The Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) members of a local church in the south Philippines organized and sponsored a Revelation of Hope seminar on June 23-July 3, 2021 at the Big 8 Hotel in Tagum City.
The Adventist businessmen and professionals of Tagum church organized the meeting to encourage and give inspiration to families and individuals in their community especially during this time of the pandemic. The seminar focused on topics on how to face different realities of life especially during times of uncertainty. The nightly meetings, fervent prayers, and relevant discussions led 24 professionals and 208 individuals to accept Jesus in baptism.
Organizers testified about God’s providences throughout the planning process as months before the meetings, the local government decreed the entire city to be on tighter health protocols—which mean no seminars, no meetings, and no mass gatherings until further notice.
While organizers tried to find the best solution to address their situation, ASI members were impressed to find a bigger venue with enough space to accommodate guests and be able to practice social distancing. With confidence, the organizing committee decided to pursue the meetings but to lay down their plans and wait for God’s leading and guidance.
“I have learned to come closer to God,” said Amy Goc-Ong, one of the prime movers of the event. “We needed an additional 45,000 [Philippine] pesos for a bigger venue, and God brought in a person who paid for that amount. I feel so privileged to be a part of this, and to witness God at work!.” Goc-Ong added, “It became clear that God wanted this, so there’s no other way but forward.”
Despite the odds, the meetings pushed through. Engineer Denney S. Sasil, South Philippine Union Conference (SPUC) ASI president, Judge Jimmy B. Boco, presiding judge of Maco, Davao de Oro, and Pastor Segundino Asoy, SPUC ASI coordinator delivered the nightly messages.
Simultaneous meetings hosted by neighboring churches also welcomed attendees to the nightly meetings and contributed to the number of baptisms.
Pastor Hermogenes Villanueva, Southern Asia-Pacific Division ASI director concluded the series on July 3, 2021.
South Philippine Union Conference