To ignite and unite men to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ through the effective communication of God’s words to  their fellow men, family, church and the world. 

The FACC Men's Fellowship Group (formerly called New Birth Society) is a diverse group of men who believe in obeying the two greatest commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Love God and Love your neighbors."  Since May 2006 when the group was founded,  this very compassionate assembly of men have shown their commitment to each other in obeying God's great commission by maintaining their meaningful relationships (with Christ in the center of their lives) and fulfilling charitable works for those in great need as well as becoming truly loving husbands and fathers.

By regularly meeting every Thursday evenings,  the members bring inspiration and encouragement to each other both spiritually and emotionally.  They delight in seeing each other, exchanging jokes and sharing their latest experiences at work or from personal activities.  They also promote monthly gatherings involving their respective families and close friends.  Such events include "mini-retreats," trip to Israel,  fishing trips,  birthday celebrations, etc.   All are welcome to join the FACC gatherings and meetings.

Bro. Val's commentary from the March 26 2009 discussions of  Ephesians 5:33  regarding "Love & Respect"

"...... each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband (Eph 5:22-33)."
 
It is interesting to note that although Paul states four times that husbands should love their wives, he never once mentions that wives should love their husbands. Their love is implied in their submission to and respect for their husbands. Clearly, Paul's emphasis here is on the attitude and behavior of the husbands. His attitude and behavior will set the spiritual tone for the home and affect his wife's general and spiritual well-being.
 
Paul's call in Ephesians for husbands to love their wives in a self sacrificing way that Christ loved His Church is a radically hard and a new concept. He was referring to a love wherein a husband would serve his wife as Christ served the Church and would give his life to his wife as Christ gave His life for the Church.
 
Sacrificial love is in itself a form of submission. Paul was talking about a love that would elevate a wife to equal status as a person in her husband's eyes (Tatay's comment).
 
Any husband who is truly faithful to do his part will make it easy for his wife to do her part. Likewise, any wife who has a husband who loves her in this way will have no problem respecting him or submitting to his headship.
 
Sacrificial love is unconditional love - love without reason (Pstr. Emar's remark). A love that does not hinge on the behavior or "loveableness" of the ones loved and whether or not they return that love. Agape makes no demands, holds no expectations, and carries no guarantees except to guarantee itself.
 
Love that looks for a reason is love with conditions attached. Conditions gives rise to expectations. Expectations leads inevitably to disappointment. Disappointment leads to arguments, which strains the relationship, which then endangers fellowship.
 
So then what is the husband's role in the marriage? He is the head of the home, the spiritual leader responsible for the spiritual direction of the family. That is a major role to perform and I believe that husbands can only be get this kind of knowledge and understanding in the church. Pray that the FACC Men's Fellowship Group (FMFG) will become one of the channels wherein men can be equipped to be the husband God called him to be and lead his family in the right direction!
 

EIGHTY NINE (89) HOMELESS PEOPLE WERE FED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM PAWAG, FACC, CSCLC AND NEW BIRTH SOCIETY ON JANUARY 16, 2009 AT THE "MUST MINISTRY" FEEDING CENTER IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA.

SIS. LYN, BRO. WINNIE, LANI (Pres. of PAWAG),  SIS. HERMIE AND BRO. NOEL    WERE AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS AT "THE FEED THE HOMELESS" CHARITY WORK.

NBS AND FACC MEMBERS MANNING THE KITCHEN DURING THE "FEED THE HOMELESS" EVENT LAST JAN. 16, 2009

PASTOR EMAR DELIVERING THE "OPENING PRAYER" BEFORE THE SERVING LUNCH TO THE HOMELESS PEOPLE OF MARIETTA, GEORGIA. WITH HIM WAS REV. DWIGHT GRAVES, CHAPTER PRES. OF THE COBB SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (CSCLC).

FACC Men's and Women's groups held their 2008 Family Fishing Trip at Destin, Florida last May 30.  Eighteen (18) people composed of FACC members hauled 48 fishes during the 6 hours deep sea fishing 11 miles off the Destin beach to the Atlantic ocean.

  2nd FACC Men's Fellowship Group Anniversary celebrated by having a BBQ cookout at Bro. Winnie's deck/patio

Yakiniku Japanese Restaurant is wholly-owned by Filipino entrepeneurs and it served as a perfect setting for the FACC Men's Fellowship Group (formerly known asNew Birth Society) members and their family for holding their first monthly get-together last March 27, 2008.  The event was attended by Willy Blanco, Fil-Am of Atlanta President and co-owner of Yakiniku Restaurant,  Sonny De Hitta, PACCGA President with his wife, Eden,  and Ador Aguilar, Fil-Am of Atlanta Treasurer and co-owner of Yakiniku Restaurant.  Other Filipino-American community leaders who stopped by and greeted the FACC Men's Fellowship team were  Peggy Espinda,  past PACCGA President and Didi O'Connor,  past PACCGA and Fil-Am of Atlanta President.

After the sumptuous "Hibachi" dinner,  a movie presentation of the FACC Men's Fellowship profile and activities was shown by Bro. Winnie.  It was promptly followed by group singing of praises to God led by Bro. Albert and then the sharing of the Word by Pastor Emar Perez.  The digital photos below bear happy faces of those who attended the successful fellowship event.

Bro. Tony conducts briefing on "Real Estate Planning and Housing Foreclosures Opportunities" during the NBS Fellowship Meeting held at his residence last Thursday, March 6, 2007

Bros. Winnie and Noel introducing Bro. Glen Wendt to the group in preparation for his installation as NBS member

                                                             Christmas caroling at Mark & Joana Daugherty's residence

                                            NBS members  attended  the Men's Fellowship at Oasis Church on Dec 1, 2007

Despedida lunch for Bro. Rodney - Oct. 13, 2007                             Presentation of New Birth Society gift-- model of a sail boat

NBS members at their "Feed the Homeless" project  - Aug 4 2007      Bros. Noel, Bobby, Erwin, Jay, Winnie & Rodney-- "Feed the Homeless Proj"

Bros. Erwin, Bobby, Tony, Jay & Noel - "Feed the Homeless Proj."       NBS  July 19-20 2007 fishing trip at Panama City-- Pastor Emar's big catch

NBS members led the FACC Israel Trip- June 9 to 17 2007            NBS monthly family gathering and Bro. Noel's b-day celebration- July 12 2007

A pilgrimage to Israel was recently completed by members of the Filipino-American Christian Church (FACC) and their family.   The group, which were also represented by New Birth Society members, were composed of: 

1.  Pastor Emar and  Ruth Perez and children (Adrian and Bookie)

2.  Rose Waban

3.  Winnie and Lyn Alfelor

4.  Erwin and Ched Capalongan with son Edward

5.  Gloria Lim

6.  May and Gladys

7.  Hermie Noonan

The group was blessed and truly inspired with the numerous holy sites they visited every day under the inspiring guidance of their tour guide, Louie Dijani. 

June 11, 2007 -  Mt. Beatitudes, Primacy of Peter Church, Mount of Multiplication, Capernaum, Jesus boat ride at Sea of Galilei, lunch to taste St. Peter's fish,  Mt. Tabor's transfiguratioin church

After a big breakfast,  we went up the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, followed by the church commemorating the Primacy of Peter, where Jesus had breakfast with the disciples after catching 115 different types of fishes at Sea of Galilei.  We proceeded to the church commemorating the multiplication of the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes by Jesus to feed over 5 thousand men and women.  We then proceeded to Capernaum, also called "Jesus' town" because that was where Jesus spent most of his time preaching at the synagogue and it is also the place where Peter and his family lived.  Coming down to the shore we enjoyed a boat ride to the middle of the Sea of Galilei, followed by a sumptuous lunch to taste St. Peter's fish (a fish related to "tilapia"). After lunch,  we went up Mt. Tabor to visit the church commemorating Christ's transfiguration in the presence of Peter, John and James. 

           Replica of Jesus' Boat which took the group across the Sea of Galilei

June 12, 2007 - Caeseria,  Mt. Carmel, Tel Megido, Nazareth (Church of Anunciation, St. Joseph's Church, Mary's well) and Cana wedding church

             Cesaeria ampitheater                                                Tel Megido  model                            

                   In front of the Ruins of Tel Megido (Sis. Ruth, Bro. Winnie, Mama Gloria & Sis. Hermie)

Ruins of Tel Meggido - An amazing amount of history at the crossroads of the ancient world, Megiddo overlooks the valley of Armegeden. Due to its strategic location along ancient trade routes, the city of Megiddo was built, destoyed, and rebuilt a total 25 times over the past 7000 years. Not a desert, or a barren wasteland, the valley of Armegeddon is an area of agriculture and life.

Nazareth - The original town of Nazareth at the time of Christ was considered very small with only 20 families comprising its total size. The Museum of the Basilica was built upon the ruins of the town and takes up what is considered to be the same space as ancient Nazareth.

June 13, 2007 -  Baptism at Jordan River,  Bet Shean, Tel Jericho,  Sycamore tree, Mount Temptation, Judean dessert

 Group picture before baptism at Jordan River                                Sis. Lyn  with the Mt. of Temptation at background 

June 14, 2007 -  Wailing wall,  Wall tunnel, Dome of the Rock (Temple Mount), Mount Olives, Pater Noster Church, Palm Sunday road with stop over at Dominus Flevit (weeping church), Gethsemane Garden, Basilica of Agony (Church of all nations), Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity and Shepherd's field church).  We had lunch at Bethlehem.

                                            Bro. Winnie with the Wailing Wall  in the background

June 15, 2007 -  Pools of Bethesda, St. Anne's Church, Herod's Antonia Fortress (Stations 1 & 2), Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross, Stations 3 to 9), Church of the Holy Sepulcher (includes Tomb of Jesus, Stations 10-14), Mt. Zion Upper Room (Last supper and Penticoast place), Tomb of David, Garden Tomb (another site of Jesus Tomb at Skull hill), and St. Peter of Gallicanto Church (House of Caiphas were Jesus was kept in a dungeon/pit overnight prior to his sentencing to be crucified)

June 16, 2007 -  Qumran, Masada and Dead Sea
 
We visited Masada and Qumran and had lunch at Bethlehem where many of us ate "falapel" and other Palestinian food.  Then we  had an enjoyable time to experience floating in the Dead Sea.  It was amazing.

                

             Qumran (where dead sea scrolls were found)                 Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth)

Everyone in the group agreed that it was the most relaxing (for the body) and spiritually-fulfilling (for the soul) trip they ever had.  Truly the message was clear:  God, through Jesus Christ, is LOVE and that we must LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS every second of our lives.  It was also very clear that the JEWS and all the people of the world NEED JESUS.

Front:  Winnie Alfelor:  Left to Right:  Erwin Capalongan, Paul Ongkeko, Roy Price, Tony Smith, Rodney Dobbins, Jay Akers and Val Lim Jr.  Absent:  Noel Tiu & Albert Albritton

The NBS meeting was held at Winnie Alfelor's residence with 3 sets of prayers for Bro. Noel Tiu who was undergoing medical tests and check-up for intestinal pain.  Also,  the group's "Word" topic was the book of Jonah, chapter 1, verses 1 to 17, on Jonah's fleeing from the Lord's instructions.

IT WAS "KARAOKE" NIGHT AT THE NBS MONTHLY FAMILY GATHERING LAST JANUARY 27 AT THE ONGKEKO  RESIDENCE

The New Birth society members extend their condolences to Bro. Paul and Sis. Flor Ongkeko for the passing of Flor's father, Cristino Vibandor, last January 6, 2007. 

                            BRO. RODNEY DOBBINS JOINS  NBS

The New Birth Society members installed its newest member, Bro. Rodney Dobbins, last Thursday, January 4, during its meeting held at Bro. Paul's house.  Present during the installation of Bro. Rodney were Bros. Erwin, Noel, Jay, Paul, Winnie and Val. 

It was on the night of December 21, 2006 at Bro. Noel & Sis. Nona Tiu's house that the NBS's first Christmas Party was held.  As expected,  the season's joyful spirit was made even more festive and partially romantic with the wives presence, namely Sis. Nora, Flor, Marilyn, Ched and of the lady of the house, Sis. Nona.  Br0. Erwin led the group singing of Christmas carols to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The men who joined in serenading the Lord were Bros. Bobby, Albert, Winnie, Paul, Val, Noel, Tony, Tatay Legaspi, Edward and of course Pastor Emar who gave their best voices and hidden crooning talents.

And the main activity of the night was the delectable and savory dinner prepared by FACC's and Georgia's best cook, Sis. Nona.  Those present were also able to enjoy the luscious salmon prepared by Sis. Flor.  What a fulfilling party it was and everyone really enjoyed that memorable evening. 

The "New Birth Society" or NBS was originally conceived and organized on May 25, 2006 by five (5) men whose mutual desire is to establish a sincere friendship that transcends beyond the "self" and towards a profound commitment of love with Jesus Christ as the central binding block. The phrase "new birth" is the English translation for the Tagalog words "bagong buhay" representing the transformation of men in spirit once they join this society.

Every meeting of the NBS is preceeded by a  "Worship" time to offer praises and glory to God.  The members enjoy fellowship with everyone, anywhere and anytime.  Roy Price (a well-travelled mis-sionary) is shown below during his presentation as guest speaker at one of the NBS meetings. The "Welcome" portion of the NBS meeting is a time, not only for fellowship but also snacks and food-courtesy of the host.

The members meet every Thursday at pre-agreed locations and time (refer to the Weekly Schedules of Meeting in this website).  Attendance is open to all men of nationalities who want to learn meaningful and purpose-driven life and experience sincere friendship with other people that is focused on Christ.  You can call any of the contact person listed in How to Join page of this website.