TALK No.

1 :
GOD'S PLAN
FOR CFC
A. Introduction.
1. We know CFC is God's work. We need to
understand more what God is doing, in order to
align ourselves with His plan.

2. You as elders in CFC are very much a part of

God's plan for CFC. In this retreat, we want
to see more clearly what is God's call to us.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) This stage: Recruitment of
couples into LNP.
* First group in Nov 1980;
5 couples joined Ligaya
ng Panginoon (LNP).
1. Pre-CFC.
* Second group in Jan
1980. 1981. But after the
program, the couples
were not brought into
LNP as planned.

b) God had other plans. CFC is

born in June 1981.

c) CFC is God's idea, not

man's. CFC is God's
creation, using men.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) This stage: Outreach of LNP
for family life.

* CFC considered just

2. From June basically a movement. No
pastoral care was
1981. supposed to be given.
* The intent was for CFC to
be a resource center,
developing "exportable"
packages for any
interested group.

b) 1982: first thrusts into

parishes.

c) But God had other plans.

B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) Statements of mission and
philosophy are made.

b) This stage: CFC was now

3. 1983. First coming into its own.
* In effect, CFC had become a
formal planning community with a life of its
own. However, it was still
session. categorized as "low-level".

* Pastoral care was now given

in the households.

* Community life started to

developed: identity, activities,
governance.

* Financial independence
emerging.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
c) Jan 1984: CFC
Foundation is
3. 1983. First incorporated.
formal planning d) 1984: CFC goes
session. to its first province
(Bukidnon).
e) But God had
further plans
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) Nina Ponte's prophecy on
"The world for Christ through
CFC".
* It was a bold word.
4. Sept 1985. For then CFC had just
500 couples, was in
one province, and
had no foreign presence.

b) This stage: CFC looks beyond

itself.
* CFC is appreciating more
its potential for service to
the Church and to society.
And perhaps to the world.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) Three major developments:
* Feb: A new district (East) is
5. 1989. created out of two older
districts in LNP. With many
Three major CFC leaders here, this led to a
consolidation of CFC work.
developments * Aug: Plan for massive
and one major evangelization in the 1990s is
developed. Target: 1 million
prophecy. couples by year 2000.

- One week later, a top leader (Frank)

is hit by a mysterious disease and
nearly dies. Satan saw what CFC
was poised to do and tried to stop
it by removing one of its top
leaders.
- A clear confirmation of the massive
work that was to come.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
* Oct: Two other CFC leaders go
fulltime.
5. 1989. - Just one fulltimer since
1984.
Three major
developments - An indication of the
growing seriousness of the
and one major work. CFC leaders are
prophecy. willing to invest their whole
lives in the work.

- Currently there are ___

fulltime pastoral workers,
in Manila and the
provinces and in other
countries. More are
waiting in line.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
• Fr. Cuoto of Goa, India: "CFC is the
hope of the Church and the
salvation of the world."
c) This stage: CFC as a major work
b) One major of the Holy Spirit for winning the
world for Christ.
prophecy in mid- • * CFC has developed into a full-
1989. blown ministry.
d) Elements:
* Rapid, massive evangelization.
Starting late 1989. Goal of
doubling every year.
* Territorial spread.
* More fulltimers.
* One of the foremost forces in
Church renewal.
e) The new developments could
have stopped here. But God was
not yet finished.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC

From June 1992, top

6. 1993.leaders of CFC (most
Separationwere
of also in* LNP)
leaving LNP
start 1992, the
In August
in order * On April 1, 1993, CFC
CFC Mission Core is separates from
formally
CFC fromto just concentrate on
established. LNP.
their Life and service
LNP/SOS.
in CFC .
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC

c) This stage: The * God wants to establish a

direction and worldwide CFC family.
Country Coordinators are
mission of CFC
assigned.
becomes clear. The
thrust is: Global,
wholistic, * CFC is to be a servant
Catholic. to and lay arm of the
Catholic Church..

* CFC will serve everyone, not

just couples. The Family
Ministries (KFC, YFC, SFC, HOLD)
are established
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC

d) The work of spiritual

renewal was now well in
place. It was a wholistic
and global
work that was making a
profound impact. But God
was not yet done.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC
a) We started getting
involved with the poor
7. 1995 in Bagong Silang,
onwards. mainly working with the
Involvement in youth.
* Bagong Silang
the social the Musical.
dimension..

b) 2000, the Great Jubilee Year.

c) This stage: CFC at the cutting We proclaimed our mission to
edge of the Spirit’s work in the third be bringing glad tidingsthe
millennium poor. This is the work of total
• The work now comprises the fullness
human liberation.
of the gospel, with both spiritual and
social dimensions. * Gawad Kalinga. Integration
• We are building the Philippines to be of the Social Ministries.
one nation under God that will be a * June 2003. GK777.
light t the world. Thence to the other
nations as well.
• We are building the Church of the
Poor.
B. STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CFC

8. The Story of 2007

* Resignations of top
leaders (Feb. 2007)
* Break away group – FFL
(July 2007)
* Letting Go of GK (April
2009)
C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?

1. Our direction is clear.

Thus we will have more of
the same, but more
intensely.
EVANGELIZATION
Every member will be an
evangelizer. We will
pursue rapid and massive
evangelization with great
urgency.
C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?

Our Corporate Fellowships will

be established in every office,
factory, hospital, etc.
C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?

CFC

We want to be present
in every country in the
world.
C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?

Building The
Church of the
Home
C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?
Building The Church of the Poor (Total Christian
Liberation)

Work with the Poor Social Justice

(ANCOP)

Defense of Life and Creation

C. WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD?
There will also be new exciting things.

a) The provincial and foreign b) We will send out longer-term

groups will be empowered while
maintaining global connectedness
to the center of the work in Manila
in pastoral structure, governance,
formation, finances, etc.
missionaries. Some of them will
settle permanently in the mission
areas.

c) We will network with other

groups and share CFC with
the world.
D. WE'VE SEEN THE PAST, PRESENT AND
FUTURE. WHAT IS GOD DOING?
1. Throughout the world, there is unprecedented evil.
But also a mighty wave of the Holy Spirit

a) There is renewal and revival.

b) God's plan is in the works. Eph 1:9-10.

D. WE'VE SEEN THE PAST, PRESENT AND
FUTURE. WHAT IS GOD DOING?
2. More particularly, God is preparing a people. Just see what God is
doing through CFC and other renewal groups.
a) The Philippines is to be truly the
"light in Asia," and to the world.
* God will make use of the
Filipino "diaspora.“

b) But the work is not just for Filipinos,

but for anyone throughout the
world who will respond to God's call.

3. God calls us to build strong, vibrant, living Christian communities

throughout the world.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
1. We need to understand the vision.

FAMILIES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT RENEWING THE

FACE OF THE EARTH

Moved by the Holy Spirit, one with the

Catholic Church, blessed to witness to
Christ’s love and service, Couples for Christ
is a united global community of family
evangelizers that sets the world on fire
with the fullness of God’s transforming
love.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
a.) We need to see what God has made of CFC and what He expects
of CFC.

CFC is not just some

CFC is not
good work or renewal just a service
program, but is to be for us, but a
"the hope of the
Church and the
way of life. We
salvation of the are to give our
world." all.

CFC is a mighty
wave of the Holy
Spirit during
these crucial
times.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
b) Many forces will oppose CFC.

* Obviously the devil.

* But also other Christians, even within the Church.
- Those who do not understand or cannot see the vision.
- Those who limit the Holy Spirit to fit their own agenda.
* Perhaps even from among our own ranks.
- Those who have become comfortable.
- Those who are not ready for the massive work and what
it will require of us.
- Those who are afraid.
- Those who are selfish.
- Those who can not submit to our governance structure.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
c) What do we need to do?

• Pray for this vision. Allow the Holy

Spirit to expand our vision.
• Then pray for God's will to be done,
for His plan to come to pass.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
2. Then be firm and steadfast in following through.

a) Joshua 1:6-9,16-18.
* Be persevering. Be
consumed by the
vision.
E. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? WHAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN?
2. Then be firm and steadfast in following through.

b) This needs your personal response.

Joshua 24:15B.
* How? Jos 24:14.
- Fear the Lord: be in awe. Acknowledge Him as Lord.
- Serve Him completely: not halfway, not lukewarm, but all out.
- Serve Him sincerely: not functional, not just a service, but our
very life.
- Cast out other gods: no other priorities, attachments. Give
yourself totally.
* Other gods:
- Secular work. Most important is our work as a Christian.
- Time. We are busy so we need to prioritize. Give God His due. Ps
127:2.
- Money. We're just stewards.
F. CONCLUSION
2. We are privileged to be 3. God is at
a part of it. And to be at work.
the forefront! It is truly
humbling that God can He has
use us in our weakness. provided
richly for us.
The rest is
up to us.