The Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region voted Petronio “Ron” Genebago as the new youth director, superseding Jobbie Yabut, who has served in the department for over 18 years. Genebago functioned in different departmental capacities including the youth and communication department while serving in the Central Luzon Conference (CLC) from 2008-2011. He was then voted to serve in the union as a youth director in 2011. Genebago is serving the College of Theology in the Adventist University of the Philippines as a professor beginning June 2013 until present time.
A Commitment to Bring, Train, and Send
Ron Genebago hails from Silang, Cavite, Philippines. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from the Adventist University of the Philippines in Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health in the same university. In 2013, Genebago pursued further studies when he took his Masters in Ministry in 2013 and Masters of Arts in Biblical Languages in 2016 in the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS). At present, he is in the process of completing his PhD in Religion Major in Old Testament with Systematic Theology in the same graduate school.
Genebago served local churches in the Central Luzon Conference from 2001-2008. With much potential in leadership and compassion towards the young people, Genebago was elected in several responsibilities in the Central Luzon Conference and in the North Philippine Union Conference.
While serving in the faculty of the College of Theology in the Adventist University of the Philippines, Genebago was also active in leading young people for Voice of Youth and Master Guide training. His passion of training and leading young men and women to be involved in the Lord’s work is a commitment he stood by since he began in the ministry.
Aside from his involvement in different institutions, Genebago is also affiliated with different church organizations. He is currently a member of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in Atlanta, Georgia. He also served as the vice president for the AIIAS Asian Theological Society in 2014 to 2016 and became the president of the same organization in 2017.
Known to be a multi-talented individual, Genebago’s ministry was not only focused in leading young people but also involved himself in ministries God has empowered him to be a part of. He founded several organizations like SADFREE (Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs Free) Movement, Inc. in 2004 and MY BLOG (Ministers and Youth Biblical Languages Organization) in 2015.
Genebago believes that our devotion to His words and our relationship with the Holy Spirit will lead us to a deeper understanding of His leading and providences.
“Bring both unbelievers and believers into a saving relationship with Christ, build them up in His Words and spiritual disciplines, train them how to serve the church and communities using their spiritual gifts, and send them out to fulfil the gospel commission in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Genebago said.
Genebago prefers to be called "youth servant" in light of Jesus' servant leadership and in reference to Pastor Jobbie's last sermon on service.
Genebago is happily married to Jeneva D. Genebago and are blessed with two sons, Konstantin Von and Harold Jon.