The President’s Report
FIRST NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
PRESIDENT’S REPORT “All things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
It is always pure joy and blessing to see all of you and have the grace to work with you in the Young Adult ministry. I always thank God and you, my brothers and sisters, for the opportunity of having to work with you in this ministry. My heart is strangely warmed with the knowledge that everyone, you and me, hand in hand- are working together for the Young adults for God’s glory!
A. The UMYAF in the Philippines
We recognize the fact that compared to the UMYF population, we are a minority. For the past years that I have been significantly involved in the fellowship, I have seen the basic truth about our membership- from the local churches, districts to annual conferences, we are experiencing low membership; thus having “leadership vacuum” in most of the chapters, districts and even in the AC’s. I have also seen some of the reasons why we have a very low membership. Most of our Young adults, at their age, are trying to become productive- either for their immediate family needs, for their new family or for their own professional career growth. This is good. Our young adults show a great sense of responsibility in helping their parents, brothers and sisters; giving the basic needs of their new family- a decent home, good education for the kids and basic family needs. While others show dedication to their jobs in order to get promotions and eventually get high pay which will also help their immediate family or prepare themselves for their own family in the future. On the other side, some of our members resort to migrating to other cities or countries to work because they haven’t seen their opportunity in our country. This results to a decline in our membership as well. Worst is when these members find new churches/fellowships that show sincere caring and concern to them. While others, because of poverty, prevent them selves from joining the organization. The basic truth here is poverty. This is the same problem our country is facing right now, and as a young-adult fellowship walking “In Jesus’ steps” we cannot solve this poverty problem overnight, not even the congress or the senate. But I am convinced that, as God’s people, we can do so many things in order to reach out to our brethren, show concern, compassion and genuine sincerity. Let us do everything within our means in reaching out to the Young adult. Let us give our share to this ministry of “world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ”. Today, we only have about 10 Organized Annual Conference level UMYAF officers. The challenge is to have 100% AC Officers Organized in the year 2008. I know this is very ambitious, but it’s better to aim high and not achieve it than aiming nothing at all. Aiming low is not an aim after all.
B. The Executive Committee
I am thankful to the Lord for giving us a very energetic, committed and enthusiastic, dedicated and loving National execom. It is always a blessing to be ministering with a diverse group of people chosen by God. I am proud to tell you that each of your servants in the execom are playing key roles and responsibilities in their own local churches. We also take part in our own district and annual conference programs and activities. You may want to know that this is also our thrust for this term- to become significantly involved in our own local, district and AC’s as this is one sure way of reaching out to our brethren within our means. Part of our Execom meeting agenda is our own report of our involvement in these levels of our church. C. 80 days inside Big-Brother’s (Jesus) Ministry
It is very exciting to be working in the young-adult ministry. I have been in the leadership already for the past 6 years but being in the National UMYAF leadership is very different. I thank God for the many blessings, trials and triumphs that we encountered. For these things made us strong and affirmed our life-long commitment in His ministry. The following are some of the activities we took part during the past 80 days: Truly, God has given us a very hectic schedule, for us to really see the value and blessings of ministering with the Young Adult. We take all of these as blessings and milestones for our faith journey and spiritual formation. We thank God for allowing us to be a blessing to many. We affirm our commitment to future hectic schedule and meaningful ministry with the Young adult.
D. Our Work & Relationship within the United Methodist
Church in thePhilippines
Our church is very supportive to us. From Bishops, Clergy, Deaconesses and Lay- we have seen an enormous flow of support in variety of ways and unique expressions. Our Lay people especially the Lay Leaders and MYAF’ers are very eager to help us. I am afraid to mention names because I might encounter trouble missing any of them. We have been doing our best to participate in the National Council on Youth Ministry or NCYM. Together with the UMYF, we are doing our best to meet the objectives of NCYM. We have started to build stronger ties with the National Leadership of the UMYF. In the future, we shall be conducting activities together and inspire one another. Example for this is the Caravan Mission for Tribal Filipinos. We have signified our intention to grace the invitation of the National Association of Lay Leaders during their National Laity Congress on Aug 31 to Sept 2, 2006 in
Leyte. But we are still unsure if we can make it. I therefore invite all of you, if you have time, please consider attending this meaningful event. We are still exploring the possibility of visiting the Coordinating Council Meeting in
Mindanao through Bro. Rainer Puno. If God permits, he will be able to visit the said meeting and at the same time have the chance to meet with Min Plang- our MYAF leader in
Mindanao. I therefore ask for your prayers on these matters.
E. Our Work and Relationship in the Ecumenical Body of Christ We have renewed our fellowship with the 3KP or Kapatiran ng mga Kristianong Kabataan sa Pilipinas. We have attended the reception activity last July at the Salvation Army Headquarters and had small talks with the 3KP leaders. I have tasked our secretary in coordination with Bro Paolo Sison to work out our membership application as approved by the previous Biennial Convention in
Palawan. Before the year 2006 ends, I am confident, this matter will be considered done. We shall continue to open our doors to stronger ecumenical relationships with other denominations, open our minds to more learning, cooperation and understanding and open our hearts to the limitless ministries for, by and with the young people.
F. Our Work & Ministry with the DMYP & all Young People throughout the Methodist Connection.
We shall continue what we have started in the DMYP- a stronger relationship and connection with our church boards, agencies and leaders and a stronger fellowship with fellow young leaders from around the world. We shall continue to play active key roles in the Division on Ministries with Young People and continue to live as “world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ” daily. We shall participate in every way we can- humble it may be- in all the affairs of the DMYP like the Youth Service Fund and Global Young People’s Convocation, among others. G. Our Work and Ministry with One Another
It has always been the desire of my heart- that we, as Methodist Young Adults- build a legacy on this planet earth. This legacy is the meaningful friendship, memorable activities and wonderful times we shall spend while we are in the UMYAF. I have always been praying to God for Him to pour out His love to us and make us an instrument of his love to one another. Because I believe, this is the real evidence of Christ-likeness, this is the most concrete path we have to take while walking “In Jesus’ Steps” for the world will know who we really are- by our love. I have asked the kindness of Sis Beng to create a yahoo group for all of us, so that we can keep in touch with one another and share anything under the sun with all the members here and abroad. If you are not yet a member, please sign up: numyafphils@yahoogroups.com. Try it. I just posted a prayer request in that site. I have also asked the help of our National Execom in coordinating with un-organized annual conferences by way of assigning a specific annual conference. The following are the task for 2006:
William BulPAC Reiner MidPAC
Jasmine PACE Erick PAC
Lou PangPAC Edward PAC Dion PangPAC Thelma NELPAC
We shall also coordinate with “The Filipino Methodist” Magazine and “Pananaw” Newpaper and submit news articles about our affairs so that we can also reach those who are subscribing them through Bro. Reiner Puno.
H. Our Challenges for the CY 2006-2007 (Program Thrusts)
This conference year is very challenging to all of us. Not only with the challenges of low membership and un-organized annual conferences; but also with impactful and meaningful programs without budget at hand.
1. Nurture Ministry
We shall continue to campaign for membership census and updates including the membership dues to UMYAF members and local chapters. But this will not become our primary concern. Our primary concern will be the implementation of our Breakthrough Leadership Training Module especially to annual conferences and districts or local chapters who really need the training because we believe that BLT is one sure key in assisting our young adult leaders and members in their leadership needs. Our module has been prepared couple of years ago and has been tried and tested by various levels in our fellowship. Our main challenge here is to re-organize our Faculty of Facilitators and find ways and means to address the financial burden of every activity. Bro Edward will be willing to entertain your BLT requests as long as he is informed at least 3 months or so. Other than the BLT are the modules on UMYAF Constitution, How to Conduct Effective Visitation (Visitation Ministry) and How to Conduct Effective Prayer Meetings.
2. Outreach Ministry
We shall explore the possibility of making small group/s of professionals and eventually add another group/s of skilled individuals. This way, we can stratify our members according to their fields of endeavor and specifically address their needs; if not all, at least some. This will also create a sense of belongingness and friendship, create inspiration and make a livelier community of faithful people and produce useful and productive citizens in the country. When the right time comes, we shall probably see “FOMYAP” or Fellowship of Methodist Young Adult Professionals. We shall also “adopt a community” as our way of reaching out to those “who cannot pay us back” -the poorest of the poor and the “left-behind” people of our society. In our original plan, we shall adopt a community of Dumagats, but this has been a long-standing plan and until now, we haven’t really taken the bigger and bolder first step. This is mainly because of financial challenges. But thanks be to God, there’s another way where we can reach out to the Tribal minority community of Tarlac mountains- this is called “Caravan Mission for Tribal Filipinos” which was recently approved by the DMYP for funding. This will be done sometime next year (summer 2007). We shall discuss this matter separately.
3. Witness Ministry
This biennium is yet another challenge for the Witness Ministry. During our biennial convention, we have seen the great need for the fellowship to have its own Witnessing Material that shall serve as a tool to all young people in their everyday journey as Christ’s witnesses. If we have a BLT, we can also, prayerfully and hopefully, have a BWT or Breakthrough Witnessing Training module. Timeliness and specific tasks have been identified during the biennial planning and I am confident, with the people that God will be using, nothing will be impossible. I ask for your support and prayers in this very meaningful plan.
I. Blessings and Opportunities
1. We are blest for having a Grant Proposal approved by the DMYP last August 01, 2006. Our proposal popularly known as “Caravan Mission for Tribal Filipinos” received full grant of $5,000 as requested. We shall discuss this in detail according to the order of the agenda. 2. We were able to represent the Philippines, together with the MYF President- Mighty Rasing in the Division on Ministries with Young People Global meeting last Aug 2-7, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee. We were overjoyed by the fact that God, by His grace opened up opportunities for all of us to elevate our work and ministry in the global level. I have attached some of the highlights of the meeting in the last page/s of this report. 3. We were given the chance to participate in the Global Young People’s Convocation on Dec 28-Jan 2 2007 in Johannesburg South
Africa. This is done every four years just in time before the General Conference meets. This is the activity created by the General Conference for all young people to formulate policies, change or modify anything in the Book of Discipline and submit such proposals in the General Conference for deliberation and final approval. Our church is giving us this opportunity to participate in its life, works and ministries. 4. The Haggai Institute, through its country head, Bro Reiner Puno is offering a Free Seminar on Evangelism to all of us. If you feel you need it, you may want to coordinate with him for the details. 5. If you feel you need a “Consultation with UMYAF Leaders” in your annual conference, I am inviting AC leaders here to coordinate with me regarding the free Consultation and Luncheon/Merienda fellowship similar to what we have done in PAC. I am willing to sponsor 50 people (1 from each local church) for a free meal and bring a consultation facilitator (Ate Epie Acosta) during the event.Truly, my dear young adult brothers and sisters, we have accomplished so much and there are still so much that we can do in this ministry. Much has been bestowed upon us and much is also expected of us. With all these challenges before us, are you ready to give your share? Are we ready to become one and part in this ministry? Do we consider ourselves solutions rather than problems? Encouragement rather than a burden? Let us do away with negative thoughts, selfish motives and aimless pursuits. Let us forget about ourselves, think of our brothers and sisters who need our help the most. Let us love one another for love is of God, bearing in mind and heart that we love because God first loved us. Let us seek to find the lost, let us bear each other’s burden, let us pray for one another. Let us listen while God speaks to us, and let us speak to one another with deeper love and compassion. It is my most fervent prayer that God will use us all mightily!
In His name, I shall remain,
Bro. William P. Tolentino, Jr.
NUMYAFP President
Attachments:
DMYP Meeting Updates
1. DMYP approved the
Philippines’ proposal without any cut on the funding.
2. GYPC- 12 voting delegates will receive $595 and free hotel and food subsidy from the DMYP. But delegate shall pay registration fee of $70 ($70 + (the airfare-$595=N) N)=Q total responsibility of the voting delegates.
3. Deadline of proposals for the GYPC is Oct 15 – written by at least 2 authors.
4. Central Conference leaders meeting approved the following: +YSF will be implemented in all CC outside the US +2 alternate delegates from the Philippines will be recognized in case principal delegates will not make it. +asked the DMYP to extend subsidy to Mighty and William since they are “non-voting”+conduct an earlier (2days ahead) meeting of CC leaders to address key issues and concerns
5. Opening Worship Speaker- NUMYAFP President at the Upper Room Chapel with 59 young people leaders throughout the world.
6. NUMYAFP/NUMYFP Presidents had the opportunity to share the activities and programs of their fellowships before the delegations, been interviewed by the United Methodist News Service.
7. Shared the UMYAF Hymn to all the delegates.
8. Elected Co-Chairman of DMYP.
9. Heard reports from GBOD, UMCom, Treasurer, Youth ’07 or SPLAT, Delegations from various gatherings, United Methodist Aids Response.
10. Chocolate brown arm bands “dream” in 6 different languages aim to help Aids orphans in South Africa. I am bringing 20 pcs at P100 only on a first-come first-serve basis. Please help.
