‘Turn hearts to God’

So many Catholics, but so few go to Sunday Mass.

In the Philippines, where 85 percent of the population are Roman Catholics, only 15 percent   go to church regularly, said Brother Bo Sanchez.

He spoke at a press conference about the upcoming Kerygma Conference to  be held in Cebu City on December 7 to 8.

“We are tapping those people who are unchurched, people who feel they are not religious, those who are spiritual but are not at home with God, those who feel they are not worthy,” said Sanchez, 47-year-old founder of the Light of Jesus Family whose ministry has extended to best-selling books, a website, magazines, seminars, a radio program  and a TV show.

Known as the “preacher in blue jeans” who started giving talks to adults at age 13, Sanchez who lives in Metro Manila, said the event also targets the young population

“We want to reach out to the young people. We want the hearts of the young people to turn to God,” said Sanchez.

“Be empowered” is the theme of this year’s Kerygma Conference with a target to gather an audience of 10,000 at the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Sports Coliseum, Basak Campus in Cebu City.

Dubbed as the biggest Catholic learning and inspirational event in the country, the annual conference has helped changed lives of thousands through Holy Mass, praise, talks, music and healing, according to organizers.

During the two-day event, Sanchez  and a cast of inspiring speakers will share a series of talks on “abundance.”  Day one will focus on Powerful Family, Powerful Career, Powerful Leadership, and Powerful Business.

On the second day, a “healing mass” will be celebrated followed by a talk on inner healing.   More  talks on relationships, family and leadership will be given followed by a showcase of youth talent in a contest of bands in the afternoon.

Sanchez  said the talks will help each participant discover his ability to be a blessing and be a leader in his family, career and business as each one is blessed with skills, talents, identity and intelligence.          It will also show how one can make good choices and exercise free will wisely to direct lives for the better.

“We want to change lives. No one comes face to face with God and remains unchanged,” Sanchez said.

The Kerygma family has grown into an international and online  community where people receive daily teachings for their spiritual and personal growth.

The Kerygma Conference was first celebrated in 2007 in Manila and 2009 in Cebu.

Tickets are available for Day 1 sessions (P300 to P1,500)  and Day 2 (P200 to P500) at at SM Cebu during the Kerygma Feast (6 to 9 p.m.  every Monday) , City Sports Club at Cebu Business Park (6 to 9 p.m.) every Thursday, and Bogo every Friday. Or go on line  www.kconcebu.com.