I consider SFC ICON 2012 as one of the major events that happened in my life as a Singles for Christ. Aside from the fact that the province of Bohol is one of my dream places to visit, being part of the creatives of the conference also a fulfilled dream.
As I took my first step on stage, an unknown feeling run through my senses especially when I realized that they cued me fifteen minutes before my actual performance. As I was in a position to be in character on stage and as I wait for my dance to start, I prayed for me to feel the moment and my character more. I prayed as I danced. Even though a technical problem occurred, I continued to dance ad did the best I can. I know during that time that it was just not me who was dancing in front of God’s people, I know God is with me and He used me.
I danced to express my gratefulness of having Mary and our Great God in my life.
This is my expression…
This is my passion…
I am great because I have a greater God!

Sis Princess Palomar, SFC-UAE

Great! Awesome! Incredible! Fantastic! Amazing! Remarkable! Wonderful! Superb!

These are just some of the words I can use to describe my ICON experience. Still, words are not enough to contain that weekend I spent in Bohol. It was the highlight of my year so far. Two days of remembering, acknowledging, and worshipping the GOD who made all things possible for us. It was a moment of grace. A moment of God’s providence and I am so grateful to be part of the 100+ delegates from SFC Middle East.

We were again moved by God through the speakers, sharers and the worship leaders on the different workshops, activities and sessions. We have also learned about the importance of having mother Mary as our partner in pursuing the mission Christ has given us — the mission of proclaiming the greatness of the Lord.

The heat of the sun was no match compared to the heat of God’s love. As my skin got marked under the sun, my heart burned with passion, with stronger and renewed faith, and with deeper connection with the Lord. My heart was on fire! The sunburn I’ve had is now starting to peel off. But the mark that the experience left in my heart will not just be a remembrance – but would be like stepping on the gas(rev-up) again that would just keep me moving forward. No stopping. No looking back — just running at full speed.

Lastly, I have learned that ICON in Bohol was not about the tarsiers, not about the river cruise, not even the Chocolate Hills, but it was all about the GREAT GOD!

Bro Pakz Pajarillo, SFC-Qatar

Could you imagine being with our Great God for three days? Felt very blessed that I was able to attend the SFC ICON 2012 – Great God in Bohol last February. It was my first ICON experience. Being there with thousands of my fellow SFC brothers and sisters to meet our Great God is a privilege anyone would like to be part of. For me, the conference is an affirmation of how God works and His greatness can belittle our problems. I could still recall this year’s theme – “Proclaiming the Greatness of the Lord.” and there I was at the conference witnessing His greatness in every session, speaker, and sharer.

I remember Bro. Shok Ariola said that, ‘If you know you are loved, everything is possible.’ Very encouraging words that makes one feel secure and a big problem seems workable. God reminded me again that His unconditional love never fails despite being resentful and unworthiness. It is also true that He is the Great God of all grace. This was glorified with Sis. Minnie Juan’s experience. I remembered her saying: “Because of His limitless grace, I was able to overcome the obstacles that come my way. Though I am blind, I was able to do a lot not because I am good but because God is great. God’s power is magnified through my weaknesses.” Being blind didn’t stop her in serving our Great. Her life is truly an inspiration and manifestation of God’s greatness. All the problems and trials I had were nothing because I have a Great God even if at times I felt that I less deserve it. There is so much more that I can do for Him with my actions, words, and abilities if only I offer it all up and stay attune to God’s call. Just like Sis. Minnie, I pray that we too will find the real meaning and significance of our life in serving our one Great God. May we continue to witness and proclaim His greatness in all ways.

Sis Jen Constante, SFC-UAE

God is truly a great God.

Just to give you a little background about me, I have been a member of SFC since 2006, but never attended an ICON until this year. God has His perfect Timing planned out in my life, because this ICON was the thing I needed to heal my broken soul. I started working in the Middle East in 2006 and didn’t bother to save up for the ICON. I always attended the conferences being held in the Middle East. I was always caught up with work, and the vacation schedule I had only consisted of 2 weeks in a year. So I moved to a more stable job in 2010 and my life suddenly became a roller coaster. My mentor fell sick and couldn’t work anymore. So I had to fill in the position, even though I had only been there for 4 months. I couldn’t get my weekends, I was working overtime and I was facing lots of questions with the jobs assigned to me. No matter how hard I try it was never enough, sometimes I had to skip my service to God because of my workload. My workload covered 3 people and I was always blamed if something goes wrong. After 6 months they hired a new supervisor who I had to teach about the workflow I learned from my mentor. At first everything was good then all of a sudden I was questioned with my work, they always found faults and discredited my work. But God was still there for me, I was faithful that if He wants me to stay there He would give me the strength to stay, even if everybody kept on telling me on how crazy I was for staying there,. I kept on praying for His plan to be revealed to Me, last October 1, 2011 He helped me get out, due to political and personal reasons that I couldn’t handle. My resignation is truly a gift from God, crazy as it may sound, but it is true. I was supposed to stay for 3 more months upon resigning but He has given me a way out, and in a week I left my job with a graceful exit. Not only did He help me, but He gave me another blessing, a new job! I just had to leave Middle East again and be processed in the Philippines.

I was supposed to be leaving last January 2012, but the Lord has made His plans for me very clear. He wanted me to heal and hear His word. He wanted His Greatness to be felt more by letting me attend the Icon. Even though I have been jobless, my family still supported me emotionally, spiritually and specially Financially. I may have not saved up using my own money, but the Lord wants to show me that He provides. This ICON is a blessing and a reminder of how Great God is. The topics touched the core of the problems I faced. That no matter how bad the situation may be at the present, He will always reveal His message. It may be through our family and our community. I am so grateful that my family has their strong and blind Faith in God because even though I lost my job, my family was still there for me. They kept on reminding me of how loving and faithful He is to us, even if we just push Him aside. Even though we think we don’t deserve to be loved. Even if the whole world judges you and brings you down, He still takes our load, just as He promised in the Bible. Another topic that truly made an impact is our role model, Mama Mary. The workshops were great as well, I attended the Cornerstone, and I felt the calling of moulding the Youth even more. To remind them that our talents and our gifts are from God and the only way we can repay Him is through Service. Hopefully we could have training for the Youth for Christ that will cater to serving God through the Kids, not only Kids for Christ but kids in the Philippines. I was reminded of how to blessed I am with everything that has happened to me. Even though I am jobless for 6 months, God has provided everything and given me time to heal, and the ICON is a great way to start the year 2012.