Last night was a blast. Four hundred of our volunteers and leaders gathered to give thanks to God for a wonderful 2011. It is really a privilege to serve with all of our hardworking, passionate people of Victory Greenhills.

Here are some pics of our Appreciation Night:

To all our volunteers and Victory Group leaders, thank you very much for all the effort. it was a great 2011 for all of us and we are expecting God to move mightily in 2012.

To our Music Team – thank you for leading us into the presence of God and the tireless effort you give every Sunday.

To our Ushering team – thank you for the “happy to serve attitude” you bring.

To our Tech team – thank you for co laboring with the pastors in delivering a top notch keynote and pro-presenter week in week out.

To our Kids ministry – thanks for leading the next generation.

To our Creative team – thanks for taking our designs to the next level.

I can’t thank you enough for all the love and support you have given for the church and for God. Let’s Honor God and Make Disciples!!!

I have to admit something early on as my stint as a church planter and senior pastor that I think every Christian should embrace. You can’t work alone and you need to empower your team.

As much as there is a temptation to micro manage everything that is happening in church you can’t. That is where team comes in.

I thank God for a capable team. A team who picks up what I can’t do. A team who is willing to do the dirty work.Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. Having great team members that are empowered makes our job easier. Do I always think about the administrative part of the church? No, and I know some of you might question my answer but I trust the team and I oversee the team.

Andy Stanley said it best when he said “Less is More.” Doing less is actually doing more.I focus on what I am called to do best and I empower others to do what they are called to do.

Once the culture is practiced in our team, it flows down our volunteers.
Team means Together Everyone Achieves More!

Hi everyone! I am Abigael Kristel Tan, 21 years old, 5^th year college student taking up Industrial Management Engineering. I received Christ into my life and got baptized last May 7, 2011 and it was a very joyful and fulfilling moment of my life. I am now a part of the Music Ministry and a proud worshipper of God. It’s my first time to blog and I hope the Lord will be glorified with what I am going to do.

Before I was baptized as a Christian, I was very religious but I did not obey the Word of the Lord since I did not read the Bible. I know the teachings that are in the Bible because I am from a Catholic School when I was in elementary and high school but I did not practice them. I always pray but I did not understand the things that the Lord wants me to understand. I am always hot-tempered, always complaining and pessimistic in life. I am not sensitive about the wrong things that are happening around me and most of all I was not sensitive about what God is feeling when I sin and do things that will not glorify His name. Christianity is simple but hard to follow.

After three years of attending Victory Greenhills, that is when it hit me that the way to have a better, satisfying and joyful life is to submit and surrender my whole life to the Lord. And that He will be the one to control every aspect of my life. It was really touching when God never walked away from me when I encountered problems in my life, especially in my relationship with other people. He stood by me even though I do not always obey Him; He had been with me through good things and especially when I was down. I felt that He picked my hand when the time came that I was very lonely and down. I found a relationship with Him that no one else can take it away from me and no one else can satisfy that feeling. It makes you smile whenever you are down and makes you rest on His side whenever you feel alone. I can cry out to Him whenever I have problems and things that I cannot understand that are happening in my life.

“What is most unbelievable is He died for my sins for me to be saved; I cannot imagine any person or being in the world willing to offer His own life just to save me.”

I think the thing that has changed in my life is the feeling that I love God more than anything in this world that he deserves all the praise, love and gratitude, for He owns everything that I have and most of all He loves me for who I am. I also begun to love myself more, because I know that God’s love is enough for me to sustain me as a human being, I am now complete in Christ. I also became more thankful in all aspects of my life, especially now that I understand more that He is the source of all the blessings that I am receiving.

I became more positive with regards to the outlook in my life, that everything that happens in my life has a purpose and reason that God made these things either to bless me or to let me wait for something that is greater than I ask of Him. I also became sensitive on what he likes and do not like me to do. I also became more aware of the sensitive issues that are happening around me today, like sex being an ordinary thing in most relationships and saying bad words as a normal way to react to the things around us. These are simple things that the Lord wants us to change in our society. The only way that He will bless us is if we will obey and follow His words. I admit that I have struggles as a Christian, I always have a hard time reading my Bible since I am not a reader.

The thing that I enjoy the most is worshipping God with worship songs, this is where I feel the presence of the Lord always surrounding me. I hope I can glorify His name through singing and I believe that He gave me this talent to sing and worship Him. Thank you Lord for the talent, for saving me and most of all for loving me for who I am. I love u Lord!

Pastor Larry, our kids church pastor and volunteer management head and his team organized a bowling tournament among our volunteers. One hundred sixty of our volunteers showed up and we literally had a bowl!!!

From our ushering team, music team, tech team, kids church, creatives, and admin support – all came for one purpose – to celebrate the win!!!

Seeing the joy among our volunteers was a treat. Knowing that this people give their heart out every week and seeing them grow in their walk with God is rewarding.

Volunteers are busy people. What I mean is that even if they are busy they choose to serve. So it is really a great joy and privilege to pastor a bunch of energetic volunteers.

Till our next volunteer night out!!! Thank you very much!!!

Yesterday, churchgoers who arrived early at the Victory Greenhills worship services at 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm got an interesting welcome treat: a small paper cup with little rocks and a strip of paper that read, “Let he who is without sin eat the first stone.” Their reactions were varied and priceless: some stopped in their tracks to stare at the tiny pieces of rock; others picked up the little strip of paper, only to display a look of consternation at what should have been a Biblical passage that didn’t quite make sense; yet others recognized the rocks for what they were, and did what we hoped they would do: they popped the rocks into their mouths, those sinless people.

The little pebbles were pieces of chocolate designed to look like rocks, a pleasant little nod o’ the head to the final message of the “Turning Point” series, “Words and Stones,” which centered around Jesus’ gentle directive to the men and women who sought to stone an adulterous woman in John 8: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

 Everything our Victory Greenhills churchgoers saw yesterday was successful in great part to the volunteers who helped make our final “Turning Point” installment one to remember. First off, the rock chocolate giveaway was a brainchild of Creative Support head Noemi Boyles. Noemi’s creativity and passion for service, which have helped transform what once was a ministry group of five people, into a bustling center of creative juices numbering more than 20, came to the fore with this humorous tongue-in-cheek object lesson.

What followed next was our own little sweatshop of happy – I hope! – elves putting together the little candy packages. Technical Support head Mark Cahiles and Wednesday stage manager Dennis Poliquit, who showed up at our Swire offices for various reasons, transformed into meticulous little paper cutters painstakingly cutting each strip of paper for our cups. Upon the arrival of the raw materials at the Music Museum, a team of ushers and creative support volunteers, led by usher Gidget Lim, who took the lead role into her own hands, assembled each choco rock and paper cup surprise by (clean! We promise) hand. The end result was hundreds of little paper cups with chocolate rocks, handed out to early churchgoers. (It pays to come early.) Thank you ushers!

 The “rock”-related celebration didn’t quite end there. Victory Greenhills’ first-week worship team welcomed back its praise and worship leader, classical rocker Charles Bautista, who was on study leave; in his two-month absence, co-leaders Joy Bautista, Joy Cabrera, and Joshua David did a spectacular job. Charles’ return was certainly noticeable, though, with a rousing rearrangement of “We Have Overcome” and “Nothing is Impossible.” All four worship team members received equitable distribution of solos that catered to their strengths, from Joy Cabrera’s pure soprano to Josh’s energetic baritone, in a display of teamwork that pleased our congregation, no doubt, and easily led them into the presence of God with their take on Victory Ortigas’ Jam Capistrano’s “You Are God,” delivering a heartfelt take on an already anointed worship song.

 Pure joy for me, too, came in the form of the offering rendition of Darlene Zschech’s “Kiss of Heaven,” which highlighted the sweet vocals of young soloist Renee Pionso and the cajon-playing skills of Pao Gomez. Put together with the guitar skills of David, Bautista, Aaron Magalong, and Louie Sereno, and pinch-hitting drummer Fritz Orillaneda – who normally plays with Team Thammie but stepped in for the uberbusy Bryce dela Cruz – well, the heavens certainly came down for a fantastic worship session.

 Finally, the second-floor balcony rocked with Tech Ministry head Mark Cahiles bouncing up and down like some crazed maniac. (I was the other maniac dancing with him.) Manning the Keynote were ever-reliable Randolph Medrano and Nicole Moya, and stage managing the services was comebacking Benji Montaos, who returned to us after a few months off in typical Benji fashion – all three services! (Thanks too to Tech newbies Justin & Karla; Justin ended up becoming SM1 for the first service. We appreciate you, bro!) We also appreciate Jun Gomez, who led tithes for the 4:30pm service.

 We appreciate Pastor Jojo Henson, who delivered an amazing Spirit-filled, Spirit-driven message on the adulterous woman’s encounter with Jesus in John 8. He and his beautiful family blessed the church immensely. And to think this blog entry doesn’t even include the unsung heroes of Kids Ministry, who launched a new 6:30pm service over at Promenade!

 Much goes into a Victory Greenhills service, but, like I said, when we have quality volunteers who work with us and buy into our church’s joy, excitement, and creativity, well, it’s bound to “rock.” Please stay tuned for the next Volunteer Diaries entry. Here’s a hint: you’ll “see the light.” Cheers!

Ganns Deen is Victory Greenhills Worship Administrator. He is also doubling up as the head of our Music Ministry. You can visit Ganns Deen’s website where he talks about his passion: music.

Have you met Gaby Poliquit? Chances are you have not, because this feisty little seven-year-old girl doesn’t tower over the rest of us physically, being, after all, seven years old. However, in terms of expressing her heart for God in devoted service, this homeschooler readily stands ten feet tall.

Gaby is the daughter of Victory Greenhills’ Technical Support Ministry volunteers Dennis and Monica Poliquit. Dennis, who is more popularly known as Magic 89.9′s Big Daddy Jake, is a Wednesday stage manager and Victory group leader to many of Wednesday’s tech volunteers; Monica, a full-time mom who home-schools Gaby and two – not one, but two – sets of twins, often handles the Keynote (Powerpoint) presentations while her husband stands guard over the worship service’s stage setup.

And little seven-year-old Gaby? She mans the headsets that helps her father communicate with her mother. As Stage Manager 3 – an informal title reserved especially for the little girl – she stands by, ready to take orders from either of her parents to communicate with volunteers at the lobby, or musicians backstage, or simply fetch an item or two immediately needed by a pastor or church member. She’ll inform the musicians when they have to go onstage; she’ll also knock on a backstage door in case the preaching pastor finishes early and the musician assigned to play background music is unaware that he needs to start playing.

All these, little Gaby accomplishes with a shy but ready smile. Watch her while she mans a headset while nibbling on a chocolate bar, or observe her lift a hand in worship while her mother follows the worship team on the church’s Macbook Pro. This little girl lives and breathes her joy for God, all the while never losing her innocent “little-girl” appeal. To a seasoned volunteer, it warms the heart; to a Christian father, it brings tears to his eyes.

On Wednesdays when the Poliquits are on duty, together with other serving families, like husband-wife team Bleau and Moppet Aquino (he takes photos; she heads the usher team) or Jaret and Sheryl Garcia (he stage manages; she mans Keynote), or Jason and Lysa San Agustin (he stage manages; she heads the ushers team); or Jun and Sally Gomez (she leads worship; he plays keyboards for his rocker missus),  the Music Museum comes alive with the joy of familial trust. Husbands trust wives; parents trust children; everyone trusts God to get them through a worship service that positively teems with the love that comes with serving God in a volunteer capacity. When families serve God together, it unites them in a bond that is not easily broken.

When I look at little Gaby – who turns the ripe old age of 8 in July – I know in my heart that the next generation will be fine. When families raise the their children to honor God in their homes, in their schools, at their workplaces, and in their hearts, how can we doubt that God will deliver a certain and sure future of the next generation?

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12

The Volunteer Diaries is the online volunteer management journal of Ganns Deen, Victory Greenhills Worship Services Coordinator. For comments and suggestions, please email ganns@gannsdeen.com.

Every year we make a call for people to renew their commitment to volunteer and serve the church through the various gifts God has given them. Last Sunday we saw hundreds of people sign up to volunteer for the church. It was an amazing sight to see people wanting to serve Jesus and love Jesus by serving the church.

Last year’s crop of volunteers has helped catapult the church to reach new heights. We have added 700 new people in church compared to last year and with the growth that God has given – we needed volunteers to help us achieve God’s vision for the city.

So who can serve?

1. Men can and should serve.

Whether you are a businessman, a career man, an entrepreneur, a student, a young person, a man is called to serve the church faithfully. Austin, 12 years old, serves in kids church and is part of the music ministry playing the drums.

2. Women should serve Jesus.

Noemi, leads our creative ministry team and does all the stage designs we have every week. She is fully supported by her husband Henry (man on the right). Noemi is a business woman and she serves Jesus faithfully.

Yet, is a home maker and a house wife. She has 2 sons and a brand new baby. She serves her husband, her family and the church. So whether you are in business or a house wife – you need to serve Jesus.

3. Everybody can serve Jesus.

Students can serve Jesus.

Carlo Ople, new media specialist and bloggers can serve Jesus.

So what are you waiting for – serve Jesus by serving His church.

Thank you to all our volunteers.

Here are 3 easy steps.

1. To consider yourself a member of the church but not serve the church.

2. To consider yourself a member of the church and take up space but not believe and live out the vision of the church to make disciples.

3. To consider yourself a member of the church but never take time to grow in God by knowing Him more through the reading of Scripture and prayer.

One of the valuable lesson I’m learning as a volunteer teacher is showing up and making yourself known to your students. I handles children ages 3-6 years old in our church, Victory Greenhills. I make it a point to show up every sunday in their classes even when I’m not teaching. Showing up to see them, speak to them, encourage them or sometimes just smiling at them. I love building relationship with these kids. They are the most genuine people I have known in my lifetime.

When I say BUILDING RELATIONSHIP, I’m saying I love getting involved in them. It’s more than hi’s and hellos. It’s asking and listening how they are, what toys do they play, how they are in school, and how was their week. Children their age responds so honest with what they are facing and how they are facing it. They are not yet in the game of hiding myself to make others think that I am perfectly well. They are real kids who loves to play, to play endlessly, to listen to your stories, to get themselves involve where you direct them like singing, dancing, role-playing and doing crafts.

I am fully aware that each kid have a story to tell in their lives. I appreciate their uniqueness and their different personalities coming in together to learn more about Jesus in Children Church. A number of kids goes through the battle of separation anxiety… being by themselves in class without their parents or caregivers. You will find Dramas, Comedies, a lot of Action and inspiring stories when you look at the picture of our class. Yael, a 4yr old boy recently struggles with separation anxiety. For the past four months that he attends the class, I would talk to him and encourage him to join the other kids. There were a lot of sundays that I find tears in his eyes as he wants to go with her big sis to other class. I will convince and even play with him to the extent that I can, but this boy has his firm decision already. I choose not to give up, understanding that this is just a phase in a boy’s life.

( FAST FORWARD… to the present) For the last 2 months, I was less visible in Kids Ministry. I turned over my position as the Children Church Coordinator to another teacher. I’m not sure if the teachers and volunteers felt my absence, I decided to work behind the scene. To be honest, I miss KIDS MINISTRY. I miss my little friends and students. I miss planning and preparing for classes. I miss discussing with our Pastor about things involving KIDS MINISTRY. I showed up yesterday at Kids Church for it was a Special Sunday Event. I don’t have any role to play but I decided I want to hang out with the kids. Yael came up to me( all by himself), I was not even talking tohim. Dressed in his Pooh Costume, he seriously uttered… ” I MISS YOU ” At that very moment, I felt my heart melted… ^_^ Then I hug him and said oohhh… so sweet. Do you know my name? He answered me directly, NO! After church, I thought about this sweet incident. I felt his sincerity with the 3 words “I MISS YOU” then, I was reminded that I WAS THERE FOR HIM during those times he was facing his fears at church. In my 2 months of less visibility, I’m sure HE WAS THE ONE who felt my absence. He did not even bother to know my name as his teacher, He just recognize me. He approach me. He let me know that what I did for him was something else…

Truly, I am amazed how far we can touch a life of a 4 yr old kid. It’s not something that I planned to do or expect to receive from a kid… the bottomline is, When we do our part as teachers who plant the seeds of faith, who teach kids what Christianity is about, God has his ways of rewarding us back. A pat in the back, a changed life, a relationship with a kid and a glimpse of eternity.

They are often neglected. Not only unsung but most of the time unseen but at the end of every worship experience – they are the most tired, wiped out, exhausted people. I am not talking about our ushers, or our tech team, or the music team. I am not even talking about me – though I feel that way almost every Sunday but nothing compared to how this guys give their best in serving Jesus and His church.

I am talking about our janitors and cleaners. The main reason the Victory center in Greenhills is spotless all week round, and the music hall we are renting is in tip top shape, and the props and materials are packed week in and week out…. they deserve the credit.

To our janitors and cleaners – thank you for serving and giving it all and going beyond the call of duty. You are heroes.

On pic: Mr Eveready Erwin and Mr. Dependable Kjun