The Education Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division organized a conference among science educators and Adventist scientists in the Philippines to take on the challenge of integrating faith and learning with an emphasis on the creation worldview. This distinguished body represents 1,100 Adventist schools, with 11,661 teachers nurturing 136,000 students. The conference was held at Mountain View College on August 4-6, 2022, with the theme “Integration of creation science in teaching and mission.”
A total of 148 science educators and scientists from the Philippines’ tri-union delegates attended this meeting.
Dr. Beinvenido Mergal, Education Director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, presented the conference overview during the opening ceremony. The ultimate goal is primarily to prepare students for the great work of life in this world and in the higher and more joyful service in the world to come. Also, the main focus is on transforming students’ character to Godliness and God-likeness so they may be saved into God’s kingdom.
“To achieve this ultimate purpose, our teachers need to know the foundation of our existence by adopting a creation worldview. A teacher cannot understand the essence of the gospel unless they understand the truth and the reality of biblical creation," says Dr. Mergal.
The event was also participated in by Dr. Ronald Nalin and Dr. Timothy Standish of the Geoscience Research Institute of the General Conference, with Dr. Monte Fleeming of Loma Linda also participating, all in video format presentation. Several distinguished Filipino Adventist Scientists: Dr. Jose Oclarit, Dr. Ronelie Salvador, Dr. Alma Mohagan, Dr. Lorcelie Taclan, Dr. Orlex Yllano, Dr. Vicky Mergal, Dr. George Razmerita, Dr. Rowena Antemano, have presented several enriching topics in their respective fields in Zoology, Biology, Geology, Behavioral Science, and Theology-all pointing to the loving and infinitely wise Creator of this vast universe.
The Sabbath celebration was highlighted by the powerful sermon of Sir Jacinth Adap, SSD Treasurer, who spoke about the most loving God who placed His highest regard on man inspite of sin. The meeting ended with Dr. Bryan Sumendap leading the commitment service.
Mamerto Guinguing II, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Communication Director