Angela Kyle Medallo
July 31, 2022
As the globe gradually adjusts to a “new normal” everyone has remained connected with one another. This connection sparked a Radical Love by The Singles and Youth Faith on Fire (SYFOF) Conference held last July 31, 2022 at the The Lord’s Flock Heritage Sanctuary. In this momentous event, each attendee was seen as interconnected and vigorous, possibly fueled by their humility and compassion. Moreover, after two years of being in a pandemic and a series of lockdowns, the SYFOF has finally celebrated its 10th year anniversary at the Heritage Sanctuary.
The Heritage embraced a warm welcome to every participant, whose faces were undeniably gleeful and enthusiastic behind their facemasks; the flame within eachheart to serve and praise the Lord persisted. The two-year hiatus marked by isolation and distance ran counter with the face-to-face interaction among SYFOF participants who appeared more faithful and high-spirited as they approached the Heritage on that day. “The live praise and worship was amazing! Kasi nakakatuwang makita ang mga kabataan to be on fire ulit with God,” expressed by Bea Baclig, one of the worship leaders. Everyone could undoubtedly be heard worshiping and shouting inside the Heritage, the home where the SYFOF ignited. Furthermore, the annual event, packed with singles and youth from various organizations and dioceses, blissfully praised and glorified the Lord with their joyful voices and warm hearts. Almost everyone ecstatically sang worship songs which included Wake and First Love by Hillsong; Young & Free, and Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. Indeed, the lyrics pierced through each heart and soul, leaving them with a sense of purpose and joy in their lives. Consequently, everyone inside truly relished this momentous occasion, as they came together and highlighted the Radical Love that the Lord has provided to all of His people.
To kick off the keynote topic for this year’s SYFOF, Sis. Techie Rodriguez, one of the Founding Elders of the Lord’s Flock, inspired the audience with some of her personal experiences on how she has continued to spread the Radical Love of God. This has encompassed the history of SYFOF and how it initially ignited among young people. As a result, each attendee was deeply affected by Soar’s touching journey, which reminded them of their own mission to continue sharing the word of God.
Without the Nuggets, of course, this wouldn’t be a SYFOF event. With its four speakers revealing their life testimony, Nuggets, a bite-sized collection of thoughts and insights, awakened the Singles and Youth. Sis Vangie, Sis Jhanna, Sis Sandra, and Bro Carl, all boldly outlined how the Radical Love of the Lord has always triumphed amidst grim circumstances. These motivational experiences emphasized how everyone, in the face of life’s difficulties and setbacks, should display their Radical Love to God. Regardless of the country’s constraints, Singles and Youth’s Radical Love predominated above all else. As stated by one of the worship leaders, Jake Arizapa, “Super overwhelming ng face-to-face SYFOF like it used to. Yung ligaya na maluluha ka nalang kase mararamdaman mo na nagwowork si Lord sa bawat isang kabataan na umattend.” This unrivaled love brought by each attendee manifested and reflected the Radical Love that God has always delivered: the love that everyone, including the evil and unemphatic, is entitled to. At the end of the day, it is really the youth who will ultimately carry on and set fire to the Radical Love that our God commands to do. The Lord’s Radical Love is indeed the only thing that the youth need!
To God be the Glory!
Edited by: Sis Vera I. Tuplano
