Dubbed as “Earth's Final Countdown”, the first leg of the integrated evangelism series culminated at Philippine International Church on November 6, 2021.
According to Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, "this is a revelation of hope for the people of the Philippines and around the world, 215 countries in Total Member Involvement.”
The unprecedented nightly meetings were led by Dr. Duane McKey, the president of the Adventist World Radio, from October 31-November 4, 2021, respectively. "What a time to be alive! So thrilling and exciting! Praise God that we can be a small part of finishing the work of Jesus!" Dr. McKey, who is celebrating his birthday today, uttered during his felicitations.
Productivity Amid Pandemic Challenges
In lieu of a physical visit at Philippine International Church, Elder Wilson graced the congregational worship via Zoom. The quarantine at a hotel, as part of the pandemic protocol, didn’t hinder him to serve. His lovely wife, Nancy Wilson, served with him as the health lecturer during Vespers worship.
"It is a great privilege to be in this country of the Philippines. I've been here several times, but this time is a unique, a special time to give God the glory for what He's doing in Earth's Final Countdown series.” He emphasized as he started the message during the hour of worship.
He nailed down the importance of feeding on God’s Word for spiritual nourishment that is vital in these last days: "God wants us to be spiritually healthy as well as physicaly healthy [3 John 2]." He also added that it is very vital to consult God through the Scriptures: “If it's in the Bible, I believe it. If it disagrees with the Bible, it's not for me.” And lastly, Wilson said that being vigilant can spare the truth seeker from deceit: “Take the Bible as it reads. Whatever the Bible says, that's what we believe.”
Moreover, the highlights of his message are Jesus’ second coming, its manner, and the events that will happen along with it:
Seismic upheavals
Righteous dead raised
Righteous living changed
Immortality bestowed
Wicked living destroyed
Righteous welcome Christ
Righteous go to heaven
In the light of eternity and the Earth’s Final Countdown, “Christ’s coming will be a literal, visible, audible, glorious, climactic and joyous event!”
Plenteous Harvest During Pandemic
"NPUC has been the epicenter of the pandemic but the pandemic couldn't stop the work in our territory.”, according to Pastor Jose Zabat, Jr.
During his baptism report, he emphasized that ”Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God used care groups, media ministry, Adventist World Radio as the voice of hope ...we have simultaneous evangelistic meetings in 111 sites."
CLC - 1,006
SCLC - 758
MPM - 142
NLM -185
NELM - 790
SLM - 916
PM - 644
CM - 70
Total - 4,511
Furthermore, In 2021, 15,000 new members were added to the North Philippine Union Conference. More fields within the NPUC territory are ready for harvest, (2, 150 baptismal candidates).
Today, 147 souls were baptized at the Adventist University Pool, a portion of candidates from Cavite Mission. Other baptisms will take place in the local churches. "There will be no change in people unless the change will happen in the power of the gospel." Pastor Romeo Mangiliman, NPUC President, emphasized.
Integrated Evangelism Initiative of SSD
Dr. Bienvenido Mergal, the Vice President for NDR-IEL at SSD shared some of the key contributions to the furtherance of God’s work.
"We maximized and mobilized our care groups. There are 35,000 care groups within SSD. 6,000 are from NPUC. "I Will Go", I will reach the world through Total Member Involvement. Method of Christ, the means through care groups; mobilized through the Holy Spirit.”
In regard to the Total Member Involvement, Hon. Bienvenido Tejano, Philippine Ambassador to Papua Ne Guinea, appealed to those who are in public service. "We who are in the public service have a greater responsibility because we both carry the responsibility of our government and as a member of the church,” Tejano said.
He is another special guest among many others, including some leaders from the General Conference, and SSD leadership. “I would like to encourage each and every one of us, let us lock in together to post that final touch,” Ambassador Tejano added.
Lailanie Fronda, Adventist University of the Philippines, SSD Communication Department Correspondent