On March 25, 2023, the "I Will Go" initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church had a significant impact on two clusters of harvest celebrations in the eastern Visayas region (EVC), resulting in over 170 baptisms. Metro Ormoc, Ormoc-Albuera, Ormoc-Merida, Isabel-Palompon, Kawayan & Naval (both in Biliran Province), San Isidro, and Kananga participated in the event, which was a huge success.
The first harvest celebrations, held at Seaside Libas in Merida, Leyte, welcomed 88 new church members. The second cluster had 86 baptisms and was held at one of the resorts in Kananga, Leyte. This evangelistic effort was a testament to the Adventist community in the eastern Visayas' hard work and dedication.
The EVC president, Pastor Samuel R. Salloman, expressed his joy and gratitude to God for the successful harvest celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to Pastor Agapito J. Catane, Jr., former president of the Adventist Church in the Central Philippines (CPUC), and his wife, Mrs. Glenda C. Catane, for organizing a weeklong evangelistic campaign in the Naval area, which contributed to the event's success.
Mrs. Laarni D. De Leon, EVC treasurer, also expressed her appreciation to all the brethren who assisted and contributed significantly to the event's preparation. She praised their missionary zeal, which resulted in many souls accepting Christ as their personal Savior.
The "I Will Go" initiative's success, as well as the EVC harvest celebrations, serve as a powerful reminder of the Great Commission mandate found in Matthew 28:19-20. According to the passage, believers are called to "Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen."
The Adventist community in eastern Visayas has indeed answered this call, demonstrating the power of faith in action. Many souls were led to accept Christ as their personal Savior as a result of their efforts, and the Adventist Church has been strengthened in its mission to bring the gospel message to the world.
Finally, the success of the "I Will Go" initiative and the EVC harvest celebrations demonstrates the strength of faith in action. It demonstrates the significance of evangelism and its impact on individuals and communities. Let us continue to support the Lord's work and pray for the success of all our efforts to bring more souls to the foot of the cross with the help of our Almighty God.
Nadeth Quinto, CPUC Communication Department