Sis. Techie “Soar” Rodriguez (Elder-Founder of The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community) and the mission team arrived in Madrid, Spain on an afternoon flight from Paris on Thursday, August 22. The welcoming stewards of the TLF Madrid Chapter – Aj Velasco and Meliza Larita, were already at the gate eagerly waiting for the team’s arrival. They proceeded immediately to the Sterling Hotel along Calle San Bernardino, their residence for the next five nights. They went for a stroll along Gran Via to scout for an appetizing dinner and ended up craving comfort food – the tasty chicken joy and spaghetti of Jollibee. They discussed the agenda for the next few days, comprising of a Spirit Empowerment Seminar, Retreat and Facing.
SPIRIT EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR (SES)
On Saturday, August 24, Soar led the group’s morning prayers to renew their spiritual strength. They proceeded to the Nuestra Señora del Espino Church for the Spirit Empowerment Seminar, which was attended by nine guests (four married women, one child, three single ladies, a single male,). Her teaching was focused on “The Four Basic Truths” and the importance of renewing and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Soar called on Bro. Froilan Hong (TLF Co-Founder) to share his escape from a dreaded cancer through the love of God and his commitment to follow Jesus. Judith Almendrala (Head Steward of SERVE Ministry) also shared how she joined the Lord’s Flock, her transformation from her old sinful life to a renewed and blissful new life with the Lord. On the other hand, Joy Molina (Steward of Las Vegas Chapter) narrated her victorious life with the Lord after relying solely on His will as she and her husband, Joey, recovered from business failures. Lastly, Jess Advincula (Steward of SOWER Ministry) exemplified his transformed life after his SES experience and how he managed to overcome trials and oppositions.
Finally, Soar capped the SES with the baptism in the Holy Spirit at 9pm. The participants experienced God’s forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit and most of them were in tears. The event was celebrated with dinner in the same venue with the delicious Filipino food prepared by the Madrid Chapter.
RETREAT AND FACING
The retreat for the Chapter leaders and members was held on the same venue the next day, August 25, 2024, 2pm to accommodate their work schedules. Soar highlighted to the nine participants the importance of the role of leaders. She gave them a brief view of how the Lord’s Flock Community started, the vision and mission, its expansion and the various trials; likewise, the persecutions and the oppositions that she personally encountered to pursue and follow God’s commands. By analogy, she prompted the incoming leaders to persevere in trials and be obedient to God as she had done. This was particularly relevant since the ten-year old Madrid chapter has been encountering ups and downs in membership due to numerous trials and worldly temptations.
Subsequently, Soar appointed the new stewards, Aj Velasco and Meliza Larita, as well as the new coordinators, Marvin Corpus and Letty Matedios, who will be serving side-by-side with them in making the Chapter grow. They were given their appointment certificates and they signed their commitment letters. The new leaders took to heart Soar’s instructions with eagerness and excitement in their eyes as they sang in unison the “Servant Song.” They ended with a fellowship dinner of Spanish ham, cheeses, pasta etc. which were prepared by the chapter. They also surprised Soar with a birthday cake to show their love and appreciation as they sung the birthday song.
Truly, the Madrid Chapter was blessed by the Elder’s visit and anointing. They were commissioned to be good servants of God and to follow the community’s long cherished vision and mission, to bring more souls to Jesus. Viva Madrid!
To God be the glory!
SCRIBES Ministry
Written by: Jess Advincula
(SOWER Ministry Steward)
