Lay-led evangelism yields over 370 in Southern Philippines

A team of Adventist lay people comprising two trial court judges, two medical doctors, other health professionals, some teachers, businessmen, & government employees have teamed up to support the total member involvement initiative of the church by doing public evangelism in which they took turns preaching, singing, and giving lectures every night. This weeklong campaign was held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in the Southern Philippines on June 31 to July 6, 2019. This evangelism partnership was initiated by lay members and supported by the church leadership, which resulted in the baptism of 370 precious souls.

Most of the members comprising the team trace their missionary zeal more than thirty years ago while students of Mountain View College, in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. Judge Chalmer Givieso narrates that while studying in MVC, they formed the singing group Royal Syncrasy to reach out to the surrounding communities and cities through Adventist literature using music ministry as their approach. After three decades, they have managed to contact the group members again and rekindled their missionary spirit by deciding to have a public evangelistic meeting.

During the baptism ceremony, Joselito Romero, one of the newly baptized members was seen raising his sand in gratitude as he kept telling people, “I am now a Seventh-day Adventist!” As he was congratulated by Daryl Gay Atiteo-Tanamal, SSD Associate Treasurer, he whispered, “I will be a Seventh-day Adventist till my last breath.”

With the financial and moral support of church leadership from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, South Philippine Union Conference, and Davao Mission, the event was realized. Church members and pastors joined hand in hand in the soul-winning effort. Encouraged by the result of this evangelistic endeavor, this group has committed to sponsor one public evangelistic meeting every year in places around South Philippine Union Conference territory.

Mamerto Guingguing II