Erton Kohler, GC Executive Secretary, spoke at the Commitment Service of the Division-wide Congress in Mountain View College on June 15.
He began his message by introducing the significance of Acts 19, which delves into the mission of the church, the challenges, victories, and rewards for the committed followers. In this chapter, Kohler said that the evangelistic endeavours of Paul in Ephesus resulted in the storied beginning of the Christian church in Asia as well as its identity and history.
Kohler specifically focused on Acts 19:11, stressing that God calls believers to perform extraordinary miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit in spreading the gospel.
"My great conviction today is that the same God that opened the first door for mission in Asia in the past can also open any other complex or seemingly impossible door in Asia today," he adds. He concluded his message by urging the delegates to ask God to use their hands in His mission and become His agents in spreading the gospel truth.
Following Kohler's message, Abudionito Cayme, the SwPUC Sabbath School Ministries Director, led a candle-lighting ceremony, in which the delegates committed to taking the learnings from the congress and returning home with a renewed passion to serve the Lord.
The Alumni Hall of Mountain View College is illumined by thousands of candles lit together, symbolizing the collaborative effort of everyone getting involved in the mission to light up the world with hope. [Photo courtesy of Joesamel Tadlas, MVC Media Center]
The candle lighting ceremony symbolizes the commitment of every delegate, marking the conclusion of the congress with the belief that one candle can ignite others, spreading hope and inspiring everyone to share their light.
Quin Salarda, Southwestern Philippine Union Conference Communication Department