Arrival of the Outreach Team – September 2 Our beloved Elder- Founder Sis. Techie “Soar” Rodriguez arrived at Tom Bradley International Airport, Los Angeles, California, for the annual mission trip to North America. The month-long trip to the West and East Coasts TLF chapters included Spirit Empowerment Seminars (SES) in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dublin, and Ontario, Canada; Maturing in the Spirit Seminar in Bakersfield; Praise & Worship and Growth Talks; and the much-awaited International Retreat in San Bernardino, California.
The Los Angeles Chapter Steward, Ef Lavilla, with the TLF coordinators, warmly welcomed Soar and Judith Almendrala at the airport. Leading the heartfelt welcome was Soar’s daughter, Mik Flores, (Community’s Head Servant) with her son, Zech, to the delight of Soar. As always, the Los Angeles Chapter is honored to be Soar’s “First-Stop” in her US mission trips as her arrival signals community revival.
The US chapters and members anticipated grace and direction from the Holy Spirit as Soar’s pastoral mission has echoed The Lord’s Flock’s unwavering commitment to spiritual renewal, empowerment, and maturity. The gatherings and activities were meant to strengthen the faith of the flock, inspire personal transformation, and equip members to be effective witnesses of God’s love in this part of the world.
Thus, this visit marked another milestone in the ongoing journey of The Lord’s Flock to fulfill its call to bring more souls to Christ.
The Los Angeles Chapter Praise and Worship with Soar – Sept. 5
TLF Los Angeles Chapter eagerly welcomed Sis. Techie “Soar” Rodriguez during the Friday night Praise and Worship at their home Parish in Glendale, California. Soar brought with her God’s strength, steadfastness, encouragement, and wisdom to share with the community.
Moreover, she underscored Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13), a powerful metaphor (imagery) of a Sower (God) who illustrates the four types of ground (people) that receive the seed (Word of God) thrown at them. The first type of ground, the pathway, represents those who hear the word, but the Devil takes it away before it can take root while the people trample the seed underfoot. The second type, a rocky ground, symbolizes those who receive the word with joy, but they lack depth; hence, they have no root and fall away when trouble or persecution arises. The third, the thorny ground, represents those choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, which prevent the word from producing fruit. The fourth type, good ground, is a receptive heart that receives the word, allowing it to take root to produce a crop and yielding a bountiful harvest.
Similarly, Soar warned the community of the lies of the Satan who lures people by his schemes of diversion, delusion, and doubt. The devil is present in the world and wants to steal truths away from God’s people who, if left to their vulnerable selves, can allow the devil to take truths away from their hearts.
In addition, Soar exhorted two main points to commit: to study and dwell in God’s words for one’s own growth, protection, and future harvest; and to watch out for the devil’s lies creeping into one’s heart.
Los Angeles Chapter – Spirit Empowerment Seminar (SES), Sept. 6
There are no better words to describe the occasion but “God’s loving intervention.” Within a span of seven years, the Los Angeles Chapter had been going through difficult tests that their yearly Spirit Empowerment Seminar (SES) was temporarily under the auspices of the Bakersfield chapter. In return, LA chapter has been grateful for the generosity of Bakersfield community for receiving their LA seekers.
However, this year, God intervened and signaled the end of “drought.” The LA Chapter leaders and coordinators desired, prayed, and worked together to hold the SES once again after seven years of hiatus. Moreover, God allowed the use of the New Parish Center, Holy Family Parish and sent Marlyn Santos and Janice Daigan from Bakersfield Chapter to assist them. Further, seventeen (17) seekers experienced a renewed relationship with God particularly Joyce, one of the seekers, who dreamt about TLF. Then, she found out that there was an upcoming SES in LA. Was that a coincidence?
Likewise, Sis. Techie “Soar” Rodriguez, the Elder-Founder, and Vision Holder of the community, whose dynamic teaching and Spirit-filled presence touched the hearts of everyone present. Soar shared the Four Basic Truths of Faith, laying the foundation for a deeper relationship with God:
- God is Holy and the Creator of All Things – He created everything in love and calls us to holiness;
- Humans Beings are Sinful and Separated from God – Our sins create a gap we cannot bridge on our own;
- Jesus Christ Is God’s Son and the Only Savior – Through His sacrifice, we are reconciled to the Father;
- Salvation and Forgiveness are Received through Faith in Jesus Christ – Accepting Him as Lord and Savior leads to a new and personal relationship with God.
Through prayers, songs, and laying of hands, Soar baptized the seventeen seekers in the Holy Spirit and they received the Spiritual Gifts. Then, Soar encouraged the seekers to continue nourishing their faith by joining the community’s weekly Praise and Worship every Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the BVM Formation Center in Glendale, California. Book signing ensued after the seminar.
This Spirit Empowerment Seminar (SES) proved to be a “turning point” experience for the seekers. It was a day of renewal, reawakening, and divine encounters — a testament to the Lord’s unending grace and power at work through the Holy Spirit.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
— Isaiah 40:31
To God be the Glory!
SCRIBES MINISTRY
Written by: Monina Letargo and Jimmy Esplanada
Edited by: Dr. Vera Tuplano
