Lay Convention in Central Philippines Reaffirms Commitment to Adventist Identity and Mission

More than 300 lay Bible workers and missionaries, known as the Negros Occidental Advent Heralds (NOAHs), gather for a spiritual convention at Central Philippine Adventist College, reaffirming their commitment to Adventist identity and mission.

Ian Felicitas

Lay Convention in Central Philippines Reaffirms Commitment to Adventist Identity and Mission

Edward Rodriguez

More than 300 Adventist lay workers in Negros Occidental gathered for a mission-focused convention to strengthen Adventist identity, reaffirm core beliefs, and empower local churches amid growing spiritual and doctrinal challenges.

In a powerful show of unity and purpose, more than 300 lay Bible workers and missionaries, known as the Negros Occidental Advent Heralds (NOAHs), gathered for a spiritual convention designed to equip and recommit participants to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church amid changing societal landscapes.

The event, organized through the collaborative efforts of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC), and the Negros Occidental Conference (NOC), focused on deepening the participants’ understanding of their Adventist identity and the church’s foundational mission. Pastor Neildren Gulfan, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director of the Negros Occidental Conference, spearheaded the initiative, recognizing the need for such a gathering to ignite the passion of lay members and empower them to lead their local churches and advance the mission of the church within their respective territories.

“We are living in a time where belief systems are constantly being challenged. It is in these moments that the church must redirect its people back to the source of our identity — the Bible,” said Pastor Ian Felicitas, Field Secretary of the Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD). “This gathering is more than a convention; it is a reminder of who we are and why we exist as a church.”

The convention highlighted the continuing education and empowerment of church members and leaders as essential tools in navigating the modern world’s complex spiritual climate. With increasing reports of doctrinal confusion and a growing disconnect from the church’s foundational beliefs, leaders emphasized the urgency of reeducating members on core Adventist doctrines, especially among local leaders and frontline missionaries.

Recent studies conducted by the General Conference’s Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research reveal a concerning trend: a significant number of church members worldwide struggle to articulate key Adventist beliefs such as the Sabbath, the state of the dead, and the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White. These findings underscore the need for consistent and contextualized education efforts that reinforce not only theological knowledge but also a personal conviction in the Adventist message.

Quoting former General Conference President Jan Paulsen, Felicitas reminded the attendees, “Mission is the environment in which the church comes alive. A leader who cannot, or will not, see this should not carry a leadership assignment. Let it be clear: Mission is the primary reason for our being as a church.”

This message resonated deeply with the NOAHs, many of whom serve in rural and underserved areas throughout Negros Occidental. The participants recommitted to their calling to share the gospel, not merely through programs, but through personal engagement with the communities they serve.

The event also served as a platform to reflect on the church’s mission in the context of the 10/40 Window, where cultural sensitivities and religious pluralism require thoughtful and Christ-centered approaches to evangelism. Through worship, training sessions, and testimonies, the convention reignited a collective passion to uplift Jesus and His truth in every household, regardless of background.

As the church continues to face internal and external challenges, programs like this lay convention serve as beacons of hope, reminding members and leaders alike that the strength of the Adventist Church lies in its unwavering commitment to Scripture, its identity in Christ, and its mission to proclaim the everlasting gospel to all nations.

Edward Rodriguez

Global Church Votes to Reorganize Central Philippines and West Indonesia Unions to Strengthen Mission Focus

‘Travel with Faith’ Camporee Unites More Than 2,000 Children and Families in Central Philippines

Adventist Church Responds After Successive Earthquakes Rock the Philippines

Idea-thon Empowers Thirteen Adventist Teams to Create Digital Tools for Mission

Adventist Academy’s Sepak Takraw Team Wins Gold While Keeping Faith First

Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Appeals for Prayers and Support for Families Affected by Recent Calamities in the Philippines

ADRA Responds to Deadly Earthquake in Cebu, Calls for Prayers and Support

ADRA Philippines Responds to Typhoon Bualoi’s Aftermath in Masbate and Mindoro

Penang Adventist Hospital Dedicates New Facilities to Strengthen Patient Care and Community Service

Adventist University of the Philippines Graduate Ranks Fifth in National Psychology Board Exam

Nationwide Evangelistic Series in Cambodia Results in More than 1,000 Baptisms

Philippines Hit by Third Storm in Two Weeks, ADRA Readies Relief Efforts

ADRA Mobilizes Aid for Families Displaced by Super Typhoon Nando

ADRA Responds to Flash Floods in South Philippines

Adventist Health Workers From Central Philippines Earn Praise After Social Media Post Shows Compassion in Action

A New Chapter for Adventist Wellness Opens in a Town Known for Its Traditional Heritage

In the Philippines, Adventists Partner with Ormoc Fire Station, Coast Guard for Mental and Spiritual Outreach

Manila Adventist College Opens Extension Campus in Mindoro, Philippines

Adventist Church in Zamboanga Peninsula Hosts First Adventist Education Summit

Adventist Church in West Thailand Inaugurates New Center of Influence

Idea-thon to Chart Digital Strategies for Church Missions in Southern Asia-Pacific

Adventist Students Lead Over 200 Peers Discover Purpose Through Campus Ministry

Young Girls’ Ministry Kick-Start Program Concludes with Regional Impact in Malaysia

Senior Youth Leaders Complete Handwritten New Testament, Preserving Scripture for Heritage

Adventist Advocacy Group Brings Autism Awareness to Malaysia’s Independence Day Celebration