Rejoice! Take Courage! Return to Galilee:
A Pilgrimage of Hope at the CFC International Leaders Conference 2025
Couples for Christ started the year 2025 with a joyful celebration at the CFC International Leaders’ Conference in Rizal Coliseum, Calamba, Laguna. Last January 18, the conference entitled “Rejoice! Take courage! Return to Galilee!” introduced the community’s theme for 2025. The theme, inspired by Matthew 28:8-10, where Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” was shared to more than 8,500 CFC leaders coming from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, & Metro Manila. It was a true testament of the CFC community being “Families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth”.
In the opening worship, Rick Van Tassel of CFC Canada, exhorted everyone, “We can’t create rainbows, we can’t create the heavens, but we can create this (gathering), and we are here to worship the Lord.” Afterwards, CFC Board of Elders members George and Cynthia Campos led a meditation on the Holy Rosary.
His Eminence, Jose Cardinal Advincula, Jr., D.D., Archbishop of Manila, joined by several esteemed concelebrant priests led the celebration of the Holy Mass. Cardinal Advincula emphasized in his homily, “Jesus sees that sin is not a crime that should be punished, but a sickness to be healed. And it is His desire for us to be healed. He invites us too, like Levi, to leave everything behind and follow Him, to leave the darkness and live in the light.”
During the opening production that afternoon, talented students from the Philippine High School for the Arts, Pangkat Sanghiyas Mananayaw performed a moving cultural dance, as a warm welcome from CFC CALABARZON. It served as a beautiful tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Conference Sessions
In the first session, entitled “Rejoice!”, Rey Reyes, a member of the CFC International Council, gave his thoughts on the need to return to our ‘Galilee’, the place where we first encountered Jesus. “Happiness comes from the world,” Rey shared, “but joy comes from the fruit of the Spirit.” He honored the respective leaders of the different CFC mission geographies and the work with the poor for their tireless labor and commitment to the mission.
Bing Santos would affirm God’s goodness to her and her family. Despite being downed by a stroke twice, she experienced the Lord’s healing when CFC was called to ‘Rise, pick up your mat, and go’. This year, when God is calling CFC to “Return to Galilee,’ she is confident that the Lord is encouraging her to go back to the basics of CFC’s communal life. “I am no longer able to earn a living,” she shared, “but I can help. I couldn’t drive anymore, but I could still go on mission.” And continue to live a life of renewal in faith, joy, and mission.
The next session, entitled ‘Take Courage!’, was given by the CFC Chairman and President, Joe Yamamoto. Drawing inspiration from Christ’s resurrection, he encouraged everyone to continue serving the Lord in the face of challenges. “We are ordered,” Joe said, “To go to Galilee amidst the darkness of this world. Because, as Isaiah wrote, “The people who dwell in darkness have seen a great light.”
Alan Baiño, Mission Head of CFC Mindanao, shared how his unique experiences in the community helped him find strength in his faith. “All problems we encounter in mission,” he shared, “prompted me to ask, ‘Why, God?’ But I am reminded that this is the cost of following God and that He is always with us and gives us courage to press on.” The session concluded with a pray-over, inviting everyone to renew their commitment to the mission of CFC.
Renewing the commitment
The conference culminated with a spirit-filled praisefest led by Lawrence Quintero, a CFC International Council member. He jubilantly declared in his exhortation, “I thank the Lord for my parents, for introducing Christ to me, and for molding me to serve the Lord. I thank the Lord for my beautiful wife Ana. I encountered the risen Christ through her and my children. We praise and thank God for Couples for Christ, because it is in this community that we encountered the goodness of God. We encountered the risen Christ through our CFC families!”
As the conference drew to a close, an outpouring of gratitude was expressed to all the speakers, sharers, the host province, CFC Laguna, to the local government of Calamba, Laguna, the sponsors and to everyone who made the event possible.
Every CFC member would leave the venue, bursting with great fervor and inspiration, carrying in their hearts the conference’s empowering message: Go forth with joy and courage, knowing that Christ is always with us.
— UGNAYAN News Online