On October 24, 2022, in Cavite, Philippines, more than 300 pastors from various religions gathered for a fellowship lunch hosted by the Adventist church. The purpose of this invitation is to foster wholesome spiritual relationships between fellow pastors and ministers of the many religious organizations in the adjacent areas of the province of Cavite. First of its kind in Luzon, this gathering brings together ministers and pastors from various faith groups to pray, fellowship, and celebrate God's goodness and provide hope for the world.
Muslims, Born Again Christians, United Methodists, Unida Christians, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Christian Pastors for the Deaf and Mute Community, and members of the Pentecostal Church were among the religious ministers and pastors present. Representatives of the local government from a variety of sectors attended the event to demonstrate their support for this fellowship of Christians. Atty. Kevin Anarna, the mayor of the Municipality of Silang, Cavite, attended the gathering and gave a speech of appreciation for seeing different religious organizations work together to promote Christ-like character in society and in the congregations they serve.
"I am a product of various religious organizations. My foundation to have Christian Education at the onset of my upbringing helped me to hone my character and encouraged me always to strive and become a better person," said Silang Municipality Mayor, Atty. Kevin Anarna.
This program reflects the church's advocacy for engaging in interfaith talks and developing positive connections with other religious organizations in society.
Pastor Roger Caderma, the president of the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific, thanked the event's planners and welcomed fellow ministers and pastors from other religions to attend this fellowship lunch. This gathering allows us to put our differences aside and create a space where we may interact and be brothers and sisters in faith.
"We are all geared to achieve one mission, and that is for all of us to reach heaven," Caderma said. "We all have a valuable task to accomplish, to be God's disciple in preparing people for God's salvation and soon return," Caderma added.
A brief introduction to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its advocacy for working with the community to have a long-lasting good impact on families and individuals was presented to guests from the religious and public sectors.
The meeting also included several presentations on publishing and health. The Ministry Magazine was provided as a free subscription to meeting attendees. Since 1928, the Adventist Church has published The Ministry Magazine, a theological magazine intended for a multi-denominational and international readership.
In recognition of their attendance at this historical event, attendees also received the Alpha and Omega Book series.
Bishop Bernie Fontalba, the senior pastor of the Faith Fellowship Church-Tagaytay Regional Chapter, responded to the fellowship by expressing his gratitude and emphasizing a reminder of the divine call that God has given to His ministers and pastors.
According to Fontalba, God has given us the responsibility of being a pastor as a gift. Despite all the challenges we are currently facing, "our mission is to let people see the blessed hope in Jesus," he continued. "We encourage the world that hope is found in Jesus."
A fellowship lunch and a statement that there would be another fellowship dinner the following year marked the program's conclusion, according to the fellowship's organizers.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department