Educators Christian Fellowship

23/12/2025

IVCFECF Christmas Greetings

18/12/2025

When Love Draws Near
by JT Alunan

Something in the air tells us that Christmas is drawing closer. The gentle cold of December settles in, and the world comes alive with the promise of the season. Even the static wave of your grandmother’s old radio carries Jose Mari Chan's songs, quietly reminding us that, even after everything, gratitude persists in the most fractured corners of our lives.

At its heart, Christmas isn’t about the presents we give or the things we accumulate. It’s about something far greater: God Himself coming down to live among us, to understand our lives and struggles firsthand. The Father stooped low, not out of necessity but out of love that surpasses words, choosing to dwell among us, to experience the bitterness of our sorrows, and to bear the vulnerability of our condition.

Imagine the immense nature of such humility: the One who set the stars in the heavens willingly embraced hunger, weariness, and tears. He understood the full spectrum of human suffering far more than we do, yet responded not with frustration, but with grace that exceeds all else. Through His passion and sacrifice, He paid the price for our transgressions so that we might walk in the freedom of redeemed lives.

Thus, we are compelled to ask: How should we live with a Christlike love and kindness? The true spirit of Christmas is not confined to the twenty-fifth of December; it is made manifest whenever we extend love to our neighbors. Let us not forget those whom society has neglected: the incarcerated, the forgotten, the isolated, and those who dwell in the margins of compassion. How would Christ approach those deprived of their earthly liberty? I believe He would do so with the same gentleness that marked every step of His life on earth. He would not turn away from their brokenness; He would listen to the quiet heartbeat of their wounded hearts and speak dignity and hope into their suffering.

This is what Christmas truly is: God drawing near to us in our struggles, a love that reaches into the depths of our pain, and a kindness that listens, comforts, and restores. May we let that love grow within us so that it bears the fruits of compassion, generosity, and hope in the lives of those around us. May the light of Christ shine through our words and actions, bringing renewal, healing, and joy to every person we encounter, and may the spirit of Christmas always dwell in our hearts.

24/10/2025

The fellowship began with a "kamustahanay," or greetings session, followed by a fun icebreaker led by Manang Grace and Chariz. Once the participants were energized, Manang Grace led the opening prayer.

The event centered around the theme "Self & Adulting." It included a warm welcome for freshmen, engaging activities, and a meaningful sharing of the Word led by the staff. He encouraged everyone to write their reflections on sticky notes about their thoughts and experiences during the adulting stage.

The fellowship concluded with a heartfelt closing prayer and a shared dinner, allowing everyone to bond and reflect on the lessons learned from the gathering. - Chariz

Reflection:
The fellowship was very meaningful to me as it focused on adulthood, which I believe is a life-changing phase in my life and something I cannot take lightly. The activities helped me understand what truly matters in this journey and that every adult faces struggles. They also assisted me in determining my core values as an adult and encouraged me to explore myself more deeply. Adulthood is a period where we begin to take on responsibilities that we may not be sure we can fulfill, and we need to be accountable and aware of the consequences of our actions. - Christine

23/10/2025

Do you have time for small talk?

After graduation, the allure and pressure from every direction awaken feelings of anxiety and desire to fit in, capturing the tension of frustration, disappointment, and restlessness. After all the effort and searching, it is comforting to seek rest and support, placing trust in the Maker, Sustainer, and Initiator of life.

23/10/2025

Do you want to know how well-known you are to God?

"This fellowship engaged us to unmask our false selves. "Genuinely transformational self-awareness requires encountering previously unwelcome aspects, including lying, denial, pretension, deceitfulness, and pride."

Hosted by Manang Izly, a weekly fellowship took place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Room AB 305 at PNU Visayas. It refreshed the minds of all attendees. The event began with an opening prayer led by Manang Arlen Faith, acknowledging God and seeking His guidance as we started the activity. Next, Manang Chariz took the floor and facilitated an interactive energizer that lifted everyone’s mood. The game "Bata, Bahay, Bagyo" encouraged us to socialize joyfully and share personal characteristics in a fun and engaging way.

Afterward, the staff shared the Word of God, helping us learn how to understand and discover ourselves in small groups. He provided us with a Self-Esteem Inventory to assess the aspects of ourselves that we can improve. Following our self-assessment, the staff gave us a short moment to share our evaluations with our group mates while enjoying snacks. The fellowship concluded with a photo opportunity and a closing prayer.

This fellowship not only provided a sense of community and belonging but also fostered a deeper understanding of ourselves as dearly loved by God.

“Who Am I Without God” was a self-discovery experience that allowed me to explore and embrace myself during the fellowship. I answered many thought-provoking questions that deepened my understanding of who I am. The small group created a safe space for me to express myself in front of others. The "Mirror Me" activity encouraged me to delve deeper into my thoughts and emotions. This experience reminded me of the importance of self-discovery and spiritual growth. I am grateful for the lessons I learned and the opportunity to reflect on my journey. — Christine Joy Basay Pasilan, a first-year student.

Yesterday, I felt very sad for something. Initially, I hesitated to attend IVCF because I didn’t want to spread my negativity. However, I ended up greeting friends from other sections and even made a new friend! 😊 I found comfort in our topic about reflections and whether we truly know our true selves. Through the discussion, I felt uplifted and left in a good mood, having learned new things that I will definitely apply to my journey called life. ✨ — Elisha Zoe Intico, a first-year student.

11/08/2025

Our character and service continually grow and delight in Jesus as the Spirit empowers us.

19/03/2025

Should Christians be involved in politics? Can we hold political views that are separate from our Christian faith? What should our attitude and level of involvement in politics be?

The reality of these questions is evident in both our personal experiences and the digital space. In a recent small group discussion, the consensus was that Christians should indeed engage in political matters. Everyone believed their faith should inform their political views. While, generally, everyone observed that some developed strong convictions, others expressed reluctance and felt increasingly disconnected from the political scene—perhaps due to concerns about relationships, mental health, or other personal reasons.

Selected verses from Genesis 1 and passages from the Book of Daniel help us see this truth: humanity, created in God's image, has been granted the authority to exercise "dominion" as the Creator does. The government ultimately rests on God's shoulders. He is the one who establishes kings and removes them, being sovereign over the kingdoms of men. He gives these kingdoms to whomever He wishes and appoints rulers over them.

This understanding helps us see that politics is a tool God uses to fulfill His will, even when individuals abuse their political power. Despite the corruption that can exist in government, God's purposes will ultimately prevail, and no government can thwart His will.

The group acknowledged that while the government has its role, Christians—metaphorically referred to as the church, the body of Christ, and the bride—also have an important purpose. They recognized the necessity of standing against the sins of our time, advocating for policies that uphold biblical values, promote good governance, and curb wickedness.

Christians can and should be involved in the political process, just like anyone else. The way Christian minds advocate best is through persuasion: “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.” As John Stott said, “The democratic political process is ‘the art of the possible.’ Because human beings are fallen, there is bound to be a gap between the divine ideal and human reality, between what God has revealed and what man finds possible.”

The discussion included affirmations of small acts of goodwill and challenges to our behavior and levels of engagement with political issues. The group concluded by praying for the world and our nation regarding the current events and challenges we face.

18/03/2025

The group engaged with the topic "Me and My Society" and reflected on Genesis 4:17, which states, "Cain built a city in the east of Eden..." They discussed themes of human development, progress, and innovation, considering the implications of the values and beliefs that Cain may have passed down to his descendants. They also reflected on God's perspective and character towards Cain, noting that He allowed Cain to live under divine protection despite his exile.

The shared thoughts emphasized the importance of promoting self-awareness by recognizing our identity in Christ, acknowledging our unique qualities and values, and understanding how we can contribute to our community. We also highlighted the need to develop community awareness by grasping our community's structure, challenges, and opportunities for active engagement. Additionally, we stressed the significance of practicing social responsibility through Christian living that genuinely reflects Christ's teachings, ultimately benefiting the community. Furthermore, we focused on enhancing communication skills by building interpersonal abilities to improve collaboration and strengthen our relationships with the community. Finally, we asked ourselves: What values are most important to us? How do our actions impact those around us?

17/03/2025

Creation Care Y4: "The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it."

28/02/2025

28/02/2025

Istorya ni Tyron, Rhoel, and Rose.

From ECF to CSS...eyyy.
Unexpected, maunod kag deep life reflections lately over a cup of coffee ang ganap.
Questions like…
'Grabe akun tuon what if mapatay ko gali gulpi?'
'How about sa parents or relatives na death? How to deal?'
'How will I deal with disappointment nga wala ko nadala sa Latin honor?'
'Ano truly matters after I graduate?'
'Why is life so uncertain and what will I do if it is not what it is supposed to be?'
'How to deal with groanings when you wait?'
'Where is God in all of these stories, realities, and transitions?'

We shared and expressed. When something like this comes up, we need to process ourselves so we can move on gracefully in life. Hayy, salamat Lord for meeting us where we are now and for being gentle and gracious.

28/02/2025

On the wave, life together.

H- Hope in walking with God
Acknowledging His presence towards love
K- Keeping on believing and
D- Devoting our faith as one
O- Obtaining the depth of Jesus' glory in
G- Growing together
SG HAKDOG | Pamela, Keah, Arlo, Guila