A Glimpse of Community

I just recently flew in from Iloilo, the place of my family heritage. I visited our ancestral home and attended the funeral of my grandfather, my father's uncle. As I sit around and visited with family members and friends, I got a good glimpse of what their sense of community is. Traditions that are dying together with the septagarians who have kept it for so many, many years.

My greatfather is one of the first migrants of the small town of Maasin, coming from the next town of Cabatuan, to be the first municipal mayor and judge of Maasin. My grandfather also came from Sta. Barbara, married my grandmother and stayed in Maasin until his demise decades ago.

My grandfather's wake was nothing less than extravagant - I think. The wake lasted for 2 weeks. The family made several tents in the street where our house is and fed everyone in the community everyday - breakfast, lunch, dinner - for the whole 2 weeks. They had to butcher 2 cows and several pigs and chicken for the event. The community participated in cooking and preparing the house for the guests. It was their way of saying they are with the bereaved. And for the bereaved they felt they were responsible in giving back to the whole community by feeding them. They were not doing it grudgingly but with pure joy because they feel they have a responsibility towards each otehr. During the funeral, the jeepneys were just willing to give people a free ride to and from the cemetery. In the church, everyone also participated.

For somebody coming from the city, I sometimes think of such traditions as wasteful use of time, energy and resources especially in a funeral. But for the people involved it was their expression of love and affection to members of their own community. Being an action person, I sometimes dread going home to Iloilo thinking that I have nothing to do there and so if I go the most I can stay will be 1 day. We, city dwellers, are sometimes so conscious of our personal space, our privacy and it is becoming a me-thing. But in a true community, personal spaces are sometimes sacrificed for the sake of the community. And when we give up our personal space and comfort, it opens doors for us for others to come in our lives and be with us. It is a time for us to connect with others and share our lives with them.

I wonder if this kind of community was what Jesus experienced at the time of the death of his good friend, Lazarus. Or when everybody was gathered in the home of a member of a community - Zaccheaus, Matthew, etc. and the gospels are filled with stories where Jesus was with large crowds even in private homes. Yes, Jesus went to the mountain or garden to spend time with God but when he is not praying Jesus was always with the people and his community. The community loved him because he spent time with them. The teachers of the Law did not because they considered themselves above the community.

I am thankful that God had opened my eyes and now I can see.

An Ode To Those Who Have Touched My Life

Butterfly - the symbol of the Chrysalis Ministries is indeed a fitting symbol and representation of the recently concluded International Chrysalis Institute - Asia.

Thank you, Tod (Bolsinger) for reminding me that I should remain faithful in that part of the kingdom of God that God gave me. I may not be a popular teacher but that does not matter as long as I am doing my part in His greater kingdom. Some people are really gifted by God to be great preachers, teachers and they can attract thousands in their conferences. But that should not bother me, what really matters is that I remain ... faithful to His call and allow Him to do the rest.

Thank you, Tom (Phillips), for reminding of developing Christ-centered values and making those values work for my advantage. I am now revisiting those values that I have articulated and am in the process in putting those into actionable plans. Indeed it requires discipline to be able to stay close to these values.

Thank you most of all to my mentors, John and Carol (Dettoni) for giving me the opportunity to coordinate the institute. It was a rewarding task and faith moving. You have believed in my potential and you have helped me uncover my gifts and talents. In this turning point in my life, you have taught me to remain calm, compose and to be still because God is sovereign and is in control. Your life and not just words are inspirational and has motivated me to dream and trust God for great things. You asked me another ICI-Asia and I say "YES" even if I have to coordinate it once again. It has blessed me more than anyone else.

To all the participants, you have awakened me to the fact that there's hope in the future because of leaders like you who have strong convictions of a better tomorrow. You have blessed me with your presence and with your friendship.

A Reflection of Life

I don't think it mortality that seizes you as one becomes mature. Nor is it anxiousness about your accomplishments. What consumes you, rather is the challenge of self-understanding - to know in your heart, independently of other people's opinions, what is distinctive about you, what kind of a person you have become, to reconcile with this person, to have figured out what needs to be done in the remaining years to make this idiosyncratic life hopefully a "work of art." I know there is ample time left and I want to find my "blind impress" where I want to know more about myself. I just joined a new ministry but at the same time wanted to find meaning in what I was doing. An opportunity came when I was asked to be part of the Doctor of Education program of Asia Graduate School of Theology.

In one of my classes, I met Dr. John Dettoni and his wife, Carol. It was their invitation to the Kenneth Hansen, Jr. Leadership Institute (KNHLI) in California that opened my eyes to the issues of leadership and the importance of mentoring. After a few years of seeking God's direction in my life, I found my niche. I honestly assessed my gifts, abilities, experiences and the people I influence. I am thankful that God has brought mentors in my life whose only desire is to bring the best in me and help me develop my potential.

I have several assumptions about mentoring and leadership development. I have been used to motivational speakers, have learned a lot from them but after several months what they have taught me has been left in the books or manuals they gave. But in the KNHLI, I experienced a different model of mentoring that has helped me in my development. John and Carol spent time with us and I appreciate them sharing their lives and resources by visiting us in our home country and by inviting us to the institute in the US. I always look forward whenever John and Carol would visit us because there a time when we can discuss about life, decisions and pray together. Mentoring, also continues even through email and phone calls. In the institute, we also spent learning and have fun time together. The institute has changed my perspective about ministry. It also opened many doors of opportunity for me.

I come from Greenhills Christian Fellowship - a church of 3,500 attenders located in the heart of a central business district. The district has a population of more than 100,000 young professionals mostly in the outsourcing business. And many of these adults spend their waking hours in the workplace, so I decided to have an active role in a workplace ministry. My aim is to point workers to Christ and equip them with Kingdom principles in doing their work or business. My goal is a use a new paradigm of doing ministry to individuals in the workplace. I aim to help believers transfor their workplace for Jesus Christ and to provide resources , ministries and information that will help them fulfill their calling in the workplace. Therefore, I believe that the principles and values by which Christians should work on are found in the Bible. My strategy is to provide development seminars on workplace issues especially those related to leadership and ethical management; provide simple business, financial and career counseling advice; coaching and mentoring; and a be a resource for the next generation by being an educational resource for youth and young adults as they transition in their workplace.
Today, I am a part-time professor and I help out in the church planting ministry of our church focusing on Makati City - the prime financial district of the Philippines. I started two Bible study groups among the officers of two of the country's major banks. I have help create the Leadership Development Plan of pertoleum company with the purpose of developing a values based corporate culture. It is my utmost desire that all companies desire to develop ethical leadership among their employees and use Biblical principles in doing business.
But my ultimate joy is to be able to mentor young men and women in the ministry and help them uncover their full potential and capabilities and to be life-long learners of God's word. My prayer is that God will continue to use me for the building of His kingdom and that I remain laser focus on the purposes God has for me.

With joy in serving Christ,
Grace Sumbillo, Ed. D.

Who am I?

Grow a leader- Grow the organization.”1

These words of best-selling author and leadership specialist, John Maxwell, sum up the fact that “a company cannot grow without, until its leaders grow within.” 2 The key words then for growth are Leadership and Organizational Development.

Grace Sumbillo has over 19 years of experience in these areas. She has spent the last 3 years molding leaders through mentoring and relationship building as Associate Director for Human Resource and Ministry Education of Greenhills Christian Fellowship.

She has also honed her skills as a professor of Personnel Development, Educational Administration, Organization Development and Change, Transforming Leadership, and Human Resource Development & Management in various educational settings which includes Alliance Graduate School, Asian Theological Seminary, International School of Theology-Asia and PACE Graduate School.

She is also affiliated with Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and the Philippine Society of Training and Development.

She holds a Doctor of Education (major in Adult Education) degree from the Asia Graduate School of Theology, a Master’s of Divinity degree from Asian Theological Seminary, a Bachelor in Christian Education from the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor in Science in Business Administration from the Philippine Women’s University.

Currently, she serves as Leadership Development Mentor of Seaoil Philippines Inc. and Organizational and Human Resource Consultant of various companies - Nutrinova, Philippines Inc., ICI Ministries and Asian Theological Seminary – MBA program.