As the global Seventh-day Adventist Church moves forward with its Total Member Involvement (TMI) initiative, the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD) has intensified preparations for its own massive evangelistic effort—Harvest 2025. In a strategic move to equip leaders and departmental directors with essential tools for mission, SSD recently concluded a three-region training series covering the Philippines, Indochina, and Indonesia.
The Nurture, Discipleship, and Reclamation—Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle (NDR-IEL) is spearheading this initiative together with the full support of the SSD leadership, departmental directors, and its workforce.
The training events took place in rapid succession across three locations: East Visayan Academy in Cebu, Philippines (January 20-22), Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand (January 24-26), and Infinity Bali Hotel in Bali, Indonesia (January 27-29). These gatherings brought together organization leaders from the unions, missions, and conferences, including ministerial secretaries, Sabbath School directors, Adventist Mission leaders, and communication and media directors, all of whom play a crucial role in the execution of Harvest 2025.
Harvest 2025 aligns with similar global initiatives within the Adventist Church. The East-Central Africa Division (ECD) has launched Homecoming 2024, while the North American Division (NAD) is preparing for Pentecost 2025. Meanwhile, the Adventist Church in the South Pacific (SPD) recently held its evangelistic campaign in Papua New Guinea, resulting in more than 300,000 baptisms, demonstrating the powerful impact of unified efforts in mission. SSD’s upcoming campaign aims to continue this momentum across 11 nations in the 10/40 window.
Equipping Leaders for Mission
The Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) assembled a distinguished group of speakers to lead the Harvest 2025 Training Series across the Philippines, Indochina, and Indonesia. Heading the delegation was Pastor Arnel Gabin, Vice President for Nurture, Discipleship, and Reclamation—Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle (NDR-IEL), alongside esteemed leaders including Pastor Felixian Felicitas, Field Secretary; Pastor Rudi Situmorang, Ministerial Secretary; Pastor Segundino Asoy, Sabbath School Director; Pastor Abner Dizon, Director for Adventist Muslim Relations; Pastor Michael Palar, Hope Channel Coordinator; and Pastor Heshbon Buscato, Communication Director. Additionally, Anthony Stanyer and Edward Rodriguez, Assistant Directors for the Communication Department, played a crucial role in facilitating the sessions.
During the training sessions, leaders were reminded of the importance of collaboration and the power of local churches working together to reach communities with the message of hope and salvation. The initiative underscores the need for careful planning, mobilization, and digital evangelism, with an emphasis on engaging all church members in mission work.
Some of the topics discussed included intensifying church members' knowledge of Adventist doctrines, the importance of discipleship, the role of pastors in utilizing digital evangelism, and care groups as an effective tool in building connections and relationships. These elements are seen as essential in strengthening church involvement and ensuring sustainable mission efforts.
The training also highlighted valuable insights on the importance of nurturing new members of the church and equipping them to become effective disciples for Christ. This, in turn, will create more opportunities for learning and retention. Additionally, it is the responsibility of every church member to find ways to bring long-lost members back into the faith through intentional efforts and a spirit of reconciliation.
Pastor Hang Dara from the Adventist Church in Cambodia (CAM) expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “This training has not only provided us with strategies but also strengthened our commitment to bring the gospel to challenging areas in our region. We see this as a time of great opportunity for mission.”
Similarly, a church leader from Indonesia, Pastor Kurnaedi, highlighted the enthusiasm of attendees, saying, “Harvest 2025 is more than a program; it’s a movement that calls every member to take part. Seeing leaders from different unions unite in purpose gives us confidence that the Lord is preparing a great harvest.”
Moving Forward with Unity
Following the training, all participants were encouraged to relay the information to their respective unions, missions, and local churches. The goal is to ensure that every member understands their role in the evangelistic campaign and that churches across SSD will be united in prayer, preparation, and action.
As SSD gears up for Harvest 2025, this training series serves as a pivotal step in laying the groundwork for a division-wide revival. With leaders equipped and a clear mission ahead, the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region stands ready to take part in this global movement of sharing Jesus with the world.
Edward Rodriguez
Email: erodriguez@ssd.org