A Community of Hope

Objectives

At the end of the session, the assembly the participants are expected to: 

1. Realize our hope abounds when we are active in our community.

2. Value the importance of being an active member of the community. 

3. Commit to actively live out the life and mission of the community. 

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

Life is full of challenges, and at times, we all face moments of deep hopelessness—those times when the darkness feels overwhelming, the path ahead seems uncertain, and giving up appears to be the only option. Yet, by the grace of God, we rise. We press forward—not by sheer willpower alone, but through the transformative power of hope. And this is not just any hope—it is hope anchored in Christ, a hope that strengthens us in weakness, sustains us in struggle, and renews our spirit, no matter the trials we face.

II. Hope in Christ

“Christ Jesus, our Hope” 1 Timothy 1:1

As members of Missionary Families of Christ, and as Christians, we believe that hope has a name, and that name is Jesus Christ. True hope is not merely a fleeting emotion or wishful thinking—it is a profound and unwavering force that gives us the strength to press forward, even in life’s darkest moments. And it is only through a deep and personal relationship with Him that we experience this transformative hope.

When we place our hope in Christ, we are reminded of His constant presence in our lives. No matter how difficult the journey, we are never abandoned; we are never alone (Isaiah 41:10). Anchoring ourselves in this hope gives us the courage to persevere, knowing that every struggle carries a purpose (Romans 5:3-4).

Yet, God understands that walking in faith can be difficult, and that is why He has called us into community—to strengthen, uplift, and journey together in hope. Through the Missionary Families of Christ, we are given the gift of community, where we can encourage, inspire, and support one another as we strive to abound in the hope that comes from our Lord.

III. A Community of Hope

Our MFC community is a powerful source of hope in Christ because it is founded on a covenanted relationship—both with God and with our brothers and sisters in the community. Living out this covenant allows us to deepen our relationship with Christ and abound in hope in Him.

1. Hope Through a Life Rooted in Christ

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." – Romans 12:2

The first statement of our covenant in MFC calls us to “live as followers of Christ.” This commitment urges us to grow in our relationship with God through daily prayer and Scripture reading.

To cultivate a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord, we must seek Him in prayer every day. In the stillness of our quiet time, we learn to listen to His voice as He fills our hearts with a hope that comes only from Him. Through consistent reflection on Scripture, we anchor ourselves in His promises, strengthening our minds with His truth and reassurance. 

This lifestyle of prayer is one of the habits that we developed since we became members of MFC. This lifestyle continues to grow the more that we became active in committed in the community. As we immerse ourselves in the presence of God and in His Word, our hearts and minds are renewed, allowing us to abound in hope and remain steadfast in faith. 

2. Hope Through a Strong Family in Christ

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15

The second statement of our covenant in MFC calls us to “build a strong family for Christ.” This commitment challenges us to strengthen our relationships with our spouse and children and, more importantly, to lead our families closer to Christ.

Building a Christ-centred family begins with spending quality time together, engaging in meaningful conversations, and creating core memories that deepen our bond. In MFC, we are blessed with opportunities to nurture our relationship with our spouse through activities —such as Heart-to-Heart conversations, Marriage Enrichment Retreats (MER), and the World Couples Congress (WCC). Likewise, MFC provides a pathway for our children to grow in their faith, inspiring them to actively participate in various sections of our community – such as MFC Kids, Youth and Singles. As we grow in our commitment in our community, our family is transformed, growing not just in love but in hope—a hope that remains steadfast through Christ.

Beyond strengthening our own homes, MFC also gave us the opportunity to serve together as a family. It provides avenues for families to go on mission together, allowing each member to develop their gifts and talents and use them to witness to the world. In doing so, we not only reflect the hope we have in Christ, but we also become bearers of hope to other families, inspiring them to embrace their own journey of faith.

3. Hope Through a Committed Community Life for Christ

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

The third statement of our covenant in MFC calls us to “be an active and committed member of MFC.” This commitment challenges us to fully embrace our role in the life and mission of our community, deepening both our faith and our hope in Christ.

To be active and committed, we are invited to give our time, talent, and treasure in service to the Lord. This means making time for household meetings and chapter assemblies, where we not only grow in faith but also draw hope from the powerful testimonies of our brothers and sisters. By listening to how Christ has moved in their lives, we are reminded that God is always at work, even amid struggles.

Our commitment also calls us to use our gifts and talents to share the hope we have in Christ with others. When we offer our abilities to serve, inspire, and evangelize, we live out the mission of MFC with purpose, allowing God’s love and hope to fill our lives in a deeply meaningful way.

Lastly, being a committed member means sharing our financial blessings so that God can use them to spread the Good News of hope to the last, the least, and the lost. Through generous giving, we become instruments of God’s grace, ensuring that His message of salvation reaches those who need it most.

As we become active and committed members of MFC, we not only strengthen our own hope but become missionaries of hope to others.

4. Hope Through Witnessing of God’s Love

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." – Mark 16:15

The fourth statement of our covenant in MFC calls us to “witness to the world of God’s love.” This commitment invites us to grow in zeal and passion for mission and evangelization, allowing us to share the hope we have found in Christ with others.

Evangelization and mission are not merely tasks to be accomplished—they are joyful responses to a personal encounter with Jesus. When we experience His love, grace, and mercy, our hearts overflow with a hope so profound that we cannot keep it to ourselves. This joy becomes the driving force of our mission, compelling us to bring others into the life-changing presence of Christ.

In MFC, we are formed and equipped to become evangelizers, prepared to share Jesus with everyone we meet. Through programs such as Christian Life Seminars (CLS), we are given a platform to effectively proclaim the Good News of Hope, inviting more people to encounter Christ.

Additionally, MFC embraces the call for New Evangelization through the Live Christ, Share Christ (LCSC) Mission, which expands opportunities for us to serve within our parishes. Whether through various ministries or direct evangelization efforts, we are encouraged to be active witnesses, bringing the message of salvation to those in need.

Ultimately, evangelization allows us not only to strengthen our own hope in Christ but to become bearers of hope for others, leading them toward a deeper relationship with God and the transformative joy of faith.

MFC has given us countless opportunities to abound in hope. By living out its covenant, and by actively living out its life and mission through its programs, activities, and missions, we are continually strengthened, encouraged, and renewed in our hope in Christ. 

IV. Conclusion

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." – Romans 5:5

Our Christian hope is not just something we hold onto—it is something we live out, strengthened and sustained through our life and mission in Missionary Families of Christ (MFC). As we actively and wholeheartedly engage in our community, we experience transformation, not only within ourselves but within our families. We become bearers and missionaries of hope, radiating the light of Christ to a world in need.

Through this witness, we boldly proclaim that hope does not disappoint, because our hope is anchored in Christ—a hope that never fades, never fails, and always leads us forward. Let us continue to support and encourage one another, remaining faithful to our calling as members of MFC, so that in everything we do, we may stand as Christ’s sign of hope to the world.

Reflection Question

1.         How does being active in MFC helped me to abound in hope in Christ?

2.         What can I do to encourage others to be active and committed in MFC?