While most Christian denominations around the world observe Holy Week, the Tri-Union of the Adventist Church in the Philippines held its annual Publishing Ministries Leadership Seminar in Bohol, Philippines, from April 4 to 9, with the theme It's Our Time: I Will Go as the Messenger's Leader.
The seminar was co-hosted by the Central Philippine Union Conference and the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. The program's goal was to give leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church's publishing ministries department the skills and knowledge they needed to do their jobs well. This seminar also reminded attendees of the importance of ministry by example and the Jesus method.
On the first day of the conference, Pastor Stephen Apola delivered a stirring message about the importance of humility and obedience in leadership. The biblical story of Moses and his exceptional leadership qualities inspired Apola, who works as the world church's associate director of publishing ministries. Despite being one of history's greatest leaders, Moses was known for his meekness and humility, he said.
Apola urged the audience to follow in the footsteps of Moses by cultivating a spirit of humility and obedience. He emphasized the significance of these traits for effective leadership in any situation. The pastor's speech elicited an enthusiastic response from the audience, who were clearly moved by his words.
Apola emphasized the importance of humility and obedience in leadership in his speech, citing Moses as "very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3, KJV).
Apola reminded the literature evangelists that God initiates and directs effective ministry, and that God seeks to carry out His plan. This encourages believers to trust God's abilities rather than their own.
"Even when Moses saw an Israelite being killed, he was mistaken in thinking he could save Israel with his own strategies, because God had a different plan." When God approached Moses after forty years, he still had curiosity and leadership qualities, but he was humbler.
Apolla emphasizes that the publishing ministry is holy ground, as is every step a believer takes in God's presence. Apolla explains that allowing God to initiate ministry rather than attempting to initiate it on one's own is the key to success. Believers must pray for God to reveal the needs of the people they serve, as well as the strategy for meeting those needs.
"God is aware of the people's needs in your territory. God is aware of the people's suffering in your territory. God knows what is the best way to meet those needs. And it is God who dispatches you and the literature evangelists to meet those needs "Apola highlights
Apolla concludes by sharing his own decision to prioritize family over ministry, trusting God to take care of what he is unable to do.
Throughout the week-long event, attendees participated in a variety of workshops, plenary sessions, and group discussions on topics such as effective leadership, communication strategies, and the use of technology in publishing ministry. They also had the opportunity to network with other leaders of publishing ministries, share ideas, and learn from one another's experiences.
The Philippine Tri-Union Publishing Ministries Leadership Seminar is a significant event for the Philippine Seventh-day Adventist Church's publishing ministry department. It provides a forum for leaders to gain new insights, skills, and relationships that will enable them to better serve their respective communities.
Edward Rodriguez, Southern Asia-Pacific Division