Adventist Church in South Philippines Highlights God’s Restoring Grace in Leadership Seminar
The Adventist Church in Southern Mindanao (SMM) gathered pastors, church leaders and professionals from Feb. 12 to 14, 2026, for a three-day leadership seminar centered on a powerful message: God does not discard the broken—He restores them and makes them precious again.
Held at Wong’s Multipurpose Building inside the mission compound, the event invited participants to reflect on how Christ rebuilds lives marked by pain, failure and loss, transforming wounds into testimonies of grace.
Drawing inspiration from an ancient practice of repairing shattered pottery with gold, Kintsugi, organizers framed the seminar around a simple but profound truth—God’s grace fills the fractures of the human heart. Rather than hiding scars, He redeems them.
The lineup of speakers reflected a blend of ministry, healthcare and professional experience. Among them were Pastor Ron Yabut, board-certified chaplain from the Northern California Conference; Jennevi Yabut, a registered nurse; Pastor Josie Asencio, senior pastor of Antioch Church; Pastor Geofrey Tio, director of Mission and Pastoral Care at Adventist Health Mendocino County; and Magdalena Tio, a financial guidance and caregiving consultant who integrates practical counsel with spiritual encouragement.
Throughout the sessions, presenters emphasized that brokenness is a universal human experience, but it is not the final chapter of a believer’s story.
“Each one of us was born in God’s image,” Pastor Tio said. “Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. Our freedom to love, to hope and to trust is often tarnished by mistrust and wounds we acquire as we grow. The good news is this: you may be broken to the core, but you are also loved to the core.”
Workshops, prayer sessions and group discussions created a safe space for participants to acknowledge personal struggles. In one symbolic activity, attendees “repaired” broken objects, connecting the visual illustration to their own journeys of healing.
Magdalena Tio reflected on how seasons of hardship can become sacred turning points. “Maybe God allows us to be broken so that the cracks of our lives can be filled with His Spirit,” she said. “What feels like loss can become a place where His grace shines the brightest.”
Scripture anchored the messages. Speakers frequently cited 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The verse served as a reminder that human frailty becomes the very platform where divine strength is revealed.
SMM President Pastor Nildo Mamac said the seminar aligns with the mission’s commitment to holistic ministry—nurturing spiritual, emotional and relational health among its leaders.
“Our leaders serve in challenging environments,” Mamac noted. “When they understand that God restores and strengthens them in their weakness, they can minister with greater compassion and authenticity.”
Organizers said the gathering promoted openness and mutual support among attendees. Many shared that acknowledging their own brokenness allowed them to lead with deeper empathy and renewed dependence on Christ.
The seminar also echoed the writings of Ellen G. White, who wrote, “Through His grace the weak character may become changed, the faulty human may become strong. Those who yield themselves to Christ are treasured as jewels, to shine forever in His kingdom” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 332).
Another passage affirmed the same promise: “He will take the broken and contrite heart and make it whole” (The Faith I Live By, p. 134).
By the end of the gathering, participants left with more than leadership strategies. They carried a renewed assurance that their scars do not disqualify them from service. Instead, surrendered weaknesses become channels through which God’s glory shines.
The seminar’s theme, “When Cracks Build Leadership,” resonated deeply among attendees. In a world that often prizes perfection, Southern Mindanao Mission reminded its leaders of a different standard—one where Christ restores, refines and rebuilds, making broken lives radiant testimonies of His redeeming love.
The original article was published in the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission website.