The Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Children's Ministries, and Nurture, Discipleship, and Retention departments of the Southern Asia-Pacific Region (SSD) hosted a division-wide congress from June 10 to June 15, 2024, at Mountain View College (MVC).
The weeklong event featured plenary sessions where guest speakers from various global and regional offices of the Adventist church delivered unified and compelling messages. These sessions inspired the delegates to make a committed effort to participate actively in the Great Gospel Commission.
The congress aimed to advance personal involvement in gospel work among attendees, igniting a renewed dedication to their spiritual mission. Focusing on the urgent need to spread the gospel, speakers stressed the crucial role of personal engagement in the mission of saving souls.
Pastor Bryan Tolentino, Director of Adventist Heritage and Spirit of Prophecy for the Southern Asia-Pacific Region, highlighted the remarkable impact of personal labor by recounting the unwavering dedication of the pioneering missionaries who brought Adventism to Asia despite numerous challenges and limitations.
Citing the Scriptures and the writings of Ellen G. White, guest speakers from the Adventist World Church (GC), Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) headquarters, and regional offices emphasized the divine mandate in Matthew 28:18–20, which calls on believers to share the truth they have received. Pastor Gerson Santos, Associate Secretary of the General Conference, highlighted that unshared truth loses its impact.
Conversely, Pastor Daniel Ebenezer, Associate Director for the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries at the General Conference, inspired attendees by stating, ‘A disciple is an ordinary person called to do extraordinary work.’ He emphasized that, regardless of one's status, 'Our mission is to go and make disciples.'
In the Southern Asia-Pacific region, Vice President for Leadership Development, Pastor Stephen Salainti, stirred the hearts of the delegates to examine themselves with the question, “What am I doing with that which I have?”.
In his message, Pastor Gerson Santos, GC Associate Secretary, stressed the importance of imparting the truth we have. He prompted the delegates to share the truth they received for truth unshared dies out.
While acknowledging the challenges of the work, Dr. Orathai Chureson, Director of Children’s Ministries at the General Conference, underscored parents’ primary responsibility to their families and children. She emphasized that the family is everyone’s first mission field, quoting Isaiah 54:13 to highlight God’s mandate on discipling children in the Lord.
Pastor Bienvenido Mergal, Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) Education Director, highlighted the critical role of Adventist education in nurturing, discipling, and retaining youth within the church. He noted that Adventist schools represent the longest and most extensive evangelistic effort ever undertaken.
Pastor Geoffrey Mbwana, General Conference General Vice President, urged delegates to view Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of working with urgency. He pointed out that Jesus did not delay but acted immediately on the Father's instructions.
Stressing the need for personal involvement in gospel work, Pastor James Howard, GC Director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, referenced Ellen G. White’s appeal: ‘The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. This requires a significant amount of personal labor.
Adding to the urgency, Pastor Erton Köhler, General Conference Executive Secretary, cited Ellen G. White's statement: ‘We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world. We have no time to lose. Every moment is golden.’
The call for committed, intentional, and diligent personal involvement in the mission of saving souls resonated throughout the congress. This mission cannot be fulfilled by proxy; God calls every individual to personally dedicate themselves as vessels of truth, illuminating the world with light from God's throne and preparing people for the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is coming! Get involved!
Adventth Joy Montesa, Central Philippine Union Conference