With her usual cheer and excitement, the Elder Founder Techie “Soar” Rodriquez, arrived at the Tom Bradley Los Angeles Airport (LAX) at 8:30 am, Monday, Feb 26 for her USA Mission. Soar and the mission team, Judith Almendrala (Head Steward Serve Ministry) & Ted Torres (Steward Send Ministry), will visit the different USA chapters and attend the Facing 2024 for the West and East Coast. It was springtime, and the California sunshine mixed with on-and-off drizzles and overcast afternoons greeted the mission team. Their arrival sent excitement and anticipation to all the USA chapters as they embarked on the spiritual journey with their beloved elder.
Last Wednesday (Feb. 28) the Los Angeles Chapter had their face-to-face Grow teaching with Soar. She spoke about modeling Christ. She encouraged the community not to be conformed to this world but to “…become conformed to the image of His Son …” (Rom. 8:29) and further discussed the necessity of imitating Christ in one’s faith journey (Eph. 5:1). By modeling Christ, they should become models to others, “..show yourself an example [of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4: 12).
Additionally, Soar discussed two powerful statements of Jesus: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Matt. 11) and “ If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9). Next, she reminded the congregation to be vigilant as the enemy, the devil, is always on the lookout for the next prey (1 Peter 5:8). Lastly, Soar emphasized the importance of silence before an accusation as what the Lord did during his trial.
On the 1st Friday of March, the Praise & Worship in Los Angeles was an occasion of grace with the pastoral visit of Soar. Also, Fr. Vincent Liwag, the associate pastor of Holy Family Church, came by to welcome Soar. He mentioned that he had joined TLF Manila and completed TLF Harvest classes before he entered the seminary in 2004. Now, after about 20 years, Soar and Fr. Vincent had a happy, heartwarming reunion.
Soar blessed the congregation with her teachings about the storms of life. Some people are emerging from a storm, some are currently in the storm, while others are about to enter a storm. Storms are part of life. Some overcome the storm by the grace of God, albeit injuries can remain for a while.
In wrestling with the storms of life, Soar referred to Mark 4:35-41. She expounded that even the disciples of Jesus, seasoned fishermen, were frightened by the great storm. However, Jesus rebuked them to have faith as He quieted the storm.
Soar continued to encourage the community to have faith in their journey through the storms of life, quoting Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever comes to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Indeed, the Los Angeles Chapter felt truly blessed to be the first stop in Soar’s 4-week Mission in the USA and was nourished by her impactful Grow and Praise & Worship teachings. Furthermore, they cherished her spirit-filled presence that they had missed for a long time.
To God be the glory!
Scribes Ministry
Written by: Monina Letargo
Steward Los Angeles Chapter
