THE DA VINCI CODE

Here's a flyer for a special Friday Night Study at our Church about the book/movie "The Da Vinci Code." If you've been wondering why it's been such a "hot topic" lately, then I'd like to invite you to come on by on Friday to find out. Hope to see you there!

Click on the picture for a larger image.

SWBC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Every year the Southwest Baptist Conference (SWBC) holds their Annual Gathering in the City of Anaheim, California, wherein many Pastors, Church Planters, Missionaries, and Church Leaders get together to hear great speakers, to fellowship, encourage one another, and to just see whats been going on among our sister churches.

This year I took Pastor Alan along with me to attend the conference which was held from May 18 to 19. It was a really "spiritually uplifting" and encouraging conference, and we got to hear two inspiring speakers - Leith Anderson and George Barna.

We also attended a session that taught us how to answer question about the book/movie "The Da Vinci Code". It was taught by Mark Strauss who is a New Testament Scholar and teaches at Bethel University. He's a very smart man! I was really impressed!

The picture above shows George Barna talking about "Thinking Like Jesus." He has been called "The most quoted person in Christian Churches today." I myself have quoted him in my sermons many times.

Next year its my hope that many more of our CICF Church leaders would attend as well!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Our Church celebrated Mother's Day last Sunday, and we honored them with a special powerpoint presentation from the Youth Ministry, a special sermon dedicated to Moms, roses for all the Moms, and a special Mother's Day celebration after our worship service. There was great food and games for all the Moms - as well as for the men!

Thanks Men's Ministry for all the planning that you put into it.
Thank You Lord for our Moms.

CICF WOMENS OUTING

Our Women's Ministry at CICF have always been an active and dynamic ministry that God has been powerfully working through for His glory. I am so thankful for their committment to our church.

Last Saturday, May 13, the women of our church had their all-day women's outing at Torrey Pines in San Diego. It was very well attended! It was a time for fellowship, spiritual growth, eating, hiking, meditation, and lots of fun!

CLICK HERE to view a 3 minute photo-video of their outing. To enjoy it better, don't forget to turn on your computer speakers!

My thanks to my wife Cory and Sis. Laarni Zulueta for all the pictures.

HAPPY 9TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CICF!!!

Question: Why is Brother Jun so happy in this picture?
Answer: He's celebrating our 9th Year as a Church!

If you'd like to see more pictures of the entire church celebrating, then take a look at this one-minute photo-video of our Anniversary Celebration. First make sure that your computer speakers are on - and then CLICK HERE to view the photo-video.

Last Sunday, our Church celebrated its 9th Year Anniversary! Our original start date was May 4, 1997. We started with only 6 adults and 3 children - and God has now graciously grown our Church to more than 160 members! Glory to God!

God is truly faithful when He promised us in His Word that He "will build His Church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." I emphasized in my sermon that whenever we celebrate a Church Anniversary, we are not celebrating the work of man, but we are celebrating the work of God.

During our Anniversary Worship Service, 2 adults and 1 youth made first time commitments to receive Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior! Yeah God!!! After our worship service, there was food, fellowship, and lots of fun!

Praise the Lord for nine wonderful years!

CULTIVATE ENDURANCE

In our Care Groups last Friday/Saturday, we all studied chapter 3 in our "Integrity" Bible Study Series. This particular chapter was about "Cultivating Endurance" and we all learned through the life of Job some very deep lessons about endurance and faith.

One truth that we all got out of this study was that God Is Good - not because we've received blessings from Him (material; health; etc.), but God Is Good because of "Who" He is. So whatever happens in our life, good or bad, God still deserves to be worshipped and praised because - God Is Good!

As the Senior Pastor, I really don't have an assigned Care Group, so every week I would rotate to one of the Care Groups. Last Saturday I attended the East Riverside/Moreno Valley/Perris Care Group and it was held at Manong Orly and Manang Cora's beautiful new house in the City of Perris. The study was skillfully led by Bro. Orly Jr.

SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I've attended many surprise birthday parties, but last Saturday was a first for me. In one day, in the same house, we celebrated TWO surprise birthday parties!

The first one was for Mommy Lily Anderson, a woman who's probably one of the best cooks, and who is also a model wife, mother, and Christian. The second surprise party was for Sis. Rachel Quintans who is one of our very active church leaders and is someone that you can trust and depend on.

We thank the Lord for another year for Mommy Lily and Sis. Rachel.

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Last Friday, our church youth group known as "FORTRESS" had their monthly "all youth night" for Worship/Bible Study/Prayer/Fellowship. The theme this month was our "Relationship with God."

No, they're not playing poker in those pictures. It was an "ice-breaker" game where in each of the three groups had to make a house made of cards. It was a simple lesson to show that without a healthy relationship with God, our lives will just fall apart - just like a house made of cards.

We all know about Michael Jordan. But most probably - he doesn't know us. And based on that - A question that I asked all the youth that night is a question that I'd like to ask you, and that is: Do you know about God? or, Do you personally know Him?