Hear Ye, Pursuit Community is Here in Manila!

I’ve been holding off on blogging about this news for weeks now, but here goes. You see, when I said I had affirmations that I chose the right One Word for 2015 (pursue), this is one of those major affirmations I was talking about.

First, let me tell you about the Pursuit Community

Pursuit Community, or Pursuit 31 as it was formerly called, was first established in 2011 as a community of female Christian photographers, spearheaded by Karen Stott, who is an amazing photographer herself, and writer and visionary (not to mention, wife and mom). The name was based on the Proverbs 31 woman, hence Pursuit 31.

Karen’s story and how Pursuit 31 came to be may be a story for another post, but you can watch her video here, if you want. Let’s just say, it’s a story of a woman who is just like us, struggling to strike a balance between career and family and passion, but instead of allowing herself to get stuck and frustrated and defeated, she dared to get out there to reach out to others who might be feeling the same way. And true enough, God blessed her courage and her faith.

After some time, other creative entrepreneurs, writers, designers, calligraphers, and passion-business owners expressed interest and although majority of the members are still photographers, the Pursuit Community has branched out to welcome all types of Christian women who have creative passions and pursuits.

Through local communities and the internet, Pursuit Community has cultivated relationships and support groups among women, and has become a source of encouragement for us to press on and run the race with passion and perseverance.

They also hold annual conferences, and to give you a glimpse of what the movement is all about, watch these clips from last year’s Pursuit Conference (worth all 6 minutes of your time!)

This video moved me. It was one of the reasons why I dared to pray for them and dared to become one with them. Everything said in the video resonated with my desire to create, to pursue my passions, to inspire, to encourage, and to ultimately give glory to the One who has given us these gifts and this life to begin with.

Now, Pursuit is on its 5th year and has grown to accommodate over 80 local communities in over 30 states in the US / Canada, dedicated to cultivating the art of community and building the Kingdom of God as He uses us in our families, neighborhoods, work places, and the world.

And then there’s us here in Manila, which, I believe, is.. the first and so far the only Pursuit Community group in Asia.

Pursuit Community, Manila

For months I have been an outsider looking in, watching Pursuit’s hashtagged posts and following their movement online. I wished and prayed that someday we would have such group here in the Philippines, and not long after I uttered that prayer that God answered the desire of my heart.

In November last year, the Pursuit Staff called for community leaders who are willing to establish Pursuit groups in their locations. And although I thought it was a long shot, being halfway across the world from these women, a still small voice inside my head made me go for it!

Long story short, Karen and the Pursuit staff gave Manila a shot!

And so this 2015, The Pursuit Community is pioneering a group here in the Philippines so that we too can experience the joy of being part of a God-glorifying, Jesus-loving community that’s bigger than ourselves and our own little comfort zones.

So here’s the thing. If you’ve somehow managed to read up to this point, then maybe something in this post resonated with you and you’re hearing a still small voice inside your head too, telling you to go for it. If that’s how you feel, then I invite you to become part of the Pursuit Community.

Here’s what’s happening.

The first ever Pursuit Manila Gathering is all set!

WHEN: January 24, 2015, Saturday 1:00PM to 4:00PM

WHERE: 4th Floor, Knightsbridge Residences, Makati City
(there’s a cozy dining/library area there that won’t be difficult to find!)
Here’s a location map.

Registration fee is P300 only, to cover for the venue, snacks, and some printed materials.

There will be some fun (and craftsy) activities, snacks and fellowship! It will be totally informal, with a simple agenda to get to know each other!

And of course, I’ll talk more about what Pursuit Community is all about and how we can all grow and contribute to the ministry and support each other’s pursuits. Sounds good?

ALL SLOTS ARE FILLED UP. You guys! Thank you. See you on the 24th!
Registration is closed.

If you’re interested to be part of Pursuit but you can’t make it on January 24, no worries, we will be having monthly Pursuit gatherings! Email me at rhizaoyos [at] gmail.com, or subscribe to my newsletter (form on the sidebar) to know about future Pursuit gatherings!

To know more about the Pursuit Community, visit the website here!

The truth is,

I’m scared and I worry a lot and I often doubt myself. But time and time again I am reminded that these scary things are the things that are worth pursuing! After all, “our weakest moments—when we feel the most desperate—are the very times when God is free to do His greatest work by empowering and strengthening us.” (InTouch)

That said, if you’re feeling scared, and weak, and desperate too, for whatever you’re going through in your life right now, then come and let’s be scared and weak and desperate together! And then let’s watch the Lord make things happen for us. ;)

Hope to see you there! :)