Written by: Sis Jo Advincula
Scribes Ministry
The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community (TLFCC) is honored to host the first forum on Modern Evangelization organized by the Sangguniang LAIKO ng Pilipinas (The Lay Arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines). The forum held on March 11, 2023 at the TLF Sanctuary focused on the effective and modern strategies to evangelize. The attendees included delegations from various parish organizations, Couples for Christ, Mother Butler, Ligaya, Missionary Families of Christ, FTCC and other Charismatic groups. This event is a milestone to gather different lay organizations to share expertise in disseminating Face to Face Evangelization, Tri-Media Evangelization, Social Media Evangelization and General Evangelization.
The forum started with a prayer and a resounding praise & worship led by Angel Angeles, TLF Psalm Ministry. Next, Bro. Teddy Santiago, LAIKO Secretary, conveyed his appreciation to the lay organizations and to God Almighty for this phenomenal event on evangelization. Similarly, Bro. Dinky Florentino, LAIKO Trustee and TLF Execom Adviser, who was appointed to chair the Committee on Evangelization anchored his task on the call (Come follow me-Jesus) and the mandate to teach my commandments (Mt. 28). He exhorted everyone to be modern disciples/fishers of men and to learn from the expertise of the invited speakers.
Moreover, LAIKO President Raymond Daniel H. Cruz who delivered his virtual message from Kuala Lumpur reminded the Pope’s call to be good/effective evangelizers. On the other hand, Bishop Enrique V. Macaraeg, D.D., CBCP ECLA Chairman and LAIKO National Director cited that evangelization is a calling, a vocation and a mission (Mt. 28:19-20). Bro Mike Bukuhan, Couples for Christ (CFC) introduced the Resource Speakers who shared their expertise and initiatives:
• Face to Face Evangelization by Atty Arnel Santos, CFC Director of the Board of Elders:
o How did CFC break barriers and evangelize the home and the world? It was an act of creating sacred spaces in civil spaces: the home and physical gatherings in the malls, among others. During the lockdown, CFC evangelized through online platform. They responded to the poor and the sick, mobilized the ayuda, and raised funds for the sick members of the church.
o He emphasized what Pope Francis exhorted: be careful not to “virtualize” the church, the sacraments, and people of God.
• Tri-Media Evangelization by Riza Mendoza (Radio Veritas Station Director)
• Radio Veritas (RV) format is about evangelization: faith truth; creativity and innovativeness. It has expanded to three (3) platforms: radio, teleradyo via cable, and online. The Church should go to the people, to extend help for their needs before evangelization.
• In particular, RV had to evangelize through tri-media and had to do battle against a culture of death and evil.
o “Kapanalig” Media Community on-air has 60, 000 members.
o “Catholink” is an information counselling hub
o “Caritas in Action” consists of public service programs to bring the Church close to the people.
o “Tunog ng Simbahan” features pastoral visits on-air by the Bishops and the Nuncio.
• Social Media Evangelization by Mary Joy Cagay, Missionary Families of Christ -Youth
o Social Media evangelization needs to go beyond borders, to utilize the social media to spread the Good News.
o The MFC Youth evangelizes through the youth’s language (“Advent-ure”, “Lent Like No Other”) and music.
• General Evangelization: by Techie Rodriguez (TLF Elder-Founder, Writer of Books on Faith, Host of TV & Radio program Signs and Wonders, recipient of 10 Anak TV Awards)
• The Great Commission is a command not a suggestion because we need to make disciples, true followers of Jesus.
• Advocacy for the youth is about The Holy Spirit. It is the charism (Jn. 14:27) to light the fire of the Pentecost among the youth. Singles and Youth Faith on Fire (SYFOF) started in 2012 and filled the Araneta Coliseum with 20,000 youth in 2018-2019.
• Every person is a mission field. Evangelization is for everyone (Pope Francis). It is simple since it means narrating the story of Jesus and how He transforms our life through stories of healing, caring, and blessings.
• Planting communities in different chapters of the world brings Jesus to the people. Evangelization has been extended to the remotest parts of the world: US, Europe, Asia, UAE, and Africa.
In closing, Bro Mike concluded that collaboration and mission partnership are important to spread our faith (Acts 1:8); there is a new “Marites” – “mare, testify ka sa kabutihan ni Lord.” Then, LAIKO presented tokens of appreciation to the four speakers for selflessly sharing their evangelization efforts, and to the Lord’s Flock Community for providing the venue/accomodation. Finally, TLF Koros Ministry enthralled the guests with their energetic Filipino dance number followed by a closing prayer led by the TLF Psalm Ministry.
To God be the Glory!
Edited by: Sis Vera I. Tuplano, Scribes Ministry
