Hurdled by the challenges brought by the pandemic, after almost two years of untiring construction, the Life Hope Impact Center finally stood firm as a new Center of Influence located in Silang, Cavite, Philippines.
On November 11, 2021, Adventist world church president, Ted N.C. Wilson, Adventist World Radio president, Dwayne McKey, and Southern Asia-Pacific Division president, Samuel Saw led the inauguration of the new Center of Influence. Attended by leaders from organizations and institutions from within the Southern Asia-Pacific region, the three leaders alongside administrators, officers, and directors of different organizations and institutions joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for this new building. The official opening ceremony included local authorities, representatives from different business partners, and various services who have been instrumental in completing both interior and exterior designs of the building.
During the inauguration program, leaders reflected on how the project was realized and how the Lord opened opportunities despite uncertainties in completing this challenging project. Max Willy Langi, Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s Chief Finance Officer remembered his first time hearing this very bold initiative and how he reacted towards this endeavor.
“When Pastor Sam talked to me about digital evangelism, I know to myself that we didn’t have the resources and facilities to achieve this huge project. But as deliberations and planning take place, you will eventually how the Lord works and how He can provide in making impossible things happen right before your eyes. This building is not our project, but the Lord’s,” Langi said.
Joseph Allan Deblois, newly elected Associate Treasurer of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division enumerated various obstacles the construction faced before its partial completion. He said, “This construction braved three inches of ashfall, three strong earthquakes, two tropical cyclones, more than two years of pandemic lockdown, and two months of non-stop monsoon rains, in the end, this building endured them all and remained true to its purpose, to be a beacon of hope in the community.”
Daryl Gay Tanamal, current and re-elected Associate Treasurer of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division shares with attendees how the LHIC will create an impact in the community. This new building will house various ministries of the church beginning with SunPlus Network, General Conference Auditing Services, and the Adventist World Radio – Center for Digital Evangelism. It will also offer services to the community through its vegetarian restaurant, fitness center, sauna, health center, convention area, and guest facilities.
Wilson opened the ceremony by noting the importance of establishing facilities and buildings that will serve as centers of influence that will banner various Adventist messages to the world. He noted the value of attending to the community’s needs holistically, physically, mentally, spiritually, and all other aspects of life.
“This massive complex of influence, this building, will be a center of digital evangelism not only in the city of Silang but also around the world,” Wilson said.
In response, Elder Samuel Saw, president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has been instrumental in the completion of this church project. Elder Samuel recognized the planning committee, construction firms, engineers, suppliers, representative bank partners, union, conference, and mission counterparts, local government representatives, and SSD staff who have played their significant roles in collaborating working on this project.
At a very special time during the program, Wilson invited everyone to pray together and dedicate this massive center of influence for mission and ministry.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department