October 21, 2021
Sis Zee Fuentes
Family Connection Conference, one of the major events organized by The Lord’s Flock (TLF) community, was held at 10 in the morning, last October 17,2021. There were 700 local and international chapter participants eager to listen, participate and learn from this event. Facilitating the event, Bro Dinky Florentino, one of the Council of Advisers, and Sis Janette Dequito, Steward-LA TLF International acted as moderators. Hence, this memorable conference purposely aimed at bridging communication gaps, enhancing Christian values anchored on the word of God, and making Christ as the center of family life.
The program started off with a prayer by Bro.Dinky, followed by the naming convention mechanics (to classify participants for breakout sessions) as explained by Sis Janette. The Psalm ministry rendered joyful worship songs which fired up the participants. Eventually, the moderators excitedly introduced the Elders of the community, Sis Techie (Sor) and Bro Bobby (Tatay Bob), respectively.
In particular, Bro Bobby (Tatay Bob) emphasized in his welcome address the value of praying together as a family; he asserted that a dysfunctional family could generate a dysfunctional society evident in the prevalence of social ills. However, the pandemic could also be a blessing because it had brought life to the family – spending precious moments together resulting in a wholesome and beneficial relationship. Bro Bobby also shared his notion about bad parenting which could entrap children into worldly snares- an enormous obstacle in learning/immersing in the word of God. Consequently, a video presentation was shown about God who created man and woman for a divine purpose, that is, to propagate and form a family according to His design.
After Bro. Bobby’s insightful message, Bro. Derick Santiago, Head Servant, Send-International, delivered his keynote address which highlighted the significance of putting God first above all things. He focused on the Ten Commandments with emphasis on the first three commandments: loving, honoring, respecting and worshipping God alone – “Thou shall not have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). In return, boundless miracles will happen in all aspects of one’s life up to the thousandth generation, “but I show steadfast love until the thousandth generation for those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Ex. 20:6).
Bro Derrick further exhorted that the father who is the head of the family should act as a priest to bring the family to church to hear mass every Sunday without excuses. He should be the model of Christian values, prioritizing time to worship. Each member of the family should integrate God’s commandments by loving not only one’s family but neighbors and community. Moreover, the parents should monitor the gross effect of social media sensationalizing crimes and other related violence and focusing instead on the building of a strong foundation anchored on the Holy Scripture.
The next speaker, Sis. Elyn Inocencio-Aracid, talked about effective communication in the family by building a bridge to connect the family members. She explained that there were two levels of communications: level of communication in the family and level of pattern or spectrum of communication. These levels demonstrated the degree of intimacy; from current events to expression of deeper hurts. She enumerated factors that prevented from communicating effectively, among others: inability to listen; lack of knowledge, skills and/or techniques in communicating; fear of telling the truth; and discouragement. Similarly, a relationship spectrum could be healthy, unhealthy or abusive. Finally, she advised parents to listen, talk, (without abusive demeaning words), trust, respect, care, value time and accept limitations among their children.
Further, Sis. Rose Baclig, one of the members of Executive Council, shared her testimony about her family on how they surpassed the greatest challenge before, during, and after the demise of Bro. Mon Baclig, her husband. They were truly united in solving the problem with God as the center of their strength and hope.
Similarly, Bro. Froilan Hong, co-founder of TLF, Senior Head Servant delivered a conference statement to review the conference action points. He asserted that God designed the family (with biblical reference). Hence, the husband leads the family, and must love his wife who in turn must submit to the husband. As a result, the children must honor and love their parents as stated in the 4th commandment. In addition, the Christian family is anchored on the virtue of obedience, love, respect acceptance and belongingness. Eventually, Soar led the closing prayer and consecrated all families to God.
Finally, the conference is all about the revitalization of the Christian families through the word of God. Establishing good communication patterned on our Christian faith is vital to maintain a healthy family which focuses on the teachings and ways of God. Subsequently, effective and constant communication creates a harmonious relationship and awareness of each family member’s welfare. Thus, it is the responsibility of the parents to instill Christian values and bring their children close to God anchored on His word as written in the Bible.
To God be the glory!
