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.