The Woodlands, TEXAS - Top officers of ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor)- Tekton and North America took turns in defining the group’s mission and in discussing projects for poor Filipinos during the well-attended ANCOP Summit held on July 5, 2010 at the Marriott Waterways Hotel in this Texas township.

ANCOP is a ministry of Couples for Christ (CFC), which also held its National Leaders Conference in the same hotel on July 2-4 with over 650 CFC leaders from across the United States in attendance.

Bro. Jose Tale, ANCOP – Tekton and CFC Chairman, traced the history of ANCOP since its founding in Barangay Bagong Silang, Caloocan City in 1994.

He said ANCOP started as pastoral formation with the youth of Bagong Silang.

“In the beginning, there was no GK, only ANCOP. We started our work for the poor by repairing houses,” shared Tale.

He continued, “Later on, GK was born and we started to build houses for the poor.”

“But due to fundamental differences, CFC granted an independent status to GK last year, thus, ANCOP was born again,” the CFC chairman concluded.

In defining the group’s mission, Tale said ANCOP “shares Christ’s love with the poor as an instrument for healing, addressing their relevant needs (material, physical and emotional) and fulfilling their yearning for a better future through personal and family transformation that leads to a just and caring society and a life of dignity for all.”

In his talk, Bro. Jose Yamamoto, member, CFC International Council, revealed that health is part of ANCOP’s projects. A cardiovascular surgeon by profession, Dr. Yamamoto said it was everyone’s moral and religious duty to preserve health, it being a gift from God.

The ANCOP-Tekton President asked CFC members who are in the health care industry to volunteer their services through ANCOP.

Bro. Ricky Cuenca, newly-designated Chief Executive Officer of ANCOP, urged in his talk the formation of a strong marketing team for ANCOP. He also revealed that as CEO, he will center his efforts on three points, namely: a) strong marketing efforts; b) efficient program implementation and delivery, and c) transparency in reporting and communications system.

Bro. Tony Ventura, ANCOP U.S.A. President, gave a lengthy and thorough discussion of ANCOP U.S.A.’s vision and mission as well as updates on projects and set the directions of his group’s activities in the future.

The ANCOP U.S.A. President said that as children of God, the poor have to regain and retain their lost dignity and that this can be done with the help of their fellow men and women in CFC and ANCOP.

Other ANCOP/CFC leaders who spoke during the conference were Bros. Glen Santayana and Roger Santos, both ANCOP U.S.A. Directors.

The two spoke about two ANCOP projects, namely: Children Sponsorship Program (CSP) which sponsors poor Filipino children to be able to acquire education, and North America Walk for the Poor, a 3-mile walk to be held simultaneously in 12 cities around the U.S. on August 28, 2010 to raise funds for CSP.

Bro. Bobbee Mella, AUSA Director & CFC National Council Member, led the opening worship of the Summit.

Bro. Eric Villanueva, AUSA Director, introduced ANCOP partners and volunteers who did sharings.

Some ANCOP supporters who shared their personal experiences as partners in the organization’s work for the poor were Dr. Donna N. Canlas, Dr. Jun Alquiza Sister Cres Reyes and a CFC member from Texas.

Bro. Ricky Coronel, AUSA Audit Committee Head, served as master of ceremonies. At the same time, he played the drums with the music ministry.

For further information about ANCOP U.S.A.’s projects, please visit www.ancopusa.org.

The ANCOP U.S.A. Summit in Pictures – July 5, 2010, The Woodlands, Texas

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•