Encouraged and empowered, thousands of care group members from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division joined the Care Group Virtual Congress on the 13th of May 2022. Online delegates from all 14 countries attended the meeting via different social media platforms resulting in thousands of viewers worldwide.
“Through the work of the Holy Spirit, every single person in our care groups, in our departments, in our churches, is empowered to be caring Christians,” Pastor Roger Caderma said, NDR-IEL Director and Vice President of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. Delegates of this virtual congress witnessed a diverse musical presentation of song service and encouraging messages on care group ministries.
The Southern Asia-Pacific Division has a registered number of 21,264 care groups. These Care Groups have been instrumental in various church initiatives, particularly in the recent evangelistic endeavors in Mindoro, Philippines. Hundreds of former rebel groups surrendered their lives in baptism after consistent and faithful communication and relationship by care groups organized in the Philippines.
Pastor Saw Samuel, president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, delivered the message for the vesper service. He reminded all delegates that the church was organized for service and that our mission was to carry the gospel to the world.
“It doesn’t matter where we are coming from; what matters the most is that we are called by grace and be part of God’s salvation, God’s plan of redemption, and to be a source of instrument and a source of blessings to others,” Samuel said.
Care Groups in Action
Success stories and testimonies from different countries within the division warmed up everyone’s attention for the Care Group Virtual Congress Sabbath morning. Members of the Adventist Church structured timely and need-based ministries to attend to the communities holistic needs. During the pandemic, some of our churches planned to assist hospitals within their respective areas by providing oxygen tanks for patients suffering from the pandemic. Others helped the government by distributing vaccines to communities that have not received vaccinations yet.
On the island of Mindoro, Philippines, former rebels and minorities were encouraged to join small group meetings organized by our members to have a regular fellowship. These meetings led to bigger community programs like mass weddings, social gatherings, health seminars, and eventually evangelistic meetings resulting in baptisms.
When Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines in 2021, small groups despite being affected themselves, spearheaded relief operations and partnered with different facets of the church and the government to distribute goods to highly affected areas in Central and South Philippines.
“The small group is the best way to win souls for Jesus,” said Pastor Rudy Baloyo, executive secretary of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. “It is within the context of Care Groups that church members will be nurtured and become active disciples of Jesus doing “love in action” ministry to the community both individually and corporately,” Baloyo added.
President of the Adventist World Church, Pastor Ted Wilson encouraged the congregation as he speaks as the divine worship speaker.
He opens the scripture in Isaiah 6 as a reminder of Isaiah’s character in answering God’s call, especially during these difficult times, “I Will Go!”
“Are you willing to go?” Wilson asked. “The Lord is calling you today in this very difficult and tough time. So many challenges we are facing, so much uncertainty for the unknown future, God is calling you to share with others the wonderful good news that Christ has a way of escape.
Care Groups organized simultaneous evangelistic meetings around the division. The Virtual Care Group Congress resulted in the baptism of 4,592 precious souls and still counting. Care Groups have been proven effective, particularly in establishing relationships and in creating bridges between the community.
Edward Rodriguez, Communication Department Southern Asia-Pacific Division