This week marks the big event in the Couples for Christ – Benguet and Baguio as it hosts the Family Conference of the Kids for Christ starting Friday, April 28 until Sunday, April 30, 2017, the youngest among the Family Ministries of the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc. It is anticipated that some 1,800 up to 2,000 kids delegates, ages 12 and below at least 4 years old, together with their entire family troop to the favourite destination among Filipino tourists in the beautiful mountain resort of Baguio City. A simple multiplication of say 1,800 kids with at least his or her papa or mama or ate or kuya, at the minimum of 3 to make it 4 in the family would translate to close to 5,500 visitors. To complicate the matter (expect heavy traffic in the city streets, but what the heck), this event coincides with the ASEAN Summit where April 28 was declared a holiday in Metro Manila. And then we have May 1, Labor Day, after Sunday of April 30. Yes, it is a long weekend, perfect for the tourists.
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But what is Kids for Christ or KFC? Not the food chain famous with its chicken done the American way. Let us begin with its main organization, the Couples for Christ – source: https://www.couplesforchristglobal.org website. CFC is a Catholic movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. CFC couples have committed themselves to the Lord and to one another so that they may grow in maturity as men and women of God and fulfill their primary vocation of raising families grounded in Christian values, in the service and love of God. It began in 1981 in Manila, Philippines, when Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy in the Lord), a covenanted Christian charismatic community, realized that to effectively renew society, a conversion of both spouses, and consequently families, to Christ was necessary.
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The method used consisted of bringing together a small group of prospective couples in a private home. There they were brought to a living relationship with Jesus Christ and to renewal in the power of the Holy Spirit through a series of weekly informal discussions of the gospel in a social environment. Beginning from the first 16 couples who joined the weekly gathering, CFC became a Christian family life renewal which was later made available to parishes and groups of married couples who wished to live out their Christian life in an active supportive relationship with one another. The growth of CFC stemmed from its heart for mission and evangelization and its commitment to sharing God’s love with others, beginning from the basic unit – the family. It did not take long for CFC to realize that while a couple renewal was essential, it would be incomplete without family renewal.
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CFC wants to rise in defense of the family, which is God’s work. It wants to bring God’s strength and light to those who are struggling to be truly Christian families in the modern world. Any validly married Catholic couple can become members of CFC. Although a Catholic movement/organization, it remains open to having non-Catholic Christians as members. It draws its membership from all sectors of society, young and old, rich and poor, etc. CFC transcends all cultural, economic, educational, social and other distinctions. In 1996, CFC was approved by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines as a national private association of lay faithful. In 2000, CFC was recognized by the Holy See (Vatican) as a private international association of the lay faithful of pontifical right. CFC has now a recognized office at the very heart of the Holy See.
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For the first 12 years of the life of CFC, the single focus was on evangelizing and renewing married couples. Even though many non-couples were asking about how they could also be a part of the CFC community, the mandate of the Lord extended only to the work with couples. It has since become clear that the Lord simply wanted to assure a solid foundation, one based on the renewal of Christian couples and their families, for the large work that was to come. In 1993, CFC established its family ministries. This has provided a “womb-to-tomb” renewal ministry, where persons are evangelized at the youngest age and sustained as they grow through the different stages and states of life. CFC Kids for Christ, CFC Youth for Christ, CFC Singles for Christ, CFC Handmaids of the Lord, and CFC Servants of the Lord provide a support environment for every member of the family. A person moves from one ministry to the next, as his state of life changes. Thus, the whole life of a person while on this world is covered.
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Now to the Kids for Christ (KFC). It aims to serve children from ages four (4) to twelve (12). The ministry is committed to mold young Christ-like leaders. The ministry has four evangelization programs: Kids Evangelization, Family Enrichment, World Changers, and Leadership Formation for Kids. It also has a support program for CFC members (for Couple Coordinators, YFC ROCK Facilitators, Parents) serving the ministry called Mission Support Program. The Vision and Mission of KFC is “To bring kids to the Lord and build a bright new world”
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In evangelizing Kids, each KFC activity aims to make the kids realize that Jesus is the most exciting person in their lives. That Jesus is God and He loves them so much. Thru the activities the kids also learn the 7 core traits as a KFC member: Prayerful, Loving, Obedient, Respectful, Diligent, Generous, and Honest. It aims to enhance the relationship of parents to their children. KFC is not only concerned of what the kids gets from the KFC activities, but also in how the parents respond to what it teach the kids. The program covers teachings on deeper level of open communication and commitment to serve and love one another, to help build strong relationships within the family.
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KFC inspires the kids to make a difference amidst a world of mediocrity. At a young age it helps them see how they can take part building up a better society and bring it back to God’s original plan. It developed in them an attitude to put their faith into action. And about 15 years or so from now, the kids will be the future leaders of our society and it is important that at a young age they understand the real meaning of leadership. As young Christ-like leaders, these kids have to be strong in the conviction of their Christian values and making Christ their role-model in serving others.
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The KFC believes that to be able to build an attractive environment to the kids, the program should have the Four “F’s” principle: It is Fun. Activities are enjoyable and they stimulate the child’s creativity, perception, and sensitivity; It is built on Friendship. Activities encourage the members to build strong friendships; It enhances the faith. Activities are geared towards strengthening their relationship with God and understanding our Catholic Christian faith elements in kid’s language; and it allows the kids to express themselves but with responsibility and respect for God and for other.
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The City government of Baguio, thru Honorable Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, welcomes all the delegates – parents and children – of the 2017 KFC Family Conference in Baguio City. The entire catholic organization of Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., the Kids for Christ Family Ministry and the CFC Benguet and Baguio are very much grateful to the City of Baguio and Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan for their invaluable support to this activity. Mabuhay po kayo!
