Empowered to Enlarge: FOCIM Launches New Webinar Series Empower

TWO YEARS into the lockdown and it seems like the world has stopped revolving. Given that many are constrained to conduct classes, businesses, and even exercise their professions within the four walls of one’s house, with faces replaced by screens, it cannot be overemphasized how the pandemic has led to a stunt in opportunities and even in growth.

FOCIM, much like the apostle Peter who anchored his faith on Christ, remained steadfast, rejecting every attempt of the enemy to halt growth and expansion. Through its activities, such as Project Sanctuary, the launch of Gracepointe, and even the FOCIM love pantry, FOCIM was able to see opportunities beyond adversity, seeking every occasion to improve and equip its members towards the ultimate goal of expanding the Kingdom.

Consistent with this thrust, Empower was launched in the latter part of 2021. Guided by 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, it was conceptualized upon the realization that the congregation was composed of different professionals who excelled in their respective careers in the marketplace; simultaneously, there are some members who are struggling and searching for opportunities to thrive during the pandemic. Seeing how the professionals could tap into their resources to equip other members in meeting their needs, Empower proved to be the perfect solution. Aside from equipping members, Empower seeks to embody the value of community and accountability; as a people of God, we are held to be accountable to our brothers and sisters, guiding them in times of need. Ultimately, Empower is geared towards contributing to the fulfillment of FOCIM’s mandate to expand, wherein every person would be equipped and ready to become effective agents of change.

Empower was designed to be a webinar series on practical topics that respond to present realities or as the demand or need would so arise, such as law, medicine, and education, which runs on a monthly basis. Every session is composed of two parts: first, a 20 to 30-minute lecture conducted either by a special guest or someone from FOCIM of the speaker, and second, for the remaining 30 to 40 minutes, an open forum is conducted for the members to engage with the speaker to either ask any question or to clarify or highlight certain points in the presentation.

As its launching topic last September, Empower opened with Mental Health, to address the pressing needs of this challenging season and to fortify FOCIM’s role as a channel of healing and support to those who need it the most. On September 19, 2021, Ms. Catherine Canullas-Gutierrez, a pastoral counselor and alumni of Asian Theological Seminary (ATS), talked about understanding and dealing with anxiety and depression. She delved on certain misconceptions and provided the attendees with techniques on how to detect anxiety and depression and how to lend preliminary support to those who may be experiencing it. The week following, on September 26, Rejoice Immanuel Eljoen Merelos, a pastor and also a counselor and alumni of ATS, enlightened the attendees on stress—its nature, how to effectively normalize and manage it, and how to strategize and incorporate self-care techniques into one’s daily routine.

The Mental Health topic proved timely and effective as approximately 70 participants, composed of members and non-members, attended both webinars. Due to the increased interest and the need to dwell on such a relevant and timely topic, the Mental Health series was extended to October 2021, with Ptr. Archie Dela Cruz dwelt on the subject of grief—how grief cannot be identified by stages or expected to be linear, how to journey with someone grieving, and what words to say, and alternatively, not to say, that could provide support.

To close the year, Empower launched its second series on education, considering that the new academic year began and how online schooling has been a challenge for both parents and children during the pandemic. Thus, Dr. Lorelei Vinluan, a professor from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, delivered a talk on Remote/Distance Learning, which was attended by approximately 50 people. More specifically, the presentation helped parents and students alike on how to navigate the challenges of the online set-up. She also provided sustainable techniques on how parents and students could work together to overcome certain difficulties.

With the overwhelming number of attendees, the success of Empower shows a continued demand for it, especially in 2022, as the pandemic would undoubtedly pose new challenges. Thus, it is with great hope that through Empower, the potential of people would be tapped, as the church continues to inch closer to accomplishing its purpose.