Synergy 2030, a New Milestone for ICOC Philippines

Written by Marianne Abalayan // Published February 1, 2020

The ICOC Philippines marked a vital milestone after the successful staging of the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting, which kicked off a 10-year direction plan, at Bayview Park Hotel Manila last January 17.

ICOC Philippines Evangelist Francisco “Koko” Enrile leads the opening prayer to kick off the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting.

The Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting was attended by Metro Manila Christian Church (MMCC) Board, ICOC Philippines Missionary Society (Philms), Inc. Board, Philippine Leadership Council (PLC) of Elders, Teachers, Evangelists and Women's Ministry Leaders, Geographical Church Administrators and Philms/MMCC Administrator. Resource persons and experts in the fields of economics, finance, law, human resources, industrial engineering, strategic planning and sales and marketing were also invited.

MMCC Board chairman Roy Soriano welcomes participants of the Synergy 2030 and briefs participants on the overview of the meeting.

Synergy 2030, according to MMCC Board chairman Roy Soriano, aims to map out the organizational and financial structure of ICOC Philippines in moving forward to 2030.

Attendees also discussed the readiness of the ICOC Philippine family of churches in supporting the growth in the next 10 years and also in responding to challenges that may arise.

Some participants of the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting of ICOC Philippines having fun during an activity.

Soriano also said that the meeting was an important milestone for ICOC Philippines considering it was the first time that all current leadership groups with key resource persons were able to evaluate and discuss the church status in terms of membership, church growth, finance and structure using collected data.

Some participants of the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting in a photo opportunity.

"It marks a time where the process of participative planning and review mechanisms will be implemented using evidence. It also gives hope that we can have a common vision and leave behind a culture that is performance-based and parochial to a faith-centered, church-body perspective where each disciple is important and can grow in maturity," Soriano said.

Some snapshots of the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting.

Meanwhile, Women’s Ministry Leader Jo Calibuso, who co-leads with her husband Mon as North Luzon Geo Region Leader, said she's thankful for the Synergy 2030 workshop, saying that it really confirms God's continuing work in the movement.

"Just to cite two instances, one is His desire and vision through the leaders to plan ahead how to evangelize our country. Also we felt His presence during our brainstorming and great fellowship," Calibuso said, adding that it was an inspiring and faith-building workshop.

Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting participants during a discussion group.

Evangelist Norberto Aquino III, South Luzon Geo Region Leader, cited Ephesians 4:11-13, saying that God has given his people or leaders different gifts to mature the church.

He continued, "Seeing the evangelists, teachers, elders, administrators and disciples specializing in different fields yet working together is a sign of how the church is maturing."

A mature church, Aquino said, contributes to exponential growth in the church both numerically and spiritually.

Aquino also said that working with different people helped him see different perspectives, thus, giving him an opportunity to see, understand and approach differences in a very mature and productive way.

ICOC Philippines Teacher Rolan Monje, for his part, said that Synergy 2030 brought together some very motivated hearts and minds. "It was encouraging to see church issues addressed from different perspectives," Monje said.

Prayers offered on bended knees by participants to wrap the 10-year direction plan of the Synergy 2030 Leadership Meeting.

The one-day workshop also forged a unified church leadership that only wants nothing but to glorify God and bring Christ's gospel to the ends of the country.