The mission of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) has always been about people—leading them to Jesus, nurturing their faith, and empowering them to share the hope of salvation in their own languages, cultures, and contexts. From 2023 to 2025, the Division journeyed through a period of renewed purpose and unprecedented collaboration. These years have been marked by intentional alignment with the world church’s strategic priorities: Communion with God, Identity in Jesus Christ, Unity through the Holy Spirit, and Mission for All.
In these three years, SSD strengthened its missional heartbeat through a series of movements and initiatives designed to refocus the Church’s identity, rekindle passion for evangelism, and reorganize its structure to better serve the field. These included Mission Refocus, Harvest 2025, Net Harvest digital evangelism, organizational bifurcations, and the launch of the new five-year plan, Mission REAPS. Each of these milestones formed part of one continuing story—God’s movement through His people within the 10/40 Window.
Mission Refocus: Returning to the Heart of Mission
When the General Conference introduced Mission Refocus, it was more than an initiative—it was a call to return to the very reason the Church exists. For the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), this invitation came as both a challenge and an opportunity. The Division, situated at the heart of the 10/40 Window, recognized the urgency of reaching people who have never heard the name of Jesus.
SSD embraced this call by reevaluating priorities and realigning resources toward mission fields that had long remained underserved. This meant reviewing departmental goals, creating stronger collaboration between ministries, and mobilizing both personnel and finances to areas of greatest need.
To ensure the success and continuity of this worldwide movement within the Division, SSD appointed a Mission Refocus Director—a dedicated leader tasked to oversee, coordinate, and sustain the initiative across unions and missions. The creation of this position emphasized the Division’s determination to make Mission Refocus more than a slogan but a living, operational movement embedded in every level of ministry. Under this leadership, strategies were developed to strengthen missionary training, monitor field deployment, and cultivate stronger partnerships with global mission departments.
One of the most visible outcomes of this renewed commitment was the largest missionary send-off in SSD’s history, where more than 18 missionaries were commissioned to serve in restricted and challenging territories. Their deployment symbolized SSD’s resolve to move beyond comfort zones—to live the gospel where it’s hardest to preach it.
In August 2024, the Division hosted the first Regional Global Mission Pioneers Convention in Bali, Indonesia, bringing together 130 pioneers from across Asia. The gathering strengthened bonds among mission workers, offered advanced training, and reinforced the unity and identity that come from serving one mission under one Savior.
Through Mission Refocus, SSD reignited its passion for the unreached, transforming the call into concrete action. What began as a global appeal became a regional movement—one that inspired leaders, missionaries, and church members alike to see themselves not just as spectators of mission, but as active participants in God’s harvest field.
Developing Leaders for Mission: The LeadLab Initiative
Recognizing that strong leadership is vital to advancing mission, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) adopted the LeadLab Initiative in 2023, an innovative leadership development program spearheaded by the General Conference through Andrews University. Designed to nurture Christ-centered, mission-driven leaders, LeadLab equips participants with practical tools and spiritual insights to lead effectively in today’s complex and rapidly changing ministry landscape.
Since its introduction, LeadLab has become a dynamic platform for leadership growth across the Division. It has brought together pastors, administrators, educators, and institutional leaders for interactive workshops and learning experiences that merge biblical principles, behavioral science, and real-life case studies. Each session challenges participants to think critically, manage change with wisdom, and model servant leadership in their organizations and local missions.
Beyond classroom learning, the program immerses participants in real-life leadership scenarios that mirror the challenges faced in Adventist organizations and institutions today. These experiences strengthen decision-making, teamwork, and strategic vision—qualities essential for leaders who carry the gospel forward in diverse contexts within the 10/40 Window.
LeadLab has already begun shaping a new generation of Adventist leaders who lead with both conviction and compassion—leaders who are grounded in the Bible, responsive to the Holy Spirit, and committed to fulfilling the mission of the Church.
Through this initiative, SSD continues to affirm that leadership development is not merely about organizational success, but about transformational influence—preparing leaders who will serve with humility, inspire faith, and lead like Jesus.
Strengthening Adventist Identity: A Call Back to the Word
As the world continues to face increasing secular influences and shifting spiritual values, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) recognizes the urgent need to reaffirm the Church’s foundation in the Word of God and its distinct Adventist identity. In recent years, global and regional data have shown that many members—particularly among younger generations—are drifting from the faith or losing a clear sense of spiritual belonging.
In response, SSD launched a renewed emphasis on strengthening Adventist identity by deepening the Church’s commitment to Scripture and to the principles that define its message and mission. To lead this movement, the Division elected a Field Secretary whose primary role is to nurture doctrinal faithfulness, foster unity among believers, and inspire a revival of authentic, Bible-based spirituality across all fields.
This new position underscores SSD’s conviction that identity in Christ is central to every aspect of mission. The Field Secretary’s work focuses on equipping pastors, educators, and church leaders to root their ministry in biblical truth, to reintroduce members to the prophetic heritage of the Church, and to encourage every believer to live by faith in Jesus Christ.
Through this initiative, SSD seeks to unite the Church in both conviction and compassion—reminding all that our message, mission, and movement stand firm only when they are grounded in the Bible and centered in Christ.
Preserving Adventist Legacy: The Adventist Heritage Center and Village
In line with the Division’s continuing commitment to strengthen Adventist identity and preserve the rich legacy of faith, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) established the Ellen G. White Heritage Center at the Life Hope Center. This center serves as a historical and spiritual landmark that captures the story of the Adventist Church—both globally and within the Southern Asia-Pacific region. Through the leadership of the Spirit of Prophecy Director and the Adventist Heritage Center Director, the center provides a space for reflection and education, helping members and visitors trace how God has guided His Church from its beginnings to the present day.
The establishment of this heritage center reaffirms SSD’s belief that understanding our roots strengthens our faith. By recognizing the lives of faithful believers who shaped the Adventist movement, the Church gains a deeper appreciation for its divine calling and prophetic heritage.
This vision also inspired the realization of the Adventist Heritage Village, a new historical and educational destination being developed on the campus of Mountain View College in Mindanao, Philippines. Designed as a living testament to the Church’s journey, the village will feature immersive exhibits, historical reconstructions, and educational programs that tell the story of Adventism’s mission and faithfulness through the decades.
Set for completion by 2030, the Adventist Heritage Village will stand as a legacy of history and a message of faithfulness for future generations—a place where members, students, and visitors can rediscover the faith, courage, and vision that continue to define the Seventh-day Adventist Church today.
Organizational Bifurcation: Structuring for Mission Growth
Alongside the Division’s evangelistic thrusts, reorganization has been one of the central initiatives of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) to expand and streamline church resources and mission initiatives, making them more effective and responsive to the needs of the field. Recognizing that mission challenges vary across regions, SSD sought to create administrative structures that are both agile and aligned with the realities of local ministry.
In 2023, the South Philippine Union Conference was the first to undergo this major transformation, resulting in the creation of two separate entities—the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SWPUC) and the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SEPUM). This restructuring allowed the rapidly growing church in the southern Philippines to manage resources more efficiently and focus on contextual mission strategies within their distinct territories.
The following year, the North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC) followed the same path of reorganization, giving birth to the Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (NLPUM) and the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM). The decision was driven by the growing membership, geographical diversity, and the need for stronger administrative focus in both the northern and southern parts of Luzon Island.
In 2025, the pattern of mission-driven reorganization continued. The Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) and the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM) were approved for restructuring. CPUC was reorganized into the West Central Philippine Union Mission (WCPUM) and the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC), ensuring that the church’s growing work in the Visayas region could be better supported through localized leadership and focused mission planning. Meanwhile, Indonesia, with its vast territory and cultural diversity, also moved toward greater mission effectiveness through the reorganization of the Central Indonesia Union Mission (CIUM) and the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM)—a step that aligns leadership capacity with the growing opportunities for evangelism and church growth in the archipelago.
Each of these organizational adjustments was more than an administrative change—they represented SSD’s continued desire to bring leadership closer to the front lines of mission. Smaller and more localized unions enable faster decision-making, more effective resource allocation, and deeper engagement with local church members.
These reorganizations also reflect the Division’s commitment to the world church’s strategic priority of Unity through the Holy Spirit—creating diversified structures that remain united in purpose and vision. As new leaders take up their roles across these reorganized territories, the Division remains confident that these changes will lead to stronger collaboration, renewed missionary focus, and greater evangelistic impact throughout the Southern Asia-Pacific region.
Harvest 2025: A Division-wide Movement of Faith and Action
The culmination of this renewed focus came in the form of Harvest 2025, a yearlong, division-wide evangelistic movement launched in November 2024. This initiative was not merely a campaign; it was a united response to God’s command to “Go.” Its purpose was to transform the culture of evangelism from being an event to becoming a lifestyle.
Harvest 2025 unfolded in five strategic phases—PREPARE, PLANT, CULTIVATE, HARVEST, and PRESERVE. The process began with spiritual revival across unions and missions, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and communion with God as the foundation of all efforts.
Training sessions were conducted in three major regions—Philippines, Indochina, and Indonesia—equipping leaders to integrate digital outreach, small group ministry, and discipleship models. Churches were encouraged to innovate, not just by holding public meetings, but by connecting through service, compassion, and community care.
By mid-2025, the momentum of Harvest 2025 had spread across Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia—regions marked by cultural and religious diversity—Adventist members gathered courageously to share the gospel in homes, villages, and online spaces. In the digital world, Net Harvest 2025 brought evangelism to screens and mobile devices, reaching those who could not be reached physically.
The campaign’s success was not measured only by baptisms but by transformation—members who prayed more, shared more, and stood united under one mission. Harvest 2025 became the voice of a division working together: pastors, teachers, students, missionaries, and laypeople all serving with one heart and one purpose.
Net Harvest 2025: Reaching the Unreached Through Digital Frontiers
In an era where digital media shapes culture and communication, SSD recognized the need to make technology a missionary tool. The Net Harvest 2025 digital evangelism campaign was designed to reach audiences in major cities, remote provinces, and restricted areas through online programs, Bible studies, and social media engagement.
This digital approach expanded the church’s presence beyond physical boundaries, ensuring that the message of salvation could enter homes and hearts through mobile screens and broadcasts. It was a reminder that the gospel is not limited by distance or circumstance—it adapts, multiplies, and connects.
Through Net Harvest 2025, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) underscored the growing importance of creative evangelism in the digital era. This initiative became a platform for innovation and spiritual engagement, empowering youth, communicators, and media volunteers to use technology as a ministry tool. Many discovered renewed identity in Christ as they realized that their digital skills, creativity, and voices could be instruments to proclaim the everlasting gospel and draw others to Jesus.
As part of this movement, in December 2025, SSD will host a ten-day evangelistic series in partnership with Pastor Hensley Moorooven, General Conference Undersecretary. The series will be broadcast live across multiple social media platforms while nightly meetings take place at the Life Hope Center. This hybrid event is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of viewers worldwide, creating a digital revival experience that transcends geographical boundaries and languages. At its culmination, the series aims to lead many to make personal decisions for Christ, standing as a testament to how digital ministry continues to bring souls to the foot of the cross.
OneVoice27 and Mission REAPS: The Next Chapter of SSD’s Mission Story
As the Harvest 2025 campaign draws to a close, SSD is already transitioning toward a new chapter—Mission REAPS, the five-year mission plan that will guide the Division from 2026 to 2030.
Mission REAPS, which stands for Reach, Expand, Advance, Proclaim, and Seek, Save, Disciple, is designed to build upon the momentum of Harvest 2025 by developing sustainable, community-based mission strategies. It aims not just to gather souls but to nurture disciples who, in turn, become disciple-makers.
In harmony with OneVoice27—the global call for every member to engage in mission—SSD aligns itself with this unified voice: one people, one message, one mission. The campaign invites all believers to remain grounded in Scripture and steadfastly focused on the mission. As SSD moves into the next phase, it seeks to deepen spiritual identity, foster stronger cooperation among divisions, and expand evangelistic outreach across the 10/40 Window.
Conclusion: Grounded and Growing
The journey from 2023 to 2025 has been one of grounding and growth. Grounded in the Bible, the Division reconnected to the core of its calling. Focused on the mission, it moved together as one body—diverse yet united, challenged yet courageous, local yet global in vision.
Each initiative—Mission Refocus, Harvest 2025, Net Harvest, organizational restructuring, and Mission REAPS—represents a building block of a greater plan orchestrated by God. As SSD enters the next five years, it does so with renewed faith and a shared conviction that when the Church stays connected to the Source, it cannot help but bear fruit.
The Southern Asia-Pacific Division stands ready to keep reaping where God has sown—until every heart has heard and every life has been touched by the love of Jesus.