[Ed's Note: Batch 2 of SBCC's Women and Men's Encounters took place on Feb 12-13 and Feb 19-20 respectively, two life-changing weekenders that rocked the whole church and set people on fire! Yours truly had the awesome privilege to be one of the participants and, fresh from the Encounter, was moved to write this open letter as a testimonial.]

Women’s Encounter, February 12-13, 2011. Confession time! My one reservation for attending this weekend’s Encounter was that I knew these people who were going to speak and was worried of my personal biases. In my mind I thought I’d prefer listening to people I don’t know. How awesome is it that my very bias is one of the things that ministered to me the most?

And how can you not believe in a God who says He can do all things when you witness firsthand people whom you never imagined would speak in front, empowered by the Holy Spirit and carrying powerful messages from God? Parang may mga may sapi at nakadrugs! I couldn’t help but think as I was listening to them speak–we all need a dose of that drug they took! And I believe God did not let the Encounter Weekend to end without all of us experiencing that same power that brought them, speakers and guides, to stand up for Him.

Messages from people I look up to growing up but never really heard speak in front — Tita Jet, Tita Cha, My Mom!!, Tita Vi, Ninang Sweets, Tita Gigi, Tita Jean, Ate Chellie — Grabe! It’s one thing watching them quietly live faithful lives as parents and elders of the church and preparing potluck and cooked meals during lunch fellowships, it’s another thing seeing them boldly speak powerful messages and God-given wisdom! I used to look at mothers as killjoys (okay, that’s not exactly a secret, all kids do hehe!), but I’ve arrived at a point in my life where I just looove listening to their stories! Wisdom at its finest, we learn from our Moms. I always thank God for surrounding us with awesome role models in all of you.

Listening to Xaris and Ivy’s talks almost felt like we were just sitting inside our favorite Starbucks branch, but instead of complaining and ranting about our crazy lives and celebrity crushes, they’re now gushing and being all cheesy about God’s love and victory! Kakaiba! The funny stories shared in the pulpit and the sanguine personalities exuding from within them are way too familiar to me I can’t help but LOL, but to see them effectively speaking God’s truth without losing themselves is an amazing, amazing thing! Tara mga teh, let’s have coffee and be cheesy about God, shall we? <3

Karen and Dia as front acts? WOW! I hardly even hear them speak AT ALL! The devotionals really spoke to me in great, mighty ways, and affirmed to me things God has been dealing with me personally the past weeks. Nalagpasan nyo ang mga wordcount quota nyo, mga kapatid! Keep talking. We all would love to hear from you more and more!

And then there were Pat, Allison and Jeni, girls we’ve always seen to have choleric-melancholy leadership capabilities, now empowered to use their God-given gifts to their full potential. Todo na talaga! These girls have always called me “ATE” and to listen to them is a very humbling experience, indeed. How can I say NO to God now, right? You girls left me without a choice but to want to make myself be useful too! Truth be told, your talks are some of the sessions that impacted me the most.

God has truly ministered to me through all of you Women of God, and I praise Him for breaking all my biases and proving to me even more that nothing is really impossible with Him. That when He says He’s going to empower us, He will. That when He promised that He will do great and mighty things in our lives, He will. That when He uses us for His glory, great and mighty things will happen–and not just to us, but to everyone within our reach as well.

All we have to do is to take the first step and say YES.

So thanks, SBCC women, for willingly taking that step of faith. I’m glad I had my Encounter at SBCC and not anywhere else! Try nyo rin! Haha! Truly, my very bias–that I know you girls–is the very thing that made me believe in God’s awesome power EVEN MORE. The transformation is just way too awesome to ignore! It makes me inspired and excited to be used for His glory, too.

All praises to God!

Love,

Steadfast <3