one was being seated near the brother whom I intended to harm earlier. He was there with his family for the first time too and was surprised to find me there. God allowed us to experience His grace at work by orchestrating that reconciliation. And lastly, the head pastor went to me to shake my hand during the end of the service. It may seem common for pastors to do that but for me, it was God’s assurance that He wanted me to worship Him in this place. God is truly amazing!

I grew in faith, attending Bible studies and Sunday worship. But the lack of self-control led me to commit sexual immorality with my then-girlfriend (who is now my wife). We got married ahead of God’s time because of it. Our marriage became complicated as we frequently argued and fought. I went back to drinking but God disciplined me. During this time, my wife’s sister invited us to attend the small group that she and her husband were leading. I reluctantly attended at first but eventually found myself looking forward to our weekly meetings. I stopped going out on Fridays to drink with officemates. It was in the small group where I really began to grow spiritually.

God opened an opportunity to start a Bible study in my workplace. I eagerly studied His word. I began sharing the gospel to others. I eventually was asked handle our small group when our leader left for Singapore.

God is faithful. It is amazing how He used me in spite of me. I have strayed many times yet God remains faithful. He continues to break and mold me to the man He wants me to be. I trust that He who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of His coming. I am forever grateful to my faithful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me His Holy Spirit who enables and empowers me to do His will. His good and wonderful plans have given me a purpose in life as His witness.

All praises and glory to Him alone!

You Are the Church ()

Knowing God Series
Speaker: Peter Tan-chi Date: May 12, 2013

Download Links: Audio Video 4Ws

Christ Commission Fellowship is a movement of Christ-committed followers. Its mission is to make disciples who will make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20).

Now on its 28th­_­ year, CCF is a growing church of over 30 outreaches in the Philippines and thousands of house churches abroad. Its leadership was led by the Lord to build a worship and training venue, school, and youth center for the growing number of Christ-committed followers. This is the birth of the new CCF Center.

CCF reaches another milestone in its history with the church’s inaugural worship service in the new building. This new chapter in the CCF story is part of God’s plan to draw more people to Him so that the world will know Him.

THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING.

In the Bible, the word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia which means community, assembly, called out people. The church is not a building or a structure. The church is God’s people (read Col. 4:5; 1 Cor. 16:19).

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. – 1 Corinthians 1:2

The church is a community of people who have been set apart for Christ by faith in Christ. If you have trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are part of the church. You don’t go to church when you go to a building. The building is just a venue for the church to gather and worship God.

JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH; WE ARE HIS BODY.

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all – Ephesians 1:22-23

Jesus is the Head of the church and we are His body. It is a privilege to be Jesus’ arms, feet and mouth to the world (1 Cor. 12:27; Col. 1:16, 18). Because we are the extension of His body, His representatives, and agents of change in the world, we must be Christ-like. Do people see Christ in us?

As a new chapter in the CCF story unfolds, we must not lose sight of the mission, the message, and the motivation of our calling. The mission is to make disciples who will make disciples. The message is Jesus Himself. The motivation is love for God and others.

It is our privilege to partner with God’s agenda in CCF to make Him known.

Before deciding to join the ministry, I dreamed of becoming a big-time businessman because I wanted to be rich to get back to those who insulted me when I was young and poor. When I came to know God personally, my views eventually changed.

I entered the ministry in 1988 after much struggle and several confirmations. I was passionate and totally committed to the call. I chose the road less traveled to honor the Lord in everything.

My first two years were very challenging. I self-studied theology instead of going to a bible school. By God’s grace, God prospered all the ministries I handled for 17 years. I started out in the youth ministry. Before long, I was handling a congregation and became part of the leadership of a megachurch. With all these blessings, I became proud without realizing it. I looked down and criticized pastors from other churches when they do things that were different from my personal convictions.

One day, one of the articles I wrote for a local newspaper became controversial. The 11-year-old girl whose testimony I used as an illustration was invited to appear for interview in some TV shows. Unfortunately, the child’s story was found to be a hoax. Consequently, I made a public apology for using her testimony without thoroughly investigating its authenticity. My motive for writing the article was questioned. The message that I wanted to convey was lost in the midst of the controversy. A lot of people were affected so my home church thought that I had to be disciplined. I was confined alone in a room for two months to spend time with God in prayer. My family only got to visit me once a week. During those trying moments, God encouraged me. After two months, I was sent to a remote place in the Visayas. I was housed in an old vacation building situated in the middle of a 1000-hectare farm for four months. I felt desolate and hopeless. I had no one to turn to. God’s promises began to dim.

One day, I had a chance to go to the edge of the fence that parted the beach. I was tempted to jump and kill myself. When I was about to jump, Bible verses instead jumped to my mind. If you give up on the day of adversity, how small is your strength? If I can’t run with men, how can I run with horses? I realized that I had no right to speak to God in my cowardice. I began to see my helplessness apart from God. I felt like a filthy rag. I was stripped of all my perceived qualifications at the feet of our holy yet gracious God. The words of Asaph became so real to me. Whom have I in heaven but you?

From that encounter, I started taking hikes up the mountain on the succeeding mornings and afternoons. I would spend time with God in prayer for hours. I began reading His Word like a baby longing for milk.

During my prayer times on the mountain, the Lord showed me how proud and disrespectful I was to my leader. God made me understand that I was not indispensable in the ministry. Opportunities to serve Him come from Him. He can open and close doors of service. Serving Him is really just a privilege. I asked for forgiveness from the other pastors I criticized. The Lord broke me. I was reduced to nothing.

After seven months in isolation, I was kicked out of the leadership just as the Lord revealed to me in prayer. I was maligned and accused of numerous offenses behind my back which continued even to the time I already transferred into another church. At first, I was tempted to sue but the Lord reminded me that my life was no longer mine but His. The Lord commanded me to respond in love instead.

In the next three months, my home church’s program made me feel that I was no longer welcome in the church. I informed the leadership that I would look for another church. I started attending various bible-believing churches. I also considered settling abroad. While I was in Canada, God impressed upon my heart to join CCF. At that time, I did not know anything about CCF. When I arrived in Manila from Canada, a friend of mine invited me to attend a CCF church service to my surprise.

My family was so blessed with our first attendance. It was a confirmation of God’s leading! With God’s further leading, I looked into the process of becoming a member. I attended GLC 1 classes, joined a Dgroup and started praying for disciples to mentor despite my hesitations. I continued joining the CCF fellowship until God opened another door of service. After a couple of years, I became a pastor again. This time, I was the pastor of the afternoon services here in CCF.

I don’t know what God had in mind when He willed all the things that happened. But one thing I know, I am made to glorify and honor the Lord in abundance or in want with or without men’s recognition. Though none go with me, still I will follow the Lord.

For I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It is not by my might or power. It is only by the Spirit of God.

I grew up in a very loving family. My father was a disciplinarian and I remember him giving me advice and guidelines on how to behave properly. Whenever I did something wrong, he gave a sermon, finishing with an advice to pray to Jesus and ask for His help. My mother was a dutiful wife to my father and a kind mother to us. She used to cover for us to my father whenever we did something wrong. I’m the second of four children. There was plenty of love and respect among us in our younger years.

However this happy childhood did not stop me from dabbling into things that I knew were bad for me. One foggy morning, a classmate gave me a lighted marijuana joint and I accepted it. Things went downhill from there. It led to smoking cigarettes to cover the marijuana’s acrid smell. Not soon after, I was popping all sorts of pills. This started my 30-year affair with drugs. I got away with this lifestyle because I was a sweet talker. I lied my way through each tight spot I got into. My high school and college years just zoomed past me. I was even able to finish my mechanical engineering course while being a member of the swimming team, theater guild and student council.

In my older sister’s wedding, I was introduced to shabu (methamphetamine). That was when my life started spiraling out of control. My kind mother later commented, “I don’t know you anymore.” From a pleasant, ever smiling person, I became angry, greedy and self-centered. It had to be my way or no way at all. My relationships suffered. I was either asleep or eating like crazy. My parents hardly saw me sober. My siblings looked at me differently. My friends and coworkers shied away from me one by one.

I met Barbara in 1991. We had so much in common. We liked the same food, read the same books and loved taking out-of-town trips. We talked about anything and everything. While working at the same company in 1996, we were transferred to Cebu where we started living together. We had a son the following year. It was a good relationship but not without arguments and fights.

Barbara and I got married in 2002. I volunteered myself for rehabilitation a few months after the wedding. I was able to stop doing drugs for a while but went back to it after some time. I went in and out of rehab. I sank deeper and deeper into depression. I was broken and dying inside. I became desperate. It dawned on me that I needed help but I did not know where to get it.

It was at this time that I overheard two of my friends talking about Glorious Hope, a CCF ministry that helps individuals address personal life issues. I inquired about the program and my friends volunteered to bring me to CCF. My first Glorious Hope meeting felt like coming home. Tears welled in my eyes and I could not explain the joy that I felt as I listened to the message. I looked forward to going to the Saturday meetings from then on. I felt the peace I wanted to have for a long time.

Through a prayer and fasting weekend, I came to know Jesus Christ and surrendered my life to Him. I learned to turn over my hurts to God. I was powerless in the face of temptation and only God can help me. The pivotal moment for me was when I made a list of persons I hurt and asked for their forgiveness. The changes that God was doing in my life were so obvious that my wife took notice. She joined me in attending CCF two weeks later.

I thank God for always looking out for me and never giving up on me. God is truly gracious! At present, my wife and I are members of a small group and taking up GLC classes. My son was just in a JZone retreat. As I continue to walk with the Spirit, I trust that Christ will finish the work He started in me. I volunteered to serve as a Glorious Hope facilitator this year. I know that my life can be a blessing to others who are going through the same struggles that I went through. I am also happy to say that my mother showed interest in what my family and I are doing in church.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. That I go to prepare a place for you.” These verses continue to minister to me as I go through a new life that God has given me. I am Andy Panililio, a former drug addict, broken and now a follower of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory.

• Message
• Praise and Worship

Download Video Here

Die to Live ()

Knowing God Series
Speaker: Peter Tan-chi Date: May 5, 2013

Download Links: Audio Video 4Ws

The Christian life is a paradox. You must be the last to be first. You must give to receive. You must be the least to be the greatest. You must die to live (Gal. 2:20).

To follow Christ, we must deny ourselves. We must surrender the right to make the final decisions in our lives to Christ. We must give up the ownership of our lives to Jesus because we have been bought at a price—His life for our lives. We must take up our cross daily. The cross that we bear is a symbol of dying to self (Luke 9:23, 1 Cor. 15:31).

King Saul vs. David

King Saul was an example of a self-centered man who refused to die to himself. He started well (1 Sam. 11:6) but became preoccupied with his image and reputation (15:12, 30). He was insecure of David’s popularity (18:7-9). He let his position, power, and possession define him. His life ended tragically. He committed suicide and three of his sons died with him in Mount Gilboa.

King David was not always God-centered. God allowed pain and trials to enter David’s life to break him to develop his character. The consequences of his sins were tragic. His first son to Bathsheba died. His daughter Tamar was raped. His favorite son Absalom rebelled and plotted to kill him. His adviser Ahitophel turned against him.

David responded by humbling himself. In Psalm 51:23, David said, “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.” Even though David made mistakes, he still finished well because he asked for God’s forgiveness and depended on God.

Why should you die to yourself?

The Bible tells us that the only way to live is to die to ourselves. There is no other option. Luke 9:24 says, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”

One day, Jesus will come again. Will He recognize that you belong to Him? Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).

Living the Spirit-filled life requires a daily dying to yourself so that Christ’s life may be fully manifested in your life. Will you die to yourself today?

Great is God’s Faithfulness!

First Worship Service at the CCF Center!

May 12, 2013
Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue corner C5 Road, Pasig City

For more info, contact us at the following:

• (02) 635-3410
• www.ccf.org.ph
• info@ccf.org.ph

Directions to the CCF Center

Via Public Transportation

From MRT Ortigas Station

• WALK to Ortigas Avenue (Landmarks: POEA or Robinson’s Galleria)
• Ride a BUS to “Cainta” or “Taytay” or a JEEP to“Rosario”
• Get off at the main intersection under the flyover of Ortigas Avenue and C5 Road

 From East Metro Manila (Marikina, Cogeo, etc.)

• Ride a JEEP to “Cubao”
• Get off at Yale Street corner Aurora Blvd.
• WALK across Aurora Blvd. towards the corner of Gen. Romulo Ave.
• Ride a JEEP in front of Mercury Drug to “Ever Rosario De Castro”, “Cubao via Junction Ever Rosario”, or “Cubao Rosario Sta. Lucia”
• The jeep will pass Eastwood City, then turn left at the intersection of Ortigas Ave. and C5 Road
• Get off at the corner of Ortigas Ave. and C5 Road
• Cross carefully towards the CCF Center

 From Pasig Palengke

• Ride a JEEP with a “Pasig Palengke E. Rodriguez Ugong” sign. The jeep will pass right beside the CCF Center
• After the jeep takes a U-turn under the flyover of Ortigas Avenue and C5 Road, get off the jeep at the designated unloading zone

Via Private Vehicle

 From EDSA/Greenhills/Ortigas Center

• Take Ortigas Avenue Eastbound
• After driving past Medical City and Lanuza Avenue, take the rightmost lane before approaching the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and C5 Road
• Turn RIGHT into Frontera Verde

From Taguig/Makati

• Take C5 Road Northbound
• Take the service road (NOT the flyover) toward The Grove
• Take a U-turn under the flyover towards C5 Road Southbound
• Turn RIGHT into Las Fiestas road towards Frontera Verde
• Turn RIGHT towards the CCF Center

 Available Carparks

 CCF Center Basement 1 and Basement 3

• Tiendesitas (open pay parking)
• Transcom Basement 2 (pay parking)
• Silver City Mall ground floor (pay parking)

Reminder: Parking along the streets and sidewalks of Frontera Verde is not allowed. Please park at the designated carparks only. Thank you for your cooperation!

• Message
• Praise and Worship

Download Video Here

Download Audio Here