"While tears are normally shed in times of sadness, I shed tears out of sheer happiness in finding Jesus."
THIS was the powerful testimony of 86-year-old Hector Campos, the most senior participant in the recently-concluded 16thCFC-SOLD Catholic Men's International Conference held at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Notwithstanding the near-40° scorching weather, the jubilant CFC of Pangasina—home of world renowned Bonoan bangus and sweet mangoes—joyfully hosted this year's “Be Strong and Courageous” conference last March 24-26, 2017. The conference was attended by 600 true men (and women) of God coming from all parts of the country and joined by delegations from Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and the USA.
Three members of the CFC International Council were present at the weekend event to deliver God's message, interspersed with heartwarming and inspiring sharers from different parts of the world.
The first session, titled I Dare You was given by Joe Yamamoto, IC member and Philippine Missions Director, with a moving testimony from Butch Santos of SOLD USA. The session challenged the brothers to be truly men of God, faithful and firm, despite the obstacles and tribulations that may come their way.
Manny Garcia, IC member and SOLD International Core Group Member, spoke about how true men of God can face these challenges with the strength and courage from God in his talk, Show Me What You Got. Testimonies from Arnel Sacris, Provincial Area Director of CFC Cebu, and Randy Agbulos showed the whole assembly what they have got in dealing with life's challenges.
George Campos, CFC President, in his sessionI Will exhorted the assembly on how to follow the will of the Lord, transforming the "I will" to "His will." Likewise, sharer Errol Martinez, missionary to South America, inspired everyone with the story of his journey as a mission worker for 10 years in Africa. This session fittingly ended with the SOLD core group members and CFC sector heads distributing “I Will” bracelets to all the participants.
Charly Laiz, SOLD ICG member, presided over a teambuilding activity and the "God is Enough" workshop that enlivened the spirits of the men all the more. The men were divided into 10 groups where they shared their skills as well as their thoughts, insights and experiences during group discussions facilitated by 7 Metro Manila sector heads, 2 SOLD regional coordinators and a USA SOLD coordinator. The facilitators presented the groups’ output in plenary session.
At the same time that the brothers were opening themselves to each other, the women attendees were having their own "fish-deboning seminar." The men and women extended their camaraderie all the way to the fellowship on Saturday night, which showcased the men's physical aptitude as well as their golden voices. Joemar Salumbides, SOLD International Coordinator, and Bobbee Mella, SOLD-USA core group member, enlivened both Friday night's opening ceremonies and Saturday night's Grandpa's Playlist song competition with their hosting skills.
In a message to the SOLD core group, Ben Cabahug, CFC Samar Area Head, emphatically declared, " . . . my learning in this SOLD Catholic Men's Conference is to say: please do continue to be a source of joy, courage and faithfulness as you serve God regardless of health and age . . . and maybe the number of hairs. For God's glory!"
The weekend event showed how a real Servant of the Lord can be a strong model of faith, and a light to the world, standing steadfast, strong and courageous in following God's command yet joyful and loving despite the challenges of time. (O. Mella)