'Mission Drift' Co-Author Speaks, Launches Book in GenSan

Peter Greer, Mission Drift co-author

Peter Greer, co-author of the book Mission Drift:The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches  gave a lecture on what it takes to remain true to one's mission, in an event sponsored by the Center for Community Transformation (CCT). 

Greer is  president and CEO of HOPE International, a global nonprofit organization focused on addressing both physical and spiritual poverty through microfinance. HOPE is a ministry partner of CCT. 

The lecture was accompanied by the first international launch of Mission Drift and was attended by nearly a hundred pastors, Christian businessmen and ministry workers from General Santos City and Davao.

In the book, Greer states that,  "without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission."  His talk centered on factors that can help organizations remain 'mission true'. He mentioned Harvard University and YMCA as examples of organizations that have drifted far from their original missions. "There was never one moment, one decision or one person that contributed to the drift. Many factors happening simultaneously contribute to drift," he stressed.

The talk was followed by a short question-and-answer session, lunch, and book signing. 

The lecture and book launch, CCT's first public event in GenSan, was held on March 18, 2015 at the C2.ECA Function Hall, ECA Building, National Highway, General Santos City.  

Left to right:  Jan Ced, GenSan businessman; Nathan de Lyster, executive director of HOPE Hong Kong,
Peter Greer; and Ruth Callanta, president and founder of the Center for Community Transformation. 

Photos:  Mae Bulaquina

Int'l Development Workers Trained on Discipleship, Governance

"I appreciate learning what a truly Christ-centered organization looks like from the top to the bottom," said a satisfied participant in the recently-concluded third Transformative Economic Empowerment (TEE) training conference, an annual gathering organized by the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) and the CCT Ka-Partner Network (CCT KN). "I learned that discipleship is about relationship and needs to be a core part of organizational culture," said another.

This year's TEE had the theme "Thy Kingdom Come" from the Lord's Prayer and brought together microfinance workers and volunteers from 12 countries. In her welcome message, Ruth Callanta, president and founder of CCT said, "I praise the Lord for the opportunity to share stories, experiences, and lessons CCT and its people have learned over the years of ministering among the poorest of the poor. It is my prayer that our week together will truly equip and encourage everyone so that when we go from here we will shine as exceedingly bright lights in the dark corners of the world where God appointed us to minister." Attendees were from Burundi, Cameroon, India, Korea, Malawi, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia.

Participants spent about half of the week-long conference on exposure trips and half attending courses on either discipleship or organizational governance.  The exposure trips, meant to give attendees an understanding and appreciation of the scope of CCT work and what God has done in establishing these ministries, involved visits to a microfinance branch, three community centers, a residential school, a feeding activity, a savings group, and a factory.

The plenary sessions, break out group sessions and panel discussions on discipleship and organizational governance involved the following speakers and facilitators:

• Matthew Rohrs, Hope International director of spiritual integration 
• Todd Engelsen, PEER Servants president 
• Jesse Ratichek, Hope International technical assistance manager 
• Malu Garcia, Hope International savings circle program specialist 
• Larry Roadman, endPoverty.org chairman 
• Tammy Wang, endPoverty.org chief operating officer 
• James Tioco, Sowers of the Word Ministries executive director 
• Elizabeth Venegas, CCT Training and Development Institute executive director 
• Bertram Lim, CCT Inc. board chairman 
• Ronald Chua, CCT Credit Cooperative board chairman 
• Ruth Callanta, CCT Group of Ministries founder and president 
• Joey Bonifacio, Victory Fort Bonifacio pastor 
• Carson Tan, CCT Life and Business Mentoring Program volunteer mentor 

The discipleship course covered the Biblical basis for discipleship, encouraging examples of how CCT has integrated discipleship into its daily activities, and case studies of organizations that have excelled in discipling. The organizational governance course covered governance principles, practices and policies that guided CCT as it evolved from a single entity to a group of ministries, and issues and challenges that confronted CCT and its response to such.

The Ka-partner Network is a consortium of North American-based Christian microfinance organizations that partner with CCT – currently including endPoverty.org, Five Talents, Hope International and PEER Servants.

Other organizations represented in the conference were Christian Empowerment Microfinance (Zambia), Christian Service Society (India), Christian Action for Empowering Church and Community (Uganda), Action for Children (Uganda), Ikussasa Empowerment Trust (South Africa), and Women’s Initiative for Health, Education and Economic Development (Cameroon).

The conference was held on November 10-15, 2014 at the Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center, Cavite, Philippines.

Children cared for at the residential school for girls
in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna welcome TEE participants
with gifts of shell necklaces.

 TEE participants join a friendly football match with young men
 who used to live on the street and who are now cared for
 at the Visions of Hope Christian School in Magdalena, Laguna.  

While observing a once-a-week fellowship meeting of 
microfinance recipients, TEE attendees
 learn an action song led by a
covenant community builder, front-liner in
CCT's microfinance program.  

Brothers and sisters in the Lord -- development workers 
from around the world,
microfinance recipients, and CCT staff. 

Joey Bonifacio, CCT corporate member, discusses discipleship
and the Lego Principle.

Delegates from 12 countries learn a bit of Philippine
history with a visit to a monument honoring
patriot and martyr Jose Rizal.

CCT Staff Join Pork Barrel Protest

More than 200 CCT leaders, staff, and community partners joined the August 26 rally in Luneta to protest misuse of taxpayers' money.  CCT's participation began with a march to the park from the CCT office on Taft Avenue, after which they joined a program prepared by the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture, and walked around a portion of the park singing the nationalistic song Pilipinas Kong Mahal. Along with Ruth Callanta, CCT president, and Melba Maggay, ISACC president, the group raised voices to heaven, imploring God to "Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream (Amos 5:24)."

Photos courtesy of Noeh Vios and Ging Guerrero 

CCT Cooperative Members Hold General Assemblies

Members of the Center for Community Transformation Savings and Credit Cooperative have been attending general assemblies in their respective areas since May. The highlights of these assemblies are the president's report giving updates on the programs and services of CCT, the treasurer's report stating CCT's financial performance in 2012, and recognition of loyal community partners.  The assemblies are expected to be held until August.  In 2012 the CCT Co-op had a total outreach of 147,000 in 145 branches nationwide.

Pictures below are from the general assemblies of the National Capital Region 1 and Negros areas.

Dennis Monong, general manager of the CCT Savings and Credit Cooperative, delivers the president's report
on behalf of Ruth Callanta, CCT president and founder. 

Mark Rullona, CCT Co-op general accountant
discusses the cooperative treasurer's report. 

A replica of a cheque showing P22,670,000 in patronage refunds and interest on shares is
symbolically turned over to CCT Co-op members.

Janice Ondrade, team servant at CCT's Araneta branch leads community volunteer development council
officers and Araneta staff in singing You Are My All in All.

Mardy Cabalo expresses gratitude to God for having been
named Thurman Awardee for 2013.  For full story, please visit:
http://cctgeneralnews.blogspot.com/2013/05/
ccts-mardy-cabalo-is-2013-thurman.html

Loyal cooperative members from Quezon City, recognized for membership with the CCT Co-op for
 five years or more, pause for a picture with their certificates of appreciation and with CCT staff. 

Children and grandchildren of co-op members from the Munoz, Quezon
City branch do a dance interpretation of  Lead Me Lord. 

CCT Co-op members and staff in Negros hold a replica of a cheque representing patronage refunds 
and interest on shares to be distributed among co-op members nationwide. 

Photos: Michelle Taway 

Thurman Awardee Mardy Cabalo Receives Prizes

 Mardy Cabalo, micro entrepreneur from Quezon City,
 receives her trophy as 2013 Thurman awardee from Christian businessman Carson Tan, representing
CCT and Hope International .

Mardy Cabalo received her prizes as 2013 Thurman overall awardee during the joint corporate worship service of Center for Community Transformation branches in Luzon on June 8, 2013.  The prizes are a  trophy and $500.00.  Joining Mardy during the brief ceremony were her daughters Chloe May, Jodeline, Jesusa, and Hannah,  staff from the Araneta, Quezon City branch, and her business mentor Carson Tan.

The Thurman Award recognizes microfinance and savings partners who demonstrate the values of perseverance, compassion, strength of character, and creativity. It was established in honor of Eric Thurman, the first CEO of Hope International, and his wife, Pennie. Hope International is a ministry partner of CCT based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.  Its network operates in 16 countries around the world.

Winners of the award for 2013 were announced in April 2013 following a nomination period that began late in 2012. Vicky Nevado, regional peer servant, representing CCT, accepted the award on behalf of Mardy during Hope International's annual dinner held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on May 16.

This is the first time a CCT community partner has been chosen as the overall Thurman awardee.  Abegail Yape, a junk shop owner from Payatas was named honourable mention for Asia in 2008, and in 2010, Linda Rondina, owner of five panciterias in Rizal, was also named honourable mention for Asia.   

Ruth Callanta, CCT president (holding trophy), encourages micro finance staff to nominate community partners 
for  awards such as the Thurman Award, while Bertram Lim,  CCT chair (right), listens. 

Mike Salili, regional peer servant for the national capital region, hands Mardy her prize of $500 in cash.

(L to r)  Carson Tan, a volunteer with CCT's business mentoring program and Mardy's business mentor;
 Ruthie Monterde, area servant leader NCR 1; Mardy; Janice Ondrade, team servant for the Araneta,
Quezon City branch; Mike Salili; Gabriel Ortiola, covenant community builder. 

Photos: Michelle Taway

CCT Publishes History Books

The Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries recently launched a four-volume set of books tracing the history of the Philippines from a Christian perspective. The books are written in Filipino by historian Fe B. Mangahas with contributions from Imelda Cajipe Endaya. 

CCT president and founder Ruth Callanta said, “I pray these books will give their readers a clearer understanding of our history, undo feelings of bitterness and anger about our past, and inspire everyone to build a new Philippines where truth, justice, progress, and peace prevail.”  

Volume 1 of Kasaysayan ng Ating Bayan – Ang Pilipinas Noon at Ngayon covers early history  to  1500 A.D. Volume 2 covers Spanish colonialism to the American occupation (1500 – 1898). Volume 3 covers the years 1899 to 1946. Volume 4 covers the years 1947 to 2012

The books may be purchased at the CCT support office, 5th Floor, Joshua Center, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila.  For inquires, please call 524-18-10 local 214 and ask for Ralph Parado. 

Prices: 1 set - P1,000.00;  individual volumes - P250.00 each; 10 sets or more - P850 per set

Historian Fe Mangahas (right) and Imelda Cajipe Endaya at the
book launch in Magdalena, Laguna.

CCT Opens Branch in M'lang, North Cotabato

Pastor Jun Castillo, new team servant for M'lang Remelyn Empic,
and CCT President Ruth Callanta during  the opening
of the CCT branch in  M'lang, North Cotabato. 

The Center for Community Transformation (CCT) has opened a new branch in the municipality of M’lang, North Cotabato, bringing  the number of branches in the province to four.

CCT has more than 130 branches nationwide. It ministers to micro entrepreneurs, street dwellers, factory workers, landless agricultural workers, children and youth, and indigenous people, particularly the B'laan and Taga Kaolo tribes of Sarangani. 

Ruth Callanta, CCT president, delivered the exhortation in an opening ceremony on May 12, 2012 attended by CCT staff from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and other North Cotabato branches; members of the  Ministerial Group of Evangelical Churches in Mlang; and representatives of local government units.  Errol de Pedro, CCT pastor for the North Cotabato area, prayed for the three staff members  who will be manning operations and dedicated the office to God. A representative from the office of M’lang Mayor Joselito Pinol gave assurance of the municipal government’s support of the ministry of CCT.

The M’lang office is  located at Java Subdivision, Poblacion and is initially  offering  microfinance and insurance services. CCT also has branches in the North Cotabato towns of Midsayap and Kabakan, and in Kidapawan City.   

      

 Mlang is one of 17 towns in North Cotabato.  It is a first class municipality with a population of 81,000 according to a 2007 survey of the National Statistics Office.  Its residents speak Ilonggo, Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Magindanwon.  It has 37 baranggays.

Reportage: Jeaneth Samuel 

New Products for Loyal CCT Partners Announced

The new identification card and passbook for the exclusive use of loyal community partners.

The Center for Community Transformation Savings and Credit Cooperative recently announced a new set of products and  privileges exclusively for community partners who have been active members of the cooperative for five years or more. These products and privileges are:

• Emergency loan of P5,000 - P30,000 for hospitalization of immediate family members
• Study Now Pay Now E-loan of P2,000 to P20,000 for tuition of immediate family members
• Enterprise financing for immediate additional funding for business
• 50% discount on service charge for growth enterprise loans
• 50% discount on service charge for regular business loans

Loyal partners will be distinguished by their use of a new gold-colored identification card and passbook, the first set of which they will receive for free. 

Ruth Callanta, CCT president and general manager of the CCT Credit Cooperative said these products and privileges are given in appreciation of the community partners' faithful patronage of CCT programs and services.

In the world of microfinance, recipients of microfinance loans are referred to generally as borrowers or clients.  At CCT they are referred to as community partners. 

Ruth Callanta's 2011 Year-end Report

How did God work in and through the CCT Group of Ministries in 2011?  Ruth Callanta, president and founder, describes 2011 as a year when "several clear glimpses of the CCT vision were seen."  Read highlights of a year of fulfilling ministry  here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/88658034/CCTNews-2011-yearender

Glory to God!

Fresh Hope for Families-Philippines Has New Building

Ribbon cutting ceremony: Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting (in red blouse);
and (left to right) Bro. Leon Chang, FHFP chairman; Pastor Jesus Macaraeg, IAM senior pastor;
Ruth Callanta, president of FHFP and CCT; Sis. Carmen Nunn, FHFP board director,
and Sis. Jane Tan, FHFP co-founder. 

The new four-story building of Fresh Hope for Families-Philippines at 2192 New York St.,

Villasol Subdivision, Anunas, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.  

Fresh Hope for Families-Philippines, a ministry organization based in Angeles City, Pampanga dedicated their new building to the Lord on March 17, 2012.  The event was attended by leaders and staff of both CCT and FHFP, some Angeles government officials, leaders and members of the International Agape Ministries, and guests from Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

 Fresh Hope   provides relief and prevention programs for young girls and their families. In its relief program, Fresh Hope ministers to young girls who are neglected, abandoned, abused, or sexually exploited. It employs house parents and social workers who attend to the girls’ physical and emotional needs, and provide them with counseling, Christian teaching and nurturing, and literacy and social skills training. 

CCT works  with Fresh Hope in its prevention program where it assists ‘at risk’ families—very poor families probably in debt and who are likely to offer their daughters to the entertainment industry for survival and debt repayment. The goal is to help the families overcome poverty and eliminate the need for their daughters to go into prostitution. CCT  offers these familes services such as microfinance, a pre-school, a generics pharmacy, and free medical check-ups.   

The following are highlights of the dedication program: 

The CCT Magdalena drum and lyre corps(above) lead FHFP and CCT leaders, staff, and guests (below)
 in a parade down New York St.  

Pastor Jesus Macaraeg says the opening prayer. 

Sis. Grace Macaraeg leads praise and worship singing.  

FHFP girls do a dance interpretation.

Angeles Vice Mayor Cabigting relates several instances in her life
where she, "Received fresh hope from God." 

Sonia Cueta speaks of God's work in her life.

Margaret Balsom, a friend of the founders of FHFP, sings Andre Crouch's
My Tribute:
"How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me? 
Things so undeserved yet you gave
To prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee." 

Bro. Leon Chang, FHFP chairman, shares a message from God's Word.

Ruth Callanta reflects, "Why would these people from other countries come to bless the children of Angeles?
It is because they were compelled by the love of the Lord."

Sis. Carmen Nunn thanks God for the new building and for those
who made its completion possible.

Eve,  Eunice, and Esabel, daughters of Pastor Kane Tan, sing,
 "Every time I close my eyes,
Im filled with awe at all you've done
Every time I think on You,
I'm grateful for Your love."

Sis. Dina Toquero, HFHP director and Bro. Leon Chang unveil the House of Fresh Hope plaque. 

Plaque here is in honor of Pastor Kane Tan, co-founder of FHFP, who passed away in May 2011.
 Here, one of his daughters shares memories of him.  

Eight  ladies  from Australia and one from Papua New Guinea  traveled to the Philippines
to attend the dedication ceremony. 

Froi Parado, CCT corporate secretary,  master of ceremonies. 

Photos by Ciara Tan and Elmer Valencia