The Rich Jogja Hotel witnessed a historic gathering as over 700 ministerial delegates from the Adventist Churches from West Indonesia (WIUM) and Malaysia (MAUM) convened for the inaugural session of the Bible Conference themed "Chosen for Mission." The conference, a three-day event, commenced on Sunday evening, July 28, and focuses on the General Conference initiative called "Back to the Altar."
Pastor Roger Caderma, the president of the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD), delivered an impactful keynote address, setting the tone for the conference. He emphasized the critical reasons for this gathering. First, Caderma highlighted the significant drift among pastors and members from fundamental beliefs such as the Gift of Prophecy, the State of the Dead, and the decline of spiritual fervor. He stressed the urgent need to reaffirm and deepen understanding in these core areas of faith.
"As ordained ministers of the Adventist Church, we carry the immense responsibility of sharing the gospel truth with accuracy and dependence on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, while remaining rooted in humility," Caderma emphasized. "We must immerse ourselves daily in God's word, making it the core of our existence and our ultimate purpose in spreading the gospel in our respective regions," Caderma added.
Another vital reason for the conference is to strengthen the family and personal altars of devotional life. Caderma articulated that revitalizing personal and family devotion is essential for propelling the church forward in its mission. "Our personal and family devotional lives are the foundation of our ministry and mission," he stated. "By coming back to the altar, we can rekindle our spiritual fervor and align ourselves more closely with God's mission."
Adding to the significance of the event, Ramon Canals and his wife from the General Conference, along with distinguished theologians from the Biblical Research Institute (BRI) and various seminaries across Asia, attended the conference. Their presence underscores the importance of this initiative and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussions.
The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and anticipation as delegates from WIUM and MAUM gathered to engage in intensive training and spiritual renewal. The "Back to the Altar" initiative aims to equip pastors with the tools and inspiration needed to lead their congregations in a deeper spiritual journey, promoting a culture of devotion and commitment.
As the conference progresses, delegates will participate in various workshops, seminars, and discussions designed to address the identified challenges and fortify their ministerial roles. The rich exchange of ideas and the shared commitment to mission are expected to yield significant spiritual growth and unity among the delegates.
The opening session concluded with a call to action, urging all attendees to fully engage in the conference activities and to carry the insights and inspiration gained back to their respective fields. The spirit of "Chosen for Mission" is poised to ignite a renewed passion for ministry and mission across the regions represented.
This meeting marks the beginning of a series of four sessions, with subsequent gatherings planned in various locations to serve different regions. The next session will be held in Bali, covering East Indonesia (EIUC) and Timor-Leste (TLM). Following that, another session in Bali will bring together representatives from the North Philippines (NPUC), the Central Philippines (CPUC), the Southwest Philippines (SWPUC), and the Southeast Philippines (SEPUM). The last session is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, accommodating Southeastern Asia (SEUM) and Myanmar (MYUM).
As the first batch sets the stage, the anticipation for the next sessions is high, with a collective vision to strengthen the church's mission through renewed spiritual commitment and unity.
Heshbon Buscato, SSD Communication Director