Pastors from across the Adventist Churches in the North Philippines (NPUC) convened at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) Campus for a historic event—the first-ever North Philippines Ministerial Year-end Fellowship. This unprecedented gathering brought together pastors, their spouses, and children for a five-day experience focused on fostering fellowship, sportsmanship, shared meals, and collaborative learning.
The five-day event, themed COMMUNITEAM, aimed to strengthen the bonds of community and teamwork among pastors. This historic occasion saw a notable turnout of 1080 participants, including a substantial delegation of 311 from the Central Luzon Conference, the largest territory within NPUC.
The festive ambiance of the fellowship commenced with a vibrant parade from the campsite to the AUP gymnasium, where the opening ceremony unfolded. Mr. Offie Rivera, a representative from the local community leadership, attended the event in honor of Community Chief Mario Marqueses. Rivera acknowledged the positive impact of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the AUP community on the lives of the local constituents. Furthermore, he assured the delegates of a peaceful and secure stay on campus throughout the duration of the event.
Honoring the event as the guest of honor was Honorable Assistant Secretary John L. Tejano from the Department of Justice (DOJ), who brought a wealth of personal experience to the gathering. As the son of a minister, former Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano, and a theology graduate from the Adventist University of the Philippines, Tejano emphasized the valuable role of education in his community service. Drawing from his three-term tenure as a municipal mayor, he encouraged pastors to actively engage in and contribute to their communities, underscoring the unparalleled significance of pastoral ministry as "the greatest and noblest of all professions" involved in leading individuals to Jesus. In conclusion, Tejano motivated the pastoral families, stating, "When you get discouraged, look at the cross."
The lighting of the friendship cauldron signaled the official start of the year-end fellowship. NPUC went a step further in fostering a sense of community by arranging a remarkable 100-meter table to accommodate the collective dining experience, symbolizing the unity among the attendees.
The Ministerial Year-end Fellowship not only provided an unprecedented opportunity for pastors to come together for fellowship, sportsmanship, shared meals, and collaborative learning but also served as a platform to reaffirm their commitment to the community and the shared mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The success of this historic event sets a promising precedent for future gatherings that aim to strengthen the bonds within the pastoral community across the North Philippine Union Conference.
NPUC Communication Department