sooooo, this is my very first post ever…lol sad to say. but it surely won't be my last. and what i wanna talk about today was my experience at the Servant – Leadership Retreat…..and that it was not by chance that i went, there was a reason

First off, i was never really planning on going…1) i didn't know about it till late notice 2) i wasn't sure if it was for everyone or not 3) my ride situation (car accident ) and a number of reasons..maybe i was using that as excuses?!? i dunno..anyways it was thursday night and i was chatting with marvin online and he asked me if i was going to go to the leadership retreat over the weekend..and i said nooo and he asked me why? and i listed my reasons and asked him if he was going and he said yeah..soo i was like, “hmmmm, maybe i should go too” and when i said that, marvin said you should text tita bing first and ask her if you're supposed to go..soo i was thinking “ok…maybe its not for me” and right after that, literally a few minutes after that i got a text from tita bing regarding the leader's retreat..so i was thinking “oo maybe this a sign from God?!?!? that maybe i should go?!? crazy…” soo i made my decision to go..i thought, well i'm on the celebration team (even though i'm taking a break due to my car situation) and i'm on the youth committee (taking a break too) soo i guess i could call myself one of the leaders at the church…

Anyways..friday came around and i got there with Mike (my ride for the past few weeks, which btw i am so thankful for) on time to start the opening night of the retreat..and from there i really didnt have really big expectations for this weeked but after that night my attitude changed dramatically..i was soo blessed from that night and was excited for what was to come for the 14hr next day -__- but of course God always has something crazy planned for us..and the next day was even crazier!! we were soo blessed to have Pastor A speak to us..teaching us that we as the leaders of the church must take up the duty to become a “watchmen” of the church..and other really great stuff..what a blessing it was..but the craziest thing was at the end of the night and this is something that i will never forget. this was the one of the most amazing moments in my life. The attendence of the leaders retreat was about 20+ and at the end of the night we were all asked to come to the alter and find a place to kneel down and just praise God..thanking Him for all He's done in our lives. maybe 1 minute of that lead to the tears and mourning of everyone in the church..they were all crying and prasiing God at the same time. For me, i wasn't really used to it and thought it was a little awkward but just hearing them all crying their hearts out to God really got me..while i'm sitting there thanking God for what He's done in my life, everyone else gave their hearts to God and poured out their hearts to Him..i thought to myself “why aren't i crying like they are?? am i not giving you my all God??!” and i continued to sit there and think “maybe theres something holding me back..maybe its my pride that i dont want to..maybe i shouldn't be here, maybe i'm not a leader..i'm not ready for this” and all these things were running through my mind and i was almost to the point of getting up and walking out of the sanctuary..but there was a voice in my heart that said “ryan, don't go…you're right to be here” and after that i told God “Lord, i don't want to cry just cause everone else is crying, but i want to give you my all, for thats what you deserve…” and i asked him to BREAK me..take my life and my heart, i give it up to you..” and from there, the tears started to fall and i began to cry..and this was no ordinary cry, but for the first time, i felt like i was giving God all i could and it was such a great feeling..like He was right there next to me..

Praise God for this past weekend..it was a great experience. to be a leader we must be servants. Jesus was the greatest leader, but also the greatest servant. We as christians must learn to become servants..

and my quote from the movie is “your actions will always follow your beliefs.”

So this is my testimony i thank my fcf family sooo much for welcoming me..i'm soo blessed to have you guys! and thank you Pastor A!! May God bless you and your family..

-jito

Praise God for His awesome messenger, Ptr. Alan. Praise God for His awesome messages. Praise God for all of the leaders who attended, their sensitivity to God's voice and to the Spirit's presence. Praise God for gracing us with His wonderful work among all of us during our short but truly rewarding retreat. May He keep our flame burning.

I pray that all that God has done in us will be witnessed by those around us, and through us the flame will keep spreading.

Post edited 11:04 pm – June 13, 2009 by ptr.ian

  Here are some leadership thoughts from Facing the Giants – the movie we saw during our leadership retreat.

1. A losing streak doesn't mean lost hope

2. Even those you've poured so much into may leave your team in pursuit of their own personal desires

3. No one is irreplaceable

4. Expect the possibility of those even close to you to be embarrassed with your performance

5. You must not be afraid to face your flaw or to face a potential problem

… More to come