by Princess Ebo
It was difficult for her to pinpoint the when – on supporting the ministry financially. But it was almost instantaneous for her to recall the why.
Ghift Lyn Bel Sumagaysay, fondly called “Jap-jap” by her family and friends, is a graduate of Silliman University. She is a licensed civil engineer and is currently working for the local government of Dumaguete City. Her involvement in Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) began in high school when she attended the regional Sibol Camp. Since then, she has seen the dedication of the ministry partners who helped her raise funds for fare and registration fees, immensely easing the burden off her and her parents. Yet, it was when she fully immersed herself and served as a student leader and camp counselor that she understood the great need and urgency for donors and partners.
“Knowing the cost to sustain the activities of the movement, seeing the desire and drive of the students to be able to join these activities, and acknowledging that money doesn’t appear by itself in the hands of the leaders were God’s way of prodding me to allocate a part of my savings for IVCF,” Ghift shared.
So she gave, not with the spare change that she had to scour deep in her pocket. She gave with palms wide open – willingly apportioning an offering to God from her “baon” despite other important needs such as fare, school projects and snacks.
“When I see that God can use even the littlest amount I sacrifice, and with His promise that He is my portion, it calmed my heart to give confidently and joyfully,” she said.
Convinced that “ministry is the outflow of one’s relationship with God,” Ghift continues to commit to giving now that she is a working professional. She wishes that “the gratefulness the Lord has instilled in [her] through those who have helped [her] before will also be felt by the students and encourage them to do the same, that the cycle of giving and gratitude will continue for every generation of students and graduates.”
“As I see the lives of students and graduates changed by God, mine included, it just leads me to the conclusion that every peso invested for God is worth it,” Ghift said, adding, “The fulfillment and joy He continues to cultivate in my heart cannot be exchanged for anything else.”
Prayer Points
Pray for Ghift and other Christian young professionals, that their lives may be a display of God’s splendor in their workplaces.
Pray that more graduates will take the step of faith and commit to a LIFE of generosity (in their Labor, Influence, Finances, Experiences).
Pray for the student ministry to continue to thrive and more students would come to know Jesus Christ, get discipled, and be witnesses in their chapters.
Movement in the Regions | February 2024
- In Northern Luzon, the Ramonian Varsity Christian Fellowship (President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Zambales) held a True Love Waits fellowship attended by 31 students, 7 graduates, and a staff.
- In Metro Manila, staff, students, and graduates met for the first face-to-face Day of Prayer in 2024, which was then followed by Ladies and Gents’ Night.
- In Southern Luzon, 9 student-leaders, 5 graduates, and a staff participated in a day-long retreat in Palawan as a time to rest and reconnect to be refreshed for the next leg of the journey.
- In Bicol, IVCF-CSPC (Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges) held its weekly lunch fellowship which focused on love (God’s love, love for enemy, etc.).
- In Central and Eastern Visayas, about 70 students and graduates from the 1980s to the present participated in the IVCF Family Day in Dumaguete City.
- In Western Visayas, the Educators Christian Fellowship (PNU-Visayas, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental) celebrated its 30th anniversary, attended by generations of IVCF graduates and students.
- In Northern Mindanao, IVCF in Iligan City partnered with a local church and conducted the “Febrealize,” which aimed to disciple the over 70 attendees on handling relationships and valuing one another as God’s masterpiece.
- In Caraga, over 80 Grade 9 and 10 students in an Agusan del Sur high school attended the Teenage Pregnancy & Early Marriage Symposium that aimed to not just educate students but also challenge them to remain pure.
- In Southern Mindanao, students, staff, and graduates in Davao City gathered for the International Students Ministry Night for fellowship, discussion, and prayers for engagement opportunities with international students in Davao City and the surrounding provinces.
God works through our partnership to disciple students and graduates and build witnessing communities in schools, universities, and workplaces.
Here are the ways of sending your gifts to IVCF. Whatever way you choose, please inform us about your gift via:
- Email partners@ivcfphil.org (Please attach a digital copy or screenshot of your transaction for proper acknowledgment and accounting.)
- Phone +63-2-89321339
BANK DEPOSIT OR FUND TRANSFER
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Don Antonio Street Corner Commonwealth Avenue
Don Antonio Heights Subdivision, Brgy Holy Spirit, Quezon City 1127
Peso Current Account # 0421-0008-83
Swift Code: BOPI PHMM
For cheques and OTC deposit slips write: Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of the Phils., Inc. ( must be written in full)
For online transfer, select or write: IVCF Philippines Inc. or FLLWSHIP INTR
MetroBank (Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company – MBTC)
Commonwealth Ave. Branch
Lenjull Bldg. Commonwealth Ave.
Capitol Hills Dr, Diliman, Quezon City, 1127
Account Holder: Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of the Phils., Inc. (must be written in full)
Peso Savings Account # 032-3-01600377-8
US Dollar Savings Account # 032-2-03200020-1
Swift Code: MBTC PHMM
CHEQUES or ONLINE GIVING
In the US, US$ cheques should be made out to Balikatan, MEANS, or Ugnayan:
Balikatan Inc.
c/o Norma Andres
PO Box 1021
San Leandro, CA 94577
Email: normski_ph@yahoo.com
Or go to www.balikatan.org to donate online. Givers receive a tax receipt for cash gifts. Administrative fee: 5%
MEANS USA
c/o Carmena Cruz or Lina Padilla
P.O. Box 8434
Bartlett, IL 60103
Phone: 630-289-1032 (PM)
Email: info@meansusa.org
Or go to www.meansusa.org to donate online. GIvers receive a tax receipt for the cash gifts. Administrative fee: 6%
Ugnayan Christian Fellowship (for IVCF Only)
112 Edgewood Drive
Orangeburg, NY 10962
International Christian Fellowship PEACE Fund
112 Edgewood Drive
Orangeburg, NY 10962
In Canada, C$ cheques should be made out to KSO:
Kabalikat sa Ontario Christian Fellowship (KSO)
c/o Eduardo Interior
5844 Yachtsman Crossing
Mississauga, Ontario, L5M 6N9
In the United Kingdom, cheques should be made out to IFES Trust (put a note “for IVCF Philippines”) and sent to:
IFES
5 Blue Boar Street
Oxford OX1 4EE
U. K.
Ph. +44 (0) 1865 263777
email: info@ifesworld.org
Or go to www.ifesworld.org to give online. Givers receive a tax receipt for cash gifts. Automatic Monthly Gift Withdrawal Banking forms are available.
