The Missionary Families of Christ (MFC), formerly known as Couples for Christ - Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) is a Philippine-based Catholic charismatic lay community that emphasizes individual renewal, family life renewal, Church renewal, societal renewal and evangelization. MFC is a missionary body, and the families and individuals that make up this association are to strive to be instruments of the Holy Spirit in renewing the face of the earth.

Missionary Families of Christ
FormationJune 1981
TypeCatholic charismatic group
HeadquartersApartelle 12, Star Mall, Edsa corner Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong, Philippines
Servant-General
Francisco "Frank" Padilla
Websitewww.missionaryfamiliesofchrist.org

7 Core Values

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The community's Core Values describe who they are and what they are called to do in the world. They provide parameters and constant guideposts in their moving on in their life and mission.

Centered on Christ.
Evangelistic and Missionary.
Focused on the family.
Being community.
Living a preferential option for the poor.
Exercising servant leadership.
Being a servant to the Church.

History

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Missionary Families of Christ is the new name, mission and vision of the former CFC-FFL. CFC-FFL came about in 2007 through the initiative of leaders and members of Couples for Christ-Global Missions Foundation (CFC-GMFI), it is led by one of the first sixteen couples of Couples for Christ - Frank Padilla. It is recognized in various archdioceses and dioceses around the Philippines and has a number of international affiliations.[1]

CFC-FFL originally started as a restoration movement within CFC; this was led by the Easter Group. The movement began on April 8, 2007, following the dissemination of then CFC Director Francisco Padilla's paper "CFC and GK – 3: At the Crossroads on our Journey of Hope and Joy,"[2] which argued that, among other things, CFC's identity and presence in Gawad Kalinga (GK) is being suppressed.

On June 22, 2007, the CFC Elders Assembly was held to elect the members of the CFC International Council and the Board of Elders. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recommended that the elections be postponed in favor of further dialogue with the Easter Group.[3] The Elders Assembly declined the recommendation, and proceeded with the election. The Easter group argued that by declining the recommendation of the CBCP, CFC has disobeyed the Roman Catholic Church. This event and continuing disagreements regarding Gawad Kalinga galvanized the Easter Group to separate,[4] and form the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.

The group was established on August 1, 2007, when Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the bishop of Antipolo, officially recognized[5] it as a private association of the faithful in his diocese. CFC FFL's break-away from GMFI was officially declared after their leaders met with Philippine bishops on August 28, 2007.[6]

On October 6, 2019, CFC-FFL officially changed its name to Missionary Families of Christ, as the new name now describes and encompasses the mission and vision of the community.[7]

Organization

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According to MFC statutes, members of MFC are organized into cell groups called a Household. A group of Households form a larger grouping, and such larger groupings form an even larger grouping, forming a pyramidal structure.

Within MFC are various Sections that represent the different members of the family. Each Section is equally important as the other. Sections such as MFC Couples,[8] MFC Kids,[9] MFC Youth,[10] MFC Singles[11] (for unmarried adults below the age of 40), MFC Handmaids (for women above 40),[12] and MFC Servants (for men above 40).[13]

In 2012, as a response to the call to New Evangelization, MFC spearheaded the Live Christ, Share Christ Mission (LCSC)[14] whose goal in to mainstream Catholic lay evangelization. The pillars of LCSC are the Live Pure Movement,[15] Live Life,[16] No One In Need Movement [17] and Live the Word.[18]

Servant General

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The International MFC Community is headed by the Servant General, Frank Padilla.

The Servant General (SG) acts as the keeper of the charism and exercises overall leadership and governance of the life and mission of the worldwide community.

Servant Leaders of MFC

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In the Philippines, it is led by the Servant Council: made up of 7 members chosen by the SG for a term of 2 years, with the Country Servant as first among equals.

Servant Council of the Philippines
2022-2024 2020–2022 2018–2020 2016–2018
Jojo Lorena (CoS) Ricky Celino (CoS) Ricky Celino (CoS) Lachie Agana (CoS)
EJ Aguila EJ Aguila Lachie Agana Manny Canlas
Cocoi Javier Jojo Dunglao Jojo Dunglao Maribel Descallar
Jepoy Meneses Cocoi Javier Cocoi Javier Jojo Dunglao
Xavier Padilla Jepoy Meneses Jepoy Meneses Tony Espino
Anton Padua Xavier Padilla Ed Paalam Jepoy Meneses
Dylan Reyes Dylan Reyes Xavier Padilla Oca Oblefias

2013–2015: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General, the Country Servant of the Philippines, the Body of Counselors to the CoS, and the Apostolic Board (advisory board to the SG).

Body of Counselors
2015 2014 2013
Lachie Agana (CoS) Lachie Agana (CoS) Lachie Agana (CoS)
Manny Canlas Manny Canlas Manny Canlas
Jojo Dunglao Jun Caramat Jun Caramat
Tony Espino Jojo Dunglao Bobbie Laguitao
Cocoi Javier Bobbie Laguitao Oca Oblefias
Oca Oblefias Oca Oblefias Pat Oconer
Joseph Tesoro Joseph Tesoro Joseph Tesoro
Apostolic Board
2015 2014 2013
Nonong Contreras (Chair) Nonong Contreras (Chair) Nonong Contreras (Chair)
Lachie Agana (CoS) Lachie Agana (CoS) Lachie Agana (CoS)
Eric Bravo Jun Carandang Mimi David
Jun Caramat Mimi David Maribel Descallar
Ricky Celino Maribel Descallar Jojo Dunglao
Mimi David Cocoi Javier Cocoi Javier
Maribel Descallar Chito Liban Chito Liban
Bobbie Laguitao Pancho Lopez-Tan Pancho Lopez-Tan
Pancho Lopez-Tan Ed Mondigo Ed Mondigo
Jepoy Meneses Bob Murga Bob Murga
Ed Mondigo Xavier Padilla Xavier Padilla
Xavier Padilla Charlie Reyes Charlie Reyes

2012: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General, the Country Servant of the Philippines and the Body of Counselors to the CoS.

Body of Counselors
2012
Bob Murga (CoS)
Lachie Agana
Nonong Contreras
Oland David
Maribel Descallar
Oca Oblefias
Pat Oconer

2008–2011: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General and the Body of Counselors.

Body of Counselors
2011 2010 2009 2008
Lachie Agana Lachie Agana Lachie Agana Lachie Agana
Nonong Contreras Nonong Contreras Nonong Contreras Nonong Contreras
Mimi David Mimi David Oland David Oland David
Oland David Oland David Gary Faustino Gary Faustino
Maribel Descallar Gary Faustino Pancho Lopez-Tan Pancho Lopez-Tan
Gary Faustino Bob Murga Bob Murga Bob Murga
Bob Murga Oca Oblefias Roland Nillas Roland Nillas
Oca Oblefias Pat Oconer Oca Oblefias Oca Oblefias
Pat Oconer Xavier Padilla
Xavier Padilla Joseph Tesoro
Jerome Protasio
Stephen Ramos
Joseph Tesoro

National Coordinators of Sections

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There are 6 Sections in MFC: Couples, Singles, Youth, Kids, Handmaids and Servants. Each equally important to the life and mission of the community. Prior to MFC, the 5 Sections (Singles, Youth, Kids, Handmaids and Servants) were part of the Family Ministries. In the chart, the Coordinator under MFC Couples are the ones in charge of the Young Couples (YC).

National Coordinators
Year Sections' Coordinator MFC Couples MFC Singles MFC Youth MFC Kids MFC Handmaids MFC Servants
2022 EJ Aguila Bobby Tagulinao (YC) Mac de Leon DR Arellano Jerald Cruz Menchie Donato Tom Quijano
2021 EJ Aguila Bobby Tagulinao (YC) Julius Eguia DR Arellano Jerald Cruz Menchie Donato Tom Quijano
2020 EJ Aguila Bobby Tagulinao (YC) EJ Aguila Julius Eguia Jermer Cruz Remy Aguas Tom Quijano
2019 EJ Aguila Jay Pangan (YC) EJ Aguila Julius Eguia Jermer Cruz Maribel Descallar Mon Arguelles
2018 Jepoy Meneses Jay Pangan (YC) EJ Aguila Dylan Reyes Jermer Cruz Maribel Descallar Bambi Urgino
2017 Jepoy Meneses Jay Pangan (YC) JC Sarmiento Dylan Reyes Jermer Cruz Maribel Descallar Bambi Urgino
2016 Jepoy Meneses Jay Pangan (YC) JC Sarmiento Dylan Reyes Jermer Cruz Reena Murga Bambi Urgino
2015 Joseph Tesoro Jay Pangan (YC) Jepoy Meneses Dylan Reyes JC Sarmiento Reena Murga Boy Katigbak
2014 Joseph Tesoro Jay Pangan (YC) Jepoy Meneses Dylan Reyes JC Sarmiento Reena Murga Boy Katigbak
2013 Joseph Tesoro Jun Caramat (YC) Jepoy Meneses Cocoi Javier JC Sarmiento Reena Murga Boy Katigbak
2012 Joseph Tesoro Mon Arguelles (YC) Jepoy Meneses Cocoi Javier JC Sarmiento Reena Murga Boy Katigbak
2011 Joseph Tesoro Xavier Padilla (YC) Jepoy Meneses Cocoi Javier JC Sarmiento Kit Ladrido Boy Katigbak
2010 Bob Murga Xavier Padilla (YC) Pat Oconer Joseph Tesoro Cocoi Javier Kit Ladrido Boy Katigbak
2009 Bob Murga Gary Faustino (YC) Pat Oconer Joseph Tesoro Xavier Padilla Kit Ladrido Boy Katigbak
2008 Bob Murga Gary Faustino (YC) Pat Oconer Joseph Tesoro Xavier Padilla Kit Ladrido Boy Katigbak
2007 Lachie Agana Gary Faustino (YC) Pat Oconer Joseph Tesoro Santi Edralin Kit Ladrido Boy Katigbak

International

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The Americas

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MFC is present in Canada, USA, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and the Cayman Islands.

Europe

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MFC is present in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, UK, France, Monaco, Spain, Azerbaijan, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia.

Africa

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MFC is present in Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, DRCongo, Tanzania, Cameroon and Uganda.

Middle East

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MFC is present in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE

Asia

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MFC is present in Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, India and Vietnam.

Oceania

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MFC is present in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea

Footnotes

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  1. ^ CBCP News Online. "CFC Foundation for Family and Life Doing well". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Padilla, Frank (April 8, 2007). "CFC and GK – 3: At the Crossroads on our Journey of Hope and Joy" (PDF). Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  3. ^ CFC Situation : Chronology of Events. "CBCP Letter to the Elders Assembly (June 7, 2007)" (PDF).
  4. ^ Philippine Daily Inquirer. Differences in beliefs caused Couples split Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine (Sept. 4, 2007)
  5. ^ The CFC Situation: Chronology of Events. "Decree of Recognition, Diocese of Antipolo" (PDF).
  6. ^ CBCP News Online. "CFC opts to split". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ CBCP News Online (6 October 2019). "CFC FFL changes name to Missionary Families of Christ".
  8. ^ "MFC Couples". MFC Couples. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  9. ^ "MFC Kids". MFC Kids. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  10. ^ "MFC Youth". MFC Youth. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  11. ^ "MFC Singles". MFC Singles. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  12. ^ "MFC Handmaids". MFC Handmaids. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  13. ^ "MFC Servants". MFC Servants. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  14. ^ "Pastoral Exhortation on the Era of New Evangelization: LIVE CHRIST, SHARE CHRIST | Live Christ, Share Christ". livechristsharechrist.net. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  15. ^ "Live Pure Movement". livepuremovement.org. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  16. ^ "Live Life". Live Life. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  17. ^ "No One in Need Movement". No One in Need. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  18. ^ "Liturgical Bible Study". Liturgical Bible Study. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
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